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Frank_Baker Frank_Baker
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8 years ago
My friend saw this article http://www.theregister.co.uk/2014/01/06/exploding_artichoke/
and says this is proof spontaneous human combustion is possible because it proves phosphine is produced biologically.
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wrote...
#1
Educator
8 years ago
Quote from: Frank_Baker (8 years ago)
My friend saw this article http://www.theregister.co.uk/2014/01/06/exploding_artichoke/
and says this is proof spontaneous human combustion is possible because it proves phosphine is produced biologically.

It doesn't mention that (a), and (b) that isn't proof of anything.
Frank_Baker Author
wrote...
#2
8 years ago
No, I meant my friend said that
wrote...
#3
Educator
8 years ago
You normally believe everything your friends tell you?

If the story is true, which I doubt given the source, there could be countless non-biological explanations. I can assure you it isn't exploding bacteria.
Frank_Baker Author
wrote...
#4
8 years ago
 Not exploding bacteria, but a gas produced by bacteria which auto-ignites on contact with oxygen. (Phosphine)
wrote...
#5
Educator
8 years ago
If evolution has taught us anything it's that features exist in organisms to help them survive and reproduce. How does producing a deadly gas that's easily ignitable promoting survival and replication. Logic alone dedicates that it's impossible.
Frank_Baker Author
wrote...
#6
8 years ago
There's phosphine in the atmosphere and marsh gas is said to contain a lot of it, where's it come from?
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#7
Educator
8 years ago
I've never heard of an exploding marsh.
Frank_Baker Author
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#8
8 years ago
Will-O-Wisp.
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#9
Educator
8 years ago
More information required, no idea what that is, even after a Wikipedia search.
Frank_Baker Author
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#10
8 years ago
People sometimes see flames appear over certain marshes. The leading theory is bacteria in the marsh produce phosphine, and when this phosphine bubbles to the surface, it auto-ignites on contact with air, producing the flame.
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#11
Educator
8 years ago
Yes, and that supposedly is proof of 'phosphine' and spontaneous combustion. Could you please tell me where you get your ideas from?
Frank_Baker Author
wrote...
#12
8 years ago
Wikipedia - Phosphine
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#13
Educator
8 years ago
Nice try, but I think you know what I meant, these folklore burning marshes make no mention of 'phosphine' or anything. Marshes are know for their CH4 emissions. It's all in your head...
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