A 25-year-old chemistry student of the Kiev Polytechnic Institute had acquired the peculiar habit of dipping his chewing gum in citric acid crystals while he worked, presumably to add a zesty flavor. He was hunched over at a computer in his parents' house in the northern Ukraine city of Konotop when, whether by intention or inattention, the student dunked his gum into an unidentified chemical and stuck it back into his mouth. A loud pop was heard coming from his room. (Reports really said that!) Putting aside the question of what he was doing with chemicals at home, the student was well aware of the need to keep them away from food. Every academic laboratory emphasizes the importance of never eating near chemicals because it is easy to confuse a tasty beverage with a toxic liquid, or salt your salad with arsenic. But there he was, deceased, the lower part of his face blown off. A forensic examination established that the remains of the chewing gum was covered with a dangerous unknown substance that the local laboratory presently did not have the necessary equipment to identify. Police found packets of citric acid and packets of a similar-looking unidentified explosive material, and think the student simply confused the two. |
"Darwin Awards: We watch the watchman watch the watchmen."
Natural selection deems that some individuals
serve as a warning to others. Who are we to disagree?
The next generation, ever and anon, is descended from the survivors.
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