this post was submitted on 11 Jun 2024
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xkcd #2944: Magnet Fishing (imgs.xkcd.com)
submitted 5 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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https://xkcd.com/2944

Alt text:

The ten-way tie was judged a ten-way tie, so no one won the grand prize, a rare fishing monopole.

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 months ago (6 children)

What the fuck?

Magnet fishing, also called magnetic fishing, is searching in outdoor waters for ferromagnetic objects available to pull with a strong neodymium magnet.[1] Recovered items may be dangerous, such as firearms, ammunition, and bombs.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnet_fishing

Why would anyone do this?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 months ago

Humans. Go figure.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 5 months ago

Because our ancestors got dopamine when they picked a berry and that increased their odds of survival

[–] [email protected] 34 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (2 children)

Goblin brain likes little trinkets made of metal. Goblin brain demands I find them, keep them, anything to distract from the void.

may be dangerous, such as firearms, ammunition, and bombs.

Also goblin brain not always best decision maker.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 months ago

I have severe goblin brain. Must collect metals.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 5 months ago

Tbf to the goblin brain, the likely danger from those objects is tetanus

[–] [email protected] 9 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Think using a metal detector on a beach, but better... Who wouldn't want to do this?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 months ago (1 children)

I'm not getting the 'better' part. You're much more stationary and whatever you pull up will be coated with muck and slime and, as what I pasted said, it might also seriously hurt or even kill you.

I'd say finding a bomb on a beach that no one has discovered yet is less likely than finding one in a river.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (1 children)

From my other comment:

So at best, you find something rare and valuable, and at worst, you're removing trash from the waterways. What's not to love?

Also finding an active bomb anywhere is extremely rare... Not even possible enough to worry about.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 5 months ago (2 children)

At worst, you're blown into a bunch of little bloody pieces.

But removing trash from the waterways I can get behind.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago

the small chance of exploding just makes it more exciting!

[–] [email protected] 7 points 5 months ago (1 children)

There isn't even one instance of an active bomb exploding... And magnet fishing is a pretty common thing. Plus generally people will call the police if they find something potentially dangerous or used in a crime. It's probably fine.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 5 months ago

I remember watching a video where some people pulled a landmine out of a river and the cops were so annoyed to have to deal with it. Apparently this wasn't the first explosive that's come up out of that river and the cops basically blamed the people for pulling out another one.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 5 months ago (1 children)

You could find a cool scooter! Or some coins!

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Only ferromagnetic coins which... does anyone use those?

[–] [email protected] 6 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (1 children)

Most of Canada's small coins respond to magnets. Not sure about other countries.

Edit: Or even better, old ferromagnetic coins or forgotten tools from past ages if you're in areas of the old world

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 months ago

Interesting! TIL! Thanks.