Orange Barrel Theory
Over the past few years I have began to develop what I like to call "John Nash Syndrome." This is when one searches for one idea or theory that is truly original. On a six flags trip this weekend, I came up with my first original idea. I like to call it "Orange Barrel Theory". Everyone knows that on every road trip you come across at least 1 to 5 road construction zones. In these zones are the infamous orange barrels with the two reflective stripes. Yesterday, while driving I reached a construction zone and the orange barrels were lined up as usual down the side of the road. Just by looking I would say that they were spaced about 10 feet apart. The reason I figure there about ten feet apart is because I have always had the urge to swerve my car in and out of the barrels and it looks like my car would fit. I dozed off for an extended period of time and then about 20 miles later I suddenly realized that the barrels were still going. Lets do some math. There are 5280 feet in a mile. I traveled 20 miles and the barrels were spaced 10 feet apart. The total amount of barrels would be calculated as follows:5280 x 20 = 105,600 (total feet)
(105,600 / 10ft) + 1 = 10,561 (total amount of barrels)
As you can see, this is a very large amount of barrels. You must also take into to consideration that this is only the amount of barrels in one construction area. You may ask, "What is your point". The Orange Barrel theory states that the amount of storage space required to house 10,561 barrels of this size would be astronomical and more important unrealistic. And based on the size of the usual state budget, this type of building does not exist. So the reason that there is always road construction is because there has to be. There isn't a building large enough to house the barrels so they have to put them on the side of the road. This also accounts for the road construction zones with no road construction workers. This makes up the "Orange Barrel Theory."
(Calculations made by Aaron "Big Dog" "Moo" Cowan. I didn't have a calculator on me!)
Posted by dmac at August 15, 2004 08:08 PM
