Keeping Your Advantage: Terrain and You, Week VII [Monday, Period 4]

[atreideslioness]

"Welcome to your last official class of the semester," Ghanima said as the students arrived. "Today, we're looking at a type of terrain that is near and dear to my heart: the desert."

Deserts take up about one third of the Earth's land surface, and usually have a large diurnal and seasonal temperature range, with high daytime temperatures and low nighttime temperatures that can reach 45 °C/113 °F or higher. The dry desert air is incapable of blocking sunlight during the day or trapping heat during the night without water. Thus, during daylight most of the sun's heat reaches the ground, and as soon as the sun sets the desert cools quickly by radiating its heat into space."

"Most deserts are formed by rain shadows; mountains blocking the path of precipitation. Deserts are often composed of sand and rocky surfaces. Sand dunes called ergs and stony surfaces called hamada surfaces compose a minority of desert surfaces. Exposures of rocky terrain are typical, and reflect minimal soil development and sparseness of vegetation."

The Danger Shop rippled around them, and the students would find themselves standing on a rocky outcropping, looking out over a landscape of sand and blinding sun. "It is unfortunate that many people equate deserts with a hostile environment that conspires against human life," Ghanima continued easily, seemingly unbothered by the change in scenery. "In the popular media, desert areas seem to be considered to be at the top of the wilderness list for danger. The historical fact is, however, that the human race was cradled in arid lands and people are well adapted to survive in deserts. Learning to be part of the desert's ecosystem, and not view it as an antagonist is the first step of desert survival. Preparation starts with how you dress. People stand upright and receive only 60% of the solar radiation that animals on all fours do. By adding a proper hat, with a wide brim and closed crown, the head and body are further protected. A common mistake made by new desert visitors is wearing shorts and sleeveless shirts. Loose fitting long sleeves and pants provide good air circulation and much better protection than sunblock."

"Deserts are defined by their lack of water. Learn to ration sweat, not water. By staying in the shade, limiting activity to cooler times such as night and using your available water, your chances for survival increase greatly. Sipping water does not get it to the brain and vital organs. Take a good drink when you need it. People have been found dead from dehydration with water in their canteens. Also, do not rely on "parlor tricks" such as solar stills as a primary source. These will often produce more sweat digging the hole than is obtained from water gained. Learn to locate water through areas of green vegetation, flights of birds, converging animal trails and digging in the outside bends of dry creek beds."

"You're probably all expecting a final," she said, looking at the students. "I hate to disappoint you, but you aren't getting one here today. Instead, go ahead and play in the sand. Try not to get bitten by scorpions, get heatstroke, or burn your hands. Learn how to walk - and run - without falling."

"Next week, for those who are interested, we'll be going on a little trip." Ghanima tilted her face towards the sun, shutting her eyes and smiling. "Anyone is welcome, and we will be going to Arrakis. Dune. Seat of the Imperium and fiefdom of House Atreides. Those of you who want to go along will get a final of a different sort, something that cannot be replicated in the Danger Shop to any degree of accuracy." She waved one hand, and another hologram shimmered into being.

"You will ride the worms," she said simply, walking over to one of the rising behemoths and placing her hand against its side. "They say that God created Arrakis to train the faithful. In truth, I think he made it for Shai-Hulud to roam. Nowhere else in the Known Universe will you find these beautiful creatures; they are the life and breath of this planet, and the primary mode of distance transportation for the wandering tribes of Fremen. That does not, however, mean they are tame."

"The sign-up sheet will be on the door of my office until next Monday." Another wave of her hand, and the worms vanished as she turned back to them. "Now go play, and no throwing snakes at each other."

[OCD up]

Comments

Sign-In #7

[atreideslioness]

One more time...

Re: Sign-In #7

[kestrelswolf.livejournal.com]

Re: Sign-In #7

[heartflames.livejournal.com]

Eleanor Robinson

During the Lecture

[atreideslioness]

Listen to Ghanima, talk, look around, etc.

Re: During the Lecture

[kestrelswolf.livejournal.com]

Firekeeper looked around curiously. Unfortunately, it looked as if deserts would be one of those places (along with diners, apparently) where she would be required to wear shoes.

Re: During the Lecture

[heartflames.livejournal.com]

As she listened, Eleanor wondered if her intristic fire magic also kept her from suffering the heat of the sun.

Re: During the Lecture

[weetuskenraider]

It wasn't like Tahiri hadn't suspected this was coming, and had in fact brought boots along with her today. The expression on her face was half amused, half resigned.

. . . except for when she was putting the boots on. Then her expression was purely disgusted.

Re: During the Lecture

[puppy_fair]

Just like he didn't mind the cold weather, Zack wasn't terribly bothered by the heat, either. What he was doing was grinning and bouncing and mouthing yes, yes, YES, the moment Ghanima had mentioned a field trip.

Score!

Re: During the Lecture

[solo_sword]

Jaina had to be glad there wasn't a final, considering she had a bunny with her today. She really didn't want to have to hand her boyfriend off to someone while she completed a course or something. She'd probably get a bunny pout for that.

It was so sad she knew exactly the look she'd get, too.

Re: During the Lecture

[cutsthestrings.livejournal.com]

Fiona looked around, thinking of Leto and all he'd told her about his home. To think she might get to go there?

But not with him, that she was reasonably certain of. That was the saddest part.

Re: During the Lecture

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

"Arrakis!" Dinah was now spinning with glee. "Woooo!"

Re: During the Lecture

[momslilassassin]

Ben looked around, taking note of the differences between Arrakis and Tatooine.

Re: During the Lecture

[saikyou-no.livejournal.com]

Desert was one terrain that Kenshin was absolutely, completely, one-hundred-percent unfamiliar with.

It was a happy coincidence then, he realised as he listened to the lecture, that he was dressed somewhat appropriately for it. Right down to the hat.

Change of Scenery: Arrakis

[atreideslioness]

.

React to the Sandworms

[atreideslioness]

OMG. BIG THINGS. WITH BIG TEETH. AND THEY WILL EAT YOU.

Go ahead and wander up to the frozen hologram. Touch the skin, try and climb it to look into the mouth, hide behind someone taller than you. They're frozen in time, and won't hurt you.

Re: React to the Sandworms

[heartflames.livejournal.com]

Eleanor would just be watching from over here, thank you.

Re: React to the Sandworms

[weetuskenraider]

Tahiri wandered up to look at the sandworm much more casually than she would have if it hadn't been frozen and a Danger Shop hologram.

". . . huh."

Re: React to the Sandworms

[endsthegame]

They were large creatures, and they did have really sharp teeth. But Ender knew a hologram when he saw one, and he let an innate curiosity towards the alien take hold as he walked up to the sandworm, testing its skin with a hand.

Play in the Sand

[atreideslioness]

Run races, climb the cliff, poke at scorpions with sticks, or just sit in the shade and chat, and be glad that Ghanima doesn't believe in standardized tests.

Talk to the TAs

[atreideslioness]

Once they tag in.

Re: Talk to the TAs

[weetuskenraider]

Tahiri was around! And no, she wasn't going to tell you a whole bunch of long stories about growing up on Tatooine.

Unless you asked really nicely, and even then the odds were slim.

Re: Talk to the TAs

[likethestore.livejournal.com]

K-Mart was also around. And looking vaguely unimpressed by yet another desert.

Talk to Ghanima

[atreideslioness]

She's around for chatting!

OOC

[atreideslioness]

*flops* Mondays ought to be outlawed.

Re: OOC

[weetuskenraider]

Who can we call to do something about that? I am willing to overlook my paralyzing fear of making phone calls for this.