"Power-dressing man leaves trail of destruction"

[cfgauss]

I don't think I've seen this mentioned on any of the other forums here...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20050916/...electricity_dc
Have people really become this stupid? This is why I haven't taken anything seriously in the news since jr. high.
And a "current of 40,000 volts" too. To quote the comic book guy from the simpsons, "there's no emoticon for how I'm feeling right now!"

[Kizarvexis]

When I read that, I was wondering if Australia has an April 1st like day as well. I mean, if someone were to somehow get charged up with static electricity enough to scorch carpet, wouldn't it discharge through the air when he got near a metal, grounded object, like a door handle?

Kizarvexis

[01101001]

See Babbling thread Building evacuated after man builds 40,000 volt static charge in clothing .

[publiusr]

I'm surprised the spontaneous human combustion people haven't jumped on this.

[oynaz]

A static charge can reach very high voltages, though 40000 volts is extremely high, and the discharge could just possible ignite a readoly flammable object.
But the story is wrong for other reasons.

1. It is impossible to ignite a carpet without help. You need to soak it in gasoline or something like that.

2. If a static charge discharges, it is just that. Discharged, ie. gone from the charged object.

3. Firemen does not carry a "static electricity field meter", which a doubt is the right name anyway.