May 1, 1998 transcript #: 231-5 
Subject(s): thunder, literature 
Title: BRAINSTORM: CAUSE OF THUNDER

Today on the Weather Notebook it’s time for a new Brainstorm. A Brainstorm is actually a question that will come along here in a few seconds, a question that may induce a bit of brainstorming on your part to come up with an answer.  Hi I’m Dave Thurlow.  Right after the Brainstorm I’ll tell you how to send along your answer to the Weather Notebook staff here at the Mount Washington Observatory.  If you respond we’ll send you a cloud poster.  If you phone in and record your answer and it’s particularly impressive we’ll use it on the air and send you a Weather Notebook magic mug.  So, here goes.  What fictional character is responsible for the following quote: “First, let me talk with this philosopher – what is the cause of thunder?”  If you know who said that, that’s great.  But if you want to really impress you friends and neighbors then tell us what the cause of thunder is and tell us in the style of the author of the preceding quote. Again: “First, let me talk with this philosopher – what is the cause of thunder?” 

You can send your answer to us at The Weather Notebook, PO Box 2310 North Conway, New Hampshire 03860 or better yet call 1-888-724-6001 and leave your answer on our voice mail.  And you can always review the question and answer it at our website, mountwasington.org/notebook.  Anyone who answers will get a free cloud poster so be sure to leave your address.  Our show is made possible by Subaru the beauty of all wheel drive, and by The National Science Foundation.