to not understand the point of helium balloons for celebrations?

[Olifin]

Waste of money? Waste of resources? Pointless?

What say you?

we have nearly used up all the earth's helium resources apparently, so i guess it's too late to worry now :(

WHat say I? Forget the balloons and just pass the helium pipe. Much more fun.

Indeed BooBoo. Although perhaps not because, as sea points out, it's a fairly rare resource and as I understand it, it's needed in some medical processes rather more than it's needed in balloons.

Undo them, inhale and sing ridiculous songs in ridiculous voices.

Other than that I think they are fairly pontless.

Umm They pose less of an MRSA risk when taken to hospitals as a gift (clutching at straws I know)

What medical procedures are helium used in?

earth has a stock of helium?

mri scanners us it i remember reading

Well, you could knock me down with a feather!

I'm going to go and google it now.

Yes, inhale the helium and have lots of fun! They are worth every penny!

You mean i am no longer allowed to get DC a big number every birthday any more because we may be depleting our resources far faster than we ought to.

Doesn't this stand for a lot of things in life though?

According to National Geographic, because of helium's importance, we should be charging $100 a balloon. Very important in space flight (I am given to understand)

But space flight isn't important.

Not really but possibly marginally more important to science than talking in a high-pitched voice

Neither are important in all honesty :o

We had balloons at the wedding (though in-laws suggested them and sorted it all out so I can pass the buck there :)) I had never heard of them as being unethical before.

I know they are a bloody PITA when combined with a toddler who insists on holding it themselves...2 minutes later ..."Waaaaaa!"

My Dad did his best man speech at my brother's wedding on helium. Well, the first few lines of it anyway. oh, the hilarity :o

I had no idea there was a chance of running out of helium.

And no idea it was used in medicine.

But DS2 particularly loves helium balloons so I do tend to get the boys one each on birthdays/Christmas.

But they are nice and floaty. I don't care if we have no helium left, I want floaty balloons.

You may care if you cant have an MRI scan in a few years because they are deemed too expensive Alistron :(

Helium is the second most abundant element in the universe. I'm not convinced by the helium conservationists arguments.

talking of high voices, mixing helium with oxygen is very useful in certain medical conditions as it has less density than air, which means less resistance to flow. Which is very useful if you have for instance a tumour in you upper airway as its easier to breath

but I like balloons too
heeeeelium!

Well having been inspired to do some research.

Yes it is the second most abundant element in the universe but is fairly rare on Earth as any helium in the atmosphere basically floats away as it's so light.

Stocks of helium (underground) on Earth are expected to run out in 25-30 years (according to some).

The relevant cost of a helium balloon should be about £64...

I thought though that helium was generated by radioactive decay and shit?

Right after skim reading wiki extensive research, I think that as helium is in the atmosphere at a fairly steady level, And that most of it is as a result of radioactive decay I'm not too worried about the use of it in balloons.

I sent some to my lovely friend who was in hospital and v poorly and it cheered her right up.