According to some journalists who must have been particularly bored “scientists” have invented a new currency for “inter-planetary travelers” (BBC). In order to generate some free publicity, a firm which I’m deliberately not going to mention has come up with a poker chip with nice rounded edges “to avoid damaging people and equipment if accidentally allowed to float free in zero gravity”. In a master stroke of wit they’re calling it a Quasi Universal Intergalactic Denomination or QUID, which would only be funny to British citizens, if it were funny at all (press release).

Professor George Fraser from the University of Leicester is quoted as saying “Anything with sharp edges, like coins, would be a risk to astronauts while the chips and magnetic strips used in our cards on Earth would be damaged beyond repair by cosmic radiation.” I would have thought if you’re a space tourist and there’s enough cosmic radiation around to fry your credit card you’ve got bigger problems.

How on earth this made it onto the science section of a reputable website is beyond me. Wired seems to take a similar view. Apparently the going rate for a QUID is £6.25, although I’ll be surprised if anyone can actually find one to buy.