A couple of weeks ago, while waiting for a meeting to start, a few co-workers and I discussed whether or not we could start a fire from scratch.

The most common method discussed was the tinder and rapid stick rolling method.Case, of Case's ladder fame, claims to have produced fire using this method. Since he lives in an area so remote that fire needs to be rediscovered every evening, I tend believe him.

For the civilized man (or woman), however, there is a better, more practical method. I don't know of many people who have good dry tinder and a wooden stick handy, BUT, I definitely know people who have a can of diet coke and a piece of chocolate lying around, which brings me to my latest and greatest find on the web:

How to Start a Fire with a Coke Can and a Bar of Chocolate

Apparently chocolate is a fine albeit SLOOOOOOW aluminum polish. The bottom of the can becomes a parabolic mirror that focuses and transforms toasty warm rays of sunshine into lethal rays of fire making goodness (ok maybe not so lethal unless you're an ant).

I'm going to have to give this urban survival technique a try, even though I know it's going to break my heart to waste a good piece of chocolate. I can't believe they use a tasty toblerone in the example! Must be rich. What about using a hershey's kiss instead?

Remember, only you can prevent forest fires!