Electricity always chooses the path of least resistance.
It's hard for it to travel through the air, so it won't unless there is something at very close range to which it can jump. In the case of sockets, the conducting object has to be so close it's actually in the socket.
( Bob Todd whee, Mon 30 Jul 2007, 14:56, archived)

are men made of electricity?
they always try to take the path of least resistance
( Clairebare Back once again with the Ill behaviour, Mon 30 Jul 2007, 14:57, archived)

Lecturers always make that joke.
Electrons always take the path of least resistance, just like students ho ho ho.
( Bob Todd whee, Mon 30 Jul 2007, 14:59, archived)

perhaps i should shoot myself now

( Clairebare Back once again with the Ill behaviour, Mon 30 Jul 2007, 14:59, archived)

keep doing the pelvic floors dear

(Ronnie Spleen MMMMNEURRGH I AM A GAY SPAZ AND I LOVE IT UP MY BU, Mon 30 Jul 2007, 14:59, archived)

How do you explain their love of bum sex?

(PsychoChomp, Mon 30 Jul 2007, 14:59, archived)

ladies breath smells of spunk and shit
if you're lucky
(Ronnie Spleen MMMMNEURRGH I AM A GAY SPAZ AND I LOVE IT UP MY BU, Mon 30 Jul 2007, 15:00, archived)

Obviously if you're standing by a pylon, this does not apply

( The Mock TurtIe ™ --- Thinks you are a cunt, on, Mon 30 Jul 2007, 15:02, archived)

Pylons shunt MAHOOSIVE amounts of electricity, though.
A little domestic socket is nothing compared to pylon cables.
( Bob Todd whee, Mon 30 Jul 2007, 15:03, archived)

The breakdown voltage for air
Is approximately 10,000 volts per centimetre.
( Lord Gnome, Mon 30 Jul 2007, 15:07, archived)

I don't know what breakdown voltage means.
Is that how high the voltage has to be before the electricity will 'jump' through the air? That's what it sounds like from context, but I want to be sure.
( Bob Todd whee, Mon 30 Jul 2007, 15:10, archived)

Pretty much
For electricity to jump across a metre of air requires a potential difference of about 1,000,000 volts.
( Lord Gnome, Mon 30 Jul 2007, 15:13, archived)