For any regular readers, I think you'll find this rating somewhat suspect. That said, it is a neat little tool. Thanks, theGameIAm.
6.28.2007
6.27.2007
6.26.2007
Space Diving - This is not a joke, it's just in the fledgling stages.
I know most of you don't read PopSci any more. I must admit it is a little intimidating living in a community where SciAm is the bottom end of the intellectual spectrum -- well, that and the general level of humor.
Ahem, on to space diving. This borrows from NASA's original high altitude testing system: A space diver sits in a hot air balloon, travels miles into and, eventually, beyond the air, to 120,000 ft. (3x the average operating height of transatlantic flight). Then...you jump.
[To be fair, at this altitude the oxygen needed for rational thought is long gone and, besides, when you have to worry about the heat shield on reentry of your person you aren't "jumping" so much as moving toward an abstraction below you commonly referred to as the "Earth"]
But wait thrill seekers. This is a practical invention. I know, I sniggered too; but the inventors are touting this as the solution to shuttle orbit escape problems. And for you space tourists looking to climb aboard the EADS space jet...you too could get a (ugh) crash course in the use of these nifty little suits.
"Ladies and Gentlemen. FAA [ESA for the initiated] regulations prohibit tampering, disabling, or destroying essential life support systems. Please keep your seatbelt on at all times while we still within the grasp of earth's gravity. And, in the event of imminent death, your seat cushion can be used to stifle your sobs and cries for help. Thank you, and have a pleasant launch."
Ahem, on to space diving. This borrows from NASA's original high altitude testing system: A space diver sits in a hot air balloon, travels miles into and, eventually, beyond the air, to 120,000 ft. (3x the average operating height of transatlantic flight). Then...you jump.
[To be fair, at this altitude the oxygen needed for rational thought is long gone and, besides, when you have to worry about the heat shield on reentry of your person you aren't "jumping" so much as moving toward an abstraction below you commonly referred to as the "Earth"]
But wait thrill seekers. This is a practical invention. I know, I sniggered too; but the inventors are touting this as the solution to shuttle orbit escape problems. And for you space tourists looking to climb aboard the EADS space jet...you too could get a (ugh) crash course in the use of these nifty little suits.
"Ladies and Gentlemen. FAA [ESA for the initiated] regulations prohibit tampering, disabling, or destroying essential life support systems. Please keep your seatbelt on at all times while we still within the grasp of earth's gravity. And, in the event of imminent death, your seat cushion can be used to stifle your sobs and cries for help. Thank you, and have a pleasant launch."
6.25.2007
6.24.2007
And, yes, it looks exactly like that.
This, however, is not:
This, however, is not:
These are actually beautiful creatures. A 5'-er hung out under the boat for a few dives and it was magical. Just floating there eyeing us and scanning for lunch. Of course, a 4.5'-er hunting in the shallows of the lagoon while were snorkeling--that was a different story. Out we go -- call me a wus and we'll just have to toss you in the lagoon and see what you do.
6.14.2007
Artificial Pinky. (Follow link for the video).
It appears that little biofeedback is needed. Rather, the mechanical contraption figures out the appropriate curl of the finger based on the angle of the remaining stub -- of course, as in all things, you have to keep your stub.
It appears that little biofeedback is needed. Rather, the mechanical contraption figures out the appropriate curl of the finger based on the angle of the remaining stub -- of course, as in all things, you have to keep your stub.
6.13.2007
TMJ - Temporomandibular Joint
Turns out we all have "TMJ." If you don't, you are missing something resembling the bottom half of your face -- a subject we will not take up here.
If you have what is commonly-known as "TMJ," you (like me as of this moment) suffer from a strain, inflammation, and consequent misalignment of that joint. How can you get this? I got it from a car accident and made it worse through basketball. The general answer, however, is: anything. You can do just about anything that causes trauma to the jaw and get it.
The solution: same as for a strained muscle. Rest, ice, and anti-inflammatories. Here we go...
Turns out we all have "TMJ." If you don't, you are missing something resembling the bottom half of your face -- a subject we will not take up here.
If you have what is commonly-known as "TMJ," you (like me as of this moment) suffer from a strain, inflammation, and consequent misalignment of that joint. How can you get this? I got it from a car accident and made it worse through basketball. The general answer, however, is: anything. You can do just about anything that causes trauma to the jaw and get it.
The solution: same as for a strained muscle. Rest, ice, and anti-inflammatories. Here we go...
6.11.2007
Finally, something that actually looks like the next big thing.
Wireless gadget charging.
This might not be the sexiest thing in the world, but that inventions with the greatest impact rarely are. I think being able to replace your chargers with a simple contact pad is genius. Imagine contact pad outlets, contact pad power for laptops, and so on. No more tripping on cords, no more plugging things in.
It ain't world hunger, but then again, neither is/was the iPhone.
Wireless gadget charging.
This might not be the sexiest thing in the world, but that inventions with the greatest impact rarely are. I think being able to replace your chargers with a simple contact pad is genius. Imagine contact pad outlets, contact pad power for laptops, and so on. No more tripping on cords, no more plugging things in.
It ain't world hunger, but then again, neither is/was the iPhone.
6.08.2007
6.06.2007
"So you think NPR has a slant?"
As an NPR junkie, I take more than my share of flak regarding that outfit's editorial position on Israel. First, let me say that NPR news is a small portion of public programming and, incidentally, not the best portion. I listen mostly by podcast (If you see me with my Shuffle on, you're watching a man enraptured by the dulcet tones of Peter Segal rather than the din of Anthrax), which means I'm getting feature programs on science, human interest, etc. that NPR is so good at. Some of the best are "This American Life", "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me...", and "Car Talk."
But I digress. More than NPR, the NYT, and the Berkeley Birkenstock-Ledger combined, the UK media (both liberal and conservative -- I am looking at you The Economist) has a decidedly contra-Israeli stance. Apparently, having long been the oppressors themselves, they are quick to see the same quality in others.
Enter this morning's Times of London Editorial Page, crying out against an academic boycott of Israeli institutions. Why? Because those institutions are bastions of liberal thinking, as they are in most countries. Sure, this is a small move. But it is also a reminder that Europe is not intransigent in its criticism of Israel. A little more humanitarian aid; a little more talk of peace; and the tides of public opinion may turn again.
As an NPR junkie, I take more than my share of flak regarding that outfit's editorial position on Israel. First, let me say that NPR news is a small portion of public programming and, incidentally, not the best portion. I listen mostly by podcast (If you see me with my Shuffle on, you're watching a man enraptured by the dulcet tones of Peter Segal rather than the din of Anthrax), which means I'm getting feature programs on science, human interest, etc. that NPR is so good at. Some of the best are "This American Life", "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me...", and "Car Talk."
But I digress. More than NPR, the NYT, and the Berkeley Birkenstock-Ledger combined, the UK media (both liberal and conservative -- I am looking at you The Economist) has a decidedly contra-Israeli stance. Apparently, having long been the oppressors themselves, they are quick to see the same quality in others.
Enter this morning's Times of London Editorial Page, crying out against an academic boycott of Israeli institutions. Why? Because those institutions are bastions of liberal thinking, as they are in most countries. Sure, this is a small move. But it is also a reminder that Europe is not intransigent in its criticism of Israel. A little more humanitarian aid; a little more talk of peace; and the tides of public opinion may turn again.
6.05.2007
This is too stupid to pass up. Up next, jew-fessional. You sit in a booth and your mother makes derisive comments, but you are immediately absolved of guilt.
6.04.2007
"Genius Proofing"
The art of creating a product or process that cannot be ruined by overthinking. I have many times proceeded without the directions figuring I knew what I was doing -- only to waste time for having missed a nuance.
Put anecdotally, this is the thinking that stops NASA from spending several hundred thousand developing a zero gravity pen and forces it to use a pencil.
And...a stupid pun: This would be "Occam Soc'em Robots"
The art of creating a product or process that cannot be ruined by overthinking. I have many times proceeded without the directions figuring I knew what I was doing -- only to waste time for having missed a nuance.
Put anecdotally, this is the thinking that stops NASA from spending several hundred thousand developing a zero gravity pen and forces it to use a pencil.
And...a stupid pun: This would be "Occam Soc'em Robots"
5.30.2007
The National Council of Teachers of English
RSC and I originally saw a sticker for this group on the drive down to NYC.
"Har! Can you imagine? An English Teachers' group with TWO prepositions in their name! Can't they be the English Te...oh. That sounds like they might be teachers from England. "
"Yeah. Maybe teaching english? Hm. That doesn't identify the members as teachers. They could be the institutions."
"What about ESL Teachers Association?"
"Might go beyond that to regular English -- like grade school. Hm"
Turns out the darn teachers were snookered into an awkward group name by the inexactitude of the very language they teach.
RSC and I originally saw a sticker for this group on the drive down to NYC.
"Har! Can you imagine? An English Teachers' group with TWO prepositions in their name! Can't they be the English Te...oh. That sounds like they might be teachers from England. "
"Yeah. Maybe teaching english? Hm. That doesn't identify the members as teachers. They could be the institutions."
"What about ESL Teachers Association?"
"Might go beyond that to regular English -- like grade school. Hm"
Turns out the darn teachers were snookered into an awkward group name by the inexactitude of the very language they teach.
5.29.2007
I believe this is the appropriate level of cynicism.
[though small, the label reads "Made in China"]
see more here, including these wonderful treats:
5.25.2007
"See our complete Psycho Bunny collection."
Where could this quote originate? Snorg T's? ThinkGeek? . . . nope.
Neiman Marcus.
Yes. And it isn't some rogue product either. It's got friends, a posse, a line, if you will. What happened to this haven of white-washed couture wonder? Where are the jeans, already warn and stained by the less fortunate so that those blessed by HIS credit limit can feel "authentic"? Where are the high necked sleeveless LBDs? Alas, perhaps we should have known when J. Crew began emblazoning their cargo pants with cross-bones that N. Marcus could not stand idly by. We knew then that the war had started.
And now it has captured our furry friends. Frolic now, little ones, for soon the neckware cometh.
Where could this quote originate? Snorg T's? ThinkGeek? . . . nope.
Neiman Marcus.
Yes. And it isn't some rogue product either. It's got friends, a posse, a line, if you will. What happened to this haven of white-washed couture wonder? Where are the jeans, already warn and stained by the less fortunate so that those blessed by HIS credit limit can feel "authentic"? Where are the high necked sleeveless LBDs? Alas, perhaps we should have known when J. Crew began emblazoning their cargo pants with cross-bones that N. Marcus could not stand idly by. We knew then that the war had started.
And now it has captured our furry friends. Frolic now, little ones, for soon the neckware cometh.
5.22.2007
You gotta love when the only reason to believe that the photos you are looking at are real is that they are just too wigged out to have been made up by anyone.
(check out the photo gallery that goes with this article)
5.20.2007
Go Straight! / Ask me how.
Seen printed on a "baby on board" style sticker in a Dupont franchise salon.
Cut: $16
Style, Blowdry: $24
Staring for at least 20 minutes at your own reflection under a motto that, if not for the fact that it is clearly unintentional, could be spit at you by narrow-minded protesters and sandwich board wearing jc freaks: $0.
Seen printed on a "baby on board" style sticker in a Dupont franchise salon.
Cut: $16
Style, Blowdry: $24
Staring for at least 20 minutes at your own reflection under a motto that, if not for the fact that it is clearly unintentional, could be spit at you by narrow-minded protesters and sandwich board wearing jc freaks: $0.
5.17.2007
Robots and Monsters
http://www.robotsandmonsters.org/faq.html
Joe Altiero, a SF-area artist, and his gf have started a website to raise money for their attempt at the SF AIDS Marathon. Here's the deal: You tell Joe whether you want a robot or monster, then give him some key words and $25 ($40 if you want a robot AND a monster -- seriously, there's something wrong with you), and Joe will send you a signed, original 6"x6" monster inspired by your suggestions. The money goes to the marathon.
What's not to like?
http://www.robotsandmonsters.org/faq.html
Joe Altiero, a SF-area artist, and his gf have started a website to raise money for their attempt at the SF AIDS Marathon. Here's the deal: You tell Joe whether you want a robot or monster, then give him some key words and $25 ($40 if you want a robot AND a monster -- seriously, there's something wrong with you), and Joe will send you a signed, original 6"x6" monster inspired by your suggestions. The money goes to the marathon.
What's not to like?
5.16.2007
5.15.2007
Jesus Christ: I will Survive.
This is a very funny video by Javier Prato. More importantly, it also launched a legal battle regarding fair use and sites such as YouTube.com. The battle was fought in part by Stanford Law School's CIS, where you can read more about the story. Feeling less literate? You can listen to NPR's story on this charming vignette.
This is a very funny video by Javier Prato. More importantly, it also launched a legal battle regarding fair use and sites such as YouTube.com. The battle was fought in part by Stanford Law School's CIS, where you can read more about the story. Feeling less literate? You can listen to NPR's story on this charming vignette.
5.14.2007
Gizmodo officially labeled the posting for this wonderful product, "ass hat."
Not sure how many postings they tagged with that particular label, but I am sure it is bound to grow and broaden like its namesake. Now, if only content could droop...
5.11.2007
T-shirt Hell brings us these lovely additions to popular culture:
- An homage to avian slitherers. Perhaps the most wearable of the bunch.
- Do you think I can pull this off in my neighborhood?
- And, try as I might, I don't really get this shirt. Consider it an "honorable menschen."
5.10.2007
From the "Lois, you're a feminist and that's adorable, but it's grown-up time and I'm the man," department (Family Guy, for the uninitiated):
See also:
Despite an increased workload and growing societal pressure to form lasting partnerships with other activist groups, the 39-years-young NOW has never been seriously affiliated with any other organization, perhaps due to its decision to focus on ambitious campaigning and legal advocacy work during its twenties instead of public relations. However, NOW vehemently denies rumors that it is only interested in other women's groups, declaring it "just hasn't found the right partner organization to start a coalition with yet.- National Organization For Women Turns 39 Again, Today's Onion
See also:
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