Monday, November 30, 2009
LegoMatrix is a surprisingly accurate Lego recreation of one of the classic Matrix scenes.
Here's the side-by-side video comparison. And more on the LegoMatrix project. (Via Kottke.)
Here's the side-by-side video comparison. And more on the LegoMatrix project. (Via Kottke.)
Why is blackmail illegal?
The article uses the David Letterman case as the launching point. (Via @markwickens)
The article uses the David Letterman case as the launching point. (Via @markwickens)
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Michael Williams argues that "Anthropogenic Global Warming Will Lose Geeks Thanks To Bad Code".
And Part 2.
And Part 2.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Now that it's Black Friday, let the Christmas gift suggestions begin!
Today's is the "Behind every great man..." t-shirt.
Today's is the "Behind every great man..." t-shirt.
Patient trapped in 23-year "coma" was conscious all along. (Via Rand Simberg.)
Update: Ryan Sager warns that some of the popular press reporting may be misleading. He also links to this analysis from physician-blogger "Orac".
Update: Ryan Sager warns that some of the popular press reporting may be misleading. He also links to this analysis from physician-blogger "Orac".
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
ClimateGate links I've been reading:
"Global WarmingGate: When Scientists Become Politicians", Rand Simberg, PajamasMedia, 11/23/09
"Global WarmingGate: What Does It Mean?", Charlie Martin, PajamasMedia, 11/22/09
"ClimateGate: The Very Ugly Side of Climate Science", Steven Dubner, Freakonomics Blog (NYT), 11/23/09
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
Quantum ghost imaging:
Ghost imaging is a technique that allows a high-resolution camera to produce an image of an object that the camera itself cannot see. It uses two sensors: one that looks at a light source and another that looks at the object. These sensors point in different directions. For example, the camera can face the sun and the light meter can face an object.(Via Bruce Schneier.)
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Onion story of the day: "Alternate-Universe Sci-Fi Channel Show Asks What Would Happen If Germany Lost War".
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Cartoon of the day: If malware detection had existed at the time of the original Trojan Horse.
(Via Bruce Schneier.)
(Via Bruce Schneier.)
Video of the day: "On the top of Burj Dubai's spire".
The Burj Dubai is the world's tallest building. The video was shot at 2684 feet -- i.e., at an elevation of over half a mile. Hence, don't watch it if you have a fear of heights.
(Via BBspot and Geekologie.)
The Burj Dubai is the world's tallest building. The video was shot at 2684 feet -- i.e., at an elevation of over half a mile. Hence, don't watch it if you have a fear of heights.
(Via BBspot and Geekologie.)
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
Off topic: My latest health care OpEd, "Mafia-style health insurance: An offer you can't refuse" was just published in the November 16, 2009 Washington Examiner.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Friday, November 13, 2009
Onion video of the day: "Google Opt Out Feature Allows Users To Protect Privacy By Moving To Remote Village".
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Monday, November 09, 2009
Another freak accident shuts down the Large Hadron Collider:
The Large Hadron Collider, the world's most powerful particle accelerator, just cannot catch a break. First, a coolant leak destroyed some of the magnets that guide the energy beam. Then LHC officials postponed the restart of the machine to add additional safety features. Now, a bird dropping a piece of bread on a section of the accelerator has, according to the Register, shut down the whole operation.My favorite comment was the following:
The bird dropped some bread on a section of outdoor machinery, eventually leading to significant over heating in parts of the accelerator. The LHC was not operational at the time of the incident, but the spike produced so much heat that had the beam been on, automatic failsafes would have shut down the machine.
This incident won't delay the reactivation of the facility later this month, but exposes yet another vulnerability of the what might be the most complex machine ever built. With freak accident after freak accident piling up over at CERN, the idea of time traveling particles returning from the future to prevent their own discovery is beginning to seem less and less far fetched.
The bird's briefing:
The approach will not be easy. You are required to maneuver straight down this trench and skim the surface to this point. The target area is only two meters wide. It's a small thermal exhaust port, right below the main port. The shaft leads directly to the reactor system. A precise hit will start a chain reaction which should destroy the station.
Sunday, November 08, 2009
Video of the day: Cheesy Chinese inflatable bra commercial. (Borderline NSFW due to bra-wearing model.)
Saturday, November 07, 2009
Friday, November 06, 2009
Thursday, November 05, 2009
Safety tip: If you sneak on board a jet fighter plane for a joyride, don't also pull the eject lever in mid-air. (Via DefenseTech.)
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Rand Simberg on the Ares I-X rocket launch problems.
(BTW, if you're interested in space policy, you should be reading his blog Transterrestrial Musings.)
(BTW, if you're interested in space policy, you should be reading his blog Transterrestrial Musings.)
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
"Four essential tips for extending the battery life of your computer, cell phone, and every other gadget."
Monday, November 02, 2009
Off topic: PajamasMedia.com has just published my latest health care OpEd, "ObamaCare: A National Version of RomneyCare".
Video of the day: SawStop demonstration.
This slick safety device allows a power saw to cut wood, but not human flesh.
The technology is impressive, but the most jaw-dropping section is the super slow-motion demonstration where the inventor places his own finger into the path of the saw to show how well it works. More info at the SawStop website.
(Via Maximizing Progress.)
This slick safety device allows a power saw to cut wood, but not human flesh.
The technology is impressive, but the most jaw-dropping section is the super slow-motion demonstration where the inventor places his own finger into the path of the saw to show how well it works. More info at the SawStop website.
(Via Maximizing Progress.)
"Free Yourselves! Turn Off Your Laptops! With all our technology, we've lost touch with what is truly important: killing and eating things"
Secure computers aren't so secure:
...The time it takes to store data in memory, fluctuations in power consumption, even the sounds your computer makes can betray its secrets.
Interesting profile of E-Ink, the company that creates the electronic ink displays for ebook readers like the Kindle.
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