Thursday, May 30, 2013
Canadian High School Creates All-Hockey Curriculum
"Nova Scotia high school creates all-hockey curriculum":
A Nova Scotia high school has created a curriculum where every subject — from physics to design technology to dance — centres on hockey.Here's the video:
Cole Harbour District High School, in Sidney Crosby's hometown, received special recognition from Hockey Canada this week for its special project, which encompasses all subjects in all grades.
"In Canada, if you're going to pick a vehicle to have a cross-curricular program of study, hockey has to be it because that is our passion," principal Debbie Roswell said.
Binge Watching Is Our Future
Forbes: "Binge Watching Is Our Future".
Our household television habits have definitely shifted in this direction with DVRs, Netflix streaming, and AppleTV.
Our household television habits have definitely shifted in this direction with DVRs, Netflix streaming, and AppleTV.
Child-Porn Suspect Ordered to Decrypt His Own Data
"Child-Porn Suspect Ordered to Decrypt His Own Data".
The article also notes that alleging to have forgotten the password could result in serious legal problems.
The article also notes that alleging to have forgotten the password could result in serious legal problems.
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Google and The Internship
Diana and I saw the trailer for the movie "The Internship" (which looked awful), and wondered why Google would ever agree to participate. Here's Larry Page's explanation.
Star Trek Into Plot Holes
"Movie Review: Star Trek Into Plot Holes".
Note: It's full of spoilers. But quite funny. (Via Charlie Martin.)
Note: It's full of spoilers. But quite funny. (Via Charlie Martin.)
Personalized Google Maps
Slate argues that, "Google's plan to personalize maps could end public space as we know it".
Personally, I'd actually like that kind of personalized map option provided that I could toggle it on or off easily. A good system of recommended stores or restaurants could be a benefit to me, just like Amazon's recommended books are often quite helpful.
Personally, I'd actually like that kind of personalized map option provided that I could toggle it on or off easily. A good system of recommended stores or restaurants could be a benefit to me, just like Amazon's recommended books are often quite helpful.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Schneier on The Politics of Security in a Democracy
Bruce Schneier: "The Politics of Security in a Democracy".
A variety of incentives makes fear-mongering a successful political strategy.
A variety of incentives makes fear-mongering a successful political strategy.
Monday, May 27, 2013
Medical School Tumblr
Awesome medical school Tumblr. (Note: Some images may be too graphic for sensitive viewers.)
Friday, May 24, 2013
Light Blogging Notice
Admin note: Blogging may be lighter than usual through the holiday weekend and early next week due to external obligations.
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Real Life Medical Tricorder
"A Real-Life Tricorder Is Now Available For You To Buy And Scan Yourself".
It's clearly not as advanced as the fictional versions on Star Trek. But like the first cell phones, it could be the beginning of cool things to come. (Via Jennifer A.)
It's clearly not as advanced as the fictional versions on Star Trek. But like the first cell phones, it could be the beginning of cool things to come. (Via Jennifer A.)
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
[Off topic] Hsieh PJM OpEd: Is Obamacare's Fatal Flaw Taking Effect?
Off topic: Yesterday's PJ Media published my latest OpEd, "Is Obamacare's Fatal Flaw Taking Effect?"
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
CNN on Elizabeth Loftus
CNN has a nice profile of Elizabeth Loftus, the psychologist who has done tremendous research on memory and "false memory".
Harvesting Shoe Power
"Rice University Students Develop Shoe Energy Harvester to Power Medical Devices". Video at the link.
Monday, May 20, 2013
Update on Twin Prime Conjecture
Wired: "Rumors swept through the mathematics community that a great advance had been made by a researcher no one seemed to know — someone whose talents had been so overlooked after he earned his doctorate in 1992 that he had found it difficult to get an academic job, working for several years as an accountant and even in a Subway sandwich shop..."
I also really liked this statement from Zhang, "There are a lot of chances in your career, but the important thing is to keep thinking".
I also really liked this statement from Zhang, "There are a lot of chances in your career, but the important thing is to keep thinking".
3 People Explain Why They Want To Make One-Way Trip To Mars
"Why sign up for a one-way Mars trip? Three applicants explain the appeal".
Applicants #1 (SF icon David Brin) and #3 gave thoughtful reasons. Not as sure about #2, an 18-year old college student.
Applicants #1 (SF icon David Brin) and #3 gave thoughtful reasons. Not as sure about #2, an 18-year old college student.
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Are Quantum Computers Faster than Regular Computers?
Are quantum computers faster, slower, or both at once?
Google Glass Is Watching
WSJ: "Google Glass Is Watching -- Now What?"
Personally, I expect social norms for Google Glass will change very quickly (and much faster than critics anticipate).
Related story in NYT: "At Google Conference, Cameras Even in the Bathroom". (Via S.K.)
Personally, I expect social norms for Google Glass will change very quickly (and much faster than critics anticipate).
Related story in NYT: "At Google Conference, Cameras Even in the Bathroom". (Via S.K.)
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Onion Hacked By Syria
The Onion was apparently hacked by Syria. (A serious post from their tech team.)
Here's their more typical Onion-style response.
Here's their more typical Onion-style response.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Reynolds Critiques IP Laws
Glenn Reynolds in Popular Mechanics: "Our Intellectual Property Laws Are Out of Control".
I fully support the idea of intellectual property, and it's ultimate based on the same grounds as more tangible form of property rights. However, there are lots of legitimate questions about how best to implement the law. Shifting concepts of "ownership" vs. new forms of licensing would definitely be one topic worth further work.
I fully support the idea of intellectual property, and it's ultimate based on the same grounds as more tangible form of property rights. However, there are lots of legitimate questions about how best to implement the law. Shifting concepts of "ownership" vs. new forms of licensing would definitely be one topic worth further work.
Streisand Effect and 3D-Printed Gun Clampdown
"DIY Firearms Makers Are Already Replicating And Remixing The 3D-Printed Gun"
The article notes:
The article notes:
By all appearances, the State Department’s efforts to take the CAD file for the Liberator offline for possible export control violations have done more to generate interest in the printable gun than to prevent its spread.
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Should Washington Allow Internet Gambling?
WSJ: "Should Washington Allow Internet Gambling?"
(Note: I'm friends with the author of the "yes" side of the debate, Michelle Minton and I agree with her position.)
(Note: I'm friends with the author of the "yes" side of the debate, Michelle Minton and I agree with her position.)
Monday, May 13, 2013
The Paradox of the Proof
Terrific essay on mathematical proof: "The Paradox of the Proof". (Via R. A.)
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Thursday, May 09, 2013
4 Sisters Photographed Every Year For 36 Years
"These 4 Sisters Were Photographed Every Year For 36 Years"
Wednesday, May 08, 2013
FBI Claims Right to Read Your E-mail
"FBI claims right to read your e-mail".
Under current law, "law enforcement must get a warrant to access e-mail before it has been opened by the recipient. However, there are no such provisions once the e-mail has been opened or if it has been sitting in an inbox, unopened, for 180 days."
Under current law, "law enforcement must get a warrant to access e-mail before it has been opened by the recipient. However, there are no such provisions once the e-mail has been opened or if it has been sitting in an inbox, unopened, for 180 days."
Legitimate Viagra Online
Bloomberg News: "Pfizer Begins Selling Viagra Online to Battle Fake Drugs".
I wonder how many of their ads will be blocked by spam filters?
I wonder how many of their ads will be blocked by spam filters?
MRU Course on Great Economists
Marginal Revolution University will be offering an online course on "Great Economists: Classical Economics and its Forerunners".
From their description:
From their description:
Who were the first economic thinkers? What are the very origins of economic thought? What did earlier economists understand but has been lost to the modern world? Why is Adam Smith the greatest economist of all time? How did the economic issues of the 18th and 19th centuries shape the thoughts of the classical economists? This class, which covers the history of economic thought up until the "Marginal Revolution" in the 1870s, will answer all of these questions and many others.
This course is non-technical and is accessible to a beginner.
Tuesday, May 07, 2013
Why 3D-Printed Untraceable Guns Could Be Good For America
My latest in Forbes: "Why 3D-Printed Untraceable Guns Could Be Good For America".
(Note to readers: More political than technical.)
(Note to readers: More political than technical.)
Two Videos: Spocks and Ender
These two videos have been making the rounds lately.
First, the "2 Spocks" Audi commercial:
Second, the Ender's Game trailer:
First, the "2 Spocks" Audi commercial:
Second, the Ender's Game trailer:
Self-Driving Vehicles And Liability Costs
"Self-Driving Vehicles: How Soon and Who Will Bear the Liability Costs?" (Via Rand Simberg.)
Monday, May 06, 2013
Mach 5.1
"X-51A Waverider Scramjet Hits Hypersonic Speed Of Mach 5.1 In Final Test Flight, Air Force Says". (Via David Jilk.)
Are All Telephone Calls Recorded By US Government?
"Are all telephone calls recorded and accessible to the US government?"
According to former FBI counterterrorism agent Tim Clemente speaking on CNN, the answer is "yes".
Update: Note that some security experts like Matt Blaze believe this is false, as he discusses in his Twitter feed.
According to former FBI counterterrorism agent Tim Clemente speaking on CNN, the answer is "yes".
Update: Note that some security experts like Matt Blaze believe this is false, as he discusses in his Twitter feed.
Sunday, May 05, 2013
Now You Can Buy 3D Printers From Staples
"Now You Can Buy 3D Printers From Staples".
I predict we'll see lots of interesting innovations once home hobbyists start trading ideas and designs.
I predict we'll see lots of interesting innovations once home hobbyists start trading ideas and designs.
Steganography-Like PSA Poster
Fascinating use of "steganography" in a PSA poster to convey information to abused kids, but not to abusing adults who might be standing next to them.
Here's their explanatory video:
Here's their explanatory video:
Big Octopus Goes Through Small Hole
It's amazing how small of a hole an octopus can squeeze through. (Via Bruce Schneier.)
My favorite line (faintly heard in the background) is the short verbal exchange:
My favorite line (faintly heard in the background) is the short verbal exchange:
"It's like trying to get my wife in her wedding dress. It ain't gonna happen."
"Hey!"
Compilation of Positive Russian Dashcam Videos
Nice compilation of Russian dashcam videos showing simple acts of kindness and benevolence (people helping old ladies across the street, looking after little kids who wandered into traffic, pushing cars out of snowbanks, etc.)
Thursday, May 02, 2013
Best. Court. Ruling.
Some funny double-entendres in this federal court ruling on Texas strip club law.
Movie Out of Atoms
Time: "IBM Makes a Movie Out of Atoms"
"IBM’s new cartoon -- yes, IBM made a cartoon -- is remarkable. It was produced at IBM Research’s Almaden Research Center in Northern California, by a bunch of scientists who used a scanning tunneling microscope as their animation tool. The pixels are individual atoms, nudged into place to form a picture. (The Guinness folks have certified this as the smallest movie ever made.)"
"IBM’s new cartoon -- yes, IBM made a cartoon -- is remarkable. It was produced at IBM Research’s Almaden Research Center in Northern California, by a bunch of scientists who used a scanning tunneling microscope as their animation tool. The pixels are individual atoms, nudged into place to form a picture. (The Guinness folks have certified this as the smallest movie ever made.)"
Wednesday, May 01, 2013
Quitting The Internet
Man quits Internet for a year, thinks he'll find himself and become better. It doesn't turn out that way.
Plagiarism as a Statistical Crime
American Scientist: "Plagiarism as a Statistical Crime". (Via Tyler Cowen.)
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