The Most Amazing Bowling Story Ever

"The Most Amazing Bowling Story Ever"

Last Words of Crashing Airline Crews

Last words of crashing airline crews.

Note: Some of the MP3 files may be a bit much for sensitive listenerers. (Via Marginal Revolution.)

Blinking Benefits Brain

"Blink if your brain needs a rest". (Via A.A.)

Ramanujan Dream Conjecture Proved

"Ramanujan's Mock Modular Forms: Indian Mathematician's Dream Conjecture Finally Proven"

Dave Barry's Year In Review

Dave Barry's Year In Review! (Via Debby Witt.)

Neuristors

"'Neuristor': Memristors used to create a neuron-like behavior". (Via Jared S.)

Captive Tornado Power

"Could a captive tornado power an entire city?"

[Off-Topic] Hsieh Forbes OpEd: The Battle Of The Narrative

Off-topic: Forbes has published my latest health care OpEd, "The Battle Of The Narrative: How Ordinary Americans Can Fight ObamaCare"

An Early Tale of the Internet

Government bureaucracy in action: "An Early Tale of the Internet"

Dystextia

"'Dystextia': Gibberish texts sound stroke alarm".

The article also notes:

The main stroke warning signs with respect to texting would be unintelligible language output, or problems reading or comprehending texts," said Klein. "Many smartphones have an ‘autocorrect' function which can introduce erroneous word substitutions, giving the impression of a language disorder."

Autocorrect, said Savitz, a professor of neurology, can confuse matters - even for doctors. "I have often joked with my colleagues when using the dictation of the smartphone, that it gives me an aphasia," he said. "Potential for lots of false positives!"

Phantom Eye Syndrome

"Phantom Eye Syndrome: When People Without Eyes Can Still See"

Self-Driving Cars and the Law

"Self-driving cars can navigate the road, but can they navigate the law?" (Via Marginal Revolution.)

An FBI Hostage Negotiator Buys A Car

I enjoyed this NPR podcast "An FBI Hostage Negotiator Buys A Car". The first two segments on negotiation were decent.

But I especially liked the third segment, because the former FBI hostage negotiator explained how he got a great deal by getting the car dealership to essentially negotiate with themselves.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

GeekPress is taking the day off.  Posting will resume tomorrow, but may be lighter than usual for the rest of the week.

E-Book Licensing Controversies

LA Times: "E-book restrictions leave 'buyers' with few rights".

Note: I support the concept of intellectual property rights and eventually these issues of how to best apply that basic idea to our new technology platforms will be resolved.  But there could be some interesting controversies in the meantime.

Economics of Web Comics

Economics of web comics.

Another example of technology allowing content producers to make an end-run around traditional outlets.

Reversal of Fortunes

"In a Strange Reversal of Fortunes, Microsoft Woos Apple Developers"

Interactive Guide To The Fourier Transform

"An Interactive Guide To The Fourier Transform". (Via Francisco G.)

CHAMP Electronic Warfare

CHAMP Electronic Warfare.

CHAMP, which renders electronic targets useless, is a non-kinetic alternative to traditional explosive weapons that use the energy of motion to defeat a target.

During the test, the CHAMP missile navigated a pre-programmed flight plan and emitted bursts of high-powered energy, effectively knocking out the target's data and electronic subsystems. CHAMP allows for selective high-frequency radio wave strikes against numerous targets during a single mission.

(Via JRW.)

China Blocking Encrypted Communications

China is reportedly now blocking some encrypted communications.

Of course, a natural question is whether/when such technology will be used by the authorities in the US.