The Mpemba Effect

The Mpemba effect: Why hot water freezes faster than cold water.

DST Explained

Time to repost this classic snarky video: "Daylight Saving Time Explained"

FAA Allows Use of Electronic Devices Throughout Flights

NYT: "FAA Allows Use of Electronic Devices Throughout Flights"

21st Century Traffic Ticket

Wired: "In a First, Police Ticket a Driver Wearing Google Glass":

The arresting officer issued the citation to Abadie for violating California’s Vehicle Code Section 27602, which states that “A person shall not drive a motor vehicle if a television receiver, a video monitor, or a television or video screen, or any other similar means of visually displaying a television broadcast or video signal that produces entertainment or business applications, is operating and is located in the motor vehicle at a point forward of the back of the driver’s seat, or is operating and the monitor, screen, or display is visible to the driver while driving the motor vehicle.”

MRI Of Banana

"Just look at this MRI of a banana".

And try not to get too dizzy!  (Via Howard R.)

iPad Air

Anick Jesdanun likes the iPad Air. So does Walt Mossberg.

The Influence of Time of Day on Unethical Behavior

"Are people more moral in the morning than in the afternoon?"

Classic Music Insults

"21 of the best insults in classical music". (Via B.Y.)

Douglas Hofstadter vs. Modern AI

Douglas Hofstadter vs. modern AI: "The Man Who Would Teach Machines to Think"

Why a Beer Bottle Erupts When You Whack It

"The In-Depth Science of Why a Beer Bottle Erupts When You Whack It".

The article notes: "The answer, it turns out, is super complicated, and has to do with the physics of small bubbles and the power of a reflecting pressure front."

Here's the video:

Website Runs Windows 1.01 In Your Browser

"Nostalgic for old school computing? This website runs Windows 1.01 in your browser"

Star Wars Blooper Reel

This long-lost Star Wars blooper reel has now been released to the public. (It had been shown earlier this summer at Comic Con.)

Note: There's no sound until 0:50.

Specialized Acting

"He's not dead, he just plays it on TV"

More Cantor

"The math controversy that, they say, led to a mental breakdown"

Video Stores Explained To Modern Kids

"Video Stores Explained To Modern Kids". You can all get off my lawn now.

Honda Ad With Optical Illusions

This excellent Honda CR-V ad is full of clever optical illusions.



And how they made that ad:

The Economics of Interstellar Flight

"The economics of interstellar flight: Starship enterprises"

What Is the Exactly Perfect Time to Drink Your Coffee?

Chronopharmacology update: "What Is the Exactly Perfect Time to Drink Your Coffee?"

Short answer: "[B]etween 9:30 AM and 11:30 AM, when your cortisol levels are dropping before the next spike".

Star Trek Continues Webseries

An interesting Kickstarter project:

Star Trek Continues is a non-profit, fan produced webseries that was launched in May 2013 with its first episode, “Pilgrim of Eternity.” The show is being produced to complete the final two years of the original 5-year mission. Our inaugural episode brings back original series guest star, Michael Forest as Apollo. The accuracy of the sets, lighting, filming and the quality acting and characterization brought great praise and support from Star Trek TOS fans all over the world.

(Note: This is being done with the permission of CBS, which holds the Star Trek rights.)

Here's the video of the first episode.



(Via Howard R.)

Update: I haven't watched the episode yet. One of my friends did, and he warned that the production values were excellent but that he really disliked the ending.

[Off Topic] Hsieh Forbes OpEd on Northwestern Peanut-Free Football Game

[Off topic]: Forbes has published my latest OpEd, "Northwestern University Did Right In Offering A Peanut-Free Football Game".

(TL;DR: NU's move was not "political correctness" run amok, nor a "war on peanuts", but rather a nice gesture to fans -- and smart marketing.)