A book about how to live your life.
Not an easy read, but often voted one of the top ten books in the English language.
And after all, why would a book about purpose in life be an easy read? George Eliot was an absolute master of the mot juste. Every sentence is exquisite.
Middlemarch.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middlemarch
Available for free at
http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/145
http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page
(as are many books that are out of copyright).
Better yet, look for a real copy, like one from the 1870s or 1880s at ebay or an antiquarian book dealer. Why pay more for a paperback printed last year? I got a first edition in one volume for two dollars! The spine is cracked, but the pages are free of foxing and just a pleasure to read (but, my, my, the typesetting used to be even stranger than the English!). And the inscription led me on a great chase! I know a lot about Mariana Alice Fletcher, to whom it was given on her twenty-first birthday.
... for the growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts; and that things are not so ill with you and me as they might have been, is half owing to the number who lived faithfully a hidden life, and rest in unvisited tombs.
A good New Year to those of good will!
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Friday, December 28, 2007
Epigenetics and the Epigenome
This is probably the most important thing you can learn in 2008.
Trying to understand DNA and genetics takes quite some time.
The good news is there is something much simpler and more important: epigenetics.
Each cell in your body has a complete copy of your DNA, but in any one cell, most of the genes are "turned off", and relatively few are "turned on". That is why your cells are different from each other. Different types of cells have different genes turned on.
A gene being "turned off" means that a small molecular tag is attached to the beginning of the gene, like a little peg, so the gene is physically blocked and is inactive. This is the subject of epigenetics.
When you are young, genes that should be turned on are turned on, and genes that should be turned off are turned off. That is why everything works properly and your risk of cancer is really low when you are young.
However, as you get older, extraneous "turn off" molecular tags are accidentally attached where they should not be, so over time, gene control becomes chaotic.
If we could remove the extraneous molecules, we would vastly drop our risk of cancer and would actually become physiologically younger.
Fortunately, this can be accomplished easily. Fasting one day a month or one day a week will turn all your cells into check-DNA-tags-and-rip-off-any-tags-that-don't-belong-there mode. That's it. On occasion, just do not eat from dinner one day to dinner the next day. Drink water, though. The effects are enormous.
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory?id=3985674
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/12/26/the-risks-and-rewards-of-skipping-meals/
If you don't want to do that, you can take resveratrol. Go to longevinex.com
In January 2008, a documentary called Ghost in Your Genes will become available at Amazon. It may also be rebroadcast. After you see it, you will understand why this is such a big deal.
Trying to understand DNA and genetics takes quite some time.
The good news is there is something much simpler and more important: epigenetics.
Each cell in your body has a complete copy of your DNA, but in any one cell, most of the genes are "turned off", and relatively few are "turned on". That is why your cells are different from each other. Different types of cells have different genes turned on.
A gene being "turned off" means that a small molecular tag is attached to the beginning of the gene, like a little peg, so the gene is physically blocked and is inactive. This is the subject of epigenetics.
When you are young, genes that should be turned on are turned on, and genes that should be turned off are turned off. That is why everything works properly and your risk of cancer is really low when you are young.
However, as you get older, extraneous "turn off" molecular tags are accidentally attached where they should not be, so over time, gene control becomes chaotic.
If we could remove the extraneous molecules, we would vastly drop our risk of cancer and would actually become physiologically younger.
Fortunately, this can be accomplished easily. Fasting one day a month or one day a week will turn all your cells into check-DNA-tags-and-rip-off-any-tags-that-don't-belong-there mode. That's it. On occasion, just do not eat from dinner one day to dinner the next day. Drink water, though. The effects are enormous.
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory?id=3985674
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/12/26/the-risks-and-rewards-of-skipping-meals/
If you don't want to do that, you can take resveratrol. Go to longevinex.com
In January 2008, a documentary called Ghost in Your Genes will become available at Amazon. It may also be rebroadcast. After you see it, you will understand why this is such a big deal.
Migraine headaches
A possible cure for migraines. The possible cause is quite surprising.
(However, one of my friends has said in his medial experience the pharmaceutical mentioned does not relieve migraines.)
A heart treatment produces 'spectacular' results for chronic migraine sufferers!
This was the top story at The Independent the other day.
http://news.independent.co.uk/health/article3284878.ece
(However, one of my friends has said in his medial experience the pharmaceutical mentioned does not relieve migraines.)
A heart treatment produces 'spectacular' results for chronic migraine sufferers!
This was the top story at The Independent the other day.
http://news.independent.co.uk/health/article3284878.ece
Thursday, December 27, 2007
2008
Actually, it is quite possible that the year is not 2008 but 2012 or even 2015. If the Star of Bethlehem is a conjunction of planets or other astrological event, that event could have occurred as early as 7 BC.
In the Hebrew calendar, January 2008 will be in the year 5768 as dated from one year before the Creation.
In the Chinese calendar, February of 2008 will be the Year of the Rat, 4705, dated from that morning in February 4704 years ago when the Moon and all the visible planets were grouped together in the dawn sky, the celestial clockwork's hands all set at zero.
In the Hebrew calendar, January 2008 will be in the year 5768 as dated from one year before the Creation.
In the Chinese calendar, February of 2008 will be the Year of the Rat, 4705, dated from that morning in February 4704 years ago when the Moon and all the visible planets were grouped together in the dawn sky, the celestial clockwork's hands all set at zero.
Why is Christmas on the 25th of December?
On the winter solstice, around December 22, the Sun appears to pass farthest to the south. For three days it appears to stay at that same level. Then, on the 25th, it appears to begin heading north, and so is "born".
LA Times says gas may go over $4 a gallon
The LA Times says gas may go to more than $4 a gallon next year.
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-gas27dec27,0,7315706.story?coll=la-home-center
Since it does look like that from here on demand will outstrip supply, we are coming to a major transition in the Age of Oil. The Oil War has been going on for a century now; it is nothing new. (The US is currently doubling its emergency reserves, even though the price is near a historic high, because they know something is coming, and that something is not good. Oil demand usually drops toward the end of the year, but this year it just kept going up.)
Major oil fields like Mexico's Canterell are seeing unbelievable drops in production, and there is little replacement capacity coming online. Mexico may cease to be a major oil exporter to the US in just a few years.
Drilling in Alaska preserves will not save us. That would run the world for a few days. Brazil recently announced a 10 billion barrel discovery. Wonderful. That would run the world for about 4 months. And there hasn't been a discovery like that in decades.
Many say that the price of oil drives the supply of oil, so don't worry: as the price goes up, the supply will go up. But I think this is clearly wrong. It is the supply that is controlling the price, not the other way around. In the 70s and 80s, technology became available that allowed a lot of oil to be discovered and pumped out. After the oil crises, the UK, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark used technology that had just become available to pump the oil and gas out of the North Sea. That oil and gas, and oil and gas that became available elsewhere due to the same technological advances, were suddenly available, breaking the stranglehold of the oil exporters. That and improved efficiency dropped the price to $10 to $20 a barrel for decades. But be careful what you wish for. I think we will come to see this as not necessarily having been a good thing in the long run. Although over the last 30 years the anomalously low price produced the biggest economic boom the world has ever seen, for the economy to continue the way it is requires that the energy supply continue to grow, or at the very least not decrease. That is looking progressively unlikely.
Basically, the nonfrozen land area of the Earth and the shallow offshore areas have all been searched, and everything huge has been found. There may be more large fields in deep water to be discovered, but compared to finding the oil that was produced for the last century, this is going to be really difficult.
Basically, oil is so useful and contains so much energy that everything around us (including us because the food that we eat is provided by using huge amounts of oil) depends on continued supply. The Population Bomb may not have been avoided, just delayed, and made very much worse by all the cheap oil.
The good news is that technological advance should really explode over the next 20 years, and we may figure out how to produce really good photovoltaic panels and batteries to run vehicles.
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-gas27dec27,0,7315706.story?coll=la-home-center
Since it does look like that from here on demand will outstrip supply, we are coming to a major transition in the Age of Oil. The Oil War has been going on for a century now; it is nothing new. (The US is currently doubling its emergency reserves, even though the price is near a historic high, because they know something is coming, and that something is not good. Oil demand usually drops toward the end of the year, but this year it just kept going up.)
Major oil fields like Mexico's Canterell are seeing unbelievable drops in production, and there is little replacement capacity coming online. Mexico may cease to be a major oil exporter to the US in just a few years.
Drilling in Alaska preserves will not save us. That would run the world for a few days. Brazil recently announced a 10 billion barrel discovery. Wonderful. That would run the world for about 4 months. And there hasn't been a discovery like that in decades.
Many say that the price of oil drives the supply of oil, so don't worry: as the price goes up, the supply will go up. But I think this is clearly wrong. It is the supply that is controlling the price, not the other way around. In the 70s and 80s, technology became available that allowed a lot of oil to be discovered and pumped out. After the oil crises, the UK, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark used technology that had just become available to pump the oil and gas out of the North Sea. That oil and gas, and oil and gas that became available elsewhere due to the same technological advances, were suddenly available, breaking the stranglehold of the oil exporters. That and improved efficiency dropped the price to $10 to $20 a barrel for decades. But be careful what you wish for. I think we will come to see this as not necessarily having been a good thing in the long run. Although over the last 30 years the anomalously low price produced the biggest economic boom the world has ever seen, for the economy to continue the way it is requires that the energy supply continue to grow, or at the very least not decrease. That is looking progressively unlikely.
Basically, the nonfrozen land area of the Earth and the shallow offshore areas have all been searched, and everything huge has been found. There may be more large fields in deep water to be discovered, but compared to finding the oil that was produced for the last century, this is going to be really difficult.
Basically, oil is so useful and contains so much energy that everything around us (including us because the food that we eat is provided by using huge amounts of oil) depends on continued supply. The Population Bomb may not have been avoided, just delayed, and made very much worse by all the cheap oil.
The good news is that technological advance should really explode over the next 20 years, and we may figure out how to produce really good photovoltaic panels and batteries to run vehicles.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Netherlands Pavilion, Nagoya Expo 2005
The Netherlands Pavilion at the Nagoya Expo in 2005 was really wonderful. When you entered, the room looked empty, with just a big white sunken floor. But then the dimmed the lights and suddenly the floor looked like it had turned into rippling water. The effect was stunning. These pictures do not do it justice, but there is no video I can find on YouTube or by Google.
http://www.hollandtrade.com/vko/zoeken/ShowBouwsteen.asp?bstnum=561&location=&highlight=
http://www.hollandtrade.com/vko/zoeken/ShowBouwsteen.asp?bstnum=561&location=&highlight=
Saturday, December 22, 2007
What is science?
The best answer I have heard so far:
Science is the process of learning to be less wrong.
The same could be said for a lot of things we do.
Science is the process of learning to be less wrong.
The same could be said for a lot of things we do.
British Idol
The British version of American Idol. Three of the following videos are in good quality, that is to say, much better quality than a typical YouTube clip up until now.
If you don't have time to watch them all, at least watch the third one, Paul Potts.
Very funny... High quality video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8wWncO0m00&feature=related
The Bar Wizards
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oQ_q_AaPJs
Paul Potts High quality video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k08yxu57NA
And the winner is...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwkVnyfdGYQ
If you don't have time to watch them all, at least watch the third one, Paul Potts.
Very funny... High quality video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8wWncO0m00&feature=related
The Bar Wizards
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oQ_q_AaPJs
Paul Potts High quality video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k08yxu57NA
And the winner is...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwkVnyfdGYQ
Monday, December 17, 2007
Dan Fogelberg, 1951-2007
米歌手 Ｄ・フォーゲルバーグ 死去
No man ever spoke so straight to my heart.
http://danfogelberg.com/news.html
http://youtube.com/watch?v=QKUBuLzDtJU&feature=related
http://youtube.com/watch?v=cy3GHCy49Dw&feature=related
http://youtube.com/watch?v=xAHHWb783VE&feature=related
There is a 62-track, "Portrait - The Music of Dan Fogelberg from 1972 - 1997", at iTunes for $19.99. All the old favorites are there...
There is a new CD coming out later this year, and a new song on iTunes.
http://danfogelberg.com/news.html
No man ever spoke so straight to my heart.
http://danfogelberg.com/news.html
http://youtube.com/watch?v=QKUBuLzDtJU&feature=related
http://youtube.com/watch?v=cy3GHCy49Dw&feature=related
http://youtube.com/watch?v=xAHHWb783VE&feature=related
There is a 62-track, "Portrait - The Music of Dan Fogelberg from 1972 - 1997", at iTunes for $19.99. All the old favorites are there...
There is a new CD coming out later this year, and a new song on iTunes.
http://danfogelberg.com/news.html
Monday, December 10, 2007
3D Movies
It is likely that there will be more and more 3D movies in the future... because they cannot be pirated easily.
I saw Beowulf in 3D. Stunning.
NOT for children.
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/article1996446.ece
If a 3D movie has subtitles, however, having to focus back and forth from where your attention is to where the subtitles seem to be floating in midair is really tiring and annoying.
I saw Beowulf in 3D. Stunning.
NOT for children.
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/article1996446.ece
If a 3D movie has subtitles, however, having to focus back and forth from where your attention is to where the subtitles seem to be floating in midair is really tiring and annoying.
TV from Hawaii over the internet to your TV
I knew this day would come.
I have no idea whether this is good or not, and the content is slim so far, but it is just starting out...
I often want to watch full news broadcasts from Hawaii, and there are only short news clips on the net so far, but I already have so much electronic stuff in my apartment, the last thing I want is another box. But, on the other hand, it would be great to go home to Hawaii and not turn on the news and say "Who is that?".
Actually, I would rather just pay 50 cents a day to get the broadcast over the net... I hope they do that soon.
Even if it turns out to be good, the set top box will become obsolete and the company will
either adapt or go out of business in a few years... but on the other hand, it ain't gettin any earlier... and everything is changing so fast, an electronic device going obsolete in a few years is normal... and if you have grandparents or parents living away, I think they would enjoy it...
This company seems to be offering a deal...
it is like 100 dollars cheaper than what it says at the company site itself, I think.
http://www.alohavalley.com/hawaii-iptv.html
This is the company site.
http://tvfromhawaii.com
I have no idea whether this is good or not, and the content is slim so far, but it is just starting out...
I often want to watch full news broadcasts from Hawaii, and there are only short news clips on the net so far, but I already have so much electronic stuff in my apartment, the last thing I want is another box. But, on the other hand, it would be great to go home to Hawaii and not turn on the news and say "Who is that?".
Actually, I would rather just pay 50 cents a day to get the broadcast over the net... I hope they do that soon.
Even if it turns out to be good, the set top box will become obsolete and the company will
either adapt or go out of business in a few years... but on the other hand, it ain't gettin any earlier... and everything is changing so fast, an electronic device going obsolete in a few years is normal... and if you have grandparents or parents living away, I think they would enjoy it...
This company seems to be offering a deal...
it is like 100 dollars cheaper than what it says at the company site itself, I think.
http://www.alohavalley.com/hawaii-iptv.html
This is the company site.
http://tvfromhawaii.com
Here is what some of the earliest life on Earth looked like
NewScientist is offering free wallpaper.
One of the pictures is absolutely spectacular. Living stromatolites! I had no idea they were red!
This is what life looked like on Earth for the first few billion years.
http://www.newscientist.com/data/images/ns/screensaver/2007/wallpaper/NewScientist_november_large.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stromatolites
One of the pictures is absolutely spectacular. Living stromatolites! I had no idea they were red!
This is what life looked like on Earth for the first few billion years.
http://www.newscientist.com/data/images/ns/screensaver/2007/wallpaper/NewScientist_november_large.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stromatolites
How to use someone else's (cable) modem
You go to your friend's house, and you want to connect your laptop to the internet, but your friend doesn't have wireless.
You unplug the modem from your friend's computer and plug it into yours, but you cannot connect.
Leave your computer plugged into the modem, then disconnect the modem from the electrical supply (that is, unplug it from the electrical socket), wait a few seconds, then reconnect the modem to the electrical supply.
The modem should now autodetect your computer, and that will be it. You will not need to imput any addresses or anything like that.
The above applies to cable modems.
Tell your friend to get WiFi.
You unplug the modem from your friend's computer and plug it into yours, but you cannot connect.
Leave your computer plugged into the modem, then disconnect the modem from the electrical supply (that is, unplug it from the electrical socket), wait a few seconds, then reconnect the modem to the electrical supply.
The modem should now autodetect your computer, and that will be it. You will not need to imput any addresses or anything like that.
The above applies to cable modems.
Tell your friend to get WiFi.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Friday, November 23, 2007
Future history of the world, 2015
Get over the first minute... the rest is fascinating... and I have read these ideas in various places... Here, all these ideas are summarized and extrapolated in a few minutes...
Most people have no idea what is coming...
http://epic.makingithappen.co.uk/new-masterfs1.html
This is an updated version. The original was for 2014. This one is for 2015.
Here is the cover of Reason Magazine from June 2004... the one with a picture of "your own house" on the cover.
And here is the Reason Magazine article from that issue.
http://www.reason.com/news/show/29148.html
Most people have no idea what is coming...
http://epic.makingithappen.co.uk/new-masterfs1.html
This is an updated version. The original was for 2014. This one is for 2015.
Here is the cover of Reason Magazine from June 2004... the one with a picture of "your own house" on the cover.
And here is the Reason Magazine article from that issue.
http://www.reason.com/news/show/29148.html
Thursday, November 22, 2007
One of the best sites I have seen...
I read about this site in an article by Rhodri Marsden in The Independent.
http://news.independent.co.uk/sci_tech/article3177183.ece
How stumbleupon.com works is not obvious from the samples on the front page. You really need to sign up and then pick say 5 to 10 categories.
I spent the first few hours saying wow to 80% of what I saw. I had never seen 95% of the sites before, even in categories in which I am very interested. I can see why it was voted one of the top 100 sites.
Basically, what it does is show you websites that are highly rated by other people with an interest in the category. You will see really surprising things. Try to resist bookmarking everything... but if you see things at the beginning that interest you, it might be a good idea to bookmark them because they will show you the most highly rated sites first. If your browser has a history, all the sites will be there.
http://news.independent.co.uk/sci_tech/article3177183.ece
How stumbleupon.com works is not obvious from the samples on the front page. You really need to sign up and then pick say 5 to 10 categories.
I spent the first few hours saying wow to 80% of what I saw. I had never seen 95% of the sites before, even in categories in which I am very interested. I can see why it was voted one of the top 100 sites.
Basically, what it does is show you websites that are highly rated by other people with an interest in the category. You will see really surprising things. Try to resist bookmarking everything... but if you see things at the beginning that interest you, it might be a good idea to bookmark them because they will show you the most highly rated sites first. If your browser has a history, all the sites will be there.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
New Opening for The Age of Biology
Nova used to open with, well, a nova... But the 21st century will be the century of biology, and so the opening has been substantially changed...
In fact, there doesn't seem to be a nova in it... The opening starts with a spiral galaxy, and ends with a spiral galaxy...
In fact, there doesn't seem to be a nova in it... The opening starts with a spiral galaxy, and ends with a spiral galaxy...
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
The Fabulous Five
To anyone who was living in Hawaii in the early '70s, just say the magic words:
HIC, Al Davis, Bob Nash, Dwight Holiday, John Penebacker, Jerome Freeman, "Red" Rocha, Chuck Lehey, the Fabulous Five...
and you will get a grin from ear to ear... The HIC never rocked like that! Everyone was glued to their TVs and radios... Probably the most fun I have ever seen... and they kept winning and winning...
http://starbulletin.com/1999/10/26/news/story8.html
http://starbulletin.com/2004/02/22/business/story1.html
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Comet Holmes a few days after its discovery in 1892
Here is a picture of Comet Holmes a few days after its discovery almost exactly a hundred and fifteen years ago in 1892!
It is the round bright object in the lower left corner.
Holmes was given a medal by the Astronomical Society of the Pacific.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edwin_Holmes
And here is the page announcing the award!
http://articles.adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-iarticle_query?journal=PASP.&year=%3F%3F%3F%3F&volume=...5&letter=.&db_key=PRE&page_ind=54&plate_select=NO&data_type=GIF&type=SCREEN_GIF&classic=YES
Comet Holmes
--William Hood Photography
The above photograph was taken near Los Angeles International Airport!
It has also just been published online by Sky & Telescope at
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/community/gallery/skyevents/11088956.html
Click on the link below to see some amazing framed prints! Take a look at the Sierra Sunsets and the astrophotos! Jawdropping!
http://members.aol.com/wmhoodphoto/index.htm
Monday, November 12, 2007
The Blog Turns One!
This blog is a year old... and what a year it's been!
Looking forward to little and big things... 3D movies, mobile computing, genetic therapy, first contact...
Looking forward to little and big things... 3D movies, mobile computing, genetic therapy, first contact...
Streaming radio is everywhere
If you haven't poked around iTunes or at the webpages of radio stations, you may not be aware that you can usually listen to streaming radio online... it works nearly flawlessly nowadays...
Here is Hawaii public radio... I listened to A Prairie Home Companion on this station the other day... amazing... being in Japan and listening to HPR broadcast a program from National Public Radio... for free... in real time...
http://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/hpr/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15&Itemid=30
Here is Hawaii public radio... I listened to A Prairie Home Companion on this station the other day... amazing... being in Japan and listening to HPR broadcast a program from National Public Radio... for free... in real time...
http://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/hpr/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15&Itemid=30
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Totally charming video
Video of the Hayabusa Mission to Asteroid Itokawa... totally charming and very intensely sweet Japanese anime sensibility... in a video about robotic probes!
I love the little robot jumping around on the surface like a Mexican jumping bean...
And it almost made it... only the sample return at the end failed... and so it remains, for a little while longer, in the realm of dreams...
I love the little robot jumping around on the surface like a Mexican jumping bean...
And it almost made it... only the sample return at the end failed... and so it remains, for a little while longer, in the realm of dreams...
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Comet Holmes
Waaay out in the asteroid belt, there are a lot of icy cometlike asteroids. They are so far from the Sun that they hardly give off any gas and dust, and so they are often indistinguishable from asteroids.
One of these is Comet Holmes, which was observed only once a century ago when it suddenly started giving off a lot of dust and gas.
Then, last week, something happened. Comet Holmes suddenly brightened a million times and is now easily visible to the naked eye! Either the outer crust cracked, or something slammed into it, exposing the more volatile gas and dust below.
I saw it last night. Even with a lot of light pollution, it is conspicuous as a fuzzy starlike object. All the stars nearby look sharp, but the comet is obviously fuzzy to the naked eye. In binoculars, it looks just like this!
IT IS NOW BIGGER THAN THE SUN!!!
http://starbulletin.com/2007/11/11/news/story04.html
Here are directions for finding it.
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/home/10912981.html
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
How the internet has changed in just the last 10 years
The BBC started its website 10 years ago. Take a look at the graphic showing the number of views going from about a million a month to a thousand times that.
This is a good example of how explosive progress can be... and most progress that is dependent on computing is advancing like this.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/629/629/7057140.stm
This is a good example of how explosive progress can be... and most progress that is dependent on computing is advancing like this.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/629/629/7057140.stm
Saturday, October 13, 2007
What?!?!?!
Sometimes you come across a story that makes you say "Hmm, is it April 1?". Then you realize it isn't, and you say WHATTTTT?!?!?!
Here is one of them.
If you take the toner cartridge of an inkject printer, clean it out, sterilize it, and fill it with living cells in a carrier fluid, you can use the inkjet printer to print 3D living tissue! 95% of the cells survive being shot out of the inkjet and hitting the target!
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=15231206
Here is one of them.
If you take the toner cartridge of an inkject printer, clean it out, sterilize it, and fill it with living cells in a carrier fluid, you can use the inkjet printer to print 3D living tissue! 95% of the cells survive being shot out of the inkjet and hitting the target!
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=15231206
The world changes: Kodak's Olympic sponsorship ending
After more than a century, the 2008 Olympic games in Beijing will mark the end of Kodak sponsorship.
Everything is going digital. While film still has its inimitable qualities, the economics of digital photography are becoming overwhelming, and even Kodak realizes that most photography will be digital.
Everything is going digital. While film still has its inimitable qualities, the economics of digital photography are becoming overwhelming, and even Kodak realizes that most photography will be digital.
Patients cannot remember which medications they are taking
Half of patients taking antihypertensive drugs were unable to remember a single one of the medications they were taking. Since someone could easily be confused or unconscious when taken to an emergency room, it would be useful to keep a list of medications and dosages in your purse or wallet.
Minor transient strokes need to be treated as emergencies
By the time we reach our 80s, we typically have hundreds of small strokes. Most of these produce no symptoms.
However, if you live long enough, it is very likely you will experience at least a few transient strokes. The symptoms can be very strange (faces may disappear, speech may be unintelligible, confusion), may or may not involve paralysis, and may pass in a few hours. However, these are signs that a much more serious stroke may be coming in the next few days, weeks, or months. Going to the emergency room and treating such a mild transient stroke will reduce the later risk of a major stroke by 80%!
Here are some symptoms of strokes.
http://www.stroke.org.uk/information/what_is_a_stroke/common_symptoms.html
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/85062.php
However, if you live long enough, it is very likely you will experience at least a few transient strokes. The symptoms can be very strange (faces may disappear, speech may be unintelligible, confusion), may or may not involve paralysis, and may pass in a few hours. However, these are signs that a much more serious stroke may be coming in the next few days, weeks, or months. Going to the emergency room and treating such a mild transient stroke will reduce the later risk of a major stroke by 80%!
Here are some symptoms of strokes.
http://www.stroke.org.uk/information/what_is_a_stroke/common_symptoms.html
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/85062.php
Friday, October 12, 2007
Sukiyaki (上を向いて歩こう I look up when I walk (so the tears won't fall))
The real title of this song is Ue o muite arukou. The name Sukiyaki doesn't mean anything in the context of the song. It was renamed in English because the Japanese title was too difficult.
The song begins
I look upward when I walk
So the tears won't fall
Remembering happy days in spring
For tonight I am all alone
The singer, Kyu Sakamoto, was killed in a plane crash in 1985.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xcHysLbSk4&mode=related&search=
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sukiyaki_%28song%29
http://www.japanorama.com/kyuchan.html
The song begins
I look upward when I walk
So the tears won't fall
Remembering happy days in spring
For tonight I am all alone
The singer, Kyu Sakamoto, was killed in a plane crash in 1985.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xcHysLbSk4&mode=related&search=
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sukiyaki_%28song%29
http://www.japanorama.com/kyuchan.html
Thursday, October 11, 2007
We may know whether life exists on Mars by next summer!
The Phoenix Mars Lander will, if everything goes according to plan, land on Mars in May of 2008 and dig under the surface and perform experiments to determine whether life has existed or currently exists there.
I would bet everything there are living cells there now... and on some of the moons of Jupiter and maybe other outer planets as well.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6926880.stm
I would bet everything there are living cells there now... and on some of the moons of Jupiter and maybe other outer planets as well.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6926880.stm
First Radio Telescope Dedicated to Searching for Extraterrestrails Begins Operations
The first part of the Allen Telescope Array has started operations.
http://space.newscientist.com/article/dn12771-new-radio-telescope-begins-search-for-alien-signals.html
There will soon be a flood of data requiring analysis, so if you leave your computer on all the time anyway, you could join SETI at Home to hunt for alien technological civilizations.
http://setiathome.berkeley.edu/
http://space.newscientist.com/article/dn12771-new-radio-telescope-begins-search-for-alien-signals.html
There will soon be a flood of data requiring analysis, so if you leave your computer on all the time anyway, you could join SETI at Home to hunt for alien technological civilizations.
http://setiathome.berkeley.edu/
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Camelot
With clips from the original with Julie Andrews, Richard Burton, and Robert Goulet!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1GqoxJngBI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1GqoxJngBI
The funniest joke
Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson go on a camping trip. After a good dinner, they retire for the night, and go to sleep.
Some hours later, Holmes wakes up and nudges his faithful friend. "Watson, look up at the sky and tell me what you see."
"I see millions and millions of stars, Holmes" replies Watson.
"And what do you deduce from that?"
Watson ponders for a minute.
"Well, astronomically, it tells me that there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets. Astrologically, I observe that Saturn is in Leo. Horologically, I deduce that the time is approximately a quarter past three. Meteorologically, I suspect that we will have a beautiful day tomorrow. Theologically, I can see that God is all powerful, and that we are a small and insignificant part of the universe. What does it tell you, Holmes?"
Holmes is silent for a moment. "Watson, you idiot!" he says. "Someone has stolen our tent!"
Some hours later, Holmes wakes up and nudges his faithful friend. "Watson, look up at the sky and tell me what you see."
"I see millions and millions of stars, Holmes" replies Watson.
"And what do you deduce from that?"
Watson ponders for a minute.
"Well, astronomically, it tells me that there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets. Astrologically, I observe that Saturn is in Leo. Horologically, I deduce that the time is approximately a quarter past three. Meteorologically, I suspect that we will have a beautiful day tomorrow. Theologically, I can see that God is all powerful, and that we are a small and insignificant part of the universe. What does it tell you, Holmes?"
Holmes is silent for a moment. "Watson, you idiot!" he says. "Someone has stolen our tent!"
Saturday, October 6, 2007
How to use Skype
I am sick and tired of explaining this same damn thing over and over, so watch the damn video, and download the damn Skype software... NOW!
Saturday, September 29, 2007
October 12, 1997, Henry John Deutschendorf Jr took off in an experimental aircraft from the Monterey Peninsula Airport
John Denver was just plain a lot of fun in the 70s... he is where we get the expression "Faaaar out!"
He died flying a modified experimental Long-EZ aircraft designed by Burt Rutan. He loved to fly. Here is an explanation of what happened.
(Copy and paste the links in your browser window... there are too many of them to make them clickable... the software is confused.)
http://www.asktog.com/columns/027InterfacesThatKill.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Denver
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DC8nDdPM_Qk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLBKOcUbHR0&mode=related&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFgKkTKqh9Y&mode=related&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eivZd4j5MBs&mode=related&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwARpaKHx_w&mode=related&search=
And a duet with Karen Carpenter
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzlpeV0gK-M&mode=related&search=
He died flying a modified experimental Long-EZ aircraft designed by Burt Rutan. He loved to fly. Here is an explanation of what happened.
(Copy and paste the links in your browser window... there are too many of them to make them clickable... the software is confused.)
http://www.asktog.com/columns/027InterfacesThatKill.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Denver
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DC8nDdPM_Qk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLBKOcUbHR0&mode=related&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFgKkTKqh9Y&mode=related&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eivZd4j5MBs&mode=related&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwARpaKHx_w&mode=related&search=
And a duet with Karen Carpenter
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzlpeV0gK-M&mode=related&search=
Broadcast Satellite Analog Hi-Vision 9 Ends
Analog high definition broadcast satellite transmission by NHK in Japan will end tomorrow, September 30, 2007, at midnight.
This broadcast only started in 1999, but it has already been supplanted by terrestrial digital high definition broadcasting. It is just amazing to see something come in and go out so fast. The US will discontinue analog broadcasting soon. All analog broadcasting will end in Japan in 2011.
The first television broadcast in Hawaii was December 3, 1952; the last will be on February 17, 2009. The rate of technological advance is so great that you can see new things come into use, and marvels they were at the time, and go out of use in the blink of an eye... and the rate is increasing...
This broadcast only started in 1999, but it has already been supplanted by terrestrial digital high definition broadcasting. It is just amazing to see something come in and go out so fast. The US will discontinue analog broadcasting soon. All analog broadcasting will end in Japan in 2011.
The first television broadcast in Hawaii was December 3, 1952; the last will be on February 17, 2009. The rate of technological advance is so great that you can see new things come into use, and marvels they were at the time, and go out of use in the blink of an eye... and the rate is increasing...
Empress of the realm
Here is Kira, Empress, master of the many humans who devotedly wait on her hand and foot.
I had a dream that I was walking in a field, but the sky was pitch black... and there were millions of beagles walking very purposefully in the opposite direction. They flowed around me... like flocks of sheep... not in a panic, but walking quickly. I looked to the right and to the left, and all I could see were beagles...
So I called "Kiiiiraaaa", and I saw a little snout point up in the distance... after a while, she came up to me, and when I saw the white lightning bolt on her back, I knew it was Kira.
"Kira!" I yelled, and she jumped in my arms... and she was cold...
"Oh, oh. Kira, you are dead... and so am I... and we are in the beagle afterlife for some reason..."
I woke up and never figured out what the reason was.
I had a dream that I was walking in a field, but the sky was pitch black... and there were millions of beagles walking very purposefully in the opposite direction. They flowed around me... like flocks of sheep... not in a panic, but walking quickly. I looked to the right and to the left, and all I could see were beagles...
So I called "Kiiiiraaaa", and I saw a little snout point up in the distance... after a while, she came up to me, and when I saw the white lightning bolt on her back, I knew it was Kira.
"Kira!" I yelled, and she jumped in my arms... and she was cold...
"Oh, oh. Kira, you are dead... and so am I... and we are in the beagle afterlife for some reason..."
I woke up and never figured out what the reason was.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Grave of the Fireflies 火垂るの墓 (Hotaru no Haka)
Or perhaps my translation would be "Grave of the Firetrailers". The Japanese title does not use the common word for firefly and instead uses a much broader term, which in context perhaps better evokes the whole.
Truly extraordinary. If it were to be released now rather than when it was 20 years ago, it would be a sensation. Almost none of the animation since comes even close.
Here is a short description by Roger Ebert.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTBS2k5qDE0
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hotaru_no_haka
Try going to eBay and searching for Grave of the Fireflies. See the discussion below.
Truly extraordinary. If it were to be released now rather than when it was 20 years ago, it would be a sensation. Almost none of the animation since comes even close.
Here is a short description by Roger Ebert.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTBS2k5qDE0
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hotaru_no_haka
Try going to eBay and searching for Grave of the Fireflies. See the discussion below.
Amazingly cheap DVDs at eBay, but...
You can find amazingly cheap DVDs at eBay... sometimes for just a couple of dollars... However, there are a few things to watch out for.
THE BIDDING IS RIGGED. If it is a "Buy-it-Now" price, then if you click on it, that is the price you will pay for it. If it is a bidding price, what you are looking at is the second highest bid, not the highest bid. In other words, if there is a bid showing for 2 dollars, bidding 2 dollars and 1 cent is unlikely to win you the item because the actual current bid, which you cannot see, is already above 2 dollars. In this situation, if you try bidding $2.01, you will see the bid immediately jump, as if someone were online bidding against you. That is just because they were hiding the actual highest bid from you.
THE BUY-IT-NOW PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE SHIPPING. The shipping cost can be an important clue that something may be wrong. You will find a number of DVDs selling for only a few dollars... but the shipping is TO the US, and instead of being just a few dollars, is very high... Hmm... then look where the item is located. That may be a clue that it is a pirated copy that may not be what you are interested in.
MOST DVDs HAVE REGION CODES AND WILL ONLY PLAY IN ASIA OR NORTH AMERICA OR EUROPE. This is another clue. If it says "All regions", that is again suspicious and may indicate that it is a pirated copy.
Here is a screen shot of a DVD on eBay that I think is suspicious. Note that the starting bid is only $0.99, the Region Code lists all regions, it says it is new, and the shipping is $6.99.
THE BIDDING IS RIGGED. If it is a "Buy-it-Now" price, then if you click on it, that is the price you will pay for it. If it is a bidding price, what you are looking at is the second highest bid, not the highest bid. In other words, if there is a bid showing for 2 dollars, bidding 2 dollars and 1 cent is unlikely to win you the item because the actual current bid, which you cannot see, is already above 2 dollars. In this situation, if you try bidding $2.01, you will see the bid immediately jump, as if someone were online bidding against you. That is just because they were hiding the actual highest bid from you.
THE BUY-IT-NOW PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE SHIPPING. The shipping cost can be an important clue that something may be wrong. You will find a number of DVDs selling for only a few dollars... but the shipping is TO the US, and instead of being just a few dollars, is very high... Hmm... then look where the item is located. That may be a clue that it is a pirated copy that may not be what you are interested in.
MOST DVDs HAVE REGION CODES AND WILL ONLY PLAY IN ASIA OR NORTH AMERICA OR EUROPE. This is another clue. If it says "All regions", that is again suspicious and may indicate that it is a pirated copy.
Here is a screen shot of a DVD on eBay that I think is suspicious. Note that the starting bid is only $0.99, the Region Code lists all regions, it says it is new, and the shipping is $6.99.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Worm trying to trick you into infecting your Windows computer by fake Skype chat message
There is a worm for Skype for WINDOWS circulating. It seems to take the form of a chat message, pretending to be from someone you know. If your computer becomes infected, you will be blocked from accessing Symantec and other security sites. Just receiving the message will not infect your computer; you need to follow the link and grant permission for your machine to become infected. This is worth remembering because it is likely we will see future similar attempts.
Here is an excerpt from a PC World article:
... the worm sends chat messages that attempt to trick victims into thinking they were accidentally sent a file with messages such as "look what crazy photo Tiffany sent to me,looks cool" and "oops sorry please don't look there :S."
The displayed link attempts to download a file ending with a .scr extention, used for screen savers. If double-clicked, the malware - known variously as Skipi, Pykspa and Ramex - will first attempt to disable securty software, and then install another, data-stealing piece of malware, according to research from Symantec.
http://blogs.pcworld.com/staffblog/archives/005384.html
http://blog.wired.com/monkeybites/2007/09/windows-worm-ta.html
Here is an excerpt from a PC World article:
... the worm sends chat messages that attempt to trick victims into thinking they were accidentally sent a file with messages such as "look what crazy photo Tiffany sent to me,looks cool" and "oops sorry please don't look there :S."
The displayed link attempts to download a file ending with a .scr extention, used for screen savers. If double-clicked, the malware - known variously as Skipi, Pykspa and Ramex - will first attempt to disable securty software, and then install another, data-stealing piece of malware, according to research from Symantec.
http://blogs.pcworld.com/staffblog/archives/005384.html
http://blog.wired.com/monkeybites/2007/09/windows-worm-ta.html
Sunday, September 9, 2007
The most distant object made by humans
Thirty years ago, Voyager I was launched... it is now more than a hundred times farther away than the distance from the Earth to the Sun.
It is now more than one-half light-day away! At that rate, if it were going toward the nearest star, it is still only about 1/3,000th way there... meaning it would take nearly 100,000 years to arrive.
Voyager I is still functioning and is still sending back data! However, the power supply will run out in about 10 years.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14261627
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voyager_I
It is now more than one-half light-day away! At that rate, if it were going toward the nearest star, it is still only about 1/3,000th way there... meaning it would take nearly 100,000 years to arrive.
Voyager I is still functioning and is still sending back data! However, the power supply will run out in about 10 years.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14261627
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voyager_I
Thursday, September 6, 2007
It is raining cats and dogs... and the typhoon isn't even here yet!
Typhoon No. 9 is still far to the south of Honshu, but it is raining like mad outside... and it is supposed to get worse tomorrow!
http://www.tenki.jp/typ/index.html
http://www.tenki.jp/typ/index.html
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Does corn syrup cause even more problems than we thought?
Carbonyl compounds are elevated in people with diabetes and are well documented to be linked to diabetes complications such as ulcers and nerve damage.
It seems that these harmful compounds form in substantial amounts when, instead of sugar cane sugar, you use corn syrup to make soda.
If you don't know what diabetic foot ulcers look like, try Google Images. I warn you, it is pretty shocking.
It seems that these harmful compounds form in substantial amounts when, instead of sugar cane sugar, you use corn syrup to make soda.
If you don't know what diabetic foot ulcers look like, try Google Images. I warn you, it is pretty shocking.
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Another example of improved computing making the impossible into the practical and routine
A decade ago, the peak intensities of many meteor showers were difficult to predict and were often just guesstimates. Meteor storms were predicted, and observers saw nothing. No one was looking, and surprise showers appeared. That is why the Aurigid meteor shower is known to have been observed by only three people before yesterday. (I woke mom up at 1:20, and she saw one in a few minutes even though it was nearly completely overcast!)
Improved computing now allows much better prediction of meteoroid streams. Models are so good that the predicted peak of the Aurigids was 4:33 AM PDT, and the actual peak was 4:15 AM; the predicted peak rate was right on target. A decade ago, you would have gotten tentative guesses as to whether or not one would see anything at all.
http://aurigids.seti.org
Improved computing now allows much better prediction of meteoroid streams. Models are so good that the predicted peak of the Aurigids was 4:33 AM PDT, and the actual peak was 4:15 AM; the predicted peak rate was right on target. A decade ago, you would have gotten tentative guesses as to whether or not one would see anything at all.
http://aurigids.seti.org
Saturday, September 1, 2007
Friday, August 31, 2007
The expression "to jump the shark"
"To jump the shark" means, especially for a TV show, to do something desperate because of falling ratings... Here is where the expression comes from... Hilarious... and not in a good way...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpraJYnbVtE&mode=related&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpraJYnbVtE&mode=related&search=
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