Friday, July 11, 2014
Tuesday, July 08, 2014
Monday, July 07, 2014
Lawnmower racing
I watched a funny episode of King of the Hill, where Hank entered a lawnmower race. Good show. And of course they made fun of the the slow speed which lawnmowers supposedly can get up to.
But I looked it up, and I would say maybe they hadn't done their research, for these suckers get up to a good clip! I pity anybody who'd get in the way of one driving at full speed.
I would have bet that this originated in the US, but it seems it's a British invention.
But I looked it up, and I would say maybe they hadn't done their research, for these suckers get up to a good clip! I pity anybody who'd get in the way of one driving at full speed.
I would have bet that this originated in the US, but it seems it's a British invention.
Thursday, July 03, 2014
An avian engineer?
[Thanks to Bert]
I've never heard of anything like this. I've heard that apes will sometimes "use tools", like using a fallen branch to reach a fallen fruit, but a bird carefully making feathers from paper to extend her tail!!?
I wonder if the reasons are cosmetic or aerodynamic.
Kent sez:
"Actually, that's just how love birds collect nesting material to take back to their nest hollow."
Haha, brilliant. Thanks.
Wednesday, July 02, 2014
Winners of Person with a Bag photo contest
Winners of Person with a Bag photo contest
The prizes are on the way to the winners.
First prize, a Muzetto bag from Waterfield:
The prizes are on the way to the winners.
First prize, a Muzetto bag from Waterfield:
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| By TC[Girl] |
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| Shared 2nd prize: Roger B |
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| Shared second price: Russ |
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| Runner-up: Merle |
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| Runner-up: Pavel |
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| Runner-up: Alan-D |
Monday, June 30, 2014
Urgent: last day for photo contest entry
Today Monday is the last day for photo contest entry.
Entries are fewer than the earlier contests, so your chances are better, enter now!
(You can still enter so long as it's still Monday anywhere on the planet.)
Entries are fewer than the earlier contests, so your chances are better, enter now!
(You can still enter so long as it's still Monday anywhere on the planet.)
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Jon Barry; egrets (herons) mating dance
[Note, don't forget the photo contest, deadline is Monday!]
Photo by my colleague and pal Jon Barry.
OK Go optical tricks video
[Thanks to Bert]
Funny enough, if they did this perfectly, it would be less convincing, because it would look like it was digitally made...
(As usual you can click on the YouTube logo or the Full Screen symbol on lower right to see it larger.)
.JPG)
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
58 Cognitive biases
58 Cognitive biases, article.
...we are prone to hundreds of proven biases that cause us to think and act irrationally, and even thinking we're rational despite evidence of irrationality in others is known as blind spot bias.
...we are prone to hundreds of proven biases that cause us to think and act irrationally, and even thinking we're rational despite evidence of irrationality in others is known as blind spot bias.
Monday, June 23, 2014
Ministry - What a Wonderful World
One of my favorite songs, rendered by one of my favorite bands. And yet, such an unlikely combination!
(If you prefer your industrial thrash faster, go to the latter half. But I think the slower version is, well, wonderful. Actually the faster one too.)
I am reading Al Jourgensen's Autobio, and all I can say so far is that if you think it's a miracle Iggy Pop is still alive... !!! The amount of alcohol, crack, and heroin the man has consumed is phenomenal, he must be a demi-god to still walk upright and be coherent.
By the way, here is one of those cases where the live version beats the studio version. The long intro is fantastic, with the two drummers. (It should optimally be played loud to be appreciated, much of Ministry's music has a distinct Wall Of Sound quality.)
(Woa, this is an hour. Enough for anybody but real fans, I fear! :-)
I never liked the brain-dead aggression of Ministry concerts. I feel it does not have anything to do with the brilliance of the music. And to my relief, Al feels some of the same, he hates touring, and he dislikes the violent audience, most of who are clearly there because they like something else in his music than he does himself.
He even claims that his hatred of touring is the reason for his abuse, but I think that issue is probably more complex than so.
(If you prefer your industrial thrash faster, go to the latter half. But I think the slower version is, well, wonderful. Actually the faster one too.)
I am reading Al Jourgensen's Autobio, and all I can say so far is that if you think it's a miracle Iggy Pop is still alive... !!! The amount of alcohol, crack, and heroin the man has consumed is phenomenal, he must be a demi-god to still walk upright and be coherent.
By the way, here is one of those cases where the live version beats the studio version. The long intro is fantastic, with the two drummers. (It should optimally be played loud to be appreciated, much of Ministry's music has a distinct Wall Of Sound quality.)
(Woa, this is an hour. Enough for anybody but real fans, I fear! :-)
I never liked the brain-dead aggression of Ministry concerts. I feel it does not have anything to do with the brilliance of the music. And to my relief, Al feels some of the same, he hates touring, and he dislikes the violent audience, most of who are clearly there because they like something else in his music than he does himself.
He even claims that his hatred of touring is the reason for his abuse, but I think that issue is probably more complex than so.
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