On February 5th of 2012, Russian scientists broke through the Antarctic ice sheet and breached a prehistoric lake. At a depth of over 2 miles(!) beneath ice, the secrets of Lake Vostok remained hidden to all for more than 20 million years. Now, after decades of work, the team has reached their goal – even… Continue reading Very Cold, Very Deep; Vostok is Breached
Category: Science
“The Story of Stuff”: Trash In, Trash Out
I just watched “The Story of Stuff” by Annie Leonard and was inspired. I am already one against disposable or individually wrapped goods, so this story really hit home with me. Because I’m a technology guy, I immediately watched “The Story of Electronics” which mentions planned obsolescence and perceived obsolescence. For instance, how often do… Continue reading “The Story of Stuff”: Trash In, Trash Out
Embrace Humility
In a recent rebroadcast from WNYC’s RadioLab show, listeners compare animal and human morality. As the brain is studied under morally stressful situations, scientists learn that a battle is being fought in our minds for the right answer to a difficult question. Scenario 1: Before you are two sets of train tracks splitting away from… Continue reading Embrace Humility
The Singularity is Nigh
Singularity University » Overview Singularity University aims to assemble, educate and inspire a cadre of leaders who strive to understand and facilitate the development of exponentially advancing technologies and apply, focus and guide these tools to address humanity’s grand challenges. Singularity University is the latest buzz in technology news this week. I liken what I’ve… Continue reading The Singularity is Nigh
The Year is 2035…
Perhaps some of you are aware of Charles Lindbergh’s other work. Lindbergh crossed the Atlantic Ocean in 1927, but a few years later he was able to get some time with the surgeon, Dr. Alexis Carrel to discuss some common interests. It turns out that Lindbergh believed it to be possible to build a heart… Continue reading The Year is 2035…
The Home School Phenomenon
Man has been on a quest throughout time to find the riddle of the root of all evil. Ole-Magnus Saxegard, a student of the Sydney-based University of Technology, explores this riddle in his latest frame-by-frame Flash animation (A History of Evil). It is a brilliant vision. If he’s looking for further inspiration to this age-old… Continue reading The Home School Phenomenon
Polar Cities
I must prefix this post with a bit of back story… A reader in Taiwan, Danny Bee, left a comment on an article I wrote (“Emily Yoffe Learns The Secret“). I had first assumed that the comment was spam, though the suspect spam did not follow my preconceived notions of spam. It had no sales… Continue reading Polar Cities
Noisy Neighbors
Don’t you hate when your neighbors keep you up at night with their frenetic sounds of sexual bliss? It’s 2:00am and you’re laying in your bed, wide awake, with the sounds of labored squeaks emanating from your walls from somewhere outside. I mean, really! The backyard, under the house, the bushes; is no place sacred?!?… Continue reading Noisy Neighbors
Scientific Study
“AA” battery acid tastes like burning. I had imagined it would be sour.
Emily Yoffe Learns ‘The Secret’
Emily Yoffe at Slate.com recently wrote a piece for the Human Guinea Pig column regarding The Secret. I haven’t read the book myself, but I did read The Power of Intention which I am to understand is a similar concept. Emily retells her two month account of following the book’s advice and finds inspiration for… Continue reading Emily Yoffe Learns ‘The Secret’