the schrodinger's immigrant

While l am prepared to admit that some of the 'youngsters' admitted into the UK yesterday looked older than 18, l think the underlying fear is this. The Schrodinger's Immigrant.

If you don't know what the above is based upon, (Schrodinger wise) check out this.

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george and dhani harrison's symmetrical faces, and what is life

George Harrison and his son Danni's symmetrical faces.
At first glance they look identical, but you then notice the many differences, and not just with the youthful skin of Dhani's.

And here's a song by George - 'What is Life'.

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results from the psychopath test are in!

Though your conscience is in the right place you also have a pragmatic streak and generally aren’t afraid to do your own dirty work! You’re no shrinking violet - but no daredevil either. You generally have little trouble seeing things from another person’s perspective but, at the same time, are no pushover. ‘Everything in moderation – including moderation’ might sum up your approach to life.

Well, l have had a go at Channel 4's Psychopath test, and my score was 67%, and l got the statement above. Not sure if that's good or not, although it does say the average for a man is 50%, but l know a friend who got 79%, and he would have no trouble killing people (women) if he could get away with it (or so he said last week).
Try it yourself here.

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tim minchin's acceptance speech to the uwa

Tim Minchin's speech after receiving his honoury doctarate from the University of Western Australia.  It's clever, funny and insightful, and worth watching to the end.

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microscopic photographs

A broken human hair

Dust

Human eyelashes

A louse on a human hair

A Mosquito face

Rust on a nail

A vinyl record groove

I found these photographs on the top design mag site (there are more there) and they are taken from the book Microcosmos, by Brandon Broll.
I'm fascinated by  microscopic photographs, so l've blown the pictures up larger than l usually would, but  they also freak me out, and make me want to start scratching myself, imagining all the creepy crawlies running amok on and around me.  Little gits.

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the big bang - simon singh

 

Well. l've finally managed to finish Simon Singh's 'The Big Bang', and if you have even a passing interest in space, time, creation, mathematics and physics, it's the book to head for.
The majority of it was interesting, and Singh explains the subjects well, but l got a bit bored when it came to the breakup and formation of atoms. l prefer the mathematical side of working out and judging planets sizes and distances, as it's something l can get my head around easier.
As for the title and conclusion of the book, there are still so many unanswered questions regarding  'The Big Bang' itself, and my own view is l am in favour of infinite expanding and contracting multiverses that have always been, and will always be, requiring no creator (or start up from nothing).
Mindblowing, but the only option to me that makes sense.
More scans of the cartoon type/diagram pages from the book can be found here.

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experiments in the revival of organisms

Want to see dead animals bought back to life?  Amputated dogs leads responding to external stimuli??
Look no further, it's all here, in a Soviet film from 1940.



Spooky stuff.

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shaven headed research by albert mannes

I'm interested in Psychology (everybody should be), and there was some research done last year, ( 'Shorn scalps and the perception of male dominance' )  at the University of  Pennsylvania, Philadelphia by Albert Mannes, PHD.
The abstract reading (from Sage Journals) states

Three studies contribute to the literature on dominance and nonverbal behavior (Ellyson & Dovidio, 1985) by examining how a man’s choice to shave his head influences person perception. In Study 1, men with shaved heads were rated as more dominant than similar men with full heads of hair. In Study 2, men whose hair was digitally removed were perceived as more dominant, taller, and stronger than their authentic selves. Study 3 extends these results with nonphotographic stimuli and demonstrates how men experiencing natural hair loss may improve their interpersonal standing by shaving. Theories of signaling, norm violation, and stereotypes are examined as explanations for the effect. Practical implications for men’s psychological, social, and economic outlooks are also discussed.

Basically, people will think you are more powerful, a leader and, as an added bonus, stronger.

Now call me an old cynic (not for the first time), but l have a sneaking feeling that Albert Mannes is using money to pursue his own specific interests, and the findings of the survey may well benefit him more than most.
My evidence?
I present a photograph of non other than Albert Mannes himself.

Thank you very much - l'll get my own coat.

toodle pip

the tardis fridge

Now that is what l call a TARDIS fridge!  Good job young man (it is bound to have been a bloke that did it).  I'm not even a fan of Doctor Who, but l'm impressed, and wouldn't mind one of these in our kitchen.

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the urine powered generator

Are they taking the piss or what?

These four girls, Duro-Aina Adebola (14), Akindele Abiola (14), Faleke Oluwatoyin (14) and Bello Eniola (15), have produced a generator that can run on urine (One litre of urine gives six hours of electricity) which was demonstrated at the Lagos Maker Faire Africa.   Ingenious stuff, so they are either going to make a fortune, be ripped off, or be killed.   More information about it is here.

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google underwater 'street' maps

Google 'street maps' have just got a whole lot better, as today, they have launched their underwater maps, which they hope will eventually cover as much of the sea bed as they can, plus highlighting changing eco systems as they go.  This is Wilson Island, part of the Great Barrier Reef at sunset, and can be explored here.  Now l don't have to leave the house if l don't want to, which will be useful when my heart, knees, mind and back go and l start crapping my pants (which let's face it, can't be long).  Technology - it's great!

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alan friedman sun photograhs

These photographs of the Sun and it's flares were taken by Alan Friedman, photographing only the warm hydrogen.  It looks pretty impressive and strange, and if you want to know more, check out Discover Magazine's blog.

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x rayed fishes from the smithsonian

The Smithsonian has an exhibition travelling around showing fish that have been X Rayed, and it's pretty interesting stuff.  I wouldn't want to meet some of the creatures at the best of times, and they look even more disgusting when you can see their bones.  There's more photos here if you want to be grossed out.

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3D foetus in a box from japan

Those crazy Japanese have only done it again!  another great idea that l actually think will catch on amongst the people who can afford it.  After a MRI scan, the details are sent to a 3D printing facility, which then makes a resin 3D print out of your foetus.  This can then be enclosed and presented in a box.  The place that is planning on doing this is here, and as they say (in the Google Japanese to English translation)

"The best memories can be expressed in three dimensions the position of the baby at that time, posture, and appearance".

Cost is about 100,000 yen (about £900).  A bargain.
Time for the FPO to get her tubes untangled.

toodle pip

project nim (2011) - james marsh

What a great, yet depressing documentary Project Nim is. An attempt to teach a primate (in this case a chimpanzee that was named 'Nim Chimpsky', it was flawed from the very start. To me, the worst offender was the professor (Herbert S Terrace) who instigated the project, as it was not supervised properly from the start, had no great plan of action, achievable and recordable aims, and he was also pretty quick to change assistants (probably with a view to getting more shags), tactics and settings, and then suddenly ended the project, leaving Nim to be shipped off and forgotten about. Nim ended up in a research facility, but, mainly due to the persistence of one of the earlier helpers (Bob), and the involvement of newspapers and lawyers, was eventually rehoused in a sanctuary. Unfortunately, Nim was in  a cage by himself, without companions and stimuli, even if the sanctuary had good intentions when they 'rescued' him.  When new owners took it over, Bob was allowed involvement again, and other chimps were added to Nim's environment, so at least he had a happier end to his life.
The extra on the DVD about Bob's story was also tear inducing, but at least it was positive, with his standing in his families eyes rising due to his involvement and persistence.
If project such as this are to be undertaken, the assistants should be there for the duration, plus the chimps should be signed at all through their lives, and encouraged to pas on the signs to their offspring, and that progress (and other offsprings) monitored in an non invasive and enjoyable way for the chimps, who should also be living in an open environment.
Then there is the issue of cattle prods - good or bad?
More or less the same as 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes', except in the movie, the apes escape to take over.
Only a matter of time.....


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better off ted - plus the veridian dynamics adverts

Myself and the FPO have just started watching series one of 'Better off Ted', and are really enjoying it. I can imagine it was probably pitched as 'Like '30 Rock' with the hard edged boss and respected colleague dynamic, PLUS an in office will they/wont they romance, PLUS the main male character looking good in a suit 'Don Draper - Mad Men' style, PLUS different things to test each week for slapstick humour 'Testees' style. A long pitch, l'll agree. One of the many highlights are the spoof adverts for Veridian dynamics, the company they all work for. They have certainly come up with some clever stuff, and l hope the standard stays as high, but we also expect it to improve as the characters develop and we get to know them better.
Shame it was cancelled after only two series.

                                                        

                                            

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einstein pictures

The top picture of Albert Einstein sticking his tongue out to photographers on his 72nd birthday (at Princeton in 1951) is pretty well known, and has been reproduced on lots of posters and t. shirts.
On the other hand, how many photographs have you ever seen of Einstein rowing?
I thought not - so now's your lucky day!

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