jorg pretz's binary clock

Jorg Pretz, a physicist from  Aachen University, has devised a binary clock that looks like a racked set of balls on a pool table.

The way that it works, is that when the balls are lit, they all symbolise different amounts of time. The top ball is 6 hours, the ones underneath are 2 hours each, the next three are 30 minutes each, the following five are 6 minutes each, and the ones in the bottom row are 1 minute each.

Therefore the time above would be 11.03. It lights red for am, and green for pm.

Much more awkward to read than a normal clock, but I want one!

toodle pip

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.

toodle pip

books l read in egypt (#7) micromegas - voltaire

More top tales from the satirical Frenchman.  One of Voltaire's shorter tales, but once again, involving travel.  This time, it's of the science fiction kind, as two giants from other planets (Sirius and Saturn) come to Earth, and discover to their amazement that there is life below them in the shape of whales and mankind.  This is due to the fact that Micromegas (a banished heretic on his own planet) is 20,000 feet tall, so it is pretty difficult to see and hear them.  The other worldly giants make a hearing device to converse with the humans, who then argue philosophy, and explain the planet was made uniquely for mankind (much to the giants amusement).  Micromegas tells the humans he will write them a book explaining the point of life, but when they open it later, it is blank.  What a card!

ellen ripley - believe it or not

This silicone sculpture looks amazingly life like, and just a little bit spooky.  It's of Ellen Ripley from the Alien films (Sigourney Weaver) and it is by Steven Scott (who's Facebook page is here).   Some people are just so talented it is sickening (or at least sickening to me).  Bastard!

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the birth of galactus

I am off work today, so had a lazy morning reading the top two comics before dragging myself out of my pit to doss about.  They  are 'The Origin of Galactus' and The Fantastic Four story 'The Trial Of Reed Richards', and both (you may have guessed) concern 'Galactus'.  They approach his origin from different angles, and in the FF comic his morality is also bought into question (top philosophical musings ahoy!).  I am just a sucker for some of the old Marvel comics stuff, and consider people such as Stan Lee and Jack Kirby Gods amongst us mere mortals (a bit like Odin or Galactus himself).  Looks like l might be reading the (Mighty) Thor story 'Galactus a Borning' (issue #162 fact fans) tomorrow morning.  When l get round to it, l'll  post up all the scans here.  Enjoy!

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george best annuals

I've been trying to sort out some junk yesterday and today, and along the way, l've also been stashing some of my George Best stuff together in one box.  While doing this, l was re-aquanted with (amongst loads of other items) these little beauties.  They are number 1 to 5 of the George Best annuals from the late 60's to the early 70's.  Ah, happy days indeed, but what l want to know is, where have all the years gone inbetween?  They seem to have flown by (and are going faster).

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the pillars of creation

An old photograph, but well worth another viewing.  'The Pillars of Creation', part of the Eagle Nebula, taken by the Hubble Space Telescope in 1995. This is light and dust approx 7,000 light years away from Earth, creating new stars. These are huge things brothers and sisters, the left hand part being 4 light years long.   Amazing.  Look upon them and weep you mere mortals.

Below is another image, taken in 2011 by the Herschel Space Observatory, in far-infrared.  There is a lot more information and photographs  here and here.  Once again, amazing.

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the milky way and the andromeda galaxy to collide

NASA have just announce that the Andromeda galaxy and our own Milky Way are going to collide. Then again, chill out, have a drink, put your feet up and relax, it's not for another four billion years.
The above photos show NASA's prediction of the sequence it will all pan out in.
Just a shame l won't be around to witness it.

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rabbit hole (2010) - john cameron mitchell

A couple are mourning the loss of their 4 year old son,  who was run over by a young driver,  and are finding it hard to move on.  Becca,  the mother,  (Nicole Kidman) then starts meeting Jason (Miles Teller),  the young driver,  to chat,  and he tells her of parallel universes and infinite possibilities,  which he is also drawing a comic book about.  Her husband Howie (Aaron Eckhart) disapproves of the meetings,  but has been going to grief counselling meetings with a friend and 'getting high',  nearly having an affair in the process.
There are also issues with Becca's sister and mother (who had also lost a child, only as an  adult),  but in the end, they are gradually coming to terms with it.
An interesting film,  although l would have preferred more stuff about the parallel universes and comics, but never mind.  I will forgive the director (John Cameron Mitchell) pretty much anything,  as he also did 'Hedwig and the Angry Inch',  one of my favourite films.  In fact, it was because l noticed he was the director of this film that l decided to watch it.

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t.rex - electric warrior

My love for Marc Bolan and T.Rex  has not waned over the years, and l was listening to Electric Warrior for the trillionth time earlier on. Still one of my favourite albums (only 39 minutes long!), and the sleeve still looks fantastic and iconic, but a it's a bit disconcerting that it was released over 40 years ago. Where the Hell does the time go?

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it was 37 years ago today - oxford v manchester united

Christ on a bike, time really is flying by. After thinking it had flown by since Edna's funeral, it is rather disheartening to realise that it was 37 years ago when l was at this match.
I was living in-between Oxford and Reading at the time (at RAF Benson), and although l supported Manchester United, l was going to all the Oxford United home games l could get to (when they still played at the sadly missed Manor Ground), and followed them as my second team (still do).
This is because l was still at school at the time, so choices where limited.
As this was the season Manchester United were playing in the old Second Division, I got to see both of them together at the same time, for the first time. I have seen other games between them since then, but this one was special.
As usual, l went with Jonathan Knapp, a school friend who's father ran a TV shop in Oxford. The usual routine was l would cycle to Jonathan's house in Chalgrove, we would watch Football Focus, and we would then get a lift through to Oxford (Headington actually) with his dad. Reverse process on the way home afterwards (but without the Football Focus).
There was a lot of excitement that Manchester United were coming to town, there were issues with the travelling away support, as there had been various hooligan escapades at other games, and Match Of The Day showed highlights that evening! Get On!
To top it all, Oxford United kept up their fine home record and won 1-0, and Manchester United walked away with  the Second Division trophy later that year.
Happy days all round (for me at least).

toodle pip

the greatest thing on the internet

This is probably the biggest waste of time and yet the greatest thing anyone has ever uploaded to t'internet (and it is right). Instantly transported back to the old days (1972).

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sign villa, ronaldo is greedy (shock news)

I have just finished watching the recording of Spain v Portugal, and a although it was not exactly a feast of football, I wish Manchester United had made more of an effort (if they have the money nowadays) to sign David Villa - he is class. Never mind, Javier Hernandez from the Mexico team has looked impressive, and he has already signed. On another note, much as l loved what Ronaldo did for Manchester United, l could never take to him, as l always though he was more concerned about himself, rather than the team. This World Cup he has confirmed it, shooting from way out on numerous occasions when there was a better option to pass. Obviously when he played for United, l would defend anything he did (even the Rooney sending off and wink), but now l feel no such obligation. When United had Ruud Van Nistelroy, you knew he was greedy and wanted to score goals, but always felt he was still doing it for the team, not himself, hence he is still loved. Ronaldo divided supporters even when he played for United. They should have signed me when l was in my prime, a United fan and brilliant. What more could they want? Ah well, bedtime l suppose (even though it is now very bright outside). Maybe in another universe (maybe a parallel one like the many-worlds interpretation (MWI) Hugh Everett expounds) l am the brother of Keith Richards.

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