phillip m. torrone | flashenabled.com | ...the best way to predict the future is to invent it
Phillip Torrone.....lots of interesting "new tech" experiments and thoughts on his side. Definitely worth a look.
For many students, the downfall of learning physics and other sciences comes about when performing conversions.....to help you out, here's a list of some useful (if uncommon) equalities:
Ratio of an igloo's circumference to its diameter: Eskimo Pi
2000 pounds of Chinese soup: Won ton
1 millionth of a mouthwash: 1 microscope
Time between slipping on a peel and smacking the pavement: 1 bananosecond
Weight an evangelist carries with God: 1 billigram
Time it takes to sail 220 yards at 1 nautical mile per hour: Knot-furlong
365.25 days of drinking low-calorie beer because it's less filling: 1 lite year
16.5 feet in the Twilight Zone: 1 Rod Serling
Half of a large intestine: 1 semicolon
1000 aches: 1 megahurtz
Basic unit of laryngitis: 1 hoarsepower
Shortest distance between two jokes: A straight line
453.6 graham crackers: 1 pound cake
1 million-million microphones: 1 megaphone
1 million bicycles: 2 megacycles
365.25 days: 1 unicycle
2000 mockingbirds: two kilomockingbirds
10 cards: 1 decacards
1 kilogram of falling figs: 1 Fig Newton
1000 grams of wet socks: 1 literhosen
1 millionth of a fish: 1 microfiche
1 trillion pins: 1 terrapin
10 rations: 1 decoration
100 rations: 1 C-ration
2 monograms: 1 diagram
8 nickels: 2 paradigms
2.4 statute miles of intravenous surgical tubing at Yale University Hospital: 1 I.V. League
JamBase | ROBERT RANDOLPH: PLAYING FROM ABOVE
Solid interview with Robert Randolph...master of the pedal steel. He's been getting a ton of press this past year...played at the Grammy's, toured with Clapton.....but he's staying true to his roots.
He's also a really nice guy - I met him after one of his first shows at the Stanhope House in NJ...before he even had an album out.
A famous Samurai went to see a Zen master.
“Master,” he said in a voice accustomed to instant obedience, “teach me about Heaven and Hell!”
The Master looked up at this mighty warrior and replied with utter disdain, “Teach you about Heaven and Hell? I couldn’t teach you about anything. You’re dirty. You smell. Your blade is rusty. You’re a disgrace; an embarrassment to the Samurai class. Get out of my sight. I can’t stand you.”
The Samurai was furious. He shook, got all red in the face, was speechless with rage. He pulled out his sword and raised it above him, preparing to slay the Master.
“That’s Hell,” said the Master softly.
The Samurai was overwhelmed. The compassion and surrender of this little man who had offered his life to give this teaching to show him Hell. He slowly put down his sword, filled with gratitude, and suddenly peaceful.
“And that’s Heaven,” said the Master softly.
Nuts? Yes! Potentially fun....you betcha. Nothing like stirring up the society brew.
Main site for you local group is here: The Cacophony Society
Totally Absurd Inventions & Patents, America's Goofiest Patents
Strange and ridiculous patents. Do these people really think that they might make a buck off of these?
Of note:
Toilet Snorkel - granted, it actually has *some* merit
Leaf Chaps - Alert! We now have leafblowers!
Toilet Timer - I'll take my sweet time, thank you.
Sparking the Fire of Invention
MIT Tech Review article details various startups that are "invention only" firms.....that aren't mired in the red tape of corporate R&D. Profiled is Invention Science which was recently started by Nathan Myhrvold - former head of Microsoft Research Technology.
Also mentioned:
Walker Digital
Invent Resources
Generics Group
Sarcos Research
Deka Research and Development
So, I saw this hearse during the Manitou Springs, Coffin Races Parade. (which is a whole other story) Just recently it came into discussion, and I received a link with all of these great photos, flamethrowe, body armor and all.
Roland Piquepaille's Technology Trends
Check out the archives for an entire host of interesting tech blurbs you may not have read elsewhere.....