Archive for the ‘Science’ Category

Ray v. Jeff

Long my favorite among living scientist/inventors, Ray gives one of his longer interviews…
I crossed paths with Ray many years ago. One of my scanner patents references one of his.

So, Jeff Bertholdi — Mr Bentvision – put your money where your youtube is and take me up on this bet. I’ll fly out there and buy [...]

Posted on 9-October-2009 at 20:05 by Douglas · Permalink · Leave a comment
In: Future, Science

On a Curiosity Bender

I have two strikes against me as a skeptical thinker: (1) I live in the U.S. of A. and (2) I was raised by direct descendants of both the Puritans as well as one of the early co-founders of the Seventh Day Adventist church. Consequently, in disproportionately large numbers, I am surrounded by loved ones [...]

Posted on 12-September-2009 at 13:14 by Douglas · Permalink · Leave a comment
In: Only in the USA, Religion, Science

Let his dataset change your mindset.

Hans Rosling — our modern-day hero of data visualization — has done it again.

Posted on 30-August-2009 at 19:13 by Douglas · Permalink · Leave a comment
In: Science, Software Design, Technology

Tranquility, Walter has Landed

Walter Cronkite, 92, passed away yesterday, coinciding with the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon mission.

Posted on 18-July-2009 at 18:12 by Douglas · Permalink · Leave a comment
In: Science

Verner’s Foolscap is nearly a Reality

In last week’s Technology Review, a “Full Color Screen that Bends” is described. This, of course, it the breakthrough we’ve been waiting for on the road to Verner Vinge’s foolscap — from which this blog is named.

“This family was effectively illiterate. Sure, Miri bragged that many books were visible any time you wanted to see [...]

Posted on 18-June-2009 at 20:47 by Douglas · Permalink · Leave a comment
In: Science

Humanity. A Global Perspective

Even the most jaded anthropocentric observer cannot deny the miniscule role of humanity in the bigger picture of Life on Earth (’till now, of course).  Click, and zoom in to “homo sapiens”.

Posted on 30-January-2009 at 14:03 by Douglas · Permalink · Leave a comment
In: Life, Religion, Science

Joy and Willful Ignorance

When pondering my year-end review of a deeply personal nature, one thing keeps bubbling to the surface: Joy.  It may not have been the happiest of years (god knows, I have more reasons than most in my circles for deep-rooted unhappiness of late) but it certianly is the most personally joyous. This is the year [...]

Posted on 25-December-2008 at 12:38 by Douglas · Permalink · Leave a comment
In: Life, Religion, Science

I am an Ethical Humanist

Non-theist, Naturalist, Secular Humanist and Tooth-Fairy Agnostic are some of the other monikers for the growing group of secular non-religious individuals in this country. Dawkins probably inspires more discussion on the topic than any other these days:

While declaring myself and Atheist, I must say “Reverent Agnostic” was a close second:

And while I’ll never again [...]

Posted on 31-August-2008 at 10:25 by Douglas · Permalink · One Comment
In: Only in the USA, Religion, Science

Unibrows and Caterpillers

Long fraught with synophrys a genetic predisposition to extra bushy eyebrows I found this video particularly entertaining as well as the recent scientific research correlating caterpillar-brow with an abundance of testosterone. Check. Alas, there are many.

Posted on 25-July-2008 at 19:54 by Douglas · Permalink · Leave a comment
In: Science

Crystal River Sundial Project

This is exciting. See the full description here.

Posted on 4-July-2008 at 21:39 by Douglas · Permalink · Leave a comment
In: Art, Science