David Copperfield has magically escaped getting robbed.
Day: November 12, 2006
Quantum physics – the nature of stuff
Today’s educating bit of the day – learn a few tidbits about quantum physics and how everything ties together (not really). Learn a bit about light, matter, gravity, and more.
When small cannot get any smaller, you enter the quantum world of quarks, photons, and space-time foam. You’re welcome to take a look at this indivisible side of nature, but just remember to leave your common sense at the door.
. . .
If you split a banana, and then split it again, and again, and again… you eventually get down to cells, molecules, atoms. Each atom has a nucleus of protons and neutrons, with tiny electrons buzzing around. Both protons and neutrons contain three quarks.
But the dissection stops there: electrons and quarks are the smallest pieces of ordinary matter.
Then again, that’s what they said first about the atom, then the proton/neutron/electron. Is that really the smallest piece? Or does the answer to that depend on what “ordinary matter” is? That’s not answered in the article, but I think it’s a question worth asking. I suppose in a few years, we’ll learn there really is something smaller.
[tags]Quantum physics in brief, On light and matter and other quantum things[/tags]
Potential threat to the nation
Debunking the polygraph
Debunking the whole polygraph test method
The Daily WTF?
When you wonder “What were they thinking?”
I am right – again – current airport security is garbage
Another day, another fine fine airport security idiocy to report. This time, the danger is a rubber-band ball – probably about the size of a soccer ball. The end result is jail time with no actual charges.
I was departing a small commuter airport in Southern California last week and I found myself in jail! Here’s the story with the facts, and without any “emotional hype.”
About two years ago I made a big, rubber band ball. It’s bigger than a softball, but not as big as a basketball. It’s made of 100% rubber bands, and the core is nothing but knotted rubber bands. It’s been in the trunk of a car that I own and keep down there for most of that time.
I decided to bring it home to Anchorage to work on more, and that proved to be a bad decision.
Continue reading “I am right – again – current airport security is garbage”
More on the coming robot uprising
The robots are learning humor. Perhaps in an effort to catch us all off-guard? Regardless – don’t be fooled by friendly utterances from robots!
How do you stop a robot from destroying you and the rest of civilization?
You don’t.Little Susie tosses a clock out the window. A robot inquires, “Why did you do that?” She replies, “I wanted to see time fly!” The robot says, “Ah … A perfect subject for elimination,” and shoots her with a laser beam through the face.
(via boingboing)
[tags]Robot humor, Signs of the coming robot uprising[/tags]
The voices
Lightning tube
This is going on the Give me gifts page when I can access the site to update it. Sure, this is pricey, but for $80, you can get constant lightning in a tall glass tube. What’s not to love about that?
[tags]Lightning in a tube, Stuff I want, Give me gifts[/tags]
Frigits – marble structures for your refrigerator
Refrigerator marble tracks? How could that not be considered cool? Get your own set at Firebox.com for only $30.
And if that doesn’t quite catch your fancy but you like the marble theme, try out Marble Racer instead, for just $30-$40 (depending on which set you buy).
(via shinyshiny)
[tags]Marble gadgetry, Marble racing, Refrigerator marble toys[/tags]
Why would you celebrate this?
I’m not sure I’d actually celebrate on mass circumsion day – would you?
Hussein death sentence political cartoon
I just snagged this from Neatorama. This is a political cartoon from Steve Sack (of the Star Tribune) characterizing Saddam Hussein’s death sentence. I like it.
[tags]Hussein political cartoon, Saddam’s death sentence – reaping what he sowed[/tags]