Pale blue dot
Despite all our efforts we are but a pale blue dot in comparison to the rest of the universe.
Shift happens 2.0
Earlier this year I posted a link to the Shift Happens video found on YouTube. There is now a second version of that video.
Linux video
I remember attending the very first Linux conference in 2000. It was held in San Jose and was so popular that they decided to move it to San Francisco the following year. I also remember, the following year, when IBM showed up to the Moscone Center with their astronauts from the future. The IBM-ers were all clustered together near their astronauts. They had on their IBM suits, complete, I would imagine, with IBM sock suspenders; or whatever it is they call those things. We huddled around the men in suits as if they were from another planet. Quiet frankly, they seemed more out of place then their astronaut mascots. Perhaps the mascots were an attempt to draw attention from their own outfits. Still, the Linux community is an accepting crowd and we welcomed them with open arms (though we kept an eye on our wallets). So it's strange to me to see commercials for Linux (I must have missed this one at the time) from the company that couldn't be more different from the community that gave birth to it. But maybe that's what Linux is all about, bridging these two communities together.
A gallery of walls
Some people would argue that graffiti is not art. I disagree. In fact, I would go as far as to say that it might be one of the truer art forms. Art should be created for art's sake. Creating art for with a motive taints it. Even creating art to have, at the end, the end result of that process takes away from the process itself. On one episode of "Northern Exposure", one of the characters, Chris, argued that you should destroy the material object that is created because it's not about that object, it's about the process. Perhaps graffiti isn't as unencumbered as it could be but at least it isn't encumbered by the burden of the influence of wanting to sell what you've created. On the contrary, with graffiti, the thing that is created is often reviled and shouldn't all great art incite scorn? Either way, graffiti can often give us insight into ourselves as a society; or, it can simply make us laugh. One site has set out to catalog a variety of messages displayed on walls. Decide for yourself whether it's art or merely an act of vandalism.
The impossible quiz
I made it to question 50. I can't believe there are 100 questions but the music rocks!
Presidential speechalist
This video came out a couple of years ago but its still hilarious and presidential race underway it might help anyone who's considering voting republican.
LinuxMCE
LinuxMCE is a complete whole-house media solution. A Google video demonstrates the features of the software and a
Sand dancer
Peter Donnelly was the subject of the
international award winning new Zealand short documentary titled "Sand Dancer".
Christmas lights
My neighbors have a light show that's choreographed to music. If you drive up near their house and tune your radio to 95.5, you can watch the show from the comfort of your car. They even have a website where they've documented everything they've done.
I recorded "Wizards in Winter" and "Carol of the Bells" by the Trans Siberian Orchestra.
I called up Dr. Dean show again on the 12th. Here's the dialog.
Another project from MIT shows the use of a create new input device.
Water torch
Jimmy Klein shows us how to use water to fuel a welding torch. He is expanding the technology to power cars and has converted his car to run as a hybrid using his concepts.
Unbelievable Patented Technology - The funniest bloopers are right here
Gorillapod
I got one of these gorillapods for my birthday this year. They were such a good idea that I actually got two. You can buy them at BestBuy for under $20.
Metaphors
If you thought yesterday's video with the metaphors was entertaining, then you'll enjoy New Zealand's commercial for Fresh TV.
Speed Racer the movie is coming to theaters in 2008.
Internet help desk
Comedian Wes Borg walks us through our first day at the Internet Help Desk. The video is funny because it's so true.
Demon birthday
It's someone's birthday. Here's a demon card for a demon friend on her demon birthday.
Ten dimensions
Ron Bryanton has written a book explaining the ten dimensions.
Here's my take on the different dimensions, let me know if I have something wrong.
- Length (1D).
- Width (2D).
- Depth (3D).
- Duration (4D).
- All possibilities from a moment in time (5D).
- All time lines from the big bang (6D) also the fifth dimension from multiple moments in time.
- All time lines from Big Bang from multiple moments in time with infinite possibilities(7D).
- The seventh dimension but with different initial conditions and different rules of physics (8D).
- The eigth dimension but with all possible initial conditions (9D).
- The ninth dimension viewed as a single point (10D).
Smart material
This spring is made from a special alloy that returns to its original shape when immersed in hot water.
Learn what goes into the making of a glamor shot.
Staying alive commercial
Staying-alive.org has a commercial encouraging people to wear a condom. It was banned in the US but it's online. I particularly like the subliminal references to things like (in order of appearance): golden showers, pitch/catch, pearl necklace, cock ring, dirty Sanchez, tea bagging, and I'm sure there are plenty I missed.
Customize jeans
Remember that commercial where the guy makes that perfect pair of jeans to give to his girlfriend? This instructional video shows you a couple tricks on how to make your own pair of perfect jeans.
Penn & Teller show us the secret behind the magic trick with a person in the box.
This dog is so stupid that he thinks his hind leg is trying to steal his bone.
Live Simpsons intro
Makers of the hit cartoon The Simpsons have filmed the show's opening titles using real actors.
AOL is evil
This guy called to cancel his AOL account. The guy who handled his case wouldn't stop harassing him. Now the recording is on the internet and the story has made the news.
360 degree video
These guys have discovered a way to create 360 degree images using a spinning mirror.
Think different
These images represent the amount of space required to transport the same number of passengers by car, bus or bicycle (Poster is in the city of Muenster Planning Office August 2001).
Wow, what an inspiring video. Don't feel bad if you get a little misty eyed.
Sunday bloody sunday
A couple years ago I posted a link to the audio of bush singing U2's Sunday bloody Sunday but I never posted a link to the video when I discovered it.
Zuul
A "meme" is a piece of culture that propagates from one person to another similar to the way a gene propagates from one organism to another. On the internet there are variety of these memes. They travel from one person to another in emails or blogs. They can be catchphrases like "all your base are belong to us" and "pwned" or a fad the dancing baby video. LOLCats is another internet meme. I admit, this is way too late in the game but here's a LOLDog just in time for Christmas. To make your own LOLCat message use "Impact" as the font. If you're using Photoshop, add the "stroke" blending option and give the stroke a size of about 3.
Elf yourself
It looks like they took down our "Elf yourself" link from last year so here's a new one for this year.
Living in a simulation
Keith Olbermann interviews William Erwin Professor of Philospher at Kings College in Pennsylvania and Author. They discuss an article by NY Time author John Tierney where he quotes philosopher Nick Bostrom (also a philosopher at Oxford University) as saying that there is a "20 percent chance we’re living in a computer simulation". So did God create the world to understand his own existence?
Sketch interpretation
Christine Alvarado and Randall Davis are working to develop a system to help engineers with a tool to model their designs.
Christmas lights
This is a map of Christmas lights in Dublin, Pleasanton, Livermore and San Ramon. The markers contain an image to the house and a link to LightsOfTheValley. These guys deserve props, they've done a wonderful job of collecting the data.
The icons on the map markers represent the following:
M: Must see house;
D: Description available;
V: Video available;
F: Features FM broadcast;
P: Additional photos available;
W: Website link available;
L: Features Synchronized light show;
A: Audio clips available.
Dare junkies
Three girls set out on the NY trains to win a prize from darejunkies.com for the best pole dancing in public. They won the prize, this is their video.
Read more...
Chipmunk fishing
They do something similar to this at burning man. They get a glow stick and tie it to the end of the string. When someone bends over to pick it up they pull on the string a little bit at a time. Its really fun to watch.
I have no idea if this is real but if it is that's a pretty crazy trick.
This ad is only funny if you're a programming geek; but, if you are, it's hilarious.
Is a second tech bubble ready to burst?
Buy absinthe with thujone in Alameda
On Monday, St George Spirits in Alameda sold its first bottle of absinthe with thujone (10 parts per million). Starting Dec 21 you can buy your own for $75 through its tasting room. They're open Wednesday through Saturday, noon to 7pm, Sunday noon-6pm. The address is 2601 Monarch St. Alameda, CA.
St George will be offering free shuttle service from West Oakland BART every weekend in Dec. The service will operate from noon to 6pm on Sat and Noon to 5PM on Sun. You'll need to call them to schedule a pickup (510-864-0635). They will have live music on Dec 22 from 4pm-7pm and Dec 23 from 3pm-6pm.
- SFGate - Alameda distiller helps make absinthe legitimate again - Wednesday, Dec 5, 2007
- NYTimes - A Liquor of Legend Makes a Comeback - Wednesday, December 5, 2007
- SFGate - Resurrecting spirits - Friday, October 19, 2007
- Wired - Barely Legal: American Absinthe Passes the Taste Test - Thursday, July 19, 2007
8apps
8apps.com has a really clever brainstorming tool called Blueprint. I've included a video from the founder. I apologize in advance, he's very long winded but the stuff he's working on is pretty cool. There is also a second video available.
What is Web 2.0
Tim O'Reilly has an excellent description of Web 2.0 (see also mini guide by Robin Good). His table gives us quick overview of the changes between the old paradigm and the new one.
| Web 1.0 | Web 2.0 | |
|---|---|---|
| DoubleClick | --> | Google AdSense |
| Ofoto | --> | Flickr |
| Akamai |