The idea of a solar sail was thought up more than half a century ago. It was being used as a plot device starting in 1960.

And now it's actually proved successful. It's amazing to me how this kind of thing progresses and results in... Well, a 700 pound probe accelerating through space with no use of fuel.

I've been distracted for, oh, my entire life. Computers certainly haven't helped. This is one (of many) reasons why I avoid computer games.

Today, I found an interesting New York Times article called "Your Brain on Computers: Hooked on Gadgets, and Paying a Mental Price". I really think the name says it all ( Read more... )

Over the past few months, I've had so many things I've wanted to take a moment to post and have just not been able to make the time.

I'm making time to post this. People should check out AC360's 4-part series this week. These kinds of studies have been done many times over the years, and the results are always astonishing ( Read more... )

It's been a crazy... ever. One of these days I'll start posting interesting/useful things again ( Read more... )

Intriguing and insightful video about motivation. Good stuff!

PBS on Drive

Posted using ShareThis

I wanted to post more, but can't make the time. Here is a bunch of info I stumbled on. (Paradoxically, it's the discovery of these that caused me to not have the time to post more about them...)

• Interesting article about tool use in octopi. Personally, I'm not surprised - they're incredibly intelligent! We really don't give animals enough credit.
• ( Read more... )

kingtheseus shared this video about discoveries that will combat aging. (The video is about half an hour, but the site behind it is a quicker read if you don't have the time ( Read more... )

Some videos that others posted that I really thought represented reality better than arguments about "death boards" or "misrepresentation" of the percentage of people who are happy with their insurance...
Video 1
Video 2

Enjoy!

I had to share: Serenity is (finally) airing again in Indianapolis! One showing, Thursday, 13-Aug, 9pm, at the UA Circle Centre 9 (details and tickets).

I've always been annoyed by folks saying that males were better at math than females. It just doesn't make sense. As a society, though, we strongly push and reinforce this. At least that's always been my opinion.

Looks like I wasn't wrongNow, deprogramming people so they stop contributing to the gender biases we've reinforced for so long? That'll ( Read more... )