Tuesday, December 31, 2002

Eat me!

Lab-grown steaks nearing the menu

This is just a follow-up on a previous post about lab grown fish meat. The project, aimed to produce meat for long space voyages, also has potential for payoff here on earth. But this last paragraph really gets me thinking:
"One researcher recalls a student, a vegan, who asked if she could just biopsy herself, grow up a steak and eat it. If you want to eat truly victimless meat, perhaps it is time to put yourself on the menu."
I wonder how that would be interpreted by anti-cannibalism laws? Furthermore, I wonder if it might not me more efficient (and possibly safer) to eat human meat... after all, wouldn't human meat, unlike that of other species such as chicken or cow, come pre-designed with just about all the stuff the human body needs in the right proportions? And how would your average "moral" vegetarians (as opposed to religious ones with a god to hide behind) justify not eating lab-meat when no animal is harmed in the making of that meat?

So eat me! I bet I taste good!


Wednesday, December 18, 2002

The Case for the Empire

The Case for the Empire

A few days ago, I posted a link to an excellent sociological review of Lord of the Rings where David Brin produces a dissonant interpretation. Brin also brought in a number of parallels with Star Wars, again with a counter-argument against the Rebellion. Brin's review reminded me of an older review of Star Wars: Attack of the Clones where the author makes a strong argument that Lucas got it all backwards -- Is the Empire actually the good guys and Luke Skywalker and company just a band of evil anarchists?

Tuesday, December 17, 2002

Deeper meaning of LoTR

J.R.R. Tolkien -- enemy of progress

One of the best Sci-Fi authors alive, David Brin, puts forth some hard criticism for Lord of the Rings.
Now ponder something that comes through even the party-line demonization of a crushed enemy -- this clear-cut and undeniable fact: Sauron's army was the one that included every species and race on Middle Earth, including all the despised colors of humanity, and all the lower classes.

Hmm. Did they all leave their homes and march to war thinking, "Oh, goody, let's go serve an evil Dark Lord"?

--David Brin
Link courtesy of Sobit.


Monday, November 25, 2002

Tuesday, October 1, 2002

Forward Command Post

Forward Command Post
Every kid in America needs one of these... includes American flag!!!

Link courtesy of Jeremiah.
Note: The original link pointed to JCPenny's web site, which pulled this item after a very serious customer relations backlash. I have corrected the link to point to the Urban ledgends web site, which not only confirms this is a real toy, but also provides pictures.

Thursday, August 8, 2002

Speed of light challenged!

Speed of light has changed, claims ACA physicist

I've always held to the un-scientific opinion that the speed of light is not a constant, and not a universal "speed limit". I'm not a physicist, and I've no foundation to back up my belief, but I still can't shake the notion that the speed of light isn't as absolute as scientists believe it is. I have my reasons. The fact that light can be slowed and/or frozen is an example of things that generate my skepticism. But, in the world of physics, without experimental proof my reasons are nothing short of heretical rhetoric. People have been burned at the stake for such unpopular beliefs.

No burning stake for me yet, but I have been in some heated arguments on the topic. Defending my belief that the speed of light isn't special has given me an unpleasant taste of what it must be like for a religious person to argue their faith with a non-believer like myself. It's tough to believe in something that has no factual defense.

Fortunately for me, the speed of light is more observable than god. The jury is still out, but very soon I may get to claim a big fat "I-told-you-so". An Australian Physicist has found discrepancies which may mean the speed of light really isn't a constant.

Maybe someone will find proof of god's existence. But if I'm right about light, maybe I can use the new and improved light theory to escape his wrath.

Wednesday, August 7, 2002

Bonus Card Gang Bang

Getting raped with a Bonus Card
A local shopper does a semi-scientific study to determine if stores with "loyalty cards" actually save customers any money. I just love that term... "loyalty card". Why don't they just call it what it is: a "let-us-track-your-buying-habits-or-we-ass-rape-you-at-the-register card".

Another account on Loyalty Cards
A lawyer talks about the present possible future of the Loyalty Card trend.

Smile, You're on In-Store Camera
And it wouldn't be complete without Wired news telling us about the latest technology that will lead to that future: Face recognition systems, floor sensors, Biometrics, and software to link it all together... and of course, a loyalty card to give that all important link between the sensors and your real identity.


Wednesday, July 31, 2002

New excuse for being late..

French Leave? Does that fall under the Family and Medical Leave Act?
absenteeism (noun)
absence: nonattendance, nonappearance, truancy, skipping, cutting, playing hooky, absenteeism, AWOL, French leave, avoidance

The Original Roget's Thesaurus of English Words and Phrases (Americanized Version)

Friday, March 29, 2002

Buy American and Hating the GPL

“Buy American” Is Un-American

Interesting discussion of the Marxist underpinnings behind the "Buy American" campaign. I've long felt that buying over-priced, low-quality products just because they are "American" is inherently stupid. The classic case of "Buy American" focuses often on the Auto industry. Supporting unions like those of the US Auto industry is absolutely immoral in my opinion. Why should I prop up a bunch of over-paid, under-skilled asshats just because the more efficient (and more honest) foreign companies would put the American company out of business? OH NO!!! Some Americans might loose their job and have to put some effort into developing a useful skillset instead of getting paid $50/hour to tighten nuts! OH SHIT!

Why I Don't Love GPL

Interesting, if convoluted, rant about the GPL. The author attacks the GPL from the aspect that it ties a philosophical viewpoint to the use of the software and how this takes the economic road of a "shadow market" (like drugs or other illegal activities). Very interesting, though I'm not sure if I see much merit in the argument.


Monday, March 25, 2002

Anti-grav and Tank Meat

Defying the shackles of gravity

NASA is funding some very controversial research into anti-gravity. But unlike theoretical research, this time they are investing in a device actually meant to prove the practical application. I hope it works.

Growing Meat in a Tank for Space Travelers

"Scientists are growing goldfish muscles in nutrient-enriched liquid at Toro College, New York." -- YUMMY!