Geeky
UMD professor on Nova Science Now
University of Minnesota Duluth Biology Professor Matt Andrews appeared in the “Hibernating Humans” segment on last week’s episode of Nova Science Now.
Dr. Andrews has been active in the field of hibernation since 1995 and has used his background in molecular biology and protein-DNA interactions to identify genes that regulate mammalian hibernation.
Center of the Universe
A physicist explains why parallel universes may exist
These guys stole my idea circa 1997, probably while they were cruising the astral plane, that our universe may be one among many, perhaps overlapping. Not to draw on the big picture here, but any thoughts? Verify your veracious vicissitudes and I will venerate you.
UMD professor in Antartica
UMD Geological Sciences Professor John Goodge traveled to Antarctica to collect and analyze rocks to build a better picture of the continent hidden beneath the polar ice cap.
Check out the New York Times slide show Rocks, Ice and Science in Antarctica and the Scientist at Work blog to get your geek on.
Great weekend killer
I’ve been doing this in St. Cloud for a looong time and finally it will be simulcasted in Duluth. If you have a group of friends with an array of arcane interests and an arsenal of reference books and computers, you have to sign up and play from here. Oh, and you have to stay awake for 51 hours. Or just get a taste simply by listening in Feb. 11-13.
Nerd Nite a success
Congratulations to Nerd Nite, the excellent night out at Teatro Zuccone.
Talks about rock tumbling, Star Wars prop replicas, and astronomy marked the evening as what it could be, at its best: a showcase for the passions of individuals. [If the talk on Fan Fiction fell short, it only fell short because the speaker was talking about someone else’s passions, not her own.] I had no idea the energy and the technique involved in rock tumbling. I had no idea the complexity of recreating (replicating) the props used in the first Star Wars movies. And, well, a bedroom designed so that the Big Dipper can be viewed in 3 dimensions from various other stars in the Galaxy, well, wow.
I enjoyed myself, I met a new person, and I felt the passions of others. What more could I ask for $5 admission and $3 for a bottle of Minnesota-brewed soda pop?
Thanks to the organizers, to the Zuccone for hosting, and to the presenters for a great night out.
Short Circuit at Teatro – Saturday
An evening of experimental electronic music featuring Tim Kaiser, Low Gain and Talking Computron. Ethereal sonic landscapes, 8-bit Game Boy mayhem and circuit-bent mash ups for all ages. Tell your nerdy neighbor!
Google is already in Duluth
Installing a typical home TiSP system is a quick, easy and largely sanitary process — provided you follow these step-by-step instructions very, very carefully.
Ensculptic — Minnetrista, Minnesota
The name of this house is “Ensculptic,” which is short for “environmental sculpture in plastic.” Most people prefer to call it the “Mushroom House,” “Flintstone House,” “Hobbit House” or simply “That Weird House in Minnetrista.”
The place is now known as “The Foam House” on Houselogic’s “7 Crazy Houses” list.
Nerd Nite #7
The nerds are at it again. Come on out for accidental learning and intentional awkwardness.
New Year’s Eve Nerdliness
Dragon Port Games will have an overnighter to ring in the New Year. Games of all types are available to play for free, and experts will gladly show you how to play something new. They might even let you win.
Kids are welcome with their parents, too; soft drinks and snacks will be available for purchase.
Swing by. (more…)
Cool new census tool
New York Times: “Mapping America: Every City, Every Block”
Do with it what you will. I think it is very interesting.
Reshaping Live Electronica
Calling all computer-music fans! Dig this! 3 Reaktor ensembles running simultaneously through Live6. The main keyboard (with cleverly placed stickers) houses a dominant ‘effect’ range (left 8 white keys) and a dominant ‘loop’ range (right 8 white keys). The other two midi boards are used for volume, some delay effects, reverb (and it’s decay), and misc. VST’s. I created the loops in Live6 prior to loading them into this set to record. Enjoy!
PS: I apologize for the sound getting a bit nasty in there. it was recorded from an iPhone, hanging on a ceiling fan.
PSA: WikiLeaks [.info]
Just a heads up: if you’re looking for anything WikiLeaks, make sure you are NOT visiting WikiLeaks.info. That domain is owned and on a server whose IP space Spamhaus only sees hosting malware/virus software, botnet command and controls, phishing and other cybercriminal activities.
Seriously. Bad mojo. DO NOT download anything from WikiLeaks.info. And, as those wacky Russians are now experimenting with drive-by-malware and drive-by-DDoS, I would avoid that site entirely. (Yes, WikiLeaks.info even has a rebuttal against Spamhaus’ statement. Nice touch.)
Also: WikiLeaks.org is redirecting to those dastardly Russian spammers as well, so use the official IP address.
WikiLeaks IP address is: https://213.251.145.96.
Legitimate WikiLeaks mirrors can be found here.
Total Eclipse
We’re to expect a total lunar eclipse sometime in the late evening/early morning of Monday/Tuesday.
It’s almost worth it enough to wake the kids up for. I think I will.
The Fortunately, Unfortunately, Fortunately of Google Fiber
Fortunately, Duluth-Superior put together a great bid for Google Fiber in the Spring as Google Twin Ports. We generated tons of buzz nationwide, and even worldwide and mobilized thousands of community members in support of the project. I was a tiny (miniscule, really) cog in the wheel that was the ad-hoc Google Twin Ports steering committee in the first part of this year. And just like everyone else, I have been anxiously waiting for the end of the year for the community (ies) that will get Google Fiber to be announced.
Unfortunately, as noted in another PDD post, Google has said they can’t decide yet and they’ve kicked the announcement date down into 2011.
Fortunately, that aforementioned PDD post from Brian B was on the coveted first page of “links” on the most recent official Google Fiber blog post!
This could mean anything or not much so try not to call me too naive here. But one thing is certain: They haven’t forgotten us. I say that means we are still in the hunt folks, and I think we’re a front runner when I consider all the factors I can think of, climate, community support, integration, availability of “dark” fiber, competing delivery systems (WiMax, 3G, Cable, DSL, even Superior Broadband’s nifty radio thing) attractiveness of the community and the list goes one. And I’ll just add in one more huge asset we have: Perfect Duluth Day. And that there screenshot proves they know that, too.
Respect Your Elders. Namely Mark Dayton.
At age 63, Mark Dayton is the oldest person to be elected governor of Minnesota. A few weeks after he’s sworn in, he’ll be 64.
From the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library:
Lake Superior Hand Jive
Does anyone else do this? When people ask where I’m from, I often make my hand into the shape of Lake Superior and say, “This is Lake Superior and I live here, at the western tip.”
I think maybe I’m just a tad jealous of the Michiganders (lower peninsula) getting to use their hands as maps all the time.
Lady of the Lake Warhammer Tournament
I don’t play, but I know an opportunity for cool pictures when I see it. The Lady of the Lake Warhammer Tournament was held at Dragon Port Games and Comics Saturday. (more…)
Google map update
I just noticed that a new satellite image of my neighborhood is on google maps. The area used to be fuzzy and green; it was hard to see the houses clearly. Now we can tell that two people were getting out of my minivan when the image of my house was taken. It was taken sometime this summer.
The photo posted here is the Hartley Nature Center parking lot, not far away. The screen-grab doesn’t look as clear as it does originally. Maybe your house has been updated, too?
Dear Press Release Writers:
Please do not include the day’s date when making a press release. I know what day it is. My email tells me the date received. The file will even tell me the creation date, if I’m that interested. It is anachronistic, and it is superfluous information.
Some other modern press release style notes I made for a friend after the break:
“Let’s Do the Time Warp Again!” Rocky Horror Picture Show at Duluth Playhouse
The Duluth Playhouse will be presenting The Rocky Horror Picture Show on Oct. 29 and 30 at 9:30. The event will include:
- Audience participation and costumes (but of course!)
- “Scarioke” (Halloween-themed karaoke)
- Prop bags (request a prop bag when reserving tickets, as supplies are limited). The bag o’ tricks will include glow sticks, newspaper, water gun, noisemakers, etc.
- Players re-enacting the film in front of the screen
- Costume contest, including prizes for “Sweetest Transvestite”, “Best Transylvanian”, and “Best Team/Group”
- A chance to learn the choreography for “The Time Warp”
This “Floor Show” is rated R, so leave the kiddies at home. The seats in the Playhouse will be covered, to maximize mayhem.
So … who’s planning on kicking off their Halloween weekend in style with The Rocky Horror Picture Show? What transsexual Transylvanian costumes are you considering?
Was SMDC name change Essential?
I just saw a piece on NBC about how Gap changed its logo and then changed back to the original after a whole lot of internet chatter by graphic designers criticizing the new logo. (Both logos below.)
Corporate identity is a huge issue for many businesses, and this one seems to have backfired on Gap. It is very, very expensive for a large organization to change its name: all printed materials, signage, marketing material, vehicle graphics, etc., with the old name and logo have to be changed.
So that got me to thinking about SMDC’s recent name change to Essentia Health. Personally, I don’t like the change: the name sounds like something thought up by a research group and could be used to market some kind of dietary supplement for seniors. And it kind of irks me that SMDC would spend the money to make this seemingly unnecessary move when so many people are fighting the high cost of health care.
Of course, I may be overreacting. Anyone else have a problem with the SMDC name change?
Duluth Street Scene, 1909
Street scene, Lake & Superior Streets 21 July 1909 (Minnesota Reflections)
I ran across this photo last year on Minnesota Reflections.
It was the people who caught my interest though. Looking into the faces of people caught in a random freezeframe of Superior Street traffic from 101 years ago grabbed me for whatever reason. I guess the fact that they’re gawking at a ruined street gives it a timeless quality. (more…)