A lovely timeline of theory and discovery of things concerning the Standard Model of particle physics
From the Economist.
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July 10, 2012
Here’s one way to adapt to climate change: Build underground ski resorts.
“In order to simulate actual outdoor skiing conditions, provisions are made to vary the steepness of the slope from place to place. In addition, facilities are provided to produce random simulated moguls or an entire mogul field. Thus, during one run of the slope, most, if not all, of the conditions encountered on natural outdoor slopes may be simulated and incorporated into the run”
By Nobuyuki Matsui, via Google Patents, via Futility Closet.
July 9, 2012
Grant writers: On discussing the applied benefits of funding lightsaber research…
…Please watch this video. Note the research benefits are twofold. First, the obvious fact that lightsaber would be real; and second, the fact that that birdie must be damn near indestructible!
Inspired by the fact that we just bought one of those cheap badminton set-ups and the kids think it is an AWESOME way to spend your summer days in your backyard (especially when you make lightsaber and/or Kung Fu sounds whilst playing).
Also, what other applications would go into this grant?
July 9, 2012
Power transmission towers that look like giant human figures
“If we have to live with them, why not turn them into something both functional and artistic? This was the sentiment of American design firm Choi+Shine Architects, who submitted the concept to Iceland’s ‘High-Voltage Electrical Pylon International Design Competition.” The concept, dubbed ‘The Land of Giants‘, sought to transform mundane transmission towers into statues on the Icelandic landscape by making only small alterations to existing pylon design.”
Via Twisted Sifter
July 8, 2012
Nothing is Anything (Without You) by Wintersleep #song4mixtape
Definitely a summer anthem…
By Wintersleep.
July 6, 2012
Not “Snakes on a Plane,” but rather, “Salt on a Plane”…
…looks like this.
“…a grain of sodium sulfate and sodium chloride (salt) while researching jet turbine safety. Jet turbines become very hot when in use and are also exposed to the atmosphere. This combination can lead to compounds such as salt encrusting the turbines. Rosier and her colleagues reproduced and photographed one such salt grain in the laboratory.”
Image by Hollie Rosier of Swansea University, Winner of the 2012 2012 Research as Art competition. Via Live Science.
July 4, 2012
The Higgs Boson Walks into a Church…
First: this.
“Cern scientists reporting from the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) have claimed the discovery of a new particle consistent with the Higgs boson.” (Also note the great quote by Hawking at the above link)
Via reddit, joke by Brian Mallow
popperfont.net 