The psychologists chose to vary the font, because it is easy to manipulate in the lab. After the students had all read the instructions, the researchers asked them some questions about the exercise regimen: how long they thought it would take, whether it would flow naturally or drag on endlessly, whether it would be boring, […]
Otherwise, you’re just running away from every little disaster
Nothing I see or read does anything but convince me that Neil DeGrasse Tyson is even more awesome than I’d suspected. p.s. although what is the square root of a pork chop? (via monochrom)
Posted by Ben on March 5, 2009
https://www.swordbilled.com/otherwise-youre-just-running-away-from-every-little-disaster/
Dinosaurs and Star Trek
Shiny. (via BeaucoupKevin)
Posted by Ben on March 3, 2009
https://www.swordbilled.com/dinosaurs-and-star-trek/
Self-reassembling robot
In spite of the “crudeness” of this demonstration, it’s still amazing (if still mercifully short of the reassembly skills of a terminator): Comical, also. (Wait for the surprise ending.) (via BoingBoing)
Posted by Ben on February 27, 2009
https://www.swordbilled.com/self-reassembling-robot/
Batman v. Borges
Although, really, it’s not a contest. Collaboration, maybe. Curious, definitely: The thesis pursued in this article is that this strong thematic aspect of The Dark Knight finds its roots in a short story by the labyrinthine Argentinian writer Jorge Luis Borges. (via monochrom)
Posted by Ben on February 26, 2009
https://www.swordbilled.com/batman-v-borges/
On elusiveness, and the possibilities of cryptids
DNR spokesman Hoy Murphy says Casell has a permit for the tiger. And Murphy notes this isn’t the first time Casell’s dealt with an escape: a 400-pound Asian brown bear got loose in May 2006 and hasn’t been seen since. (Herald Dispatch [1 Dec 2008], via Cryptomundo)
Posted by Ben on February 21, 2009
https://www.swordbilled.com/on-elusiveness-and-the-possibilities-of-cryptids/
Escape!
This is probably what I hoped I’d see when I watched Tom O’Horgan’s Rhinoceros (with Gene Wilder.. but not as a rhinoceros): (via BoingBoing)
Posted by Ben on February 19, 2009
https://www.swordbilled.com/escape/
Scientific understatement of 2008
Quote: “One might be able to envision potential applications ranging from medical interventions to use in video gaming or the creation of artificial memories along the lines of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s character in ‘Total Recall.’ Imagine taking a vacation without actually going anywhere? “Obviously, we need to conduct further research and development…” (via io9, via EurekAlert: […]
Posted by Ben on February 17, 2009
https://www.swordbilled.com/scientific-understatement-of-2008/
A different glance going westdown
Tell you like this. Play a card. Write you home on the car. Coin for your hearts. I was once you. At a different dinner. Where you went. I remember Yui. We played horses. You will die.
Posted by Ben on February 10, 2009
https://www.swordbilled.com/a-different-glance-going-westdown/