I’m nothing like a regular reader of the Economist, but this article provides an interesting foray into the search for truth, something I hold near and dear to my heart. The article explores the checkered past of so-called “lie detectors” (polygraphs and their ilk) and delves into the future of the field, providing summaries of […]
Traffic Paradox
There’s a new, highly sophisticated model for traffic prediction on the block. Which would be helpful, if you happen to be driving the Autobahn. What’s interesting is that the new model predicts traffic with a high degree of accuracy, but may well make itself irrelevant as more and more people look to its predictions, and […]
Posted by Ben on August 17, 2004
https://www.swordbilled.com/traffic-paradox/
Headlines re: Charley
NYTimes: Federal Relief Is Distributed in Florida Areas Hit by Storm Independent: Bush accused of exploiting hurricane in Florida as he offers aid to disaster area WaPo: Fla. Begins Recovery From Deadly Storm Stern: Charley als Wahlkampfhelfer [~Charley as campaign-helper] LATimes: Bush Promises Quick Hurricane Relief Obviously this isn’t more than a cursory overview of […]
Posted by Ben on August 16, 2004
https://www.swordbilled.com/headlines/
Mad Cow
I’m always interested in new developments in the whole mad cow thing, so imagine my delight when I discovered that the New York Times has a whole section dedicated to BSE articles! Wow! (For the non-registration-inclined, here’s a no-reg link to the latest NYT mad cow article.) (via NYT: “Study Lends Support to Mad Cow […]
Posted by Ben on August 16, 2004
https://www.swordbilled.com/mad-cow/
Fun with the NSA
Okay so you knew the NSA was that nifty übersecret government agency responsible for code-breakin’ and the like, but did you know that they have all sorts of useful (well, curious) public information and whatnot on their site? Like a photo gallery, for instance, in case you were wondering what an RU-8D aircraft looked like, […]
Posted by Ben on August 15, 2004
https://www.swordbilled.com/fun-with-the-nsa/
How to make a duct tape body double
There’s more, of course. How to make a duct tape body double and other helpful hints at Howtoons. (via MeFi)
Posted by Ben on August 13, 2004
https://www.swordbilled.com/how-to-make-a-duct-tape-body-double/
More freak accidents
In the same vein as this earlier post on a freak vending machine accident, here is freak portable toilet accident #1 (still waiting for word of #2): A portable toilet exploded Tuesday after a man who was inside it lit a cigarette. Emergency workers said the man was not severely injured and drove himself to […]
Posted by Ben on August 12, 2004
https://www.swordbilled.com/more-freak-accidents/
Scan this
Up-and-coming terahertz scanners would allow security staff to see people as if naked; more up-and-coming yet is a handheld terahertz scanner, which, rather than producing an on-screen image (and maybe making people uncomfortable, what with them being seen au naturel on some security screen for guards to snicker and chuckle at), would simply operate on […]
Posted by Ben on August 12, 2004
https://www.swordbilled.com/scan-this/
Uncommon knowledge about a moose
Is it used with a computer? I say Probably.1 Does it fit in your wallet? I say Probably.2 Does it squeak? I say Probably. Do you chew it? I say Yes.3 Does it come in pairs? I say Probably.4 Is it a part of something larger? I say Probably. Do you eat it with Thanksgiving […]
Posted by Ben on August 11, 2004
https://www.swordbilled.com/uncommon-knowledge-about-a-moose/
Tear you apart
When you feel like there’s something missing from your life… You will not see him at the Athens Olympics, but Bob Brown is one of Britain’s leading athletes. A veteran of long-distance races across the world, he is now at the front of a pack of runners attempting one of their sport’s greatest challenges—a run […]
Posted by Ben on August 11, 2004
https://www.swordbilled.com/tear-you-apart/