Newspaper article about Wikipedia errors turns out to have its own factual errors… and the author of the piece then posts an explanation… on Wikipedia. (via Regret the Error)
Round and round they go.
Posted by Ben on March 13, 2009
https://www.swordbilled.com/round-and-round-they-go/
An anti-coal advertisement by the Coen Brothers
(via I Watch Stuff)
Posted by Ben on March 6, 2009
https://www.swordbilled.com/an-anti-coal-advertisement-by-the-coen-brothers/
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/
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/
Once you start using it, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it
The Pomegranate. (No, not the fruit.) It’s kind of amazing how much effort actually went into this. “A fresh cup of coffee from your smart phone. Yes, it’s finally possible. (via MeFi)
Posted by Ben on January 27, 2009
https://www.swordbilled.com/once-you-start-using-it-youll-wonder-how-you-ever-lived-without-it/
Leaves doing what leaves do best… sort of
Maybe it’s pop culture eroding my brain, but “Functionalized Nanoporous Gold Leaf Electrode Films for the Immobilization of Photosystem I” doesn’t have quite the same kick as “cyborg leaf”. Good work making science relevant to modern society, NewScientist! (Don’t expect electricity-generating houseplants anytime soon — but still, it’s interesting work.)
Posted by Ben on January 16, 2009
https://www.swordbilled.com/leaves-doing-what-leaves-do-best-sort-of/
Useful, in a fake 3-d sort of way
If you’re the sort to buy something online, and buy it before you’ve seen it in person. A useful tool for comparing relative sizes of objects. (via gHacks)
Posted by Ben on January 14, 2009
https://www.swordbilled.com/useful-in-a-fake-3-d-sort-of-way/
Bring back the dead!
After reading an article on 10 extinct beasts that might conceivably be reintroduced as living, breathing animals on planet earth, is it wrong that the thing I most fiercely crave is to watch a sci-fi movie where the phrase “it might be possible to boot up the moa genome in an ostrich egg” is used? […]
Posted by Ben on January 13, 2009
https://www.swordbilled.com/bring-back-the-dead/
Robots of the future, break out of your cells
Say what you will of Lockheed-Martin’s take on Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles-as-documentary; this proof-of-concept (if that’s the right phrasing) test video is eerily captivating. (References: http://www.mda.mil/mdalink/html/mdalink.html, http://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2008/12/killing_robot_b.html, http://www.thirdeyeconcept.com/news/index.php?page=336)
Posted by Ben on December 19, 2008
https://www.swordbilled.com/robots-of-the-future-break-out-of-your-cells/
Shocking!
Criggo is my new favorite frivolous blog indulgence.
Posted by Ben on October 16, 2008
https://www.swordbilled.com/shocking/