Particularly when it includes things like this. (via BoingBoing)
I continue to be impressed and awed by QTVR
Posted by Ben on March 12, 2009
https://www.swordbilled.com/i-continue-to-be-impressed-and-awed-by-qtvr/
Because cotton candy, on its own, does not save enough lives
“I actually hate cotton candy,†Bellan said. “It’s disgusting. I won’t eat it.†But on the other hand, the stuff’s apparently got potential as far as the growing human tissue goes. (And, no, it’s not exactly new. Not super-new, anyway.) (via Monochrom)
Posted by Ben on March 10, 2009
https://www.swordbilled.com/because-cotton-candy-on-its-own-does-not-save-enough-lives/
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/
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/
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/
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/
Safely Awesome
Anything made by Legos is, almost by definition, awesome. However, this safe pushes the envelope. (via Schneier)
Posted by Ben on January 15, 2009
https://www.swordbilled.com/safely-awesome/
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/