Research suggesting that self-control may be a limited resource
Rather than a will, or skill, self control may need to be periodically replenished through sleep or positive emotional experiences.
Eye of Science
Amazing photographs of our microscopic world
Printed Skin
Scientists in the UK are runing clinical trials on a modified ink-jet printer than can print skin and bone fragments to tailor fit a patients wounds.
Rubber metal
Flexible, elastic, and conductive. Whoa. Elastic metal sounds weird.
Researching abberations in random number data
Correlation with world changing events. Detecting the globe’s consciousness through anomolies in random number streams? Crazytalk.
Mercury levels of fish used in sushi
Stay away from the mackarel and swordfish. Thankfully salmon is near the bottom of the list.
“Sensitive Objects”
Technology developed by the European Space Agency detects the unique acoustic signature associated with tapping in a certain location. Thus the same surface may be used to control a variety of interactions. Locations of controls (such as light switches)
del.icio.us | hci interactiondesign science technology userinterface
Mathword on McNugget numbers
The series of numbers which can be obtained by adding together orders of McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets. Totally silly.
Nature article - Synaesthete musician can hear, also taste different intervals
This would have been nice in theory classes, but also probably maddening.
Quirks and Quarks Archives
MP3 archives of great CBC Science and Tech show. Good iPod fodder for the commute to work.
Developing a new environmentally friendly soy-based adhesive, inspired by mussels!
An Oregon State University prof analyzed the proteins in mussels’ byssus - the small threads that they use to grip rocks. Far stronger than traditional adhesives.
Monkeys manipulate an artificial limb as if it were a native appendage
Apparently the brain doesn’t discriminate between the two. The beginnings of robotic augmentation?
Totally weird paper about monitoring the activity of brain cells in cats
Using some sort of “linear decoding algorithm” to reconstruct the actual images the cat sees while wandering around. Bonafide? Bunk? Definitely weird.
Somewhat dated article (1997?) on the coincidence between the way honey bees dance and a geometric space called the “flag manifold.”
The bees dance in the same patterns as can be derived from studying the flag manifold. One scientist is arguing that the bees may have a sense for quantum phenomena, and incorporate that info to one another as “signposts” through their dance. Speculativ
Hello
John is currently thinking and designing in San Francisco.
Projects
Message Muni
A simple and forgiving text messaging service for San Francisco Muni arrival times.
DSButtons.com
DS Buttons are an invitation to play.
Collaborators
Adam DuVander
of WifiPDX and Simplicity Rules fame.
Josh Heumann
Polaroid alchemist extraordinaire.
Sean Madden
The Pixelnomad.
Name Redacted
Qué mysterioso.
Tom Watson
Stays up late over at 110am.