THE Most Amazing Timelapses
Posted by: jakeisblogging on: October 6, 2011
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Dear All,
After watching some of these time-lapses I fell compelled to share them. Definitely a watch in HD, fullscreen with time to reflect on how difficult they were to make.
Regards,
JAKE
Don’t Be Evil
Posted by: jakeisblogging on: September 10, 2011
- In: Links | Media | Technology
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Dear All,
This film is taken from an ABC (Australian Broadcasting Company) series called Hungry Beast. Some fascinating facts about Google and how perhaps one of their principles shouldn’t be “don’t be evil”. One of the problems is that it can be interpreted in many ways. The other problem is that they’ve done many questionable things in the past decade.
1) Filtering search results in China
2) Accepting money from Canadian Pharmacies for illegal adverts
3) Google’s falling out with Apple over the Android handset
4) Many other things
Don’t get me wrong. I love Google, I think they are one of the most innovative companies in the world at the moment. In fact they pretty much own me, I use Gmail, Calendar, Reader, Picasa, Maps, Earth, Latitude and many other products of theirs everyday. I just think that a new technology that is pretty much unregulated and growing at a pace faster than any other industry should be careful with it’s growth.
Here’s the animated film:
Regards,
JAKE
More Documentary Features
Posted by: jakeisblogging on: September 9, 2011
- In: Films | Media
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Dear All,
There are some great looking documentary feature films to be released before the end of this year.
Regards,
JAKE
David Mitchell on Planned Obsolescence
Posted by: jakeisblogging on: September 8, 2011
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Dear All,
In his latest video David Mitchell discusses sustainability and wasteful manufacturing. He applies this analogy to carbon taxing in a very interesting way. I’m all for better furniture and less waste, carbon taxing remains a complication.
Regards,
JAKE
The Steve Jobs Legacy
Posted by: jakeisblogging on: September 7, 2011
- In: Media | Science | Technology
- 1 Comment
Dear all,
Now Steve Jobs has left Apple it’s important to remember not just what success and fame he bought the company but also what he has achieved for personal computing in the last 3 decades. We owe a surprising amount to his foresight and vision. Here Stephen Fry leaves a message for Rory Cellan-Jones (BBC technology correspondent) about the Steve Jobs legacy:
Regards,
JAKE
Biohacking
Posted by: jakeisblogging on: September 3, 2011
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Dear All,
What is biohacking?
There’s a place in North London called the London Hackspace. Here people from all backgrounds and interests can meet and work on many different projects. They usually have interests in computers, technology, science and electronics but at the London Hackspace anyone is welcome.
A hackspace is basically an open community laboratory. They have many members which allow for purchase of new and interesting equipment. In London they have a laser cutter, 3D printer, soldering kits, lathes and all manner of tools.
Biohacking is a particular sub-section of the London Hackspace who’s aim is to incorporate biology under this ‘hacking’ ethos. They carry out projects like checking whether kebab meat is what it says it is, growing algae to make biofuel, checking for genetic diseases and home PCR creation.
An interview about Biohacking:
Rosie Waldron interviews two of the budding biohackers from the London Hackspace about what they hope to achieve and what interests them about this slightly niche pastime.
London Hackspace Tour:
Learn more about what goes on at the hackspace.
Regards,
JAKE
Toilet Humour
Posted by: jakeisblogging on: September 1, 2011
- In: Comedy | Links | Media
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Dear All,
As part of a recent challenge on my weekly science/comedy podcast I was tasked to create a toilet-based acoustic piece. I went for obvious childish humour. Please listen and see what you think:
My co-presenter Ed Prosser interpreted the competition differently and wiped me out with a dangerous, scary and intense audio excretion called “Hell Toilet”. Don’t listen if you’ve just had a curry:
You can hear more inane and useless audio like this by subscribing to our podcast: www.tomorrowstentacles.com
Regards,
JAKE
Sinkholes
Posted by: jakeisblogging on: August 20, 2011
Dear All,
It’s been a while since I lasted posted here and I thought I’d return with an interesting natural phenomenon. Sinkholes are incredible feats of nature and very destructive. What they do create is fantastic and unbelievable photos like these:
They can occur in all shapes and sizes and almost anywhere in the world. Although mainly they appear in geologically active areas rich in limestone. China and Florida are both examples of places that will frequently experience them.
After a particularly large storm of rainfall period limestone is liable to be dissolved, especially if acid rain is involved. When an aquifer (large underlying limestone region) dissolves quickly it leaves an airpocket which can be incredible dangerous. Sometimes when there is a lot of pressure on these airpockets they can collapse and cause these perfect looking sinkholes. It’s normally a very sudden process that is caused by human pressure (possibly construction or vehicles).
The image below gives a good explanation of their formation.
Regards,
JAKE
Stuxnet – A Video Explanation
Posted by: jakeisblogging on: July 12, 2011
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Dear All,
Following my post on Stuxnet - the most complex virus ever to be made – I have found a fantastic animation that explains it very well. A lot of it seems to be based on conjecture but you get a good idea of the scale of the virus.
Stuxnet: Anatomy of a Computer Virus from Patrick Clair on Vimeo.
Regards,
JAKE
Tomorrow’s Tentacles
Posted by: jakeisblogging on: July 11, 2011
Dear All,
I am involved in presenting and producing a weekly science-based podcast called Tomorrow’s Tentacles. It’s a magazine show that plays music interspersed with science articles, news and jokes.
I present on the show with Ed Prosser who writes at On The Nature of Things. Also a regular contributor is Andy Bailey who is our health correspondent and trials alternative therapies like acupuncture, colonic hydrotherapy and fish pedicures.
We’re really proud of the show and it seems to be getting better and better with each episode. Ed works on some fantastic very professional pieces on space and cosmology as well as interesting takes on events and fun scientific concepts. The show is a great outlet for small pieces of work we produce as part of our Science Media Production MSc and we regularly feature guest contributors and interviews.
So far in the shows we’ve discussed dark energy, the space shuttle programme, Henley Royal Regatta, cancer, homeopathy and medicine. The show is broadcast through ICRadio and based in a studio in South Kensington by the Science Museum.
If you’re interested then please subscribe through iTunes or listen through Mixcloud to hear the music we play as well. You can hear it here.
Thanks,
JAKE
