There are lots of reasons to really feel the doom-and-gloom of the day: Republican obstructionism is at an all-time high, right-wing Tea-Baggers, ratings-chasing media organizations, and their governmental enablers are fomenting revolutions, we are still losing human lives in the Middle East, and right now, an oil rig is burning and sinking to the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico–and, spilling 300,000 gallons a day of oil.
But, there is a bright spot in the news today. A 99-year old woman is able to read and write again using a smart, new piece of technology–an iPad!
Although NASA funding is actually seeing an increase, they are shifting the goals to research, exploration and unmanned flight. In short, canceling the Constellation program.
First, I must confess: I am a space junkie. I love everything about it, and have since I was a young kid. So, I should have guessed that after watching the NASA video about the program would feel emotionally “connected” to the program.
My opinion is much simpler. The program looks so cool–with all of the in-flight docking and rockets and boosters that it is hard to imaging anyone NOT enthralled by the program . . . .
UPDATE: A bit more research uncovered this Popular Science article that put a lot of things in context. Namely, the goals o NASA have been shifted to help privately-owned American companies to do the grunt work of Low Earth Orbit trips (like supplies and people to the International Space Station), and to take some time an come up with something NEW for going into deep space. The entire Constellation Program used a lot of existing designs (from the 60s) to meet the time deadline of 2020 to the moon. There was no time for research and/or innovation. Every NASA program gets left behind, eh?
Still not sure how you feel about the quirky micro-blogging service?
Well, the Library of Congress has determined that your 140 character posts on Twitter are invaluable to recorded human history. So, they will be storing all Tweets that were not private–starting from the very beginning back in 2006.
As a result, you might be famous. Or, your grandkids might be able to gain some valuable insight into their grandfather’s habits and behaviors in his early twenties. For me, the LOC will now house my real-time recorded collection of transgressions of AC Transit of Alameda County, CA. (Arguably, not the best example of historical stuff.)
Library of Congress blogger, Matt Raymond, wrote:
I’m no Ph.D., but it boggles my mind to think what we might be able to learn about ourselves and the world around us from this wealth of data. And I’m certain we’ll learn things that none of us now can even possibly conceive.
I have to agree . . . those are some historical documents in the making.
Researchers at University of Minnesota in a recent survey have discovered that social network services actually provide some benefits.
Rather than time-wasting forms of procrastination, Social Network Services (MySpace, Friendster, etc.) actually encourage the usage of technology that will be required later in life. Furthermore, it found that social networks are reducing the “digital divide” because they have encouraged minorities to use the internet.
Tired of exorbinant gas prices, but still need to drive your car?
If you are dependent upon a vehicle and the gas prices are over budget, think about making Ethanol in your own home. That’s right! You can make Ethanol in your very own home using simple ingredients, like water, household sugar, and left-over alcohol.
While this may sound a bit like an infomercial, it is actually true. There is a FANTASTIC feature video on the it at the AutoChannel.com with the inventor of the EFuel 100 – Microfueler.
The EFuel 100 is a machine that creates 100% ethanol, which you can pour directly into your gas tanks and supplement or replace Gasoline or Diesel altogether. (Some cars may require a slight modification.)
The interview also discusses how Henry Ford created the Model A car to run on Ethanol–simply to avoid a dependence upon Oil.
Web 2.0 has just moved in a new direction–then it signaled a turn, stepped on the brakes, and parked.
kohring is a flash developer from Japan who incorporated google maps in a REALLY fun new application. He coded a driving simulator that uses Google maps as the backdrop.
If your internet connection is fast, the video is nearly seamless (it boasts 40 frames/second). If your reflexes are fast, you can drive through the streets of Tokyo, London, Manhattan, or the Google plex without crashing.
