The Zeitgeist of Google

Thinking about the Cosmos 1 mission (see next blog entry) has gotten me wondering about Google. Don't ask what the connection is, past the word zeitgeist - but here, for you now, is the Google Zeitgeist. It is a grand sketch of all the popular searches on Google for a particular time period. We're talking Google here. Which means, most likely, that these items are foremost on people's minds; far above anything else. This is what most people are going online to find out about.

The results just may surprise you.
Google's Zeitgeist
Google's International Zeitgeist

And finally for you curious types...
What the heck is a zeitgeist anyway?
You pompous, stuck-up, pedantic logophile. You know you love long, weird, ancient, kinky or otherwise generally deviant words like zeitgeist. Don't you? Well, check this out then.

Solar Sail, where are you???

Photo: Courtesy of NPO Lavochkin, The Planetary Society


Cosmos 1, the solar sail, which launched Tuesday the 21st, has still not been found after days of hoping and praying. Just minutes after launch, the Russian booster rocket never reached final orbit; ironically carrying away the hopes of many a star-struck astronomer. The rocket is still MIA a week later. Cosmos 1 was a marvelous project to be certain, but maybe there are other factors at play:

Scenario 1: Alien abduction - the Russian rocket, Volna, may have been a perfect target for some teenage alien's sick prank on primitive human-kind.
Alien teenager to Earth - "You guys are still using rockets??? Are you kidding?"

Scenario 2: Baby black hole - the theory of baby black holes is far from fiction and would explain how a Russian rocket of no small size suddenly disappeared without a trace.
Baby Black Hole to Earth - "Is that a rocket in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?"

Scenario 3: C'mos, our future metal master - like the omniscient V'GER from Star Trek:The Motion Picture (of course, you've seen it), the solar sail may later return to our galaxy to make things generally unpleasant.
C'mos to Earth - "Kneel humans. Know thy master, Master!"

Scenario 4: Do you speak Whale? - Cosmos 1 may have inadvertently communicated with super-advanced whale aliens (Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home) and gotten itself taken back to Super-Advanced Whale-Alien Planet.
Whale-aliens to Russian rocket - "Uh, do you like come here often, huh huh. I said "come."

Whatever the case may be, Cosmos 1 will be missed. Maybe it's loss signals more than just the hopes and aspirations of scientists and enthusiasts. Maybe, Cosmos 1 is the beacon for a whole new scientific zeitgeist.
Cosmos 1 may be the harbinger of innovation which finally helps 'big science' get away from the stodgy, unimaginative visions of mass fuel consumption exploration with its simple wings for riding solar wind. Science may be growing up.

A brief speck in the history of science or an elegant symbol of things to come. Cosmos 1, we solute you wherever you are.


More on the solar sail, Cosmos 1
Planetary Society's Website (the founders)
Wired magazine's coverage of Cosmos 1
Space.com's coverage of Cosmos 1
The video of Cosmos 1's launch
Official Solar Sail blog
Official Solar Sail media page

OMG!!

Wow... this is insanely awesome.

Gimme', I'll be your best friend!
Check it out

Culture Shocked or Not?

Apparently, when you read a story from one country which features racist imagery; it can become a fun and popular story to others if they have no point of reference.

Case in point-
Little Black Sambo (Japanese Publisher)

Out of context this could be considered funny or cute. Hahaha.. sigh.

Anyway, I've read the text myself and.. golly, I can't really find much to hate in this 'racist' book. Now, that being said, it is a racist book in retrospect; but I ask that you read it yourself. Even better, buy a copy. Start a new trend!

If you look at the cover of the original book, illustrated by the author Helen Bannerman, you discover that Little Black Sambo looks nothing like the traditional American 'pickanniny' artwork so popular during the books darkest heyday. In fact, Sambo almost looks like a boy of Indian descent. Look at his hair and facial features. Hmmm... I believe that racists tainted this book. Also, the introduction at Project Gutenberg sheds more light on the subject. Sounds quite innocuous to me. But hey, I've got more than a few neurons to rub together.

More discussion on the subject
http://www.ferris.edu/news/jimcrow/picaninny/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pickanniny
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zambo
Super Long UglyLink Address

Got change for $1,000,000,000?

"It's a lot easier to connect to the story of the one person or the five people... you know, because I'm mathematically literate, I know that when there's 3 million kids every year dying of things that are completely preventable with the technology we have today, you know I can try and magnify how I feel about that one situation by a factor of 3 million. It's tough. But at least you know it's super important."
- Bill Gates

Just when you thought the rich people don't care about anything but money and more money, out pops Geekus-Maximus to save the world from cancer, malaria, AIDS and other deadly illnesses. The visionary vision of the nation's richest merchant prince. BTW, this is two year old news.. kinda'.

Suggested Reading/Viewing list:

• Business @ the Speed of Thought: Succeeding in the Digital Economy
• The Road Ahead
• Gates : How Microsoft's Mogul Reinvented an Industry--and Made Himself the Richest Man in America
• Bill Gates Speaks : Insight from the World's Greatest Entrepreneur
• Triumph of the Nerds
• Pirates of Silicon Valley
• Microman: What Life Might Be Like If You Were Bill Gates
• How the Web was Won

That's plenty for now. That should keep your brain percolating for a long time to come.

Here are some great Gates quotes:

• You see, antiquated ideas of kindness and generosity are simply bugs that must be programmed out of our world. And these cold, unfeeling machines will show us the way.

• Windows 2000 already contains features such as the human discipline component, where the PC can send an electric shock through the keyboard if the human does something that does not please Windows.

• There is a certain responsibility that accrued to me when I got to this unexpected position.

• The first rule of any technology used in a business is that automation applied to an efficient operation will magnify the efficiency. The second is that automation applied to an inefficient operation will magnify the inefficiency.

• People always fear change. People feared electricity when it was invented, didn't they? People feared coal, they feared gas-powered engines... There will always be ignorance, and ignorance leads to fear. But with time, people will come to accept their silicon masters.

• Let's face it, the average computer user has the brain of a Spider Monkey.

• Just in terms of allocation of time resources, religion is not very efficient. There's a lot more I could be doing on a Sunday morning.

• I see a time when Smartware would literally manage your money for you. Decide which investments are the most lucrative, which property would be the best buy based on value. If you're income isn't high enough, it could find you a new job. If your wife is spending too much money, the system would be programmed to discipline her, through a series of, say, spankings or what have you.

More billion(-aire) fun
Famous billionaires who share your horoscope
Forbes' Billionaires page
Google's news for "billionaire"
Billionaire magazine (finally!)
What billionaire's don't have
Other names for a billion
Brief history of the billion
World Population Estimate
Current Cost of Iraq War (unfortunately also in the billionaire region)


Well, now it's your turn -
What would you do with a billion dollars?
(Remember, that's $1,000,000,000.)
Click on that little comment link below to share your vision-

The End of the World and Other Five Minute Ponderings-

got to thinking about the end of the world recently, and I came up with this thought concerning it.

The end of the world shall proceed exactly as it should based upon the belief system you currently hold about how the beginning of the world came to be.

To put it another way... the end of the world would conform to a set of rules.
Rules? Yes, rules.

Take for example, if you believe that the world was created by an elder deity of a clearly paternal nature, you may conclude that the world shall end by the will of said deity with no surprises.

Or if you believe that the world came about at an instant in a great 'boom', if you will, along with the rest of the universe; then it is likely to conclude that the universe shall contract in a similarly large 'boom' or 'crunch'.

If you are inclined to believe that the world is merely a collection of visions from the dream of some supreme entity in a marvelous state of sleep, then it may follow that this entity would undoubtedly wake, thus ending it all.

If you believe that the world is merely a mirage and we all live in a bubble of reality, it is probable that you also believe that the mirage shall disappear and the bubble shall eventually pop.

But what if you believe that there is no beginning or end to the world at all; that all existence is merely the briefest of fleeting moments in a thin shadow of nothingness itself, then it follows that there is no order, no sequence, no destiny and the world is simply a farce; and that would be something indeed.

Whatever you believe, the end of the world for you is very likely to be orderly and sane. No deviation can occur. All is in accordance with a set of rules. Anything else would be as unsettling and uncomforting as the end of the world itself. Those are the rules.


Other ponderings

-How long does it take a butterfly to inspire a dream?

-How many people does it take to make a lie true?

-When does a dream turn ever so violently into a nightmare? and why?

-Where does hapiness grow?

-Who works nightshift at the pain factory? are they seeking other employment?

-How long is the long arm of the law? is it a righty or a lefty?

-When the chips are down, what is the force that lifts them up again?

-Would the people of Mars call us Eartians? or Earthians?

-What other crazy thoughts are out there? and do you have any?

Cellphone Driving News

Justin Mitchell Oaks, 21, and his wife were miraculously uninjured after Oaks inadvertently drove their Toyota Corolla underneath an 18-wheeler on Interstate 10 in Tucson, Ariz., in April, got stuck, and was dragged 800 feet before the truck could stop.
[Salina Journal, 3-28-05] [Arizona Daily Star, 4-26-05]

-Brilliant! Hope that call was worth the trip.

http://www.newsoftheweird.com/

Jackson's right hand appears unshaken-

Just moments after a decidedly controversial child molestation acquittal, the right hand of international pop superstar Michael Jackson appears undamaged, unshaken and visibly pink.

Right hand, as it is commonly called, showed no sign of stress and was frequently seen waving to fans along with long-time partner Right Arm. Old friends Left Hand and Left Arm were also present for the brief post-trial photo-op. The group were later seen entering a heavily guarded escort SUV.

Minutes later, Right Hand was later reported back at work for the aging popstar tossing hair, straightening clothing and thanking Jehovah.

Whiskey Bar: Mastering the Possibilities

What the heck kind of card does the President use when dining out or whatever the heck he does at night?

Apparently, it has something to do with puffs and puffs of lobby stuff.

Is this real? Who knows? Does it matter? Who knows?
I says - go figger!

Foon.co.uk - Hapland

Can you figure out Hapland? (requires Flash)

Foon.co.uk - Hapland. If you're so awesome, check out Hapland 2.

Bwahahahahahahaahahahaahah!!!!!

Kitten War! - May The Cutest Kitten Win!

With all the backlash from the truth about Cat Aliens, I thought you might enjoy Kitten War! - May The Cutest Kitten Win!

Disgustingly addictive, even for one as advanced as me. Drat!!!!

A N I M A T E D - G I F . N E T

You must bow down to the coolness of low-tech eye-candy!

A N I M A T E D - G I F . N E T

Turning Japanese? Or just reading about it?

You know, I really have been enjoying the great blogs online that are about Japan or japanese culture. I cannot really say why. Is it because I am a Japanophile or whatever the official phrase is? Gaijin or something? Probably. Maybe I need to get outside more and experience a little more myself? Who knows??

Anyway, it seems that the folks writing those Japan blogs are mostly visiting Americans or at least westerners. The point is that they seem to be having a good time sharing their experiences with the world. That's what I think is so interesting. Most blogs I find, no matter the country, are kinda about things that are going on in the political or commercial sphere of civilization. Even the few art blogs I have found have been politcal or just thinly veiled business oriented art galleries. Geek blogs are even more narrow in focus, but this is expected considering the group.

So, what the hell am I getting at? Get out there and have a great time in the world.. I need some more great American blogs to read. That is all-

If they are so great, why not share them? Get your own blog favs!

Mongolians still rule!

Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the sumo ring, a Mongolian wrestler jumps you with the sumo grip and out you go.

Yokozuna Asashoryu is now the leading non-Japanese sumo wrestler. Poor Samoans. Musashimaru has been surpassed.

Catch up on the latest in the fascinating world of sumo.

おもしろグッズ・マクラシャランポワン・枕

Now you can really get into tennis with these squeezable breasts modelled after Maria Sharapova. 3 different colors are available. Easy clean up is accommodated, as well.

Matchstick Rockets - But not indoors, please

Matchstick Rockets

The $11 LCD Picture Frame : Gizmodo

The $11 LCD Picture Frame : Gizmodo

Your webcam is inferior...

Enter the Hal 9000 Webcam.

A true geek lamp, German style

Lemme' see the German Geek lamp.

Exploding Money and Big Brother Radio

Not that I'll be trying this anytime soon, but it seems that US bills will explode when you place them in the microwave. Why? Radio frequency ID tags. Currency now contains tracking radio tags to keep tabs on bills. That's bills, not people.

Get the blown-up low-down here.

The Sith Academy

Hahahahahaa... so funny. Makes the whole Star Wars universe seem that much larger and laughable.

A letter for you-

Dear Vader fan,

I know you want to know this. It is a dark thing. A sacred thing.

During your brief flirtations with the Star Wars universe, you've been wondering something. Thoughts that have plagued many of us. Of this, I am sure.

What could it be? What is so important that I must write to you now at this most late and desperate hour? Fear not. I shall share it with you. How the Sith came to be and what is their history. From the red lightsabers right down to the one master and one apprentice stuff. It's all here. Read all you will, but be forewarned - you may lose control and share this secret knowledge with others.

Thanx to the fine folks at How Stuff Works for this grand explanation and history of all things Sith.

-Darth Kanyu

Digit Online news - Sony develops paper Blu-ray Disc

Digit Online news - Sony develops paper Blu-ray Disc

25GB on a paper disc. Hmmm... that's freakin' crazy!!!!

How Jedi am I, really?

:: how jedi are you? ::

Thanx Zee

Does this suit my personality? I can't seem to get my head around it. Perhaps, Mace Windu, the Jedi Master who makes you want to kick ass like a Sith, is an accurate description of my nature.

Spoiler Alert: On Mace Windu (Episode III):
All I know is that I would have brought along far more competent jedi-guards, force pushed Anakin away when he showed up against orders and diced Palpatine into little Sith shreds.
Roll the credits, sucka'. Episodes IV-VI no longer exist!