…where science, futurism, and anything else Stephen finds interesting are thrown together in an informational stew for your consumption.
Enjoy!
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- New NASA policy calls for research into technologies that could remove space debris, such as laser tractor beams. link
The slightest push can move even massive objects in space. So space junk can be pushed into the atmosphere for quick disposal. If the power demands of a beam system were reasonable, this could be an incredibly efficient way to zap the problem.
- A single building in China will have more DNA-sequencing capacity than the whole of the United States. http://j.mp/9jDwUX
…that according to the scientist / entrepreneur who’s setting up the project.
- rww
Checking out and downloading some of Wired’s 10 iPad app recommendations:I find that some apps are an improvement over their PC equivalents. I prefer Twittering from my iPhone to doing it on the computer.
- New gel could eliminate the need to fill cavities or drill deep into an infected tooth. Will dentists adopt? http://j.mp/cyGCjA
Encouraging teeth to heal themselves strikes me as a much prefered method of dealing with cavities than the comparably barbaric drill-and-fill method.
- michaelshermer
Darwin bio-pic “Creation” starring Paul Bettany as Darwin & Jennifer Connelly as Emma now available on DVD: http://tinyurl.com/268ucxzI hadn’t heard of this film before today. I’ll try to see it and post a review ASAP.
- science
New Stephen Hawking book coming in September, The Grand Design, discusses idea of a single unified theory. - sciam
Shifty Science: Programmable Matter Takes Shape with Self-Folding Origami SheetsMore spooky stuff!
- XiXiDu
An open source peer-to-peer electronic cash systemUp till now cash transfer systems have used a central server to verify the transfer. This system builds verification into the software. If this could work (I have some doubts) it could become the cheaper alternative (no middleman fees).
- Tobias Buckell’s new collection of short stories gets thumbs up; errors in Kindle vrs gets thumbs down. http://j.mp/9hxx69
I’ve also noticed more of errors and typos in electronic versions of books. There is no reason for this. If a work is going to be subjected to an editor at any point, shouldn’t the electronic version be published AFTER that point?
- Future genetically modified plant trick – forget seeds, each part of a plant could become a spore upon shedding. http://j.mp/9UeFJs
Another solution to replanting akin to the Perennial grains mentioned in my last post. What if corn could grow from the corn stalks laying in the field?
- Fascinating interview of Bruce Katz re future of human cognition. http://j.mp/8XL36j
An interview published in Hplus magazine last year. Definitely worth a look if you haven’t seen it yet.
- Internet routers convert optical signals to electrical for processing. Skipping conversion will make net 100x faster http://j.mp/ctDkWf
Manipulating optical signals without conversion to electric has been a tough problem to crack. It appears that we may be getting close to a solution.
- Manufacterers should give us 3d TV that doesnt require glasses -like the upcoming Nintendo DS. http://j.mp/9ub8xP
Maybe the problem is scalability, but how’s Dad going to feel when Junior has better 3D tech on his handheld Nintendo than the family has on the new expensive flat screen TV?