Archive for February 2009
A massive, salty filing cabinet 28 Feb 2009
All this mining has left behind an awesome sight – a hollowed-out city the size of 700 football pitches, the roof propped up by vast pillars of rock salt that glisten almost pink under torch light. Sounds like the Mines of Moria from Lord of the Rings.
Does University Challenge really test intelligence? 24 Feb 2009
I remember reading about the varying aspects of intelligence and that David Beckham was cited as one example. An academic may be able to tell you a great deal about the ancient Greeks, but couldn’t bend it like Beckham, for example.
The peanut detectives 24 Feb 2009
Pick up a random product from a supermarket shelf and there is a reasonable chance it will display the warning “May contain nuts”. Some consumer groups say the label is over-used and unnecessary, undermining more valid warnings and designed to cover the backs of the manufacturers. A serious subject it might be, but do we [...]
Oxford college lifts quiz trophy 24 Feb 2009
The big story here seems to be Gail Trimble, who scored two-thirds of the 1200 points her team accumulated on the way to winning a final. What no one seems to have pointed out is that: She’s 26: what is she still doing at uni? Get a job. And by no means was she the [...]
Top 278 Star Wars Lines Improved By Replacing A Word With ‘Pants’ 14 Feb 2009
One word: genius via Kottke
Japanese Bladesmiths 12 Feb 2009
An interesting look at how the best blades are made in Japan, via Kottke.
Art for Sale 12 Feb 2009
My previously mentioned friend, the one who does amazing, hand-drawn art (check out the detail on that) has now opened a store where you can buy prints online. I’m lucky enough to own a print and two originals and they are absolutely amazing, so please take a look and make a purchase, you won’t regret [...]
Plans for UK satellite launcher 3 Feb 2009
Go for it, we did pretty well adapting what was originally designed to be an ballistic missile and re-purposing it as a satellite launcher. In fact, the satellite launched by one is still in orbit. Ironically, the UK is one of the world leaders of satellite design and construction, and doing things on a shoe [...]
Banker + gangster = bankster 1 Feb 2009
An interesting term, but the story about Amadeo Peter Giannini and how he setup the Bank of America is very interesting.