tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43528069368198790952024-02-18T22:11:00.214-05:00The Godless Geek Blog“He who knows nothing is closer to the truth than he whose mind is filled with falsehoods and errors”-Thomas JeffersonGlenn Cainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725798135425902194noreply@blogger.comBlogger371125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4352806936819879095.post-20244528571390736682013-03-14T12:46:00.000-04:002013-03-14T12:46:13.723-04:00Happy Pi Day: Numberphiles, Calculating Pi with Pies<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Posted by Youtube user: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/numberphile?feature=watch" target="_blank">numberphile </a></div>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/numberphile?feature=watch" target="_blank"> </a><br />
I just happened to have stumbled upon <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/numberphile?feature=watch" target="_blank">this YT channel</a> the other day, and wound up spending nearly 3 hours on it. Obviously, I enjoy it. Since today is<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pi_Day" target="_blank"> Pi Day</a> (3.14), thought I'd share this one. But there's loads more interesting things to be seen on the channel, including nine more videos about <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4870492ACBDC2E7C" target="_blank">Pi itself</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCyC-K_PnRY" target="_blank">Dragon Curves</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6xJfP7-HCc" target="_blank">base 12</a>, and lots of other fun math-y things. Even if you're not a math geek, it's more fun than you probably think it sounds.<br />
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<a href="https://twitter.com/GodlessGeek_" target="_blank">-CAINE- </a></div>
Glenn Cainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725798135425902194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4352806936819879095.post-40742774746541533792013-03-03T16:24:00.001-05:002013-03-03T16:27:57.715-05:00Eye Candy: Movements in Red (Infrared Time Lpase)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://vimeo.com/58232705">Movements in Red</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user4770425">Andrew Shurtleff</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</div>
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<a href="http://vimeo.com/user4770425">Andrew </a>'s description from his Vimeo post:</div>
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"A moving infrared timelapse movie.</div>
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This is a personal project culminated from years of shooting IR
stills and never really being satisfied with the results. Shot primarily
in Albemarle County, Virginia, the movie was captured using a Canon 5D
mark II converted with a 720nm IR filter over the sensor. The sensor
filter allows normal camera operation but shoots only IR images. I used
a rail from Dynamic Perception to create the moving images and
processed everything in Adode Premiere/After Effects. </div>
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Check out my website <a href="http://www.andrewshurtleff.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">andrewshurtleff.com</a> to see some cool IR stills under the fine arts section. Thanks for watching."</div>
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VIA: <a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/bad_astronomy/2013/02/22/infrared_time_lapse_video_of_trees_in_the_infrared_is_eerie_and_beautiful.html" target="_blank">Bad Astronomy </a></div>
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Glenn Cainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725798135425902194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4352806936819879095.post-9665957917558270982013-03-03T14:03:00.002-05:002013-03-03T16:10:48.779-05:00The Higgs Particle And The Apparent Instability of Our Universe<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="description">Image credit:<a href="http://cds.cern.ch/record/628469" target="_blank"> Cern</a> -simulated data modeled for the <a class="extiw" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compact_Muon_Solenoid" title="en:Compact Muon Solenoid">CMS</a> <a class="extiw" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/particle_detector" title="en:particle detector">particle detector</a> </span></td></tr>
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Though it has yet to be confirmed to a degree which constitutes scientific certainty, last years discovery of what is believed to the <a href="http://phys.org/news/2012-09-physicist-significance-higgs-boson-discovery.html" target="_blank">higgs bosan</a>- the final fundamental particle described by <a href="http://godlessgeekblog.blogspot.com/2012/03/standard-model-and-search-for-higgs.html" target="_blank">the standard model</a>, and the one believed to be responsible for imparting all regular matter with mass- has brought with it a number of new scientific possibilities. One of them, according to physicist Joseph Lykken, while speaking at the <a href="http://www.aaas.org/meetings/2013/">annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science</a> (AAAS), is that the entire universe might exist within an unstable vacuum; one which could potentially someday reorganize itself into a more stable state. Which would be bad for anything existing in the current one. Which probably won't be much, anyway.Seriously, we're all gonna be long dead when and if any of this happens. So it's okay to think it's cool. <br />
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According to Dr Lykken, via <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-21499765" target="_blank">BBC News</a>:<br />
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<b>"It turns out there's a calculation you can do in our Standard Model of particle physics, once you know the mass of the Higgs boson," - "If you use all the physics we know now, and you do this straightforward calculation - it's bad news." - "What happens is you get just a quantum fluctuation that makes a tiny
bubble of the vacuum the Universe really wants to be in. And because
it's a lower-energy state, this bubble will then expand, basically at
the speed of light, and sweep everything before it,"</b><br />
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As best as I understand all of this. One of the debated physical
properties of the universe in which we all live, is that the vacuum in
which said universe exists, is not as stable as it could be. The notion that this instability is one of the physical properties of
our current universe, isn't a new one. But determining weather or not
this theory is true, is all based on a calculation involving the
frequency of the higgs' own mass, versus that of the top quark's pole
mass, amongst other things. If our current understandings of those measurements and calculations hold true, then it's possible that at some point in the distant future
- as in, an incomprehensibly long time from now- a fluctuation within the field which
maintains said vacuum, could cause it to re-align itself into a more stable state. Meaning; The universe in which we currently live, will be no more. Which sounds bad. But, again, you're gonna be dead
anyway. So don't worry too much about that. Besides which, the calculations described by DR. Lykken also bring with them another possibility: What if the end, is really just the beginning? <br />
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<b>"It's much easier to explain a lot of things if what we see is a cycle.
If I were to bet my own money on it, I'd bet the cyclic idea is right,"</b> - Dr.Joseph Lykken [<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-21499765" target="_blank">BBC</a>] <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="caption-text">Potential evidence of successive big bangs/</span><em>Gurzadyan and R. Penrose</em><span class="caption-text"> </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="caption-text"> </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="caption-text"></span><br /></td></tr>
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In other words, there have been a number of theories over the years which propose the
idea that our universe is cyclical. And some have even argued that there is physical evidence which
supports them. Most notably, maps of our universe's cosmic background
radiation, which some have interpreted as
containing <a href="http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2010/11/recycled-universe" target="_blank">rings of radiation </a>consistent with remnants of a previous
-possibly even multiple- big bang(s).[SEE: <a href="http://www.livescience.com/15530-multiverse-universe-eternal-inflation-test.html" target="_blank">eternal inflation and bubble collision </a>]. So if this whole quantum vacuum bubble thing turns out to be true, it could be a strong indication that the universe we currently live in, is just one of many iterations in a potentially endless series. Then again, future measurements of the proposed higgs particle could
invalidate all these things -cause that's just how theoretical physics
works. Either way, I certainly can't proclaim to understand all of this well enough to speculate as to weather or not it really does lend any further validity to the idea of a cyclical universe. I just thought it was something fun to think about. Which is kind of all this blog is really about.<br />
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<a href="https://twitter.com/GodlessGeek_" target="_blank">-CAINE-</a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-21499765" target="_blank">BBC News </a> <br />
Image Credit: <a href="http://cds.cern.ch/record/628469" target="_blank">Cern ,</a><em> Gurzadyan and R. Penrose</em> </div>
Glenn Cainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725798135425902194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4352806936819879095.post-68669342777124998172013-02-28T23:59:00.000-05:002013-03-01T00:08:53.123-05:00Sci Fi Short: Plurality<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Posted YouTube user: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/dennisaliu?feature=watch" target="_blank">dennisaliu</a></div>
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I don't know why this has been sitting my bookmarks for all this time without being posted, but it has. It's amazing, and you should watch it now.<br />
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That is all.<br />
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<a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/111379880308192511403/posts" target="_blank">-CAINE-</a></div>
Glenn Cainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725798135425902194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4352806936819879095.post-56034467348733040222013-02-28T23:17:00.002-05:002013-02-28T23:17:33.439-05:00APOTD: Ghost Nebula<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<em>Caption: <a href="http://www.noao.edu/image_gallery/html/im1060.html" target="_blank">NOAO</a></em><br />
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This image was obtained with the wide-field view of the Mosaic Camera
on the Mayall 4-meter telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory. vdB
141 is a reflection nebula located in the constellation Cepheus.
Sometimes referred to as the ghost nebula, its awkward name is its
catalog number in Sidney van den Bergh's catalog of reflection nebulae,
published in 1966. Several stars are embedded in the nebula. Their light
gives it a ghoulish brown color. North is down and East is to the
right. Imaged August 28, 2009.<br />
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<em>Image: T.A. Rector/University of Alaska Anchorage, H. Schweiker/WIYN and NOAO/AURA/NSF [<a href="http://www.noao.edu/image_gallery/images/d7/vdb141.jpg" target="_blank">high-resolution</a>] Read NOAO <a href="http://www.noao.edu/image_gallery/copyright.html" target="_blank">Conditions of Use</a> before downloading</em><br />
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Glenn Cainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725798135425902194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4352806936819879095.post-51757753960237460582013-02-27T04:11:00.000-05:002013-02-27T12:35:28.994-05:00My Favorite Show EP:14- Alien Ninja Horseman Babies<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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In <a href="http://myfavoriteshow.libsyn.com/alien-ninja-horseman-babies" target="_blank">this week's episode</a>, our collective uber-ADD was in full effect. So Tara and I manage to make our way to everything from Spontaneous human combustion, UFO's and paranormal beliefs, to TMNT remakes, future technology, as well as a few other things. All in all, I think it's a fun episode. If you agree, why not <a href="http://subscribe%20on%20itunes/" target="_blank">Subscribe on iTunes</a> ? Also, I had a sudden burst of inspiration during production. So those of you who make it past the outro music, will be handsomely rewarded. Well, reward might not be the right word. let's just say, something lurks just beyond the closing credits this week, and leave it at that....<br />
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<b>In This Weeks Episode:</b> We begin with a brief mention of <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/mississippi-finally-ratifies-slavery-ban-article-1.1267133" target="_blank">Mississippi's recent decision to finally ratify the 13th amendment</a> - I make up for last week's <a href="http://vimeo.com/11338327" target="_blank">Pope song</a> with a bit of<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Kppx4bzfAaE" target="_blank"> wholesome x-tian rap</a> - A Texas man <a href="http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4778371/man-caught-having-sex-with-horse-was-trying-to-make-it-pregnant.html" target="_blank">does his best to make a Horseman baby</a> - while a <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2280785/Ryan-William-Waterman-21-arrested-hugging-manatee-posting-photos-Facebook.html" target="_blank">Florida man earns a fine for harassing (not a euphemism) a baby manatee </a>- an Oklahoma man <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/21/danny-vanzandt-spontaneous-human-combustion_n_2734730.html" target="_blank">spontaneously combusted</a>, or not (not) - And Tara discovers the <a href="http://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/megan-fox-cast-in-michael-bays-ninja-turtles-movie-after-epic-feud-2013222" target="_blank">looming Michael Bay TMNT remake</a> - <a href="http://www.geekosystem.com/scientists-make-their-own-ghosts/" target="_blank">Physicists learn to make ghosts</a> - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BTCoT8ajbI" target="_blank">google glasses are finally starting to look cool</a> - a <a href="http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/02/22/perm_panorama/" target="_blank">Russian man gets caught cheating via street view</a>- as well as a few other things along the way.<br />
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<b>Our Favorite Things:</b> Tara recommends the website <a href="http://insidedish.com/">insidedish.com</a>, which allows restaurant workers to rate their employer. For my pick, I've chosen to recommend Ray Kurzweil's most recent book " <a href="http://www.amazon.com/How-Create-Mind-Thought-Revealed/dp/0670025291" target="_blank">How To Create a mind, the secrete to human thought revealed</a>."<br />
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Finally, because it really MUST be seen to truly be appreciated: "Rappin' for Jesus" </div>
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Posted by YouTube user: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/brianspinney?feature=watch" target="_blank">brianspinney</a><br />
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<a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/111379880308192511403/posts" target="_blank">-CAINE- </a></div>
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Glenn Cainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725798135425902194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4352806936819879095.post-79660520167462483332013-02-25T00:14:00.000-05:002013-02-25T00:14:44.003-05:00Eye Candy: Giant Dry Ice Bubble Experiment<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Posted by YouTube user:http: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/brusspup?feature=watch" target="_blank">brusspup</a></div>
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Fun with dry ice.</div>
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Glenn Cainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725798135425902194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4352806936819879095.post-27532326351468332892013-02-25T00:06:00.000-05:002013-02-25T00:14:26.084-05:00Bionic Hand That Can Feel Set To be Transplanted Later This Year <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3GbWJvdiXM/USq8QIGri7I/AAAAAAAACbo/YrxGuNUJvTY/s460/Bionic-handv1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3GbWJvdiXM/USq8QIGri7I/AAAAAAAACbo/YrxGuNUJvTY/s320/Bionic-handv1.jpg" width="320" /></a>Though a number of new artificial limbs have been developed which can be controlled by the brain through both direct and indirect neural interfaces -either by being wired directly into the patient's nervous system or by monitoring electrical fluctuations in the brain via an external controller or interface. Figuring out how to integrate artificial systems directly into the human nervous system to allow for communication both to and from such devices and the brain, remains a difficult problem to resolve. Which is why as exceptional a thing as they still are, even the most advanced modern prosthetic devices are typically capable of delivering either control or sensation, but not both.<br />
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One of the promising looking attempts to overcome the current limitation of advanced prosthetic replacements, are experiments being conducted by a Swedish research group called <a href="http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-02/epfd-tqf021113.php" target="_blank"> École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)</a>. Having already had significant success with previous devices, the EPFL now has plans to fit an unnamed man from Rome, with an advanced robotic hand which they described as the first ever to deliver real-time
sensory
feedback, directly through the recipient's own nervous system.<br />
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The planned procedure -which is set to happen later this year in
Switzerland- follows the success of an earlier portable version of the
hand that was tested In 2009, on a man who suffered the loss
of half of one of his arms in an auto accident. After being temporarily
fitted with this earlier version of the device, xxx was reportedly able to manipulate and grasp objects with his new hand, as well as being able to feel the
sensation of needles pricked into it's palm. All that despite this earlier version of the prosthetic having only two sensory zones. The current model is capable of transmitting sensory feedback from all
of it's fingertips, as well as it's palm and wrist, potentially
providing a much more life-like feeling for it's recipient. <br />
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According to Dr. Silvestro Micera, who is Head of the Translational Neural Engineering Laboratory at EPFL and Professor at the
Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna in Italy, the newest version of the device will be attached directly
into the patient’s nervous system via
electrodes clipped onto the median and ulnar nerves in the arm. The
expectation is that this method of attachment should allow for a
bidirectional flow of information between the prosthetic and the
patient's brain, enabling it's recipient to control the device by
thought, while simultaneously receiving tactile sensations from the prosthetic itself, and all in real time. <br />
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<a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/GodlessGeek_" target="_blank">-CAINE-</a><br />
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Source: <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/a-sensational-breakthrough-the-first-bionic-hand-that-can-feel-8498622.html" target="_blank">independent.co.uk</a><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" mozallowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" src="http://embed.ted.com/talks/miguel_nicolelis_a_monkey_that_controls_a_robot_with_its_thoughts_no_really.html" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="560"></iframe> <br />
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Speaking of neural computer interfaces. In the above Ted
Talk, brain-machine interface scientist Miguel Nicolelis, discusses his
own on going research into the science behind said interfaces, using a
monkey named Aurora. </div>
Glenn Cainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725798135425902194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4352806936819879095.post-33610918556516647002013-02-24T20:35:00.000-05:002013-02-24T20:35:14.571-05:00Happy Sunday: Christopher Hitchens, Best of The Hitchslap<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Posted by YouTube user: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/JediJesseS?feature=watch" target="_blank">JediJesseS</a></div>
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Glenn Cainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725798135425902194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4352806936819879095.post-76206614863772859982013-02-19T12:48:00.000-05:002013-02-19T12:49:17.006-05:00My Favorite Show EP:13 Curious Squatch and The Man in The pointy Hat<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It's late, so is the episode, I'm tired. The End.<br />
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<b>In This Weeks Episode:</b> <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/fighting_words/2010/03/the_great_catholic_coverup.html?wpisrc=most_viral" target="_blank">Pope Ratzinger set to step down at the end of February</a> - <a href="http://godlessgeekblog.blogspot.com/2013/02/russian-meteor-videos.html" target="_blank">The Russian Meteor thing</a> - <a href="http://news.discovery.com/adventure/bigfoot-dna-study-goal-govt-protection-for-creatures-130214.htm" target="_blank">Group claims to have definitively Identified Bigfoot DNA</a> - Counting the days till the conspiracies begin, following The conclusion of the Chris Dorner case - <a href="http://gawker.com/5984334/disabled-shit+covered-cruise-ship-descends-to-new-circle-of-hell-off-the-coast-of-alabama" target="_blank">The world's shittiest cruise</a> - <a href="http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/riptide/2011/10/drunk_florida_man_tries_to_use.php" target="_blank">A drunken Florida man, a car fire, and a taco</a>.<br />
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<b>Our Favorite things:</b> Tara shares the rest of her comics from last week's trip to the comic shop, while recommend <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/zefrank1?feature=watch" target="_blank">zefrank's True Facts videos</a>.<br />
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Glenn Cainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725798135425902194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4352806936819879095.post-64019294465340932812013-02-19T12:42:00.001-05:002013-02-19T12:45:33.918-05:00New Genetic Study PROVES Bigfoot is a Thing! [SPOILER ALERT: No it Doesn't.] <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEBXzOcmcR7u4Iyn7yTWSOuolrECoBrUG-L2MWD7WLAzHPg077k4mbmIWaSJMWq-SpcoWQ_QppWaycW89is3tcuEHYUoVd1jbrS6tkIerEjgWB3QK2zbxdm1-h_36a1tfa6z9EhaOyteQE/s241/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEBXzOcmcR7u4Iyn7yTWSOuolrECoBrUG-L2MWD7WLAzHPg077k4mbmIWaSJMWq-SpcoWQ_QppWaycW89is3tcuEHYUoVd1jbrS6tkIerEjgWB3QK2zbxdm1-h_36a1tfa6z9EhaOyteQE/s400/images.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Just before we set out to record this weeks podcast Tara reminded me of a story that had made the rounds earlier in the week, about a genetic study which had supposedly produced definitive evidence of the existence of Bigfoot. What I didn't realize at the time of recording, was that the "study" in question was the same one that had been announced in November of last year, by Texas Vetrenarian and genetic researcher <a href="http://www.dnadiagnostics.com/staff.html" target="_blank">Melba Ketchum</a>. Once I realized this was the case, I started to wonder why it was in the news again. Turns out, after months of struggling through the peer review process, the team's research paper was finally published on Feburary 14th, in the well known and highly respected "<a href="http://www.denovojournal.com/" target="_blank">DeNovo Scientific Journal</a>".<br />
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What's that? "I've never heard of the Denovo Scientific Journal." you say? Well, that's probably because - according to<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/14/bigfoot-dna-results-final_n_2681135.html" target="_blank"> the Huffpo</a>, anyway- it was first registered with godaddy.com (anonymously) on February 4th, 2013, for a period of one year, and currently contains only one published paper "The Bigfoot Genome Paper"; AKA, the "study" in question. Seems legit, right?<br />
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Aside from the dubious method of publication, which we'll get back to shortly, the problems with the study, the likely rational explanation, as well as why the paper was rejected for publication by legitimate scientific journals, seems pretty obvious. Best case scenario, the samples were contaminated. Which the group, of course, insists couldn't possibly be the case, since they were very careful to eliminate that possibility. Which I'd be willing to give them the befit of the doubt on, had the 1,100 samples used in the study not been collected, handled, and stored, by untrained individuals, from 34 different sites across North America [<a href="http://news.yahoo.com/bigfoot-dna-discovered-not-fast-182536083.html" target="_blank">Yahoo News</a>]. Which, again, one might be willing to forgive, if their claims weren't so definitive.<br />
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Melba Ketchum's statements from <a href="http://www.dnadiagnostics.com/press.html" target="_blank">DNA Diagnostics Inc's Press release</a> on their "Bigfoot Genome Paper"<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ir53S2FNvaQsLMjnBD0oKJx2_5zdO9geAiCN8A0hyphenhyphenKWBcNzC01IkpgW_7vb_d1cK3CC0ETMLMHZfF9DKv6MJzsrp3VidDyC4Q1r_KDkUloJXDfsfjZZhfn5sgsOt65pw6OqNdLNUAufV/s401/kennyharry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ir53S2FNvaQsLMjnBD0oKJx2_5zdO9geAiCN8A0hyphenhyphenKWBcNzC01IkpgW_7vb_d1cK3CC0ETMLMHZfF9DKv6MJzsrp3VidDyC4Q1r_KDkUloJXDfsfjZZhfn5sgsOt65pw6OqNdLNUAufV/s320/kennyharry.jpg" width="320" /></a><b>“</b>Our study has sequenced 20 whole mitochondrial genomes and utilized next generation sequencing to obtain 3 whole nuclear genomes from purported Sasquatch samples. The genome sequencing shows that Sasquatch mtDNA is identical to modern Homo sapiens, but Sasquatch nuDNA is a novel, unknown hominin related to Homo sapiens and other primate species. Our data indicate that the North American Sasquatch is a hybrid species, the result of males of an unknown hominin species crossing with female Homo sapiens. <b>"</b><br />
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<b>"</b>Sasquatch nuclear DNA is incredibly novel and not at all what we had expected. While it has human nuclear DNA within its genome, there are also distinctly non-human, non-archaic hominin, and non-ape sequences. We describe it as a mosaic of human and novel non-human sequence. Further study is needed and is ongoing to better characterize and understand Sasquatch nuclear DNA.<b>”</b><br />
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Mmmm-kay. Maybe it's just me. But, "mosaic of human and novel non-human sequence", sounds a lot like: Collection of unrelated genetic materials most likely originating from multiple sources, some of which we can't identify. But, okay. Is there anything else we should know?<br />
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<b>“</b>Genetically, the Sasquatch are a human hybrid with unambiguously modern human maternal ancestry. Government at all levels must recognize them as an indigenous people and immediately protect their human and Constitutional rights against those who would see in their physical and cultural differences a ‘license’ to hunt, trap, or kill them.<b>”</b><br />
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<i> </i>O_o </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyvyB5c421ZTLEMZAeljyPOiBpy0bIKybFNqdyDBaDwSZ-H0GuoFjSwvPsW-HifsEidFt4JaEmI2TTPsizbEhjt6r5mXoC8Qs991VansqDOsAgoAB3aiSDnRzmpDx2IE_EtRGLOsHUwMdH/s301/Harrytowel.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyvyB5c421ZTLEMZAeljyPOiBpy0bIKybFNqdyDBaDwSZ-H0GuoFjSwvPsW-HifsEidFt4JaEmI2TTPsizbEhjt6r5mXoC8Qs991VansqDOsAgoAB3aiSDnRzmpDx2IE_EtRGLOsHUwMdH/s320/Harrytowel.jpeg" width="320" /></a>Soooo.... Remind me again why you decided to self publish? I mean, the flaws in your study's methodology seem glaringly obvious, even to a dum-dum like me. And you did just say you wanted to give constitutional rights to a creature no one other than you has ever "confirmed" the existence of. But I have a feeling you suspect more devious intentions towards your work, are to blame.<br />
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Melba Ketchum on her paper's rejection in mainstream journals (VIA <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/14/bigfoot-dna-results-final_n_2681135.html" target="_blank">Huffington Post)</a>:<br />
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<b>"</b>It has been a long and tedious battle to prove that Sasquatch exists... Trying to publish has taken almost two years. It seems mainstream science just can't seem to tolerate something controversial, especially from a group of primarily forensic scientists and not 'famous academians' aligned with large universities, even though most of our sequencing and analysis was performed at just such facilities.<b>"</b><br />
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Oh, THERE it is. It always comes down to this, doesn't it? What I've come to call "the
X-files argument"; the assertion that the mean old dogmatic doctrine of
the scientific establishment is holdin' ya down, cause they're all just
too close minded to challenge accepted facts. In short, it's nonsense.<br />
<br />
Even if the "scientific
establishment" did choose to dogmatically
resist or deliberately deny their findings, it wouldn't matter. Because,
as the saying goes:
the great thing about science is that it's true, weather you believe
it or not. Which really means- objective truths, are objective truths,
regardless of who discovers them. So If you've done your science
correctly.
If what you think you've found, really is what you say it is. Then
proving it's true, is only a matter of someone else looking in the same
place, and seeing the same thing. And sooner or later that WILL happen
regardless of weather you, or anyone else for that matter, tells them
where to look or not. But if what you've claimed to have discovered,
truly is something that only you can manage to see. Then whatever it is
you may think you've found, it isn't science. That's what that whole peer
review process Melba's research
couldn't get past, is all about. <br />
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<a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/GodlessGeek_" target="_blank">-CAINE-</a><br />
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Sources: <a href="http://www.dnadiagnostics.com/press.html" target="_blank">dnadiagnostics.com</a>, Ben Radford: (<a href="http://news.yahoo.com/bigfoot-dna-discovered-not-fast-182536083.html" target="_blank">Yahoo News</a>)- (<a href="http://news.discovery.com/adventure/bigfoot-dna-study-goal-govt-protection-for-creatures-130214.htm" target="_blank">Discovery.com</a>), <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/14/bigfoot-dna-results-final_n_2681135.html" target="_blank">The Huffington Post</a></div>
Glenn Cainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725798135425902194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4352806936819879095.post-81484556297773795322013-02-18T12:38:00.000-05:002013-02-18T12:38:26.915-05:00Flash Games: Faith Fighter<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<object height="400" width="750"><param name='movie' value='http://www.GamesForWork.com/games/swf/Faith Fighter january 21st 2008.swf'></param>
<embed src='http://www.GamesForWork.com/games/swf/Faith Fighter january 21st 2008.swf' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' width='750' height='400'></embed></object><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.gamesforwork.com/" target="_blank">10 daily games at gamesforwork.com</a></span></div>
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Because it's hilarious and awesome. Even though I suck at it at and have yet to NOT get my ass kicked. </div>
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VIA: <a href="http://lefthemispheres.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Left Hemispheres</a><br />
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Glenn Cainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725798135425902194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4352806936819879095.post-85827101055755766312013-02-17T16:43:00.001-05:002013-02-17T17:37:41.732-05:00Russian Meteor videos<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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As you are likely well aware -because unlike me, you exist in the same time frame as most other people in the world- a large meteor went streaking across the sky in Russia early Friday morning (FEB 15th). The object is not believed to have been directly related to the much more
massive -150 feet (45 meters) wide- <a href="http://cosmiclog.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/02/15/16966984-catch-asteroid-2012-da14s-flyby-on-video-and-watch-it-fade-out-online?lite" target="_blank">asteroid 2012 AD14</a>, which passed within about 17,000 miles of
Earth later the same day, without incident. <br />
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<a href="http://news.discovery.com/space/asteroids-meteors-meteorites/russian-meteor-blast-bigger-nasa-130217.htm" target="_blank">NASA has estimated the size of the object</a> over Russia, at 50-55 feet across, and 7,000 -10,000 tons, and that it was traveling somewhere in the range of 40,000 MPH, when it exploded. The blast created as the meteor impacted with the
Earth's atmosphere is estimated to have been the equivalent of a 470-kiloton explosion, and managed to cause sever <a href="http://www.mining.com/russia-rocked-by-meteorite-explosion-84044/" target="_blank">damage to a Zinc processing plant</a>, as well as shattering windows throughout the
city of Chelyabinsk, injuring about 1000 people. The incident is being described as the most significant of it's kind since the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irVof7adq4s" target="_blank">Tunguska event</a> of 1908, in which an unknown object -<a href="http://www.universetoday.com/33367/1908-tunguska-event-caused-by-comet-new-research-says/" target="_blank"> possibly a small comet</a> - exploded over the Russian wilderness, leveling trees for several hundred square miles. <br />
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There are obviously LOADS of videos and pictures available of the incident. Of the two I've chosen to post, the one above is sort of a compilation, which includes bits from many of the most popular videos, along with some stuff I hadn't seen from security cameras, as well as footage of some of the damage caused by the blast. The one below, I choose because it captures the gap between the object's passing, and the sound of the explosion itself. Which, as you'll see, happens a considerably long time after the object has disappeared from view, illustrating just how fast it was actually traveling.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/668fd6Zq8BE" width="420"></iframe></div>
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Posted by YouTube user:<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWGogfwQnFMxjeGxRlGSRiA?feature=watch" target="_blank"> Idan Drori</a></div>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/GodlessGeek_" target="_blank">-CAINE-</a><br />
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Source: All of the Internets <br />
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Glenn Cainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725798135425902194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4352806936819879095.post-18369133835854191532013-02-12T23:55:00.002-05:002013-02-12T23:56:51.992-05:00Happy Darwin day! Ze Frank's True Facts about the Katydid<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Posted by: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/zefrank1?feature=watch" target="_blank">zefrank1</a></div>
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If I were better at planning posts for the site, had a different work schedule, or hadn't just spent the better part of the past four hours fighting with my internet connection, I would have prepared something of substance for Darwin day. Instead, here's my admittedly anemic, and just barely on time/on topic offering, in the form of yet another true fact video from ze Frank. This time around, evolution checks in on the Katydid. All in all, things seem to be going well for the creature... except for where the monkeys are concerned.<br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/zefrank1?feature=watch" target="_blank">-CAINE-</a><br />
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Glenn Cainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725798135425902194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4352806936819879095.post-88238305173737601832013-02-12T20:34:00.000-05:002013-02-13T00:50:40.127-05:00My Favortie Show EP:11- Caffeinated Colonics and Vigilante Justice<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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As my beloved technology continues to torment and betray me, this week's episode of <a href="http://myfavoriteshow.libsyn.com/" target="_blank">My Favorite Show </a>arrives a little over a week late. Last week, I just didn't feel like fighting with the internets, and this week, it took revenge upon me. But, I finally managed to edit what we got into submission, and I hope you'll be pleased with the result. Since it is the first show of a new month, that means, new artwork. And in case you couldn't guess by the subject mater, this month's artwork was done by me. <br />
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<b>In This Week's Episode:</b> We begin with the tale of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbFWg54ezko" target="_blank">Kai, the hatchet weilding hitchhiker</a>. Who has, of course, already been remixed <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnKy5PDY-rk" target="_blank">HERE</a> - Tara discovers the phenomena of <a href="http://www.inquisitr.com/514862/my-strange-addiction-couple-addicted-to-coffee-enemas-up-to-100-a-month/" target="_blank">coffee enemas</a> - we discuss the ongoing saga of <a href="http://pastebin.com/TAzPRfPy" target="_blank">Chris Dorner 's Vendetta against the LAPD</a> - The real purpose of a so-called <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/01/human-animal-hybrid-mississippi_n_2601975.html" target="_blank">"Anti human/animal hybrid bill" in Mississippi:</a> SPOILER ALERT: it's really about abortion - and a company threatening to <a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2013/02/podcasting-community-faces-patent-troll-threat-eff-wants-help" target="_blank">sue podcasters for trademark infringement</a>, as well as the ongoing issue of trademark trolls in general.<br />
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<b>Our Favorite Things:</b> This week, Tara and I took a trip to our favorite comic shop, where she picked up an issue of the series "<a href="http://www.ign.com/comics/the-boys" target="_blank">The Boys</a>". Which, for those of you who prefer the digital format, you can also find on the <a href="http://www.comixology.com/The-Boys/comics-series/413" target="_blank">comixology site</a>/ mobile apps. Not to be out-geeked, this week, I have chosen one of my new favorite podcasts: <a href="http://www.earwolf.com/show/nerd-poker/" target="_blank">Nerd Poker with Brian Posehn</a>. In which, Posehn and friends gather to play D&D.<br />
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<a href="http://subscribe%20on%20itunes/" target="_blank">Subscribe on iTunes</a> <br />
<br />
Because I can:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/chiVMrWMHko" width="420"></iframe></div>
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Posted by Youtube user:<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/RelapseRecords?feature=watch" target="_blank"> RelapseRecords</a></div>
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Glenn Cainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725798135425902194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4352806936819879095.post-64232504358404174702013-01-29T06:03:00.000-05:002013-01-29T06:06:29.762-05:00Sci-fi Short R'ha by Kaleb Lechowski<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/57148705?badge=0" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="560"></iframe> </div>
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<a href="http://vimeo.com/57148705">R´ha [short movie]</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user15732347">Kaleb Lechowski</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</div>
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Even if you know nothing about video production or computer animation whatsoever, it should go without saying that the six minute indie sci-fi short above titled "R'ha", is impressive by pretty much any metric you'd like to apply. So the fact that other than some help with the music and the voice acting, it was created entirely by one 22 year old German film student named <a href="http://kaleblechowski.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Kaleb Lechowski</a>, makes it astounding. Unbelievable job.<br />
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<a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/111379880308192511403/posts" target="_blank">-CAINE-</a><br />
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<a href="http://kaleblechowski.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Kaleb's Blog </a><br />
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Glenn Cainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725798135425902194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4352806936819879095.post-22721511828862533982013-01-29T05:08:00.000-05:002013-01-29T05:21:30.713-05:00Tampa Couple's Lawsuit Accuses Church of Scientology of Deception and Fraud<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Is it really possible that in all this time, I've only ever even touched on the glorious disaster that is the cult of Scientology, but once? Yes, it appears that is the case. And even when I did, it was really more about <a href="http://godlessgeekblog.blogspot.com/2010/05/wwlrhd.html" target="_blank">Russia's banning of Hubbard's books</a>, than it was the church itself. Time to fix that. Because as the so-called "church" has been spreading out over the years, it's hit a few... let's call them snags, along the way. In the last few years in particular, along with Russia's efforts to ban Hubbard's writings, countries like <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/europe/france/120202/france-labels-scientology-business-not-church" target="_blank">France</a> and<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/28/belgium-prosecutes-scientology-extortion-fraud_n_2375823.html" target="_blank"> Belgium</a> have attempted to eject the group, by labeling them a criminal organization, primarily based on charges of fraud. And there are rumblings abound, that similar actions are soon to follow in various other places where scientology has only just begun to spread . All of which, is well and truly deserved, in my opinion.<br />
<br />
The newest set of fraud charges the organization is currently facing here in America, are being alleged in a lawsuit filed by a couple in Tampa Florida. Luis and Rocio Garcia claim they were mislead into donating $420,000 into the church for charity and relief efforts, as well as for the construction of the groups "<a href="http://www.tampabay.com/news/scientology/article1202006.ece" target="_blank">Super Power building"</a>. A building which the Pinellas county Property Appraiser's Office has valued at $80 million, but lists as fully tax exempt, and which has sat unfinished in downtown Clearwater FL, since 2003.<br />
<br />
<b>From the Tampa Bay Times </b>(which wrote a <a href="http://www.tampabay.com/news/scientology/couples-lawsuit-accuses-church-of-scientology-of-fraud-deception/1271893" target="_blank">surprisingly thorough article</a> on this)<b>:</b><br />
<br />
<b>"</b><i>Plaintiffs Luis and Rocio Garcia of Irvine, Calif., name five
Scientology corporations as defendants, including the church's main
entity in Clearwater. The former church members say they gave
Scientology more than $420,000 for the massive "Super Power" building in
Clearwater that has never opened, church services they never received
and humanitarian projects that never materialized.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>The deception
went as far as producing phony videos of church earthquake relief
efforts to induce parishioners to give, said the Garcias' attorney,
Theodore Babbitt of West Palm Beach.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>The lawsuit focuses on
Scientology leader David Miscavige, saying he exerts control over an
"interdependent network of entities" that extracts as much money as it
can from parishioners and denies promised refunds. It alleges the church
improperly uses donations to finance Miscavige's "lavish lifestyle" and
to stifle critics with private investigators and lawyers.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>"We believe that these lawsuits will put an end to these practices," Babbitt said.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Clearwater church spokeswoman Pat Harney said: "The church has not been
served and has no comment. However, we understand from media inquiries
this has something to do with fundraising, and we can unequivocally
state all funds solicited are used for the charitable and religious
purposes for which they were donated."</i> "<b><i> </i></b><br />
<br />
According to the article, the couple also claims they've spoken to dozens of other former members, and similar lawsuits are coming.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, even if the Garcia's allegations against the church are true, and there are plenty of reasons to believe they are, how much success they'll have fighting an organization as well funded as scientology, remains to be seen. After all, we're talking about an organization whose ranks likely only number somewhere in the tens, maybe, hundreds of thousands* -despite their assertions of Tom Cruise having reached over a billion people with scientolgy's message- who still manage to find the capital and resources to defend themselves against entire foreign governments. But with the growing number of similar suits, potential suits in waiting, and the onslaught of bad publicity, criminal charges, and all of the just plain embarrassing allegations that continue to be waged against the organization, there is some hope. And while I doubt we'll ever see an absolute end to scientology as an entity, it seems to be ever more likely that we are at least seeing the beginnings of the end of what little legitimacy it's managed to create for itself in the eyes of the general public. <br />
<br />
Now if we could just get people to apply the same critical eye
to "transubstantiation" or the vatican's banking practices.<br />
<br />
Baby stepping towards apostasy...<br />
<br />
Ba-by steps.... (1,000,000,000 bonus points to you if you get this reference, BTW.)<br />
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<a href="https://twitter.com/GodlessGeek_" target="_blank">-CAINE-</a><br />
<br />
Source: <a href="http://www.tampabay.com/news/scientology/couples-lawsuit-accuses-church-of-scientology-of-fraud-deception/1271893" target="_blank">Tampabay.com</a><br />
<br />
*The actual number of "practicing" scientologist, is debatable, and
ultimately unconfirmable, as the "church" goes to great links to keep
said figures as vague and confusing as possible. <br />
<br />
Finally, because I simply cannot resist any opportunity to share it,
THIS mangled train wreck of crazy. Which you may have forgotten existed.
But I didn't, Oh no my friend. I remember it well.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/UFBZ_uAbxS0" width="420"></iframe><br /></div>
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Posted by YouTube user: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/Aleteuk?feature=watch" target="_blank">Aleteuk</a></div>
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Glenn Cainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725798135425902194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4352806936819879095.post-69328324063973580932013-01-29T05:06:00.000-05:002013-01-29T05:06:23.390-05:00APOTD: Molecular Cloud in Monoceros<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDr3uw3L6bXjUwKw6r6wI65xGIy3VSS6R1-J3UxMPdnyuItt8w1qxQjZYXRTkI7wbloLtobftZigzV9JIwvk3epi5UNgVrQKwBZSX8hCkpx__B3bY2GCfgkrzXkNjY9auhXFU4f01oV2-3/s720/monoceros.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDr3uw3L6bXjUwKw6r6wI65xGIy3VSS6R1-J3UxMPdnyuItt8w1qxQjZYXRTkI7wbloLtobftZigzV9JIwvk3epi5UNgVrQKwBZSX8hCkpx__B3bY2GCfgkrzXkNjY9auhXFU4f01oV2-3/s640/monoceros.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Image: T.A. Rector (University of Alaska Anchorage) and N.S. van der Bliek (NOAO/AURA/NSF) [<a href="http://www.noao.edu/image_gallery/images/d7/mon_r2-4000.jpg" target="_blank">high-resolution</a>] Read NOAO <a href="http://www.noao.edu/image_gallery/copyright.html" target="_blank">Conditions of Use</a> before downloading</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<i>Caption: <a href="http://www.noao.edu/image_gallery/html/im1102.html" target="_blank">NOAO</a></i><br />
<br />
This image was obtained with the wide-field view of the Mosaic II camera
on the Blanco 4-meter telescope at Cerro Tololo Interamerican
Observatory on January 11th, 2012. It shows a portion of the giant
Monceros R2 molecular cloud. It is a location of massive star formation,
particularly in the location of the bright red nebula just below the
center of the image. The image was generated with observations in the
Sulphur [SII] (blue) and Hydrogen-Alpha (red) filters. In this image,
north is to the right, and east is up.<i> </i></div>
Glenn Cainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725798135425902194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4352806936819879095.post-5736541598180572072013-01-28T00:54:00.006-05:002013-01-28T00:59:43.281-05:00My Favorite Show EP:11- Baby Shower Brawls and Telecom Cults<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<iframe height="400" scrolling="no" src="http://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/2198605/height/400/width/400/theme/legacy/direction/no/autoplay/no/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/preload/no/no_addthis/no/" style="border: none;" width="400"></iframe><br /></div>
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Recording this week's episode of <a href="http://myfavoriteshow.libsyn.com/" target="_blank">My Favorite Show</a> was... an adventure. Unfortunately, it was an adventure primarily involving the frustration of lousy internet connections and dropped Skype calls. So, ultimately, we weren't quite able to get to all of the things we would have liked to this week. But, all things considered, I think it's still an entertaining episode. Hopefully you will agree, and reward our efforts by <a href="http://subscribe%20on%20itunes/" target="_blank">Subscribing on iTunes</a>. Or not. In which case, you're dead to me. DEAD, you hear me. DEAD!<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>In This Week's Episode: </b>Tara shares<a href="http://myfavoriteshow.tumblr.com/post/41426507768/the-plane-that-almost-killed-me-i-was-driving-to" target="_blank"> her encounter with a mysterious dive bombing plane</a> - I enjoy <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_rttgtyigc&feature=player_embedded" target="_blank">the sweet sounds of people screaming bloody murder in the streets of Switzerland</a> - there's <a href="http://www1.whdh.com/news/articles/local/south/12009596838084/video-released-in-stoughton-baby-shower-brawl/" target="_blank">a brawl at a baby shower</a> - A<a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/teacher-sex-student-15-marries-escape-jail-article-1.1243527" target="_blank"> teacher marries the 15 year old student she molested</a> to avoid jail - an <a href="http://www.14news.com/story/20654334/las-vegas-woman-sues-matchcom" target="_blank">assault victim sues Match.com</a> for not warning her strangers on the internet could be dangerous -A <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/calif-couple-sues-over-donations-scientology-213934865.html" target="_blank">Tampa family sues the Cult of Scientology for fraud</a> - a <a href="http://coloradoindependent.com/126808/in-malpractice-case-catholic-hospital-argues-fetuses-arent-people" target="_blank">Catholic organization declares that fetuses are not children</a> to avoid a lawsuit- a night of dropped Skype calls drives me to a Comcast rant- and a few other things.<br />
<br />
<b>Our Favorite Things</b>: Tara manages to procure a new digital camera, while I'm still all worked up over the idea of <a href="http://godlessgeekblog.blogspot.com/2013/01/quadruple-helix-dna-discovered-in.html" target="_blank">quadruple helix DNA</a>.<br />
<br />
Because I love this:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/C_rttgtyigc" width="560"></iframe></div>
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Posted by YouTube user: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/Opreann?feature=watch" target="_blank">Opreann</a></div>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/GodlessGeek_" target="_blank"> -CAINE-</a></div>
Glenn Cainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725798135425902194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4352806936819879095.post-49672648541998973642013-01-26T19:08:00.001-05:002013-01-26T19:11:51.036-05:00Ze Frank's- True Facts About The Tarsier<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/6Jz0JcQYtqo" width="560"></iframe></div>
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Posted by YouTube user: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/zefrank1?feature=watch" target="_blank">zefrank1</a></div>
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Yes, these are going to be a regular feature on the blog for just as long as he continues to make them. Which I hope is forever, because they are AMAZING.<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://homunkulus/" target="_blank">-CAINE-</a></div>
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Glenn Cainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725798135425902194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4352806936819879095.post-5679897285539431782013-01-26T18:48:00.000-05:002013-01-26T19:16:11.030-05:00"Quadruple helix" DNA discovered in Humans Also, "Quadruple Helix" DNA is a Thing, Sort of<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK4_S-qEQ8P4Ko_NF3OkwQmfEJP7ZesteBI6UQQ4KlfHoT5fbPb7abxveQpgiZHEFBcOVFrgQn1sXie6nA8xG2q18mugmSFK5cuo5uryNJAoehj4xjUC_9CxxYqAeo-qkVpr8xGkmT_c83/s658/658px-Parallel_telomere_quadruple.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="363" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK4_S-qEQ8P4Ko_NF3OkwQmfEJP7ZesteBI6UQQ4KlfHoT5fbPb7abxveQpgiZHEFBcOVFrgQn1sXie6nA8xG2q18mugmSFK5cuo5uryNJAoehj4xjUC_9CxxYqAeo-qkVpr8xGkmT_c83/s400/658px-Parallel_telomere_quadruple.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Digital rendering of the "crystal structure of parallel quadruplexes from human telomeric DNA." (Image credit: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Parallel_telomere_quadruple.png" target="_hplink">Wikipedia Commons</a>)</i></td></tr>
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So here's an unbelievably fascinating and cool thing that I had no idea was actually a thing: quadruple-Helix DNA, or G-quadruplexes.<br />
<br />
As I have attempted to make clear many times in the past, I know nothing. Meaning, I have no scientific education or expertise beyond the trivial bits of knowledge I learned in school, and the things I have managed to shove into my own brain over the years. But, obviously, I have a thing for science. And my interest in biology and genetics ranks just behind my fascination with all of the various forms of physics in the world. So usually I could at least say; Oh ya. That's a thing I heard about before, but wound up loosing somewhere in the background noise of my brain. But other than some vague recollections of futurist postulations about potentially engineering such a thing, or speculations about the genetics of as of yet unknown alien species, this time around- I got nothin. So my first thought upon reading the headlines "Quadruple helix DNA found in humans" was- well, that can't possibly be right. And, as is often the case, if you took the headline to mean the same thing I did anyway, it isn't what you think.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNlQBAI8fNHSo3d5Jee-ps-7OrZC4UnwrqLbz6kzC0Rv28xvgLZ58K9Yxjb3cMrv0Yren_BSmNkaLJhXzU64EjH889oDsG4QswAbKCx-YhIaPF0HAc564VnWABghFNuBFgtOCet7iL0ZVg/s400/dnastructure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNlQBAI8fNHSo3d5Jee-ps-7OrZC4UnwrqLbz6kzC0Rv28xvgLZ58K9Yxjb3cMrv0Yren_BSmNkaLJhXzU64EjH889oDsG4QswAbKCx-YhIaPF0HAc564VnWABghFNuBFgtOCet7iL0ZVg/s320/dnastructure.jpg" width="320" /></a>As you (hopefully) already know, DNA is the molecule which carries the genetic instructions that make you what you are. Fish, sheep, person, plant, virus, we all become what we become, because our DNA tells us too. DNA itself, is built from the pairing of four base chemicals, adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), and thymine (T). Once bonded together, these base pairs in turn attach themselves to a sugar molecule and a phosphate molecule, to form a nucleotide. Those nucleotides are in turn strung together along a sugar-phosphate backbone, forming the typical double stranded sequence of genetic information that is our DNA. Because these chemical bases always form specific parings -A to t and C to G- that
means, that as long as either side of the helix is copied during cell
division etc, the other half can always be replicated.<br />
<br />
It's all admittedly more complicated than that, obviously. But
for our purposes here, I think that description pretty well illustrates
why one might find the notion of 4 stranded DNA sequences...
Surprising. Because, it's this redundancy of the double helix structure of our genetic code,
that gives DNA superiority over it's likely predecessor RNA, as a means
of successfully replicating complex biological sequences. So, taking all of the above into consideration. What the hell then is a quadruple helix? And what does IT do?<br />
<br />
Previously seen only under laboratory conditions, a paper just published in the journal <a href="http://www.nature.com/nchem/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nchem.1548.html" target="_blank">Nature Chemistry</a>, based on a <a href="http://phys.org/news/2013-01-quadruple-helix-dna-human-cells.html" target="_blank">study conducted by scientists at the University of Cambridge</a>, describes the first identification of these structures within human cancer cells. Unlike the double helix which controls our genetic development, G-quadruplexes appear to be non-coding genetic structures built from four guanine bases, which join together to form a square planar structure called a guanine tetrad.<br />
<br />
Obviously, little is yet known for certain about the absolute purpose and function of these genetic structures. But The findings of the study seem to indicate a correlation between high concentrations of G-quadruplexes, and the process of cell division and replication; a theory which is supported by the finding that these structures appear more likely to occur in the genes of rapidly dividing cells, such as cancer. If their apparent genetic function proves true, researchers hope that removing the structures could potentially turn off the ceaseless replication that occurs within cancer cells, and experiments have already begun using specific molecules to isolate and capture the structures, so that they can do exactly that.<br />
<br />
So, if like me, your initial reaction upon reading a headline containing
the phrase "quadruple helix DNA" was to immediately start wondering
about chromosome counts, evolutionary origins, and what not. First-
we both REALLY need to get out more. Second, try not to be too
disappointed. Because, while the actual nature of G-quadruplets is, admittedly, not as exciting as discovering an entirely new structure of DNA, potentially curing cancer is pretty good too, I think. And it' still undeniably cool, either way.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNlQBAI8fNHSo3d5Jee-ps-7OrZC4UnwrqLbz6kzC0Rv28xvgLZ58K9Yxjb3cMrv0Yren_BSmNkaLJhXzU64EjH889oDsG4QswAbKCx-YhIaPF0HAc564VnWABghFNuBFgtOCet7iL0ZVg/s400/dnastructure.jpg" target="_blank">-CAINE-</a><br />
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Sources: <a href="http://www.nature.com/nchem/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nchem.1548.html" target="_blank">Nature Chemistry</a>, <a href="http://phys.org/news/2013-01-quadruple-helix-dna-human-cells.html" target="_blank">Phys.org</a><br />
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Glenn Cainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725798135425902194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4352806936819879095.post-29459466094990329982013-01-23T06:57:00.001-05:002013-01-23T06:58:29.847-05:00And Now, Gary Busey Explains Hobbits<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="316" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/48759071" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="560"></iframe> </div>
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<a href="http://vimeo.com/48759071">A MOMENT WITH GARY</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user9880659">The Busey Zone</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</div>
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Amazing.</div>
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Glenn Cainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725798135425902194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4352806936819879095.post-34036971890166154442013-01-23T06:47:00.000-05:002013-01-23T06:48:38.668-05:00APOTD: Soap Bubble Nebula<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5wxuQfZ07N6STEtGBXxQxHAVkqzo2O11V5JHQEyHqROZnEy09pBFZxTwUga3GNVzFny4PQbdy-o1b-vYk2P3Wd4aOdQbfTi6Labj_YgUeqkwI_ORX4UpD9SJFVSb7abTpBOMmUomwX0ia/s640/soapbubbleneb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5wxuQfZ07N6STEtGBXxQxHAVkqzo2O11V5JHQEyHqROZnEy09pBFZxTwUga3GNVzFny4PQbdy-o1b-vYk2P3Wd4aOdQbfTi6Labj_YgUeqkwI_ORX4UpD9SJFVSb7abTpBOMmUomwX0ia/s640/soapbubbleneb.jpg" width="456" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Image: T. A. Rector/University of Alaska Anchorage, H. Schweiker/WIYN </i><br />
<i>and NOAO/AURA/NSF [<a href="http://www.noao.edu/image_gallery/images/d7/soapbubble.jpg" target="_blank">high-resolution</a>] </i></td></tr>
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<br />
<i>Caption: <a href="http://www.noao.edu/image_gallery/html/im1059.html" target="_blank">NOAO</a></i><br />
<br />
nformally known as the "Soap Bubble Nebula", this planetary nebula
(officially known as PN G75.5+1.7) was discovered by amateur astronomer
Dave Jurasevich on July 6th, 2008. It was noted and reported by Keith
Quattrocchi and Mel Helm on July 17th, 2008. This image was obtained
with the Kitt Peak Mayall 4-meter telescope on June 19th, 2009 in the
H-alpha (orange) and [OIII] (blue) narrowband filters. In this image,
north is to the left and east is down.<br />
<br />
PN G75.5+1.7 is located in the constellation of Cygnus, not far from
the Crescent Nebula (NGC 6888). It is embedded in a diffuse nebula
which, in conjunction with its faintness, is the reason it was not
discovered until recently. The spherical symmetry of the shell is
remarkable, making it very similar to Abell 39.<br />
<i> </i>:</div>
Glenn Cainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725798135425902194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4352806936819879095.post-22796042384662142862013-01-21T21:45:00.000-05:002013-01-21T21:45:20.920-05:00Craigslist Ad Seeking Lady Cosplayers for Garage-based STar Trek TNG Fun<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Found on Craigslist: <a href="http://edmonton.en.craigslist.ca/stp/3542260564.html" target="_blank">Make it so-</a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVB3bkeQ8hxfAye8KJ82zohJ3NIwB_B5tCfkK4woduKByiOq2K1mnyBJHHikdRbzqPPRSOYB3Tf-oHotx0HzuQf0lu7po9f3bXME_F5QUlSs5Lx156ihrAExWVD3Q1orLoGvgqDbeZSzS/s610/WARF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVB3bkeQ8hxfAye8KJ82zohJ3NIwB_B5tCfkK4woduKByiOq2K1mnyBJHHikdRbzqPPRSOYB3Tf-oHotx0HzuQf0lu7po9f3bXME_F5QUlSs5Lx156ihrAExWVD3Q1orLoGvgqDbeZSzS/s320/WARF.jpg" width="320" /></a><strong>“Need 2 or 3 women for Star Trek roleplaying. No nudity, no
touching. STRICTLY “THE NEXT GENERATION” ERA CHARACTERS AND COSTUMES.
Last time someone tried TOS and it was a disaster. There will be no
mixing of eras. I don’t want to hear how Captain Kirk is so great. Kirk
isn’t half the Captain that Picard is, OK? Kirk is a fat chauvinist
ladies man. Picard is an honorable intellectual and an excellent
diplomat. I built a bridge in my mom’s garage and a small shuttlecraft.
If this sounds like something you want to do let me know and I’ll send
you the script. I don’t mind if your costume isn’t terribly authentic,
just make sure it’s close to TNG era. Once you have your script you can
think about your character and let me know about any ideas you have. We
won’t be filming anything it, it’s just a fun way to spend an afternoon.
Maybe my mom will make lunch. It helps if you know a lot about the
show. This isn’t paid, but I have a doctor’s prescription pad ( a long
story) and I can write you a prescription for basically anything you
want. The reason I need women is that the story is about getting stuck
on a shuttlecraft. I can’t tell you more now. Most weeknights and
weekends are good times. Having your own props is an asset e.g. a phaser
or a VISOR if your character needs one. Please respond with pic and
short bio plus stats. Nothing weird is going to happen. “</strong><br />
<br />
Well then. Seems like it’s all on the up and up to me. I mean, his
mom’s gonna be there AND she might even make sandwiches- BONUS. plus, “a
prescription for basically ANYTHING you want.” AND “Nothing Weird is
gonna happen.” It says so right there in the ad…so… Nope, can’t see how
this could possibly go wrong.<br />
<br />
Your move, ladies…<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.godlessgeekblog.com/" target="_blank">-CAINE-</a><br />
<br />
Via:<a href="http://edmonton.en.craigslist.ca/stp/3542260564.html" target="_blank"> Craigslist </a></div>
Glenn Cainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725798135425902194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4352806936819879095.post-51008626411159935842013-01-21T04:23:00.001-05:002013-01-21T04:23:34.170-05:00My Favorite Show EP:10- Catfishing For Fecal Transplants<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<iframe height="400" scrolling="no" src="http://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/2191009/height/400/width/400/theme/legacy/direction/no/autoplay/no/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/preload/no/no_addthis/no/" style="border: none;" width="400"></iframe><br /></div>
<br />
Have I mentioned yet that you can find episodes of My Favorite Show via <a href="http://myfavoriteshow.libsyn.com/webpage" target="_blank">our Libsyn page</a> or by <a href="http://subscribe%20on%20itunes/" target="_blank">Subscribing on iTunes</a>? K, Just checking. <b><br /></b><br />
<br />
<b>In this week's episode:</b> A moron from Sweden <a href="http://sourcefednews.com/run-a-way-maid-stealscrashes-train-in-sweden/" target="_blank">hits a house with the train she stole</a> - <a href="http://www.suntimes.com/news/otherviews/17662442-452/coke-fails-to-get-real-about-obesity.html" target="_blank">Coca cola takes a stand against obesity</a>, while <a href="http://consumerist.com/2010/07/24/vitaminwater-isnt-healthy-rules-federal-judge/" target="_blank">insisting vitamin water isn't being marketed as "healthy"</a> - Tara talks about people's fetish for ripping fake memorabilia from the walls of her workplace - that bike rider guy <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/18/lance-armstrong-oprah-interview_n_2508213.html" target="_blank">admits to doping </a>- while the country mourns the loss of <a href="http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2013/01/17/manti-teo-and-the-bizarre-ghost-girlfriend-hoax" target="_blank">another sports-o-lete's make believe lady</a> - another woman <a href="http://nation.foxnews.com/breasts/2013/01/16/woman-accused-smothering-boyfriend-breasts" target="_blank">smothers a man to death with her boobs</a> - and we learn all about the<a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/01/16/patients-fecal-transplants/1837575/" target="_blank"> fine art of fecal transplants</a>- as well as a few other things along the way.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Our Favorite Things For The Week:</b> Tara wants all the things from from <a href="http://www.thefancy.com/" target="_blank">The Fancy.com</a>. While I recommend Michael Shermer's book The Believing Brain, before announcing the launch of my new musical career as a Dubstep artist, using <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dub-step/id452901338?mt=8" target="_blank">Savageapps' Dubstep</a>, for the iPhone.<br />
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Posted By YouTube user: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/musicgearvideos909?feature=watch" target="_blank">musicgearvideos909</a></div>
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Yes, I am aware that's an iPad, and the person demoing the app isn't very good at it. But it's the only vid I could find and the iPhone app is identical, anyway. <br />
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<b>This month's show art</b>: <a href="http://myfavoriteshow.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Tara </a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/GodlessGeek_" target="_blank">-CAINE- </a></div>
Glenn Cainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725798135425902194noreply@blogger.com0