Fire is stored sunshine | Crazy Scientist

You need to watch this clip right to the end. Richard Feynman explains what fire is, on the 1983 BBC series Fun to Imagine.



Thx kottke for pointing this out.

Darwin's "Origin of Species" | Respect

On November 24, 1859, English naturalist and geologist Charles Robert Darwin published On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life. This work is considered the foundation of evolutionary biology.

It is difficult to imagine a world prior to the theory of evolution. At the same time, I'm surprised at the number of people that don't necessarily understand "how" evolution works. Here's an excellent video that explains the process of evolution, from the fine folks over at Stated Clearly.

Hell in a Handbasket | The Beachings

There is a disturbing trend that I've been noting, for which I have no explanation. Sometimes, animals that live in the oceans end up beaching themselves, running themselves up onto land, sometimes in massive numbers.

Sometimes it is a lone animal, as was reported Wednesday, December 26, 2012 when an endangered finback whale was found washed ashore on the bay side of Rockaways, Queens, New York. [cbc] In these cases, I am content to believe the animal is sick or somehow already close to death.

I stopped following these cases for a while. There were too many, it seemed. The last time I made special note of such an occurance was in January, 2011, when "large numbers of dead herring washed ashore" on a Vancouver Island beach. It had both fishery officials and local fishermen looking for answers. (Unfortunately, the Vancouver Sun has an absolutely terrible online archival system and the story is no longer accessible.)

I noted a story on November 7, 2010, about 35 whales that beached and died off the coast of County Donegal in Ireland, on Rutland Island near Burtonport. (The BBC has a much better archival system: the story can be found here: [bbc]) The article notes that 60 whales died off the "west coast of Kerry" in the 1960s and "35 to 40 animals died in north Kerry in 2001."

On September 22, 2010, I noted at least 40 out of 80 pilot whales that stranded themselves on a remote northern New Zealand beach (Spirit Bay beach) had died, with officials saying more whales were joining them on land. [cbc] The article notes this was the second mass beaching in the region in a month, when in mid-August 58 pilot whales were stranded at nearby Karikari Beach. (Which I also noted: [bbc]) The September article also notes 101 pilot whales were stranded on the same beach in 2007, and that since 1840, the Department of Conservation has recorded more than 5,000 strandings of whales and dolphins around the New Zealand coast. "New Zealand has one of the world's highest rates of whale strandings, mainly during their migrations to and from Antarctic waters, one of which begins around September." Despite this, the article clearly states scientists have not been able to determine why whales become stranded.

On July 20, 2010, scientists were still trying to figure out why about 500 penguins washed up dead in the previous 10 days on Peruibe, Praia Grande and Itanhaem beaches of Sao Paulo state in Brazil. [bbc] Starvation (perhaps by overfishing or cold temperatures driving foodsources away) was a possibility, as autopsies revealed their stomachs were completely empty, though strong currents and/or colder-than-normal temperatures were also considered. The article noted in an average year about 100 to 150 penguins normally show up on the beaches (they get lost while migrating), with only about 10 of those dead. [cbc]

On May 11, 2010, marine biologists were trying to figure out why eight harbour porpoises washed ashore near Victoria, BC, Canada, in the previous week. While not unusual for harbour porpoises to wash ashore, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans said it was "strange to see so many." [cbc] The article states the animals were healthy, and suggested death was caused by the stress of being hunted by killer whales. It further noted the body of a newborn killer whale washed up near Victoria the previous week.

On Monday December 28, 2009 I noted an article about 125 pilot whales that died on Colville Beach on the New Zealand's North Island Coromandel peninsula, with rescue working managing to coax 43 others back out to sea. [cbc] Meanwhile on South Island, the article goes on, 105 stranded long-finned pilot whales died the previous Saturday.

On Friday October 9, 2009 an article mentions two great batches of Humboldt squid washed ashore, one in August then another in September, near the town of Tofino on Vancouver Island, BC, Canada. [cbc] John Payne, a marine biologist with the Pacific Ocean Shelf Tracking Project (POST), said the events show that oceans are changing, and "I think we're going to see a lot more strandings."

I think this is the August event mentioned above, though I can't confirm it is the same or a different event, as it's from this terrible Vancouver Sun collection. On August 8, 2009 I noted an article with the synopsis: "Thousands of dead fish and squid have washed up on beaches in and near Pacific Rim National Park in the past week, Tofino-based biologist Josie Osborne said Friday. It was not immediately known what caused their deaths."

Though I do also have an article from Thursday August 6, 2009 that indicates the above-mentioned event is in fact seperate... the article begins "Just days after decomposing squid washed up on the beaches near Tofino, BC, hundreds of dead pilchard and herring came in with the high tide along the same beaches." [ctv]



On Saturday May 30, 2009 I noted 34 pilot whales were euthanized on Kommetjie Beach near Cape Town, South Africa, with rescuers managing to push 20 whales back into the water. [cbc]

On April 17, 2009 I noted an article from National Geographic where the synopsis states: "In the same Chilean town where 1,500 penguins had washed up a week-and-a-half ago, thousands of dead sardines mysteriously turned up on beaches. (The link also goes into a bummer-can't-find-this non-archive at National Geographic, which I am now very disappointed in as well. Vancouver Sun, New York Times, and National Geographic: I am going to stop following you.)

And that ends the events I have tracked, and I am quite certain to have missed some, probably several. I'll end with this: In February 2009 the CBC put together "FAQs: Whale and dolphin strandings and beachings."

ThreatWatch | Planet of the Apes

Apes can recognize themselves in mirrors. "The image there is a representation of the body here."

Crazy World | Levitating Slinky in Slow-Motion

via Kottke

smarties | A few tidbits

The world/universe in which we (think we) live is a pretty wierd place. There are lots of different topics that fall under the purview of "science". Here are a few I've found interesting.

- Astronomy and Space Exploration

Relocation: First habitable exo-planet found. Send mail to Gliese 581, Planet G. [cbc] [bbc] [NatGeo]

- Research

The Internets is changing how research is conducted. Let's put a consumer-friendly label on it: Science 2.0. How nice. [CBC]

- History and Science

The moon appeared to disappear, even with the aid of telescopes, in May of 1761. According to a retired NASA scientist, the cause may have been a major volcanic eruption. [NatGeo]

useless mental tidbits | How Ink is Made

Fascinating video -- it's almost 9 minutes long, but goes by in a flash because it's so interesting to watch!



Thanks kottke.

smarties | James Burke "Thermos Bottle to Rocket"

Thanks kottke.

Dossier C | Neandertals

Human evolution has always been a fascination -- here are news items I've collected about our closest evolutionary siblings.



Cultural or Technological Advancement: Independent Tool Development. [BBC]
Genetics: Genome Mapping. [wired] [NatlGeo]
Interbreeding: Are we related? Yes! [BBC] [CBC] [NatlGeo]
Theory of extinction: Volcanoes! [NatlGeo]
Theory of extinction: Music! [NatlGeo]
Theory of extinction: Devoured! [guardian.uk]
Interspecies Interaction: Murder! [NatlGeo]
Tidbits: Top 10 Misconceptions. [ListVerse]

And collected tidbits relating to humanoid evolution.

Basic Building Blocks: All species evolved from a single cell. [NatlGeo]
Expansion: Interactive slideshow depicting expansion of humanity. [BradshawFoundation]
Dirt-Digging: Oldest Human Skeleton Found. [NatlGeo]
New Hominin Cousin: X-Woman. [BBC]
New Hominin Cousin: Spain. [NatlGeo]
New Hominin Cousin: "Ida". [CBC]
Hominin Cousin Update: "Ida" distant kin, not ancestor. [CBC] [NatlGeo]
Hominin Cousin Update: Orangutans may be closer relatives than Chimps. [NatlGeo]

And collected tidbits relating to "Stone Age" developments.

Cultural or Technological Advancement: Early Tool Use. [NatlGeo]
Cultural or Technological Advancement: Language (as seen through modern primates). [NatlGeo]
Cultural or Technological Advancement: Music! [nyt]
Cultural or Technological Advancement: Super-Glue! [NatlGeo]
Cultural or Technological Advancement: Compassion. [wired]
Threats and Troubles: Becoming Dinner! [NatlGeo]

Crazy Scientists | The Magic of Superconductors

useless mental tidbits | Crowd Psychology at Sasquatch 2009

This fellow starts his own dance party. Amazing video!

useless mental tidbits | Step One to Holodeck...

headspace | Molecular Visualizations of DNA

useless mental tidbits | Star Size Comparison

ThreatWatch | Global Warming and Rising Seas

This has been a ThreatWatch trend I've been following for a while, and seems to keep popping up in Mainstream Media. It can be broken down into two lines: celestial activity further erodes our protective atmosphere ("further", being "in addition to human activity") and the water levels rise as the temperature goes up.

The Threat from Space:

First, let's go way back, when the early Earth had an "alien atmosphere" with high CO2 levels that contributed to melting the "snowball Earth" and making the planet lifeform-friendly in more areas. (NatlGeo)

But to our current predicament: Bummer: Cracks in the magnetic shield may bring on massive solar storms during the next expected peak activity cycle of solar wind, starting in about 2012. (NatlGeo) Cool: But scientists have also discovered a new layer of the magnetosphere they're descibing as a "warm plasma cloak". (NatlGeo) Bummer: But the sun may be "stealing" our atmosphere...! (NatlGeo)

The worst part: we may already be screwed. (good) (NPR) But the optimists at Wired are still looking for solutions, in their The 2012 Apocalypse, and How to Stop It. (wired)

Or, of course, we could also be screwed by a gamma-ray burst. But let's keep our Threats From Space separated, shall we? (NatlGeo)



And move on to the Threat From Rising Water...

A study of Coral canyons in Mexico indicate sea levels can rise quite rapidly. (nyt)

And studies indicate North America is at greater risk of an Antarctic ice-sheet-melt than other regions of the world. (CBC) And I keep wondering if I'm over 1.2 metres above sea level, in my fine abode in sunny Kitsilano. (straight) But we're not alone: New York and Boston are reportedly "directly in the path" of a sea level rise. (NatlGeo) Except we may still be worse off: Insurance Bureau of Canada warns that flood damage is not covered in this country. (cbc)

The ironic part is the concept of water stress: water availability against water demand. (H604) Is it time for a National Water Policy...? Is access to water a Human Right...? (straight)

Let's add the consideration that rising heat also threatens the world's food supply. (wired) In fact, we could see a global food crisis before the end of this century. (CBC)

Plus global warming leeches oxygen from the ocean, creating "dead zones" where no life can survive. (NatlGeo) Just for fun, I should also throw in mention of the areas of "toxic algae" that contaminate shellfish, another frightening development surrounding food supply. In fact, there's a toxic bloom just off the coast of British Columbia. (cbc)

Or, of course, we could all just get wiped out by a tsunami, like the one that hit ancient New York. (bbc) Which reminds me, for the "travel advisory threatwatch" section: if you're going to Guadeloupe, be aware that part of the island of Dominica (about 50km away) may fall off and trigger a deadly tsunami. There will be less than 10 minutes of warning. Or would be, rather, considering there are no warning systems set up for tsunamis in the Caribbean. (NatlGeo)

And, as if the current climate condition doesn't already fill you with hope and optimism, here's a Seed article with five scientists talking about Geo-Engineering. (seed) Great. I swear, first one-way ticket to the uncharted stars and I sign up.

Or I could go surfing. Waves are so purdy.

Doomed by History | Evolution

Image via Wikipedia

Ancestry 101 is a wonderful little video by 23andMe.

It is always important to remember that we too are likely an evolutionary dead-end. Eventually. Never forget what we did to the Neanderthals... and what will be done to us by the Next Step...



And if you can forgive the nattering hostess that shot this video, here's an interesting look into the 23andMe offices. If I hear "Right. Right. Interesting. Right." one more time, I'm going to genetically mutate into something unpleasant. Oh wait.

Interlude | El Corazon by Hard 'n Phirm

Just to prove any song can turn into a love song when sung in Spanish, here's a tune by one of my favourite askew-song-smiths... to be fair, there are a few images from a somewhat surgical perspective, so if you're squeemish about blood... get the barf-bag handy.

ThreatWatch | Learnin' Folk

Image via Wikipedia

As part of Good magazine's "State of the Planet" for 2009, they've put up lots of interesting graphs, including this one, which is a look at how different countries rank in math and science test scores, based on the average score of 15-year-old students on math and science literacy tests, out of 1000. (good)

The top score in Science: Finland with 563.

The top score in Math: Taiwan with 549.

The United States didn't make the Top 20. The few comments I read seem to be angry excuses as to why this list doesn't take into account something or other to explain the poor showing. But here's a guess: the public education system isn't world-class. Sorry.

Three European countries made the top 10 in science (Finland, Estonia, and Netherlands), one North American (Canada), with Austral-Asia rounding out the rest, including both Australia and New Zealand.

And any way one looks at it, Finland's model is one to look at, since it placed first in science and second in math. Hong Kong is another consistent performer, in second spot for science and third for math.

[Finland on wikipedia]
[Finland's Government site]
[Education in Finland on wikipedia]
[List of Universities in Finland on wikipedia]

headspace | Magic Wave

This comes from haha.nu.

On 27.11.2008 the Swiss Science Center Technorama opened a show that illustrates three characteristics of waves: wavelength, amplitude and frequency, using a 25-square-meter “magic carpet” that was made of more than 50,000 pieces. Here to the higher quality version. It was created by Reuben Margolin, and staff.

It's not very impressive until it really sinks in: this is not a computer-generated animation... this is an actual live show, on stage, for an audience.

Volcano eruption in HD...