If TED Talks ran out of smart people

David and I were talking about TED Talks, and then he sent me this Joy of Tech comic: If TED Talks ran out of smart people



http://www.geekculture.com/joyoftech/joyarchives/1478.html

James Balog: Time-lapse proof of extreme ice loss

David and I discussed a vast range of topics this morning, including this TED talk:
James Balog: Time-lapse proof of extreme ice loss

"Photographer James Balog shares new image sequences from the Extreme Ice Survey, a network of time-lapse cameras recording glaciers receding at an alarming rate, some of the most vivid evidence yet of climate change.

X = G / (C*H*R*O*M - 3)

There was a secret challenge in the video I posted Monday and the reward was a new Chrome Notebook.

This frame from the video contains the puzzle, and the solution is posted in the Google Chrome Blog.

Please leave a message after the beep

Please leave a message after the beep

I wrote this for our answering machine.

Zeitgeist 2010: Year in Review

Zeitgeist 2010: How the world searched

Based on the aggregation of billions of search queries people typed into Google this year, Zeitgeist captures the spirit of 2010.



Check out the Year in Review video, and then browse the full Google Zeitgeist 2010: How the world searched site.

How to remain calm, despite what's about to happen to your Chrome notebook

How to remain calm, despite what's about to happen to your Chrome notebook

For Persi, who actually has one!



"25 Computers were harmed in the making of this video."

200 Countries, 200 Years, 4 Minutes

Hans Rosling did a very nice quick version of his Third-World Myths presentation for the BBC titled 200 Countries, 200 Years, 4 Minutes. Again, enjoy...

No Arms No Legs No Worries

Will it SHRED?

Will it SHRED? (iPad edition)

You have seen "Will it Blend?" so now it is time for "Will it SHRED?"!

New iPad Test - Will It Shred? from FUEL TV on Vimeo.

No, we didn't donate our iPad to either of these interesting demonstrations.

Unpublished Dilbert Comic

Here is an unpublished Dilbert comic from the Scott Adams Blog.

That Lost 4G Phone



I enjoy Scott's blog because he projects his life through those thick Dilbert lenses and generates images that could be glimpses of my own life. Scott and Dilbert remain current, relevent, and funny...

Axis Of Awesome - 4 Four Chord Song (with song titles)

Axis Of Awesome - 4 Four Chord Song (with song titles)

We thought Patrick would like this.

Circuit Diagram

I thought Bruce would like the xkcd Circuit Diagram at http://xkcd.com/730/



"or-not" ha! "sandal" ha! Is that a Blendtec blender? too funny!

Will it Blend? - iPad

Will it Blend? - iPad



We have a Blendtec blender but have not tried blending an iPhone, iPod, or iPad.

Google Translate for Animals

Unfortunatly Google Translate for Animals is not available on my iPhone (yet!?).

Nature by Numbers

Nature by Numbers is a beautyful short (less than 4 minutes) film. Very well done...

Snake Oil?

Snake Oil? from the Information is Beautiful site is a cool interactive "balloon race" image showing "Scientific evidence for popular health supplements". The "SHOW ME" tab on the right allows you to filter the data slecting specific USES or TYPES of supplements.

Why does 0^0 = 1?

I really enjoy the Better Explained blog. Today at lunch I mentioned one entry Understanding Exponents (Why does 0^0 = 1?) that starts like this:

We’re taught that exponents are repeated multiplication. This is a good introduction, but it breaks down on 3^1.5 and the brain-twisting 0^0. How do you repeat zero zero times and get 1 — without melting your brain?

You can’t, not while exponents are repeated multiplication. Today our mental model is due for an upgrade.

I really enjoy the way the Better Explained blog tries to:

share hard-won “a ha!” moments in clear and simple language

The question was raised at lunch: "Is the Better Explained blog interesting to someone who does not have a math background?"

What do you think?

--Tom

iPad Keynote in less than 180 Seconds

The iPad Keynote in less than 180 Seconds - Incredible, Beautiful, Amazing!

"The following video by Neil Curtis is based on the Apple Keynote on January 27th 2010 and is the sum of the most important words spoken there. I assure you, that no scene is repeated and everything was said on this keynote!"



There is really nothing more you can say...

The Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time

Richard told me he found some gems on this list:

The Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time

Here are the first 20:

1. Like a Rolling Stone, Bob Dylan
2. Satisfaction, The Rolling Stones
3. Imagine, John Lennon
4. What's Going On, Marvin Gaye
5. Respect, Aretha Franklin
6. Good Vibrations, The Beach Boys
7. Johnny B. Goode, Chuck Berry
8. Hey Jude, The Beatles
9. Smells Like Teen Spirit, Nirvana
10. What'd I Say, Ray Charles

11. My Generation, The Who
12. A Change Is Gonna Come, Sam Cooke
13. Yesterday, The Beatles
14. Blowin' in the Wind, Bob Dylan
15. London Calling, The Clash
16. I Want to Hold Your Hand, The Beatles
17. Purple Haze, Jimi Hendrix
18. Maybellene, Chuck Berry
19. Hound Dog, Elvis Presley
20. Let It Be, The Beatles

Wikipedia says: "With 23 songs on the list, The Beatles are the most-represented musical act...followed by The Rolling Stones (14); Bob Dylan (12); Elvis Presley (11); The Beach Boys and The Jimi Hendrix Experience (7); Chuck Berry, U2, James Brown, Prince, Led Zeppelin, and Sly & the Family Stone (6); and The Clash, The Who, The Drifters, and Elton John (5)."

The Beatles also have 11 of the top 500 Albums (below).

The Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time

Kevin is working his way through...

The Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time

Wikipedia says: "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time is the cover story of a special issue of Rolling Stone magazine published in November 2003. The list was based on the votes of 273 rock musicians, critics and industry figures, each of whom submitted a weighted list of 50 albums."

Here are the first 20:

1. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, The Beatles
2. Pet Sounds, The Beach Boys
3. Revolver, The Beatles
4. Highway 61 Revisited, Bob Dylan
5. Rubber Soul, The Beatles
6. What's Going On, Marvin Gaye
7. Exile on Main Street, The Rolling Stones
8. London Calling, The Clash
9. Blonde on Blonde, Bob Dylan
10. The Beatles ("The White Album"), The Beatles

11. The Sun Sessions, Elvis Presley
12. Kind of Blue, Miles Davis
13. Velvet Underground and Nico, The Velvet Underground
14. Abbey Road, The Beatles
15. Are You Experienced?, The Jimi Hendrix Experience
16. Blood on the Tracks, Bob Dylan
17. Nevermind, Nirvana
18. Born to Run, Bruce Springsteen
19. Astral Weeks, Van Morrison
20. Thriller, Michael Jackson

A book version of the list released in 2005 contained 8 additional albums. What albums are in the book but not on this list?