Here's a Lego diorama of one of the best scenes of Matrix Revolutions: Zion's last stand against the Matrix, humans in their mechas against merciless Sentinels. The close-up of the human resistance mecha begs for an official Lego version.
Going to see Transformers 2 tonight? Check out this io9 review first. I didn't read it (I don't like any possible spoilers), but there's not a whole lot to spoil in this kind of movie anyway. Plus, Megan Fox. [io9]
Going to see Transformers 2 tonight? Check out this io9 review first. I didn't read it (I don't like any possible spoilers), but there's not a whole lot to spoil in this kind of movie anyway. Plus, Megan Fox. [io9]
This video explains more about the SAGE system I wrote about last week, the huge Airforce used in the 50s to the 80s to make us feel safe from supersonic Soviet bombers.
The video here has a lot of information. If you're short on time, I recommend watching the simulation of how the system would assign and deploy fighter jets and surface to air missiles to each threat, which is at about the 20 minute mark.
Here's a transcript of a panel about SAGE that occurred at the Computer History Museum in 1998. I found this passage, about why they couldn't use human spotters to warn of invasions, fascinating:
And they saw lots of things! [Laughter] They saw airplanes — many of them were civilian; they saw birds; they saw all kinds of things, and most of them they thought were Soviet bombers. I mean, this was a scary period. They would then telephone the nearest air base, which would then have to figure out if this information was worth anything. And pretty much none of it was worth anything. So, it very rapidly became obvious that despite the huge size of this program — there were 8,000 observation posts, and at the peak of the program 305,000 volunteers staffing these things 24 hours a day — the information was pretty much useless. So, commanders just ignored it. For one thing, by the time it had been verified, the bombers would already be there. So, what was the point?
The reason I'm telling you this story is that the purpose of this program was not really air defense. It was public relations. It was saying to the public, "We are doing something about this problem — we see it." At the same time, the Air Force started looking everywhere for ideas from scientists and engineers, and [referring to the slide presentation] now we're restarting, and I'm not sure what's going on.
What's the modern equivalent system that we'd use to defend ourselves against North Korean nukes? I don't know. I just hope its more than just a PR stunt.
[Computer History Museum, Wikipedia] The Computer History Museum is a wonderful place. If you're in northern CA, I recommend you find a way to stop by. We'll be running pieces from their collection as an ongoing series. Special thanks to Fiona Tang, John Hollar and the amazing Dag Spicer for their help.
This video explains more about the SAGE system I wrote about last week, the huge Airforce used in the 50s to the 80s to make us feel safe from supersonic Soviet bombers.
The video here has a lot of information. If you're short on time, I recommend watching the simulation of how the system would assign and deploy fighter jets and surface to air missiles to each threat, which is at about the 20 minute mark.
Here's a transcript of a panel about SAGE that occurred at the Computer History Museum in 1998. I found this passage, about why they couldn't use human spotters to warn of invasions, fascinating:
And they saw lots of things! [Laughter] They saw airplanes — many of them were civilian; they saw birds; they saw all kinds of things, and most of them they thought were Soviet bombers. I mean, this was a scary period. They would then telephone the nearest air base, which would then have to figure out if this information was worth anything. And pretty much none of it was worth anything. So, it very rapidly became obvious that despite the huge size of this program — there were 8,000 observation posts, and at the peak of the program 305,000 volunteers staffing these things 24 hours a day — the information was pretty much useless. So, commanders just ignored it. For one thing, by the time it had been verified, the bombers would already be there. So, what was the point?
The reason I'm telling you this story is that the purpose of this program was not really air defense. It was public relations. It was saying to the public, "We are doing something about this problem — we see it." At the same time, the Air Force started looking everywhere for ideas from scientists and engineers, and [referring to the slide presentation] now we're restarting, and I'm not sure what's going on.
What's the modern equivalent system that we'd use to defend ourselves against North Korean nukes? I don't know. I just hope its more than just a PR stunt.
[Computer History Museum, Wikipedia] The Computer History Museum is a wonderful place. If you're in northern CA, I recommend you find a way to stop by. We'll be running pieces from their collection as an ongoing series. Special thanks to Fiona Tang, John Hollar and the amazing Dag Spicer for their help.
We already knew 3D porn was on it's way (whether you like it or not), but Current has gone deep inside this issue to find out just how future porn will be virtually poking you in the eye.
Oh yes, you will be on the edge of your seat—especially if that seat needs to be hosed down. [Current via Fleshbot - NSFW]
We already knew 3D porn was on it's way (whether you like it or not), but Current has gone deep inside this issue to find out just how future porn will be virtually poking you in the eye.
Oh yes, you will be on the edge of your seat—especially if that seat needs to be hosed down. [Current via Fleshbot - NSFW]
Non lethal chili grenades—think about the potential here. A handheld weapon made with the fiery Bhut Jolokia chili would burn, devastate your orifices, and add a spicy kick to your dinner. Indian defense scientists are determined to make it happen.
Indian defense scientists are planning to put one of the world's hottest chili powders into hand grenades.
The chili, known as Bhut Jolokia, is said to be 1,000 times hotter than commonly used kitchen chili.
So it can disperse crowds, but the real question is—can I cook dinner with it? Like a fire and forget nuclear spice bomb or something? [BBC via Geekologie Image via Flickr]
Non lethal chili grenades—think about the potential here. A handheld weapon made with the fiery Bhut Jolokia chili would burn, devastate your orifices, and add a spicy kick to your dinner. Indian defense scientists are determined to make it happen.
Indian defense scientists are planning to put one of the world's hottest chili powders into hand grenades.
The chili, known as Bhut Jolokia, is said to be 1,000 times hotter than commonly used kitchen chili.
So it can disperse crowds, but the real question is—can I cook dinner with it? Like a fire and forget nuclear spice bomb or something? [BBC via Geekologie Image via Flickr]
Tired of both Vista and Mac fanboy jibba-jabba? Then don't forget to pre-order your copy of Windows 7 at half price ASAP—we're hearing murmurs from the mothership that supplies may already be running out.
Here are the stories you need to read, if you haven't already skipped over to your favorite online retailer to reserve your Windows 7 copy:
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Tired of both Vista and Mac fanboy jibba-jabba? Then don't forget to pre-order your copy of