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GamesArchive for May, 2010
We have found the way to (some of) your scientific hearts at long last — with science fiction. After Tuesday’s podcast on why science fiction matters went live, we heard from quite a few of you guys. Which we love, because sometimes while we’re recording these sessions in the sweat-inducing podcast studio, it seems like we’re operating in a vacuum.
But we know that’s not the case. Not when you write in to give us a well-deserved tongue lashing for not including science-fiction master Robert Heinlein during our initial session. Don’t worry, we’ll get to him. There will be more of these. The point of this first one was to discuss a few favorites and get the conversation rolling.
In 2022 World Cup Bid, Japan Offers to Broadcast Live, Full-Scale 3-D Holographic Games on Fields Worldwide – “When Germany hosted the 2006 World Cup, people flocked to public parks, arenas, and sporting stadiums worldwide to watch the games on massive screens at public viewing events. If Japan lands its bid for the 2022 Cup, [...]
You Asked:
What is earwax, and why do humans have it? — Kate, Santa Clara, Calif.
Marshall Brain Answers:
Ear wax… kind of gross, like boogers, but a part of life for humans and lots of other mammals.
We’re edging closer to 200 episodes of TechStuff. It’s hard to believe Chris and I have sat down at those microphones 200 times to bring you information on technologies ranging from particle accelerators to the cutting-edge technology in the year 1510. This week, we responded to listener requests for episodes focusing on traffic overlays on Google Maps and plasma torches.
In case you’ve missed it somehow, today is the 30th anniversary of the release of “Pac-Man.” Blogs are buzzing, and Google has put up its most interactive doodle. And I’ve had an important revelation.
Since starting this blog, I’ve been thinking about my own history as a fan. When was the first time I really felt like a fan of something? My most fannish moments are easy to chart, and some of them are still too embarrassing to announce publicly. But today, my first fandom became obvious: It was “Pac-Man.”
Spiders are amazing creatures, and the ability to spin and navigate a web ranks up there near the top of insect capabilities. In the following video you can see a spider spinning the classic web and avoiding stickiness…
Today I’m writing about the longest cave system in the world, which is located in central Kentucky, where I’m kin to, like, everyone. Lovely country. Grassy hills that ripple to the horizon. Crooked black barns and hay rolls. Horses. My granddaddy’s garden tomatoes.
But I digress from what’s beneath: more than 367 miles (590 kilometers) of limestone tunnels, aka Mammoth Cave. Let’s get straight to the mummies.
Earlier this week, I heard about the South Florida teen who shaved her head to make a statement as well as a boom — a hair-stuffed oil boom fashioned to soak up the mess that’s still pouring into the Gulf of Mexico. Since there’s always been a place for strange hair stories on this science blog (“No poo”! Hair mats!), hair booms seem like a logical topic to discuss.
When it comes to the topics we choose to talk about in our High Speed Stuff podcast, Ben and I really make an effort to be as varied as possible. Just scroll through the wide-range of subjects we’ve covered in the past 150 episodes for proof of that. So maybe that’s why I simply can’t believe we haven’t discussed boats — up until this week, that is. Yes, in the past we’ve talked about plenty of amphibious cars, but we never dedicated a full episode strictly to boats. And I think we’ve jumped into the water head-first on this one…
Fog machines are cool and useful if you are doing a theatrical production, trying to liven up a party, making a video or working on a haunted house. Here is one way to make your own fog machine…
Recent Postings by Category
BrainStuff
- Thank You and Best Wishes to Marshall Brain
- Contest – Design a $300 house and win $25,000
- How the Philtrum works – the place under your nose where your face comes together
The Coolest Stuff on the Planet
- Have a Coke and a Smile
- The Latest in Frugal Lodging: Camping in Somebody Else’s Backyard
- The Painted Beauties of Bucovina
Keep Asking
- Why can a 5 foot 8 inch man dunk a basketball on a 10 foot rim while some people of taller stature can’t?
- What happens to our sun once it runs out of fuel?
- How do we know the age of the universe?
Stuff Mom Never Told You
- Who invented the Christmas card?
- How the Kinsey Report Fueled Whiskey Sales
- How to Get Your Wedding Announcement into The New York Times
Stuff to Blow Your Mind
- Space Music: DJ Food and ‘The Search Engine’
- Stuff to Blow Your Mind: Hug it Out
- Space Music: Jay-Z and Beyoncé to Film Music Video in Orbit
Stuff You Should Know
- The Southern Death Cult, the Maya and Georgia
- Deformed Baby Spider Brains
- Amazing Medical Conditions: Maple Syrup Urine Disorder
The Stuff of Genius
CarStuff
- Why is NASA studying car safety?
- Tips for in-car Navigation Systems
- Tips for Using Bluetooth in the Car
How-to Stuff
- How to Swim with Dolphins (When Deep Water Terrifies You)
- How to Cure a Homemade Cookie Craving Without Turning on the Oven
- How to Know When It’s Time for a New Pet
PopStuff
- PopStuff Show Notes: Episode 36: Now Available in 3-D
- PopStuff Show Notes: Episode 35: Let’s do brunch!
- PopStuff Show Notes: Episode 34: Play it again, Sam
Stuff They Don't Want You To Know
Stuff to Change the World
- Who will own the Arctic?
- Obesity: The New Global Crisis
- Bill Gates Makes For A Pretty Decent Cartoon
Stuff You Missed in History Class
- Butch Cassidy: Should we read between the lines?
- Are we rooting for D.B. Cooper?
- Party Time: A Look at Unconventional Politics
