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GamesArchive for September, 2010
Crazy Aircraft #69 – A human powered ornithopter takes to the air
by Marshall Brain | September 23, 2010
The idea of an ornithopter – a machine that flies by flapping its wings like a bird – has been around for a loooong time. And people have had a lot of success building small, bird-sized versions. Like this…
The technique known as CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) has saved thousands of lives since it was invented and promoted several decades ago. Millions of people have gone through training classes with the Red Cross and other organizations. But CPR is now getting a facelift, and it no longer requires formal training. It is now called Continuous Chest Compression (CCC), and you do not need to do the mouth-to-mouth part. Just watch this video…
Screw-drive vehicles are designed to traverse terrain that traditional vehicles find unmanageable. Scott and Ben take a look at how these screw-driven vehicles work and discuss some fascinating examples, from tractors to toys, in this episode.
Nowadays most people have heard of the scientific method, but what exactly is it? More importantly, how does it work? In the second segment of this two-part series, Robert and Allison explore the history (and application) of the scientific method.
The modern conception of hypnosis came into vogue in the late 18th century, and it’s been the subject of much debate ever since. Does hypnosis really work? How? Josh and Chuck discuss the history, practices and feasibility of hypnotism in this episode.
Did A Russian Scientist Really ‘Cure Aging’ or Is It Just a Fluke? – “Imagine a pill that you could take every day that would extend your by years and keep you healthy for longer. You’d probably pay a lot for such a pill. Vladimir Skulachev looks like he is getting close to selling it [...]
Does the material used to make a coin have any bearing on its value?
by Marshall Brain | September 22, 2010
You Asked:
Does the material used to make a coin have any bearing on its value? — Leong, Ipoh, Malaysia
Marshall Brain Answers…
A while back on Stuff Mom Never Told You, Molly and I took on the question of whether a female equivalent to ‘bachelor’ existed. The word ‘bachelor’ conjures up images of suave George Clooney, the handsome, unmarried man who simply can’t be confined to the embrace of just one woman. What about pop culture’s consummate [...]
We have talked about keeping chickens for eggs in your backyard:
How to keep chickens in your backyard and have fresh eggs every day
And worms:
How to start your own worm farm -or- how to compost your kitchen waste with worms
But what about honeybees? The reason this question came to mind is that I built a little garden in the Brain backyard, and I planted cantaloupes and pumpkins (plus some other stuff, but Trixie dug almost all of it up). Yes, I know it is ridiculously late in the season to be planting things like cantaloupe, given that frost will arrive in 3 or 4 weeks. But so what? The plants are still pretty, as you can see here…
A few days ago, Katie wrote about the panel in which we participated at Dragon*Con with Stuff You Missed in History Class. It was a lot of fun, and I’m glad we had the chance to take part. But Jonathan and I also had the opportunity to sit down with a couple of well-respected tech journalists, Tom Merritt and Veronica Belmont, to do a very special episode of TechStuff.
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
