Exploring The Evolution Of Visual Effects In Film

Film editor Jim Casey pays homage to the great moments that changed visual effects.

Why Relativity Isn't Relative

EXO Emergency Shelter

When disaster strikes, the greatest need is usually shelter. Reaction has a solution.

Fun Time! PancakeBot, A Machine That Draws Pancakes!

So good I included two videos!

Urban/Suburban Millennials Gardening In Green Shift

Is A Wormhole At The Center Of Our Galaxy?

Oh, this is interesting. It seems that there is a strong possibility that instead of  there being a super massive black hole at the center of tour galaxy, there is a wormhole.

Current thinking is that whatever formed at the center of our galaxy about one hundred million years after the Big Bang drew in all the dust and gas to create our galaxy.

But... cosmologists pretty much agree that one hundred million years is not long enough for a black hole to grow so large and there is some talk about it being a wormhole. Right now we don't have the ability to look into the center of the Milky Way and be able to tell a black hole from a wormhole. That may soon change with the new Gravity infrared instrument at the Max Planck Institute.

But if it is a wormhole, don't expect to use it to go anywhere until we've cracked the "faster than light" problem, because the center of the Milky Way is 26,000 light years from Earth.

Here's a link to the Physics arXiv Blog where I found this item.

Travel Photo of the Week

Frozen Niagara Falls, NY

The Evolution Of The Universe In 154 Seconds

FDA Approves The “Luke” Bionic Arm

Dean Kamen's "Luke" arm, which is named for the Star Wars character, has received FDA approval.

The FDA states that "“the first prosthetic arm that can perform multiple, simultaneous powered movements controlled by electrical signals from electromyogram (EMG) electrodes.”

From the Make article I sourced this from.....

"In studies at the Veterans Administration, 90 percent of participants were able to perform complex tasks their previous prosthesis couldn't handle: use keys and locks, prepare food, feed themselves, use zippers, brush and comb hair."

"The DEKA Arm, now in its third generation, is modular and configurable for different levels of amputation. In its maximum configuration, is has 10 powered degrees of freedom including a powered shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand. The hand has six preprogrammed grips that are user-selectable. These grips are Power Grip, Tool Grip, Fine Pinch Open Grip, Fine Pinch Closed Grip, Lateral Pinch Grip, and Chuck Grip. Using a 2.4 GHz wireless interface with a proprietary protocol, a prosthetist can configure the arm system based on how the amputee wants to control the arm."

The article says that although getting the arm to be the same size and weight as a real arm was difficult, getting the hand to behave like a real hand was the biggest hurdle.

Where To Park Your Tiny Home

This is the dilemma: where do I put my tiny home now that I've decided I don't want to be part of the rat race?

Many building codes require that "habitable" structures be at least 1200 square feet (check your local codes, your mileage may vary) and a 200 square foot tiny home doesn't qualify. The website Clothesline Tiny Homes has a great entry on how to do it.

Some considerations.....

Are there minimum square footage requirements for homes? If not, you could possibly build a tiny house on a permanent foundation. 

Are you allowed to park an RV on your property? Without a main permanent dwelling? And are you allowed to live in it full time?

If you are looking for a guest house, office or studio, does your zoning code allow for accessory dwellings? And are there minimum square footage requirements? Do they have to be on a permanent foundation?

Most folks build their tiny home on a trailer platform, because being mobile means they are exempt from building and zoning codes.