2
POPS Climbing as easy as walking for some. Nature Abhors a vacuum. When the treetops offered a niche, Some of the smaller primates made it their home and no doubt evolved specifically to it. The fact that larger primates and other predators had difficulty getting to the tree tops, would have made it much easier for a squirrel monkey, or a lemur to get away, they would have had difficulty defending them selves against anything, and they can't run very fast. A lot of squirrel monkeys who got too close to the ground, wouldn't have had any descendants. If everything could climb trees, there probably wouldn't have been any squirrel monkeys now.
1
POPSObesity contributes to global warming,too This isn't a problem that is specific to any country in particular, but seems to be a 'side effect' of an 'improvement in living standards' across the world. Another case of where while it may be easy to point out a problem, how this problem can be solved is completely beyond us. Where the intervention of the authorities is pointless, because it involves a change in lifestyle as a personal decision. There is also a general failure to recognize that the problems with obesity, and overeating have a character that can be compared to many other addictions. Beside the flat denial that this is a problem, and the allusion that it is something beyond our control.
4
POPSPulsar puzzle stumps astronomers. Scientist are surprised again, however surprises are one of the greatest motives to become a scientist. A surprise generally means we are going to learn something new. Very often something we could never have imagined. When the phrase 'I would never have believed it until I saw it with my own eyes' Literally applies.
1
POPSHerbicide review 'fails' the environment The review recommends changes on labels to reduce the risk of the herbicide contaminating waterways. I'm sure that's physically impossible. Unless we can work out how to grow dry plants. There is also a cop out, saying that it is the responsibility of the States to ensure this happens. The don't mention how, apart from the warning on the label.
10
POPSDogs just want to have fun
Dogs have personalities if you watch them. We have Izzy. When he gets a chewy bone, he likes to throw it in the air like a toy, smiling. Sometimes he loses it, or gets ripped off. He has more fun playing with it than eating it. Izzy come up with that one. Pokemon is serious most of the time, and barks at anyone she hasn't seen in a week when they walk in the door. She's been doing it since she was born. She's 9 now. We have a picture of her in the litter a few weeks old, and you can tell it is her by the look on her face. But she does the 'wiggle' Like rolling on the grass with a smile on her face, (It's usually on someones bed, she feels important then. on 'Prime real estate'). Duke is always barking. If you know him you know why. He wants you to go outside to play with the ball.He asks everybody. Most of the dogs would play with the ball-if Duke gave them the chance. Duke has 4 balls. If you kick all of them around he can't be happier. Lani bows when she knows it's time for a walk
3
POPSTop 10 Pre-Death Monologues in Film The clip has the links to videos of the 10 monologues The greatest challenge an actor can face, is the memorable death scene. The best can provoke deep reflection on mortality, and existence on a personal level. There's one thing that I've thought was 'in character' In a Star Trek Movie Generations. Captain Kirk (William Shatner) died twice. We 'knew' he was dead twice. He only got one monologue. (It's not on the list. ) I don't know if 10 videos links in a clip is too many, but I thought 'You only live once' Sometimes Death is just a setback. A 'speed hump' in the smooth flow of eternity. Perhaps God's way of telling us we should slow down a bit.
3
POPSBirds and bees acting up with climate change Due to space, I have only included a few examples, but there are more details of changes throughout the world on the page. It seems ironic that we can be prepared to cast blame, while ignoring the problem. Nature will not be ignored. I remember an old Japanese saying "Do not look for blame. Look for solution." Then of course there was King Canute. Despite his authority over people the tide continued to rise. The worst thing we can do is give up. We can't argue with the elements, much less change them. We have to change our behavior. Reminds me of dieting. It is not a short term thing. For dieting to be successful, it has to be a permanent change in eating habits. Very soon, with the correct diet, the improvement in health can make us wonder why we ever ate incorrectly in the first place. Also similar to things like stopping smoking, or drinking Alcohol. They only seem hard until you become determined to stop. Then it's not long before the benefits become clear.
4
POPSMultidimensional space through art Generally for the sake of the illusion of 3 Dimensions and perspective. There are plenty of artists beside Escher that represent multidimensional space, but he does a particularly good job of it. The last stereogram at the bottom is the thinker. I ran out of characters. (you can always go to the site.) Stereograms can be annoying sometimes when you can't see what it is, and everyone else can. It can be like that, then suddenly one day a picture can jump out. It can help if you know what you're looking for. One problem with these may be looking too hard, when the eyes are probably better off relaxing.
19
POPSThe Best of ‘Feel Art Again’ Wonderful works - revisited; the links will take you to a detailed discussion for each piece. I actually learned a lot from this - enjoy. Mental Floss has an ongoing series of 'Feel Art Again' - Tues. & Thurs. - http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs
4
POPSLow tech best in China, Burma disasters Sometimes the only way rescuers can dig someone out of the rubble, without making the situation more dangerous, is with their bare hands, after the Human ears of the searchers recognize cries for help. People who are drowning, or buried don't have the time to wait for technology to arrive, particularly in remote areas, where the survivors in an immediate area,who can start looking straight away, may be the only chance they have. In China, many hands seem to be on the job, While the regime in Burma are trying to wash their hands. Not as Pilate, but as Lady Macbeth. The Damned spot will not disappear.
9
POPSWhat Ideas Will Shape our Future? The 10 Ideas of the 21st Century "More than money, more than politics, ideas are the secret power that this planet runs on." "The 21st century will overturn many of our basic assumptions about economic life. The 20th century saw the end of European dominance of global politics and economics. The 21st century will see the end of American dominance too, as new powers make their voices heard on the world stage." "The challenges of sustainable development—protecting the environment, stabilizing the world's population, narrowing the gaps of rich and poor and ending extreme poverty—will render passé the very idea of competing nation-states that scramble for markets, power and resources." "The defining challenge of the 21st century will be to face the reality that humanity shares a common fate on a crowded planet." "6.6 billion people living in an interconnected global economy producing an astounding $60 trillion of output each year."
8
POPSIt might take two to fool a crowd So it seems stupidity is infectious. Perhaps an indication that people have trouble thinking for themselves. Wasn't there a story once about the blind leading the blind into a ditch?
2
POPSHow to make a cheap multitouch pad I was amazed at how simple it was, as many things seem once you know how it's done I've got a pad on my laptop, but when I saw this I wanted a bigger one. I haven't built one yet, but I might go shopping for a webcam. They're about US$40 on ebay, The biggest touchpad I could find was the standard.(I didn't look very hard) There a are open source or windows programs which can be used as trackers.
4
POPSTiny tubes, rocket fuel soup up motors Nanomotors. The rods that are part of the nanomachines, are coated, one end with platinum, the other with gold. The metals act as a catalyst and break up either hydrogen peroxide, or rocket fuel (hydrazine). While other nanomachines use the metals, it is the way they break up the rocket fuel that gives the kick. They draw water from the chemicals, and use it as a 'jet' . Of course they use much less rocket fuel than a launch.
4
POPSMercury's core may have iron showers. It may be some time before this can be proven, but they must reconsider some assumptions as they must with every exception to the rule. They believe it has an iron core because it has magnetic field. Perhaps they can send vibrations through somehow and study the echo in the same way they use a seismic echo from an earthquake to learn more about the earth's core. This idea,would no doubt have been considered, along with others. The question may be, how close to the surface of mercury the source of the vibration should be, the nature of the wave, and whether it can be done economically. Of course before then a completely different method may be discovered that will give an accurate result, but is as yet locked in the future, and beyond anything we can imagine at the moment.
1
POPSChile fears effects of volcanic ash What once was green is now gray. The ash from the Volcano has dramatically changed environmental conditions, choking an ecosystem. Despite any delusions Mankind has regarding the management of the environment, we are still, and always will be at the mercy of the elements.
25
POPSThe History of the Color Wheel As the disk spins, the colors blur together so rapidly that the human eye sees white. From there, the organization of color has taken many forms, from tables and charts, to triangles, and wheels the history. A nice explanation for each color organization system at the source: http://www.colourlovers.com/blog/2008/05/08/history-of-the-color-wheel/ sweetfood's related clip: Unusual Color Wheels Found in Life and Art - http://clipmarks.com/clipmark/6B376FCB-7F70-4E17-8147-84856276F53C/
6
POPSHubble Image Collection v3.0 There is a 500mb download that contains 130 of the best images from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope., each in three resolutions. There is also a list of 'goodies' on the left of the page with a range of Hubble downloads,
1
Clips
Latest Pops
Latest Comments
Most Pops
Tags
Print
Save
Turn on live update