Fantasist's Scroll

Here’s why….

Or, at least, here’s why some people think you’re feeling spooked. According to this article on Reuters, sub-sonic “music” may cause people to experience strange, otherwise unexplainable feelings. Something about this particular ultra-low bass sound just freaks people out. The speculation is that sites where people are convinced there are ghosts have something that generates this sound naturally. Okay, it’s kind of far-fetched, but still…

And, Happy Halloween!

That’s the next military frontier.

Or, at least, according to this article on the Sydney Morning Herald it is. Experts in the article indicate that the increasing value of our satellites, and other space-based resources, mean that the next big, battle frontier will be in outer space. That and the fact that the Chinese have sent an astronaut into space. Exciting times. Is it science-fiction, or science-fact? The future is now.

even in the world of genetics.

Two stories here, linked only by the underlying science of genetics. First, from Wired News, a story about the quest to regenerate lost or damaged body-parts. In humans! Now this has been around for a bit, but it seems like they’re getting somewhere for a change. Let’s hope so. I really like the idea of being able to grow my own replacement parts instead of harvesting organs from clones. Ick.

And, another story in the “have a heart” deparment, also from Wired News, about how genetics really do determine our sexual orientation. So, let’s lighten up a little, hunh? To paraphrase Popeye, we are what we are and that’s all that we are. In any case, it’s a bit of proof that we are wired to be like we are sexually. Of course, we’re complicated creatures, so that can get diverted and changed, but, still, the basis is still there in the genes.

The most ancient of trees.

Okay, so they’re “new” trees, but of a variety that’s been around since the Jurassic. And, soon, you’ll be able to own one. Yep, that’s right. According to this article on BBC News, in 2005 trees that were cultivated from these most ancient of trees will go on sale. According to their growers, they’re slow growing and love the shade, so they’re perfect for patios. Or, dinosaur paddocks.
Okay, this just struck me as funny. I mean I hear all this talk about the extinction of species and here are these trees that we thought died out over 175 million years ago going strong. Makes you wonder a bit, doesn’t it? Maybe it’s Mankind that’s the temporary thing and the plants and bugs that are just waiting for us to die off again. Anyway, it just tickles my funny bone when I think about the “latest thing” being ancient trees. Fun stuff.

No, not a car that files.

A car that runs on compressed air. Now that is an innovation! It sounds too good to be true, but, according to this article on Wired News, the compressed air car actually exists. At the moment there are some issues with regulation and drive length, but, c’mon, this is the ultimate green car. I mean, what’s the down-side to this? Air might leak out? And, we could even use solar power to run the air-compressor to “re-fuel”. I love this car. Now, if they can just get a model that runs further than 5 miles on a tank of air and get the US government to approve it….
Ah, well, a guy can dream!

A new, experiemental model may duplicate animal eyes.

At least, that’s the goal. A scientist has recently created a system that he believes will let him “see” like an octopus. Or, a lion. Or, an eagle. Or, really, just about any other animal one cares to name. What’s more, according to the article on Wired News, he hopes to simulate what it might look like if an eagle saw things through an octopus eye. And other combonations that aren’t possible in nature. It’s certainly an interesting look at one way science is trying to understand how animals percieve the world. And, of course, how we do, too.

Well, actually, macadamia nuts, but still…

According to this article on the Sydney Morning Herald, there’s now a power plant in Australia that runs on the shells of macadamia nuts. It opened on September 18 and is the first of it’s kind. The “green” facility will “…convert 1680 kilograms of waste shell into 1.5 megawatts of electricity” but “will reduce greenhouse gases by around 9500 tonnes which is the equivalent of taking more than 2000 cars off the road”, and that’s just in its first year.
The article says that several other countries have expressed interest in this plant, including the United States. About time. We need power that is less damaging to our environment. Way to go Australia!

And, living batteries are born.

I love new power-related technology. Especially when it all turns back to the original power source: life. So, these two stories, one on USA Today and the other on SpaceDaily, about batteries that are powered by bacteria, just tickle me. The idea of germs, basically, keeping us in energy. Of course, some of you will make the extension to the Matrix, but that’s your hang-up, man.

Enjoy the stories.