The distant future. The distant future.

Touchable holography
Posted by David Pescovitz, September 17, 2009 11:56 AM | permalink



Professor Hiroyuki Shinoda and his colleagues at Tokyo University are making headway in haptic holography, 3D projections you can actually feel. I first experienced something like this probably 15 years ago at the late holography pioneer Steve Benton's laboratory at MIT's Media Lab. Back then, the hologram was grainy and grayscale and the physical feedback came from a handheld Phantom stylus that provided some sensation of touching a real object. Based on this demonstration, it appears that the technology has come a long way. From Reuters:
By using ultrasonic waves, the scientists have developed software that creates pressure when a user's hand "touches" a hologram that is projected.

In order to track a user's hand, the researchers use control sticks from Nintendo's popular Wii gaming system that are mounted above the hologram display area.

The technology has so far been tested with relatively simple objects, although the researchers have more practical plans, including virtual switches at hospitals, for example, and other places where contamination by touch is an issue.

Reasonable discourse

Hello everyone. Good to see you. Long time reader, first time blogger here. With all the pro-liberal speakings that's been up here lately, I felt like I had to step in and play a little devil's advocate. I speak for all the people who aren't quite sure about Obama's true motives as our country's president. Oh sure, he says he wants to reform healthcare and help the poor and sick but what's he really trying to gain here? There's no money in helping the disadvantaged. Just pitiful poor person gratitude and some crappy thank you notes from sickly kids.

It's obvious to me and most true Americans that deep down Obama's an impostor, ready to pervert everything we stand for. He's just consolidating his power and waiting for the perfect opportunity to take this country down the road to destruction. Or worse...socialism. It makes me shiver to even think about it. Now, if you're intrigued by my truth-bomb, I beseech you to follow the link at the bottom of the poster and open your mind to the true workings of the world. But beware. Just like those Nazis from Indiana Jones, not everyone will be able to handle the awesome power that is contained in this link. So you "progressives" probably don't need to look at it. And your co-workers probably won't be able to take the truthload that I'm dishing out either. This is strictly for the hardcore seekers of truth...to view in their own home, away from prying eyes.

The truth must be told!!! Americans will not sit idly by and watch their country be destroyed. If you view this message and believe it to be true, help me out by printing out these fliers and distributing them to everyone who is wary of this Obamanation! We can make a difference!

Batter up!

I'm not saying there's anything wrong with it, just that it's a little "blah".

Main Entry: 1con·ser·va·tive
Pronunciation: \kən-ˈsər-və-tiv\
Function: adjective
Date: 14th century
1 : preservative
2 a : of or relating to a philosophy of conservatism b capitalized : of or constituting a political party professing the principles of conservatism: as (1) : of or constituting a party of the United Kingdom advocating support of established institutions (2) : progressive conservative
3 a : tending or disposed to maintain existing views, conditions, or institutions : traditional b : marked by moderation or caution - a conservative estimate c : marked by or relating to traditional norms of taste, elegance, style, or manners
4 : of, relating to, or practicing Conservative Judaism

— con·ser·va·tive·ly adverb

— con·ser·va·tive·ness noun

AND

Main Entry: con·ser·va·tism
Pronunciation: \kən-ˈsər-və-ˌti-zəm\
Function: noun
Date: 1832
1 capitalized a : the principles and policies of a Conservative party b : the Conservative party
2 a : disposition in politics to preserve what is established b : a political philosophy based on tradition and social stability, stressing established institutions, and preferring gradual development to abrupt change; specifically : such a philosophy calling for lower taxes, limited government regulation of business and investing, a strong national defense, and individual financial responsibility for personal needs (as retirement income or health-care coverage)
3 : the tendency to prefer an existing or traditional situation to change

To allow for a more complete understanding.

Just so we're clear.

Main Entry: lib·er·al·ism
Pronunciation: \ˈli-b(ə-)rə-ˌli-zəm\
Function: noun
Date: 1819
1 : the quality or state of being liberal
2 a often capitalized : a movement in modern Protestantism emphasizing intellectual liberty and the spiritual and ethical content of Christianity b : a theory in economics emphasizing individual freedom from restraint and usually based on free competition, the self-regulating market, and the gold standard c : a political philosophy based on belief in progress, the essential goodness of the human race, and the autonomy of the individual and standing for the protection of political and civil liberties; specifically : such a philosophy that considers government as a crucial instrument for amelioration of social inequities (as those involving race, gender, or class) d capitalized : the principles and policies of a Liberal party

— lib·er·al·ist \-b(ə-)rə-list\ noun or adjective

— lib·er·al·is·tic \ˌli-b(ə-)rə-ˈlis-tik\ adjective

Intellectual and civil liberites? Gee, I don't know . . . sounds a bit racy.

Guess who can post again!

Your mom.


I kid. It's actually me. And I've decided that I'm going to start posting definitions to words. I will start with this one:

Main Entry: 1lib·er·al
Pronunciation: \ˈli-b(ə-)rəl\
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin liberalis suitable for a freeman, generous, from liber free; perhaps akin to Old English lēodan to grow, Greek eleutheros free
Date: 14th century
1 a : of, relating to, or based on the liberal arts - liberal education b archaic : of or befitting a man of free birth
2 a : marked by generosity : openhanded - a liberal giver b : given or provided in a generous and openhanded way - a liberal meal c : ample, full
3 obsolete : lacking moral restraint : licentious
4 : not literal or strict : loose - a liberal translation
5 : broad-minded; especially : not bound by authoritarianism, orthodoxy, or traditional forms
6 a : of, favoring, or based upon the principles of liberalism b capitalized : of or constituting a political party advocating or associated with the principles of political liberalism; especially : of or constituting a political party in the United Kingdom associated with ideals of individual especially economic freedom, greater individual participation in government, and constitutional, political, and administrative reforms designed to secure these objectives

— lib·er·al·ly \-b(ə-)rə-lē\ adverb

— lib·er·al·ness noun

synonyms liberal, generous, bountiful, munificent mean giving or given freely and unstintingly. liberal suggests openhandedness in the giver and largeness in the thing or amount given - a teacher liberal with her praise. generous stresses warmhearted readiness to give more than size or importance of the gift - a generous offer of help. bountiful suggests lavish, unremitting giving or providing - children spoiled by bountiful presents. munificent suggests a scale of giving appropriate to lords or princes - munificent foundation grant.

Sounds pretty great to me. How exactly did it become a four letter word then? Well, anyways, I kind of wish I were more liberal.

i have the internet now

hi, sorry for the absence. the month of august was pretty busy and crazy for me. i went drinking around 4 different countries in europe, moved into a different house, smacked around the international scientific community, and then Will came to visit me and had the best time of his life probably. in addition to the busyness, we haven't had internet hooked up at the house until yesterday so that's another explanation

so anyway i was in europe. it was pretty much the best trip ever. i can't explain everything that happened but i remember lots so ask about it when you see me. here's a picture that pretty much sums up the trip

wait damnit that wasn't the picture i meant to post. ok this is the picture that accurately portrays our trip.

that's better. ok later

Allow me to explain

First of all, I miss you.

Second of all, my computer and/or blogger sucks. See, I've tried to post for the longest time but i've been unable to because the site keeps insisting that I have cookies blocked. Let me assure you, I DO NOT. Period. While I'll freely admit that I'm no computer whiz, I know how to freakin' control my cookies settings. Grrr.

Okay, so there have been tons of things that I've wanted to post but haven't been able to . . . until now. I've hijacked Kasia's computer, unbeknownst to her. In an effort to not make this the longest post ever, I'm only going to post one little juicy morsel. It's this video. I'm going to warn you now that I've only been able to watch this video once. It made me feel like a perv. It still does actually. Perhaps you'd like to join me in my sick, gross, pervy-ness. If so, watch on.



One more thing, there's a new playlist above. There are some gems to be heard. Give it a whirl.

Big heart,
P funk

Free Press Summerfest 2009

Musically a far cry from ACL the Houston Press Summerfest 2009 was pretty damn awesome.

I had been looking forward to this festival for a while. For once Houston was going to put on something relatively interesting besides the International Festival or the 4th of July fireworks. I was amazed over the past few months how many people were talking about it, everyone planned on going.

Before I get into the music let me tell you what made the festival itself so great...

First and foremost, the hill. Being at Eleanor Tinsley Park, the whole festival was on a hill. There was not a bad seat in the house, visually or aurally. The sound was great, even if you were way off to the sides of the stage or at the back of the hill. You didn't have to fight your way to the front to enjoy the music.

The people were pretty cool too. Everyone was just having a good time.

It was hot, really hot, and humid of course too. But there are trees EVERYWHERE and there was no problem finding a nice shady spot to watch the shows.

The activities were pretty great too. My favorite to watch was the paint slide. I don't know if this was a planned activity or not, but people would smear themselves with what I assume was non toxic paint and slip and slide down the hill. With a running start you would end up sliding way past the tarp and into the mud, the main reason that I didn't do it. That and after a while it just looked like people were sliding on liquid sandpaper as the slide became covered in mud. It was pretty great though, next year I'm going down it for sure if it is around. There was a volleyball court that got a lot of use and they were giving away lots of great refreshments like snow cones and vitamin water.

I took full advantage of the FULL BAR in the tent too, along with the occasional trip into the tent to enjoy the A/C which helped bear the intense heat outside. The beer was plentiful and refreshing too, but it was nice to get a nice strong pour of liquor to keep things moving forward. Everything was $5.00, food, beer, liquor...

The music was great. I heard a lot of new acts that I had never heard of before, some that I had heard of but never really gave a listen to. My favorite of the festival was a band from Austin called Eastern Sea. I'm sure some of you know them since they're from Austin. They had a great vibe and the chick on the keys really brought it together. Check them out if you haven't already.

Explosions was great! It had been a while since I'd seen such a great Explosions in the Sky show.

Octopus project, which I had heard of but never got into, was really great as well. They put on a great show and have some pretty great beats. So did Broken Social Scene. Other notables were Devin the Dude, Prince Paul, What Made Milwaukee Famous, and even this crazy band called the Sword.

Overall I think it is something to plan for next year. It was a huge success, which indubitably will bring more people which could change the dynamics of it altogether. Even if it was more crowded I think it would still be a great festival and well worth the money.

For some reason I can't upload pictures onto the blog. I'll try again soon, the paint slide pictures are pretty great.

Hope everyone is doing well and that we get to hang soon.

the best website i've seen ever almost

simple design, retro theme. sound needs to be on for full effect. keep the page open for a while to let it all sink in. click here

chilli pepper update

earlier i posted this http://princeshouldcometoasundaypotluck.blogspot.com/2009/03/my-quest-for-pain-and-glory.html about how i'm growing the world's spiciest chili. i finally got around to planting the seeds and here are some pics.

this is an x-ray image of the chilli seeds. suppos

edly it can show if the seed is viable and able to germinate. i don't work with seeds so i don't know what to look for here. i just wanted to use the x-ray machine at work.

this is a seedling that just germinated.

this is what the plants look like presently more or less. a few of them died unfortunately

there's still a ways to go before i get the chillis. so later i'll put some more stuff up.