Monday, May 28, 2012

Brian Greene: Why is our universe fine-tuned for life?



Video Summary: "At the heart of modern cosmology is a mystery: Why does our universe appear so exquisitely tuned to create the conditions necessary for life? In this tour de force tour of some of science's biggest new discoveries, Brian Greene shows how the mind-boggling idea of a multiverse may hold the answer to the riddle."

Discusses: How Multiverse are tied to String Theory.

Amory Lovins: A 50-year plan for energy



Summary of the video: "In this intimate talk filmed at TED's offices, energy theorist Amory Lovins lays out the steps we must take to end the world's dependence on oil (before we run out). Some changes are already happening -- like lighter-weight cars and smarter trucks -- but some require a bigger vision."

In Summary: Discusses how modern efficiencies making the world better.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Great Learning Resources for Kids



Are you looking for great learning resources for kids? These are two of the best free sites that I have found.
  • Minute Physics: Explains complicated physics concepts with easy to understand examples.
  • Kahn's Academy: Has over 3,200 videos on everything from arithmetic to physics, finance, and history.
If you have any additional free learning resources (similar to these sites) that I can include in this list please include them in the comments.

Atul Gawande: How do we heal medicine?



Our medical systems are broken. Doctors are capable of extraordinary (and expensive) treatments, but they are losing their core focus: actually treating people. Doctor and writer Atul Gawande suggests we take a step back and look at new ways to do medicine -- with fewer cowboys and more pit crews.

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Cocorobo - the Intelligent Vacuum Cleaning Robot



I have used a Roomba for years, I like the product but it does have its limitations. The greatest limitation of mine has been the batteries which seem to die after a few months of use, and then have to be replaced.

Now I have a new intelligent vacuum cleaning robot lust known as Cocorobo. You can communicate with robot via your a smartphone application, speech recognition, or its remote. It also has the ability to respond to you with simple greetings.

Other features include:

  • 1.3-megapixel camera
  • an LED light
  • wireless LAN connectivity
  • Uses phosphate lithium batteries (which has a batter life three years or 1,200 charges)

All these features doesn't come cheap, the estimated retail price for the RX-V100 is around US$1,600 or the basic version RX-V80 without a camera will be around US$1,100

[AUDITIONS SAN FRANCISO] Turf,- America's Got Talent 2012 (Season 7)



Video Description: America Got Talent a Show For all kind of people with crazy talent from singing to variety dance crew so better to say everthing is welome on America got talent 2012

IMHO: This guy is an amazing dancer, that comes from a very humble background.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

NPR: Is Thorium A Magic Bullet For Our Energy Problems?

I am huge fan of Thorium reactors as alternative to Uranium reactors because I believe they're safer.  Here is a great podcast from NPR on the subject called: Is Thorium A Magic Bullet For Our Energy Problems? Here is excerpt from the article: "As the search for cheap, safe and non-carbon emitting sources of energy continues, a band of scientists say the answer may be nuclear reactors fueled by thorium. Others caution that thorium reactors pose waste and proliferation risks. Ira Flatow and guests discuss the pros and cons of thorium reactors." (read the rest of the article or listen to the audio)

The Race To Create The Best Antiviral Drugs : NPR

I learned lot from this NPR podcast, and I thought I would share it: The Race To Create The Best Antiviral Drugs : NPR.  Here is excerpt from the article: "If you've ever had a bacterial infection like staph or strep throat, your doctor may have prescribed penicillin. But if you've had the flu or a common cold virus, penicillin won't work. That's because antibacterials only kill bacteria, and both the flu and the common cold are viruses. So for illnesses like the flu, doctors prescribe antiviral drugs, which target the mechanisms that viruses use to reproduce." (read the rest of the article or listen to the audio)

Tuesday, May 08, 2012

Top tips for reducing your cell phone bill

Feel like your cell phone bills are going through the roof? TODAY financial editor Jean Chatzky has three strategies for making your payments more manageable.

PAL-V Flying Car - Best Flying Car Concept




The Dutch company PAL-V announced the first flights of its prototype "flying car".  This  vehicle is called the PAL-V One, or the 'Personal Air and Land Vehicle'.  On the ground the vehicle drives like a sports car. Within minutes its rotor is unfolded and its tail is extended: then it is ready to take off with its gyrocopter technology.  The next step will be the design of the first commercial production model of the PAL-V, and first deliveries are expected in 2014. (More information: www.PAL-V.com)

Flash mob in the Copenhagen Metro. Copenhagen Phil playing Peer Gynt.



In April 2012 Copenhagen Phil (Sjællands Symfoniorkester) surprised the passengers in the Copenhagen Metro by playing Griegs Peer Gynt. The flash mob was created in collaboration with Radio Klassisk http://radioklassisk.dk/. All music was performed and recorded in the metro.