If you watched Neil DeGrasse Tyson’s Cosmos reboot last year, or even the original with Carl Sagan you heard a lot about human curiosity. It is true that we’re a curious species with a deep desire to understand the world and the universe we live it. That curiosity, however, is not simply a love of…
A simple browser, designed by a 16 year old, that tells you where (US) politicians get their funding
The Greenhouse browser plug-in is a simple and fairly brilliant idea. Once it is active the names of US politicians and candidates are hi-lighted (sort of like a link). When you scroll over the name a box pops up that shows you where the politician in question gets their donations. The data, provided by OpenSecrets.org…
The meaning of life, the universe and everything as explained by singing planets (video)
The next time you’re wondering what the overall point of your existence in the cosmos is, Cartoon Network’s ‘The Amazing World of Gumball’ has an answer for you. I should warn you though that you’re probably not going to like the answer very much. I’ve also included responses to the question from Carl Sagan and…
Crash Override Network offers assistance to victims of online threats & harassment
The internet is a great place to share ideas and information. Unfortunately, it has also become a place for stalking, harassment and hate. People, especially young women, have become targets for individual acts of stalking and threats of violence that are sometimes carried out. In addition to individual acts, many have been subjected to organized…
Transcript and video of President Obama’s 2014 State of the Union Address
Not much to say about this at this point, President Obama said essentially what he was expected to say. I find it interesting though that this is very much a dual purpose speech. It lays out a bold agenda by a President with nothing to lose and nothing else to run for, ever. It also…
West Wing cast reunites with the (real) White House to announce ‘Big Block of Cheese Day’ (video)
‘Andrew Jackson, in the main foyer of his White House had a big block of cheese. The block of cheese was huge — over two tons. And it was there for any and all who might be hungry. Jackson wanted the White House to belong to the people, so from time to time, he opened…
Reading Rainbow Story Time: A Picture Book of Martin Luther King, Jr., read by Levar Burton
Today is MLK day. If you haven’t had a chance to commemorate it in any way yet, here’s your chance. Levar Burton, who has raised enough money to bring back the much needed “Reading Rainbow” reads “A Picture Book of Martin Luther King, Jr.,written by David A. Adler and illustrated by Robert Casilla” and talks…
Watch the 20 minute demo film that eventually became ‘This Is Spinal Tap’
When ‘Spinal Tap’ came out in 1984, many didn’t understand what they were watching. Rob Reiner was still ‘Meathead’ from All in the Family in the minds of most of the movie going public. So ‘Meathead’ had made a documentary about a ridiculous band that no one had ever heard of. Those people had obviously…
The European Space Agency’s plan for a lunar base, built by robots & 3D printers [video]
The video below shows an elaborate plan by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the architectural firm Foster + Partners to design a permanent lunar research base, capable of housing scientists. The most exciting part isn’t really the idea of a lunar base. There are all kinds of plans out there for everything from underwater mega…
PBS Digital Studios teams up with the Vlogbrothers channel Crash Course to teach you Astronomy
The Green Brothers, Hank and John are incredibly successful on YouTube and in other areas as well. Their channel Vlogbrothers has more than 2.4 million subscribers, Hank’s YouTube channel SciShow also has well over 2.3 million and, at last count their latest project “Crash Course” has over 2.6 million. If you are interested, you can…