National. Ignition. Facility.

Fusion tests set at new Livermore facility

The celebration in a heavily guarded section of the Lawrence Livermore lab marked the fact that research and tests are about to start at the new $3.5 billion National Ignition Facility, or NIF. It will be an unprecedented, years-long physics experiment, and the outcome is by no means certain.

It's purpose is to focus the immense energy in an array of 120 laser beams onto a tiny glass target the size of a BB shot, which is filled with hydrogen. This is all done under immensely high pressure to make the target heat like the fiery interior of a star at a 180 million degrees Fahrenheit.

Bruno Vanwonterghem, operations manager
for the National Ignition Facility, stands in front of the target chamber.

Pretty frakkin' cool

Army Field-Testing "Judge Dredd" Super-Grenade-Launcher

What makes it super? Well, everything. Basically the idea is that the shooter can tell the gun at precisely what distance to air-burst the shell. So if a jihadi is hiding behind a corner, you tell the gun to set the charge off just as it passes his position, blowing it up at an angle from which he has no cover. Same deal if he's in a trench -- you blow it up just as it passes over his head.

It basically denies an enemy the advantage of cover.

The Next State To Feel Jesus' Wrath?

Rhode Island, where 60% of the population support gay marriage. New York is 50-50, as is California. So much for the traditionally "gay" states...

By the way, if you want to publicly support gay marriage, you do so with a white knot. Levi Strauss is now using it in their advertising. Thank Thor it's not another goddamn ribbon or wrist band. A white knot actually symbolizes what it means, in defiance of all the ribbons and wrist bands everywhere. AIDS never should have adopted a ribbon: a tombstone would have been more appropriate and affective.

Elizabeth In The Control Room...It's Still Up

Someone pranks Nancy Grace, and it even has turtles doing it!

Le Wrath Di Kahn

From Robot Chicken:


That's an opera I want to see!

3... 2... 1....

17 Steps to the Moon and Back: Anatomy of a Moonshot

Mission Guide



(Spider, for GateTree)

I Wish I Had Google When I Was A Kid

A gasoline-free car

Honda FCX Clarity - hydrogen fuel = water exhaust.

Dolcxa!

Shatnerquake!!

It's Shatner VS Shatners!

William Shatner? William Shatner. WILLIAM SHATNER!!! It's the first ShatnerCon with William Shatner as the guest of honor! But after a failed terrorist attack by Campbellians, a crazy terrorist cult that worships Bruce Campbell, all of the characters ever played by William Shatner are suddenly sucked into our world. Their mission: hunt down and destroy the real William Shatner.

Featuring: Captain Kirk, TJ Hooker, Denny Crane, Rescue 911 Shatner, Singer Shatner, Shakespearean Shatner, Twilight Zone Shatner, Cartoon Kirk, Esperanto Shatner, Priceline Shatner, SNL Shatner, and - of course - William Shatner!

No costumed con-goer will be spared in their wave of destruction, no redshirt will make it out alive, and not even the Klingons will be able to stand up to a deranged Captain Kirk with a lightsaber. But these Shatner-clones are about to learn a hard lesson...that the real William Shatner doesn't take crap from anybody. Not even himself.

It's Shatnertastic!

From the Inside Flap
"It's like Die Hard, but instead of Bruce Willis fighting terrorists it's William Shatner fighting other versions of himself... In other words, it's fucking awesome!" - CARLTON MELLICK III, author of Satan Burger

"This is surreal and weird and funny, and it's also super violent, in the same food-coloring-plus-corn-syrup-equals-fake-blood sort of way as Evil Dead 2 or Bad Taste." - THE PORTLAND MERCURY'S BLOGTOWN

At Least She Looks Menacing

The USS Independence (LCS-2) In Mobile Bay, Looking Bad-Ass Anyway, With Its Two Nacelles

The US Navy has ordered a second General Dynamics Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), the one built in Mobile. I have serious misgivings about this warship concept, which seems exorbitantly expensive for lightly armed, lightly armored frigates (with no Aegis air defense and aluminum hulls).

The Navy is trying out 2 designs, and their asking for another of the GD design may be a good sign. If they were in love with the other design (one of which was completed first and another ordered months ago), the second of the GD design would never have been funded. With dozens planned, winning the competition would be great news for our fair state.

That being said, I would scrap the whole program and build Aegis frigates based on the Norwegian Nansen class. But I do like the name of the ordered warship: USS Coronado.

And she does look bad-ass, nacelles and all:

The USS Independence, Front View

Atlantis Returns Safely

After an extremely dangerous mission, space shuttle Atlantis has returned safely. I can't wait to see the results of their worth-while mission.

Dawkins' New Book Out In September

But you can pre-order now:

This Guy May Be A Genius

Movie Trailers - Movies Blog

Is This Really The Best Way To Tell The Public To Shoot The Recently Deceased In The Head?

The Boston Police Department will alert us via Twitter of the zombie holocaust.

I'll Twitter after I get my MySpace and Facebook pages going. Unfortunately, that will be after the zombie holocaust, the rapture, and the heat death of the universe. So could some solipsistic bore with no hobbies and interests call me when that twit comes down?

I Loathe The Term "Missing Link"

Science has many transitional fossils, including dozens on dozens showing the evolution of humans. And while this new fossil is extraordinary and valuable, it is "a missing link," not "the missing link." The latter implies that we had none to begin with, and we do: we have museums full of them, depending on what you want linked to what.

I saw this news earlier, but I saved posting about it until I could get some opinions of actual evolutionary scientists, not crackpot science journalists who will sensationalize anything and then report objections on the most objective and consentient conclusions for "balance."

PZ Meyers has now posted about the find; it's far more enlightening and "balanced" than our beloved national news sources.

Guy Ritchie "reinvents" Sherlock Holmes

Looks kinda fun, but it ain't Conan Doyle's Holmes.

Note To Creationists: The Game Is Afoot

I'm glad to see science taking the offensive here; it's long overdue.



No more playing around. When the science guild is confronted by this nonsense, don't defend: attack their alleged "science," and then drill into their philosophy. Get average Americans to see that they start with the answers and work backwards, and we start with the data and push forwards. And any rhetoric the creationists want to use to make it seem like science is atheistic, remind them of this:

Any time they want to make a testable claim of their god, scientists are waiting to get the Nobel Prize. So who's game?

Thought You Caught All Of The Star Trek References In Star Trek?

Buy the soundtrack and think again. Michael Giacchino should get an Oscar nomination for that shit.

Mmm, Tasty

One of science's most puzzling mysteries - the disappearance of the Neanderthals - may have been solved. Modern humans ate them, says a leading fossil expert. - Guardian

Atheist Seth MacFarlane Makes The Best Case For Why Heteros Should Support Gay Rights, And Bill Maher Attacks A Moderate Muslim

The atheist stuff comes first, but the exquisite defense of gay marriage comes at 4:45. Bill Maher's castigation of a moderate Muslim is at the end.

Album Review: 21st Century Breakdown

I don't think it's as good as American Idiot, but it's close. Technically, it may be the prettiest punk rock album since Bossanova.

Movie Review: Star Trek

I love the original Star Trek more because of it.

Continued Successes

The Hubble repairs are going forward. Two down, three to go...

Meanwhile, the ESA's Herschel and Planck are on their way to their off-Terran orbits. We will learn a lot from them.

The Meaning Of Rights, Juxtaposed

From the right, trying to get the governor of New Hampshire not to sign a gay marriage bill:



From the left, arguing for gay marriage rights in New York:



Who has the real moral authority?

"Rise of the Soda Jerks"

The case against sin taxes for soft drinks

ReasonOnline

Isn't it counterproductive to pass one-size-fits-all punitive taxes that target the recreational ginger ale drinker, along with the depraved Coca-Cola abuser?

Gotta love it: pants-free heroism

Get This Man Some Pants
via LGF

This man deserves a medal.

And some pants.

Army Spc. Zachary Boyd of Fort Worth battles the Taliban on Monday in Afghanistan as he wears his “I love NY” boxer shorts. Boyd rushed from his sleeping quarters to join his fellow platoon members.

Nice catch

Astronauts grab Hubble Space Telescope
and
Crew Completes Rendezvous with Telescope, 350 Miles Out in Orbit

Perfection

All hail the phorid fly

Parasitic flies turn fire ants into zombies

The flies "dive-bomb" the fire ants and lay eggs. The maggot that hatches inside the ant eats away at the brain, and the ant starts exhibiting what some might say is zombie-like behavior.

"At some point, the ant gets up and starts wandering," said Rob Plowes, a research associate at UT.

The maggot eventually migrates into the ant's head, but Plowes said he "wouldn't use the word 'control' to describe what is happening. There is no brain left in the ant, and the ant just starts wandering aimlessly. This wandering stage goes on for about two weeks."

About a month after the egg is laid, the ant's head falls off and the fly emerges ready to attack any foraging ants away from the mound and lay eggs.

Godspeed, You Magnificent Champions Of Science

Space shuttle Atlantis is up and about to begin a very dangerous but worthy mission: to keep the Hubble Space Telescope operational until it can be replaced.

Prayers for their mission and crew would seem so crude given what they are tasked to do and why we hope they succeed. So I will watch with wonder and hope, putting my trust in their expertise and bravery--and with the intelligence and ingenuity of those on the ground--rather than in supplications and rituals. That trust is well-placed, as the former gave us this:


While the latter, this:
But in keeping with naval tradition, I say godspeed, you magnificent champions of science.

From the Mercatus Center @ George Mason

"Freedom in the 50 States: An Index of Personal and Economic Freedom"

Click image to download publication

This paper presents the first-ever comprehensive ranking of the American states on their public policies affecting individual freedoms in the economic, social, and personal spheres. We develop and justify our ratings and aggregation procedure on explicitly normative criteria, defining individual freedom as the ability to dispose of one’s own life, liberty, and justly acquired property however one sees fit, so long as one does not coercively infringe on another individual’s ability to do the same.

Le Sacre du Printemps

Biden wipes down the interior, and picks up any loose change,
cigarette butts, and discarded condom wrappers.

Shirtless Biden Washes Trans Am In White House Driveway

WASHINGTON—Taking advantage of the warm spring weather Monday, Vice President Joe Biden parked his 1981 Trans Am in the White House driveway, removed his undershirt, and spent a leisurely afternoon washing the muscle car and drinking beer.

"This baby just needs a little scrub down," said Biden, addressing a tour group as he tucked the sweat-covered top into the belt loop of his cutoff jean shorts. "Gotta get her looking good so I can impress the chicks when I'm cruising down Pennsylvania [Avenue]."

White House aides said that Biden pulled into the driveway shortly before noon, the chorus of Night Ranger's "(You Can Still) Rock In America" blaring from his car's stereo. According to witnesses, Biden spent several minutes maneuvering the Trans Am into the perfect spot, and was observed drumming his fingers on the steering wheel until the song came to a close.

Dear God Is Worth A Buck

The organizer of the Charlotte (NC) Pop Fest has decided to donate all proceeds to organizations advocating science and reason. To make his point, James Deem (the organizer) has covered "Dear God."

I want this on a shirt

You can buy the cover for a dollar at Amazon. All proceeds go to our favorite nonprofit: The Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science.

The cover is fantastic; the cause is just; the lyrics are awesome.

I won't believe in heaven and hell.
No saints, no sinners,
No devil as well.
No pearly gates, no thorny crown.
You're always letting us humans down.
The wars you bring, the babes you drown.
Those lost at sea and never found,
And it's the same the whole world round.
The hurt I see helps to compound,
That the father, son and holy ghost,
Is just somebody's unholy hoax,
And if you're up there you'll perceive,
That my hearts here upon my sleeve.
If theres one thing I don't believe in...

Its you,
Dear god.

XTC was so awesome...

Like Having Your Brains Smashed Out With A Slice Of Lemon Wrapped Around A Large Gold Brick

Towel Day is Monday, May 25. Remember to hang your towel out; I assume you all know where your towel is.

I know you want one, Clyde Squid; & it's even on sale!

from Cardboard Spaceship:

Was $57.99 Now$47.99
Save: 17% off
Doma's Pink Flocked Astronaut Jesus
10" Tall Limited to 300 pieces

Update:

"When Kingons Attack"

I'm a Commander, now. What are you?

Don't...Fuck...With Wendy Testaburger

"This is how my parents raised me to pose for Jesus."

What a hypocritical, benighted mooncalf! Someone should have raised her to know that she shouldn't bite the hand that does her hair.

The Onion: "Trekkies Bash New Star Trek Film As 'Fun, Watchable'

More fun than human beings should be allowed to have.

The King is creepy, but Star Trek makes everything better

WSJ
Burger King Makes 3-Picture Deal
'Star Trek' Is Among Summer Films Chain Will Promote With Paramount

The fast-food chain is teaming up with Viacom's Paramount Pictures to promote the summer releases "Star Trek," "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" and "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra," marking the first time it has worked with a single studio on such a rapid-fire spate of films.

Yum....

Beef Carpaccio with Deep-Fried Béarnaise
Chefs Brian McCracken and Dana Tough of Seattle's Spur gastropub

We need this book

The Nero Wolfe Cookbook

Nero Wolfe's Yorkshire Buck

1 tablespoon butter
1 lb cheshire cheese, grated
1 cup ale (not beer)
7 large eggs
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon dry mustard
2 dash tabasco
6 slice canadian back bacon
3 english muffins
2 tablespoon dijon mustard

Melt the butter in the top of a double boiler. Add the cheese and as it begins to melt, add the ale slowly, stirring constantly. Beat 1 of the eggs and add it, along with the salt, dry mustard, and Tabasco. Continue to stir until the cheese is melted and the mixture is smooth. Lower the heat and keep hot. Poach the remaining 6 eggs and keep them warm while you fry the bacon on a griddle. Split and toast the English muffins and spread them with a thin coating of Dijon mustard. Put the muffins on a serving plate, pour on the cheese, and top with a slice of bacon, a poached egg, and some more cheese. Serve as hot as possible. Run the muffins under a hot broiler to glaze the tops, if you like. (from The Doorbell Rang) Source: The Nero Wolfe Cookbook by Rex Stout

I found this recipe here:

The Dumbest Article I've Ever Read On IO9

I would like to nerd out a little bit.

5 Favorite Start Trek Rip-offs

1. Bablylon 5 did not "rip off" Star Trek. The only heavy "influence" was that Star Trek: The Next Permutation showed JMS exactly how NOT to do a sci-fi television series. I don't know how anyone could believe that a realism sci-fi series loosely based on Lord of the Rings with some HP Lovecraft dust sprinkled about was ripped off from a utopian futurism television show. And don't get me started on Deep Shit 9 and ripping other shows off...
2. Galaxy Quest did not "rip off" Star Trek. It parodied it (and very, very well I might add). The difference should be obvious to anyone old enough to know that he shouldn't be living in his parents' basement.

Pictures of weird buildings

50 Strange Buildings of the World

Unapologetic Science

Edge Essay:MUST WE ALWAYS CATER TO THE FAITHFUL WHEN TEACHING SCIENCE? By Jerry Coyne

Why Evolution Is True a book by Jerry Coyne

Why Evolution Is True a blog by Jerry Coyne