Category Archives: Society and Culture

A Magic Machine at Home

Kacie Hultgren, a theater set designer in New York, owns Pretty Small Things where she sells miniature furniture created with a magic machine, a Makerbot 3D printer. Hultgren also sells her art on Thingaverse, a universe of things created with … Continue reading

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Space Shuttle Arrives in Los Angeles

The space shuttle Endeavor has been roaming the streets of L.A. the last few days on the way to its permanent home at the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center. Huge crowds have greeted the arrival of the retired craft. … Continue reading

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Food so Tasty that it’s Unfair

Former President of Chile Ricardo Lagos recently asserted: A society that is built on neoliberal economic ideas will indeed foster GDP growth and innovation. But unless it is complemented with public policy aimed at promoting equality, a free-market society will … Continue reading

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Software Composing Music

David Cope developed a program named Emily Howell to compose classical music. At one Santa Cruz concert, the program notes neglected to mention that Emily Howell wasn’t a human being, and a chemistry professor and music aficionado in the audience … Continue reading

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Robotic Dog Keeps Balance on Ice

It also stays upright after being kicked and can walk uphill through snow. The limbs seem more human than dog. The USA Army wants to use BigDog by Boston Dynamics as a mule that can carry 300 pounds for 13 … Continue reading

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The Nation Ain’t Safe Until…

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The Internet in 1969

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The Empty Streets of San Francisco

I can’t imagine how much it cost to clear the streets of San Francisco but this film proves that it can be done!

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Frederick Douglass on Independence Day

Today is the 4th of July, Independence Day in the USA. Frederick Douglass, an escaped slave, delivered a famous speech on this day in 1852. He started the speech by railing against injustice and ended optimistically. Allow me to say, … Continue reading

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A Sacrifice Before the Hunger Games

I enjoy stories like The Lottery and The Hunger Games because they remind me of Nietzsche’s insight, “In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations, and epochs it is the rule.” British band XTC wrote Sacrificial Bonfire using … Continue reading

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