Crispy Squirrels

Apparently squirrels are big trouble when it comes to energy. This article talks about the growing problem of kamikaze squirrels. Ya see, frying a squirrel to a crisp usually results in a power outage - costing electric companies millions of dollars each year.

That completes the circuit and bammo!" said Ed Bettinger of the Public Service
Company of Oklahoma.

Damn tree-rats.

Steampunk Keyboard

This is perhaps the coolest keyboard I've ever seen. Detailed instructions on how to make one are available here.

Beer Launching 'Fridge

'nuff said.

http://www.duke.edu/~jwc13/beerlauncher.html

Ira and Philip Glass

This weekend I listened to an episode of Fresh Air that featured Ira Glass (host of the PRI radio show, This American Life, interviewing his second cousin - composer Philip Glass.

This American Life happens to be one of my favorite radio shows, and Philip Glass happens to be one of my favorite composers. The interview is fascinating, focusing on the process Philip Glass goes through when writing music, and how he learned to do it.

Quit Smoking via Brain Injury

According to the New York Times, a paper will be published soon in the Journal of Science that shows a link between a certain area of the brain and addiction. Stroke patients who had injured this specific area had lost their desire to smoke.

Before you go hitting smokers in the heads with a baseball bat, at least read the NYT article so you know where to aim.

How to: Harvest Stem Cells from Home

Finally there is a guide which shows you, step by step, how to harvest stem cells from a human placenta - in the comfort of your own home! I know people who have eaten their children's placenta - but this seems like a better option which will produce something that may come in handy someday. Imagine you do this with your newborn's placenta. Sixty years later, they develop cancer. Having their stem cells in your freezer could potentially be a lifesaver.

Now I need to go on eBay and look for centrifuges.

The Smart Elevator

NPR had a piece about the smart elevator. Instead of pressing the up arrow or the down arrow, and then pressing your floor when you get into the elevator, you enter the floor you wish to go to on a keypad outside the elevator and it directs you to the elevator that will get you there in the fewest number of stops.

This is one of those ideas that is both brilliant and simple - I can't wait to use one!