tagged w/ Austin TX
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Not seeing is believing, at least in the case of what’s reportedly the world’s first demonstrated cloaking of a three-dimensional object.
Scientists at the University of Texas in Austin (UT) on Wednesday published a paper in the New Journal of Physics describing how they managed to cloak a 7-inch-long cylinder from every angle.
“This object’s invisibility is independent of where the observer is,” Dr. Andrea Alu, a professor of electrical engineering at UT and one of the paper’s co-authors, told Wired’s Danger Room. “So you’d walk right around it, and never see it.”
Previous displays of cloaking, by contrast — such as the “mirage effect” that captivated the Web’s attention in October 2011 — only achieved cloaking of a two-dimensional surface. Walk around the cloaking field and you’d see the object.
That’s not the case with what the UT scientists devised, though: They’ve managed to demonstrate it is possible to cloak any 3D object from any observer’s point of few, even those closest to it.
That said, Alu and his team haven’t actually managed to cloak the object from the visual field quite yet, only from being detected by microwave scans around the 3 GHZ spectrum.
But they’re working on expanding the effect to more wavelengths, including that of visible light, which would render it actually invisible to the naked eye from all 360 degrees.
“Broadening the bandwidth is a relevant issue, which we are working on right now,” Alu wrote to TPM via email.
Another issue is the size. Humans would be a bit too be big to be cloaked using the current technique devised by Alu.
“For larger sizes, any passive cloaking technique has inherent limitations,” Alu said. “We are exploring venues to increase the size of the objects to be cloaked and the bandwidth of operation.”
Still, it’s worth noting how far the team has come: Back in 2009, Alu and his collaborators demonstrated 2D cloaking using the same technique. In 2010, they published a paper explaining that it was theoretically possible to cloak a 3D object, but it took them about half-a-year to achieve the desired effect.
Alu and his fellow researchers managed to achieve the 3D cloaking using “plasmonic metamaterials,” synthetic materials consisting of alternating pieces of metal and insulation that have ultra-small differences in shape, smaller than than the wavelength of light.
When light hits non-transparent 3D objects, it scatters, and some of it bounces back to our eyes, allowing us to see them.
When light and energy of other wavelengths strike plasmonic metamerials, though, they act as though they were passing through glass rather than an opaque, solid material. That’s because the tiny features of the plasmonic metematerials surpress the natural “scattering effect” that occurs when energy, like light, strikes an object.
“The field [of energy] goes through the object and the cloak, as if they were made of the same transparent material (think of glass),” Alu told TPM via email.
Still, it’s worth pointing out that UT’s Applied Research Laboratories, where some of Alu’s team works, receives most of its research funding from the Department of Defense. That means that if and when they develop an actual unseeable-to-the-human-eye invisibility cloak, it’s probably going to be less like Harry Potter’s than the Predator’s.Not seeing is believing, at least in the case of what’s reportedly the... more
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. . . . . .an AUSTIN band ! ( so,....by definition, one of the best.)
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A Brief History
Ringo Deathstarr are:-
Elliott Frazier - guitar and vocals
Alex Gehring - bass and vocals
Daniel Coborn - drums
Renan McFarland - guitar
Ringo Deathstarr are from Austin, Texas...
Ringo Deathstarr like to play short sets...
Ringo Deathstarr are very loud...
Ringo Deathstarr fucking rock...
Elliott originally formed the band in 2005 in his hometown of Beaumont, TX. After a few personel changes and re-locating to Austin, TX they have now settled on this line-up.
Ringo Deathstarr-
have been creating quite a stir on the live front with blistering volume and breathtaking performances of the short adrenaline fuelled variety, so much so that they've secured themselves support slots with the mighty Voxtrot, The Dandy Warhols and a very well received showcases at 2008's and 2009's SXSW.
They rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr -Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrreat ! HUZZAH !
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http://www.svcrecords.co.uk/artist_ringo_deathstarr.html
tubey LINK - - -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3xATi5s9-A. . . . . .an AUSTIN band ! ( so,....by definition, one of the best.)
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A... more
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Superposition:Ian McPherson "SXSW, see it, hear it, my way." from Madedigital on Vimeo.Superposition:Ian McPherson "SXSW, see it, hear it, my way." from... more
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This was an impromptu and illegal show during SXSW 2010. A large group of DIY musicians gathered on the Lamar Street pedestrian bridge in Austin, TX and played a free, but illegal concert for the public. Featuring Los Angeles bands Big Whup and Moses Campbell.This was an impromptu and illegal show during SXSW 2010. A large group of DIY... more
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AUSTIN TEXAS RULS.
period.
(....ok,....I KNOW not EVERYONE can live there . . . .)
Los Angeles and New York are the go-to galaxies for stars to cluster in America. But consider how many famous people don't need to be in L.A. or New York often for work, or those who like more privacy, or who are loyal to whatever place they feel at home.
All those celebrities have to live somewhere, too, so we've compiled a list of cities and towns that aren't as obvious, but still host their share of recognizable faces, and where (if you have enough scratch) you can move into one of their former homes.
We looked at the up-and-coming cities where stars are hanging their hats. Incidentally, Oprah has a house in enough of them that the alternate title for this slideshow could be Mrs. Winfrey's Neighborhoods.
Austin, Tex.
Austin is the state capital of Texas, but thanks to the presence of the University of Texas and a thriving music and arts community, it's also the cultural capital of Texas.
( and its the FINEST city in the WORLD !!! some rustic provincial TEXAN bias ,...just may,...color this editorial [ bombastic ??? ] exposition. )
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http://realestate.yahoo.com/promo/celebrity-cities-on-the-rise.htmlAUSTIN TEXAS RULS.
period.
(....ok,....I KNOW not EVERYONE can live there . . .... more
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“Machete” is a film Tea Partiers, what’s left of the Minutemen and supporters of Arizona’s SB-1070 law will love to hate. Latinos everywhere will eat it up (in fact, I can’t think of a better audience to watch the film with). It is, first and foremost, an exploitation film of the best kind: outrageously over-the-top. But “Machete” is also the best piece of agit-prop pop culture I have seen in a long long time.Read more http://www.cafemagazine.com/index.php/reviews/148-1009/1205-machete-the-new-zapatista“Machete” is a film Tea Partiers, what’s left of the Minutemen and... more
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This is the game you should be psyched for, Wii owners. Here is the exclusive opening to the video game.This is the game you should be psyched for, Wii owners. Here is the exclusive opening... more
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1 year ago
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When Geeks Attack,...or,...Disarmed Maiden in Unrest
Last week, my boyfriend and I found this group of guys who boffer (it’s basically sword fighting role play) so that he could do a documentary about them. I went with because I was bored and figured I could help Matt out. I was expecting a group of stereotypical Dungeons and Dragons nerds; aka fat white boys who have no social lives. Well, we show up and there were, dare I say, really hot guys there!
Since I was just there to be Matt’s assistant, I sat on the porch while he filmed the guys doing their thing. I was just watching until one of the gents came over to the porch to get something. He noticed me just sitting there and kept trying to get me to join them. I kept telling him I’d have no idea what I’d be doing and I’d make a fool of myself, but he kept trying to get me to play along with them. He even offered to let me use the good weapons. (Ooo lala!) There was just no way that I was going to try to sword fight with these guys, so I stayed on the porch. Later this guy decided to keep tapping me on the shoulder from behind with his sword (his actual foam sword for those of you with dirty minds) and would pretend to be minding his own business when I turned around.
I’ve never been one to garner a lot of attention from men, so I naturally was very awkward around this guy. I thought he was just trying to be friendly, but in the car on the way home, Matt informed me that that guy was hitting on me. I was MORTIFIED! It was bad enough that I’m totally oblivious to the fact that I couldn’t tell when a guy was hitting on me, but the fact that my boyfriend had to tell me was the cherry on top. If I would’ve known that he was trying to flirt I would’ve naturally told the guy to back off because I’m taken!
MORE----
http://collegecandy.com/2010/04/22/coupled-and-getting-hit-on/When Geeks Attack,...or,...Disarmed Maiden in Unrest
Last week, my boyfriend... more
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Still Going Rogue after all these,...er,...semesters.
excerpt---
"Her best friend told us that she doesn’t tell us when she’s coming back to Austin because we’ve become THAT couple".
..............this could happen to YOU!
http://collegecandy.com/2010/04/29/coupled-that-couple/Still Going Rogue after all these,...er,...semesters.
excerpt---
"Her... more
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Many a Time Was Heard; "They Could Be Worse"!
( but remember,....this is AUSTIN we are talking about,...)
Gardez Lou - the phrase used to warn passers-by of raw sewage about to be thrown from a window into the street below.
Formed in 1981, GUARDEZ LOU confused, terrified, and provided chuckles for the Austin TX music "scene" for 10 years with its jazz/funk/art-punk assault. After having several singers the line up finally settled as Tim Evgenides on guitar, David Griffy on bass, Dan Rabinovitsj on drums, and Paul Horsley filling the vocalist spot. Other members included Paul Comer, a former GLOU singer, who played second guitar for a while, and David Eccles who helped with song writing and visuals. Influences from many UK post punk bands such as Swell Maps, Section 25, Echo and The Bunnymen, Throbbing Gristle, as well Austin contemporary artists (Vertibeads, Big Boys, Hickoids, etc.) can be heard in the GLOU material. GUARDEZ LOU played venues such as Liberty Lunch, The Beach, Continental Club, Studio 29, Chances, The Black Cat, Austin Outhouse, The Axiom (Houston), and Wacky's (San Antonio) with acts including Scratch Acid, ST-37, Ed Hall, Nice Strong Arm, and Glass Eye. David and Tim were in a band prior to GLOU known as The Electric Tools, which primarily played at seminal punk clubs Raul's and Duke's Royal Coach Inn. GUARDEZ LOU finally released its first home studio recorded cassette album in 1987, The Cummerbund Salute, which was completed inside a church for acoustic value. In 1988 History Mystery was released, a compilation tape of of live tracks and various demos. The band then went into Lone Star Recording Studios and embarked on its 16 track 2 inch tape effort with engineer Mark Tester at the helm. The effort was named Cantankerous Juggernaut, and it was finally released early 1990 on cassette. Soon after, the band began to splinter, with members pursuing different personal and career interests. Other bands that GLOU were in later included Drug Zombies, Fried Pipers, Hundredth Monkey, Sibling Rivals, Organdy Snood, Keg Vultures, and The Indentations. The band reunited in the studio in 1997 and 2000, creating the tunes "Tone Tarts", and "Ahead of Myself", respectively.
Further evidence against them--(acoustic files n such)
http://www.myspace.com/guardezlou
http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/120/l_77462e2caae44301b14094384c63283f.jpgMany a Time Was Heard; "They Could Be Worse"!
( but remember,....this is... more
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Attention game developers, the second annual Global Game Jam will be kicking off next weekend, January 29th – 31st. Game developers around the world will be coming together to make games over the course of three days.
http://gamesplusblog.com/?p=3395Attention game developers, the second annual Global Game Jam will be kicking off next... more
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Chris and Ari hit up ACL Fest 2009 to see Phoenix, Thievery Corporation and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Video includes highlights of the day!Chris and Ari hit up ACL Fest 2009 to see Phoenix, Thievery Corporation and the Yeah... more
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DALLAS — Environmental activists sued the Texas environmental agency Tuesday in an effort to force the state to regulate greenhouse gases, asking that coal-fired power plant projects be halted until that happens.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality issues air pollution permits that set limits on toxic releases, but the agency says there is no need to regulate carbon dioxide. Texas emits more greenhouse gases, made up mostly of CO2 emissions, than any other state.
The lawsuit by Public Citizen — which describes itself as a consumer advocacy organization — calls for greenhouse gas limits to be imposed as part of the permitting process, based on a 2007 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court that classified carbon dioxide as an air pollutant under the Clean Air Act.
"The time has come for the TCEQ to take its head out of the sand and begin the process to regulate CO2 emission from Texas sources," Tom "Smitty" Smith, director of Public Citizen's Texas office, said in a statement announcing the suit.
Bryan Shaw, the chairman of the TCEQ, said it would not make sense for the state to regulate CO2.
"The science on global warming is far from settled," he said in a statement. "Neither Congress nor the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) have been able to promulgate final rules on greenhouse gas regulation. What is certain is that if done incorrectly, CO2 regulations will impose great costs on Texas without any guarantee of a measurable environmental benefit. Reducing CO2 in Texas will do nothing to lower CO2 globally, but will have the effect of sending U.S. jobs to China and India."
Smith announced the suit in Austin in front of the Travis County Courthouse and a filthy 20-foot inflatable coal plant that Public Citizen often carts to protests around the state.
The group is hoping to change the rules for the five coal- and petroleum coke-fired plants awaiting permit hearings in Texas.DALLAS — Environmental activists sued the Texas environmental agency Tuesday in... more
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Beef and Sage attempts their most ambitious project to date...A touching biopic based on the life and times of the late, great Lieutenant Fork Parker Sr. But something goes terribly wrong...Beef and Sage attempts their most ambitious project to date...A touching biopic based... more
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The City of Austin and University of Texas are about to shift your parking paradigm into reverse.
In August, the city will jump on a national trend and install reverse-angle parking, sometimes called "back-in parking". Salt Lake City, Washington, Seattle and Portland, among other cities, already have reverse-angle parking in places.
The lines of the parking spaces would point forward on the street rather than toward the curb, as with traditionally angled parking.
A driver would have to go just past the parking space, then back in to it while swinging the steering wheel to the right. The idea is that it is better to "back into the known" — a static parking slot — rather than backing into moving traffic.
But it would also mean backing into a confined area rather than into the wide-open space of a traffic lane, requiring a set of skills similar to parallel parking but different enough to be challenging initially.
Under the city's plan, the 2,000-foot-long stretch would instead have the reverse angle parking, bike lanes in each direction and four traffic lanes. Under the plan, the city would install parking pay stations like the ones in various places downtown.
"If it works on this pilot project, which I think it will, then we'll contemplate how we put it on streets without center medians," said Robert Spillar, city transportation director.
The concern is that without a median, people going one direction would turn left and park facing toward the curb on the other side. Backing out in that circumstance would be extremely dangerous, Spillar said.The City of Austin and University of Texas are about to shift your parking paradigm... more
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In the last two years, news organizations that publish solely or primarily online, most of them nonprofits, have become an important force in American journalism, growing fast while the traditional news media shrink. In addition to the local sites, there are bigger operations with a broader scope, like Politico, which is for-profit, and ProPublica, which does only investigative work.
With a large bankroll, a staff at the outset of about eight journalists, and the cachet of Evan Smith, the Texas Monthly editor, the new venture, called the Texas Tribune, hopes to be an immediate force on the state’s political landscape, much as Politico became two years ago in national politics. Many local news organizations have cut back on statehouse coverage, and the creators of the Texas Tribune plan not only to post news on their own site, but also to supply it to newspapers around the state.In the last two years, news organizations that publish solely or primarily online,... more
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The City of Austin will begin using 20 of its new parking meters Wednesday. The new solar-powered meters have been installed downtown between Second and 10th streets.
500 of the new meters, which cost the city about $8.4 million, will replace nearly 3, 800 coin-only parking meters throughout the downtown Austin.
The older meters broke down 14,000 times last year, causing the city to lose as much as $500,000 in fees, fines and staff time.
Stickers dispensed by the machines should be placed in the windshield on the side nearest the sidewalk.
Tickets can be bought from any machine and can transfer to any metered parking spot(s) during the allotted time... and yes, you can use your debit or credit card.The City of Austin will begin using 20 of its new parking meters Wednesday. The new... more
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