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Jeff Han: The Amazingly Orgasmic Pixel Guy
When Steve Jobs first introduced Apple’s iPhone at Macworld last year, the feature that evoked the most excitement was its touch-screen interface, allowing more than one touch at a time. The multi-touch technology added innovative new functions, such as allowing the user to easily zoom in and out of pictures and web pages by pinching the screen with two fingers.
But now, a more significantly advanced version of the amazing power of multi-touch technology has been unleashed upon screens much larger than those on the iPhones. Jeff Han, a research scientist at New York University, has developed Pespective Pixel. It's a relatively inexpensive technology that makes large multi-touch screens, which can accommodate 10, 20, or even more fingers.
This article includes photographs and two amazingly spiffy videos (one gives a fascinating music video demonstration of Han’s "Pespective Pixel", the other is a presentation that he made of “Perspective Pixel” at the annual TED Conference in Aspen, Colorado). When Steve Jobs first introduced Apple’s iPhone at Macworld last year, the feature that evoked the most excitement was its touch-scree... more -
US is 'the world's leading jailer'
"The United States has 2.3 million people behind bars, more than any other country in the world and more than ever before in its history, Human Rights Watch said Friday.
The number represents an incarceration rate of 762 per 100,000 residents, compared to 152 per 100,000 in Britain, 108 in Canada, and 91 in France, HRW said in a statement commenting on Justice Department figures also released Friday.
"The new incarceration figures confirm the United States as the world's leading jailer," said David Fahti, HRW's US program director.
"Americans should ask why the US locks up so many more people than do Canada, Britain, and other democracies," he added.
The newly released figures show a sharp racial imbalance in the US prison population, with blacks outnumbering whites by six to one.
Nearly 11 percent of black men aged 30-34 are in prison, according to Justice Department figures.
HRW said blacks in the United States are 12 times more likely to be sent to jail for drug-related crimes than whites, even though drug use among the two races is about the same.
"Although whites, being more numerous, constitute the large majority of drug users, blacks constitute 54 percent of all persons entering state prisons with a new drug offense conviction," the rights group said." "The United States has 2.3 million people behind bars, more than any other country in the world and more than ever before in its ... more -
Archery of the East
In East London, chaotic and alienated Muslim teenagers are being
transformed by learning archery.
Yassar is a 24 year old school teacher who sees the young people in
his community getting increasingly angry. Some are turning to radical
Islam. He sees how parents, schools and wider society fail to
understand. Yasser decided to set up an archery school, convinced by
the transformative powers of this ancient sport. As they practice, we
see how the young people concentrate, become calm and focused and
develop a sense of achievement.
This short film shows how young people can transform and create, if
only someone would listen to them. In East London, chaotic and alienated Muslim teenagers are being transformed by learning archery. ... more -
Chugwater, WY
Can't afford to buy a house or apartment? It?s time to pack up your car and head to Chugwater, Wyoming, a city that is giving away plots of land for One Hundred dollars. Can't afford to buy a house or apartment? It?s time to pack up your car and head to Chugwater, Wyoming, a city that is giving awa... more
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Baffled by the Bizarre
"For any idea that does not at first seem bizarre, there is no hope. It will be only half understood by its [advocate] and a complete mystery to everyone else." – Neils Bohr
Patrick Healy in his analysis (New York Times) of Hillary Clinton's current confidence level, cites interviews with Clinton aides: "some aides said they were baffled that [Obama] – – was now outpacing a seasoned figure such as Clinton."
Apparently, Clinton's aides cannot grasp the appeal of a man who asserts that, to heal our divisions, we must aim, not to destroy our opposition, but rather to seek to include them. And, that this process will reduce the partisan politics in American government that has, especially during the last seven, produced near paralysis.
In the campaign, of course, this process is still embryonic. But, it is a value, and, yes, a hope, probably based on Obama's early experience in organizing workers in Chicago. The principle seems clear: People support only that which they help create.
This vision and experience is most effective, not in working the conventional levers of government, but in unifying large numbers of citizens around a common goal. This is the most relevant vision and experience if we are to begin to heal our divisions.
It is by no means a "mature" process. But, it is a reliable sign that Obama grasps the process most essential to democracy. And, it is a declaration that he intends to tread the path of inclusion, and to call for personal sacrifice to gain that inclusion, for the good of the whole.
He maintains that this goal requires the participation and support of the many. It is not just a change in emphasis but a change in the way in which we begin to resolve our differences. He invites the American people to take back their basic power.
And, he states, strongly, that all of this will not be easy. But, the resolve needed is not new. We've always been a people, throughout history, who have faced and overcome long odds. Each new challenge has been met when sufficient numbers have grasped the urgency of the moment and acted in concert.
This is the crucial change that Obama talks about so often; shifting our attitude and behavior from confrontational to invitational. We can thereby reduce resentment and resistance and take the fundamental step toward changing the world by changing ourselves. It is a large order, but a worthy and attainable one.
For many, this will be a totally foreign concept. No wonder. Most of us have been immersed, for a long time, in a toxic and corrupted culture of which politics are only a reflection. Thus, for all of us, it will be a difficult but challenging and exciting journey.
There are myriad organizations and people, who have been working in the field of human systems for more than 50 years. Their experience will be invaluable in helping blaze a trail through this new wilderness. At some point, and some level, the rest of us will sense the larger import of this "bizarre notion". We may not exactly welcome the turmoil of this change, but more will join in as the vision of a higher quality life becomes clearer.
It has already started! The hope is that we can halt and reverse the downward slide into further fragmentation and move toward greater community. We will not soon get another opportunity. Those who do grasp the promise, must now join in taking the early steps along this dim path.
"There is a tide in the affairs of men,
Which taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;
Omitted, all the voyage of their life
Is bound in shallows and in miseries.
On such a full sea we are now afloat,
And, we must take the current when it serves
Or lose our ventures." – Julius Caesar: Act 4, Scene 3
skot4trust.tripod.com "For any idea that does not at first seem bizarre, there is no hope. It will be only half understood by its [advocate] and a comp... more -
Baffled by the Bizarre
"For any idea that does not at first seem bizarre, there is no hope. It will be only half understood by its [advocate] and a complete mystery to everyone else." – Neils Bohr
Patrick Healy in his analysis (New York Times) of Hillary Clinton's current confidence level, cites interviews with Clinton: "some aides said they were baffled that [Obama] – – was now outpacing a seasoned figure such as Clinton.
Apparently, Clinton's aides cannot grasp the appeal of a man who insists who asserts that, to heal our divisions, we must aim, not to destroy our opposition, but rather to seek to include them. And, that this process will reduce the partisan politics in American government that has, especially during the last seven, produced near paralysis.
In the campaign, of course, this process is still embryonic. But, it is a value, and, yes, a hope, probably based on Obama's early experience in organizing workers in Chicago. The principle seems clear: People support only that which they help create.
This vision and experience is most effective, not in working the conventional levers of government, but in unifying large numbers of citizens around a common goal. This is the most relevant vision and experience if we are to begin to heal our divisions.
It is by no means a "mature" process. But, it is a reliable sign that Obama grasps the process most essential to democracy. And, it is a declaration that he intends to tread the path of inclusion, and to call for personal sacrifice to gain that inclusion, for the good of the whole.
He maintains that this goal requires the participation and support of the many. It is not just a change in emphasis but a change in the way in which we begin to resolve our differences. He invites the American people to take back their basic power.
And, he states, strongly, that all of this will not be easy. But, the resolve needed is not new. We've always been a people, throughout history, who have faced and overcome long odds. Each new challenge has been met when sufficient numbers have grasped the urgency of the moment and acted in concert.
This is the crucial change that Obama talks about so often; shifting our attitude and behavior from confrontational to invitational. We can thereby reduce resentment and resistance and take the fundamental step toward changing the world by changing ourselves. It is a large order, bt a worthy and attainable one.
For many, this will be a totally foreign concept. No wonder. Most of us have been immersed, for a long time, in toxic and corrupted culture of which politics are only a reflection. Thus, for all of us, it will be a difficult but challenging and exciting journey.
There are myriad organizations and people, who have been working in the field of human systems for more than 50 years. Their experience will be invaluable in helping blaze a trail through this new wilderness. At some point, and some level, the rest of us will sense the larger import of this "bizarre notion". We may not exactly welcome the turmoil of this change, but more will join in as the vision of a higher quality life becomes clearer.
It has already started! The hope is that we can halt and reverse the downward slide into further fragmentation and move toward greater community. We will not soon get another opportunity. Those who do grasp the promise, must now join in taking the early steps along this dim path.
"There is a tide in the affairs of men,
Which taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;
Omitted, all the voyage of their life
Is bound in shallows and in miseries.
On such a full sea we are now afloat,
And, we must take the current when it serves
Or lose our ventures." – Julius Caesar: Act 4, Scene 3
skot4trust.tripod.com "For any idea that does not at first seem bizarre, there is no hope. It will be only half understood by its [advocate] and a comp... more -
American Man of Letters William F. Buckley, Jr., Dies at 82
William F. Buckley, Jr., deployed his astute mind to raise classical conservatism to the center of American political discourse. In 1955, he founded the influential conservative magazine, The National Review, and later hosted Firing Line, one of the country's longest-running television programs.
He rose to prominence during a period in American history when there was a whole generation of talented writers who were fascinated by political themes, authors such as Norman Mailer, Truman Capote, Gore Vidal, William Styron and James Baldwin. Like them, he attracted controversy like a magnet.
People came to view his life and escapades as a kind of art form, from his racing through New York City streets on a motorcycle, to his then startling opinions like favoring the decriminalization of marijuana. In 1965, Mr. Buckley made an exceedingly unrealistic run for mayor of New York. When asked what he would do if he won, he answered, “Demand a recount.” He was often described as the liberals’ favorite conservative.
In 2006, he boldly condemned the Iraq war as a total failure. William F. Buckley, Jr., deployed his astute mind to raise classical conservatism to the center of American political discourse. In 1... more -
Photo of The Day: Everything Is Coming Up Roses
"Photo of The Day: Everything Is Coming Up Roses." This is a humorously sarcastic photograph, presented for you in stunning high-resulution.
Have a look, it's dark humor at its best!! "Photo of The Day: Everything Is Coming Up Roses." This is a humorously sarcastic photograph, presented for you in stunning... more -
Patti Smith: An American Experience
"Patti Smith: An American Experience." Patti was living in New York's Chelsea Hotel with Robert Mapplethorpe, when she helped put punk-rock and the East Village punk-rock landmark CBGB on the map. The documentary "Patti Smith: Dream of Life" has just premiered at this year's Sundance Film Festival.
Photographs and music videos are included. "Patti Smith: An American Experience." Patti was living in New York's Chelsea Hotel with Robert Mapplethorpe, when she... more
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