tingilinde

the danish problem

Listening to the BBC today I learned a bit about a uniquely Danish problem.

It seems Denmark is generating too much power from its massive array of wind turbines which provide about twenty percent of the countries electrical power. When it gets windy this can dramatically increase, putting huge strains on the power grid. Some turbines frequently are feathered to keep power out of the grid long before they reach their maximum rated power levels.

The solution is a pairing of a utility with a California company with the intention of building 20,000 car recharging stations through the country. On windy days, excess electricity will charge the cars while calmer days will use coal and other sources - the claim is the wind component should reduce carbon dioxide emissions to about half of that from gas powered cars.

It will be interesting to watch this one...

coprolite - straight poop from the past

Quirks and Quarks had a piece on dietary clues found in 14,000 year old coprolite from a cave in Oregon.

via podcast or an mp3 here

great material for that dinner party!

lawns aren't green

Growing up, I remember a few homes with large gardens rather than lawns. These people were seen as a bit eccentric, but they had it right ... gardens make much more sense than lawns. Just imagine having the luxury of fresh picked fruits and vegetables. Healthlier, more fun and it would probably save money. Of course many communities don't allow such sensibilities.

Maybe it is time for a return of the victory garden.

PS--

A very small subset of Photoshop with free storage from Adobe.

It is probably as much as many need.

a scientist's bill of rights?

The current administration's anti-science positions need to be changed. It is hopeless to change them now, but a non-Republican administration might be able to codify some basic principals about scientific honesty.

The SciAm podcast deals with the issue in this week's podcast - via iTunes or listen from your browser here

physics tv?

How do you portray science on TV? (it is almost always wrong)

A TV writer and physicist talk about interactions of a most strange kind (QT movie)

back to the future on the iphone

Some will celebrate (as noted on Cosmic Variance)

One of the worst things about the iPhone is the lack of an rpn calculator. The 15 wasn't the best HP, but it was useful.

I can't wait for June

a gold plated bandaid surfaces

It is amusing when stores go for high tech marketing gimmicks when the fundamental sales approach and product is flawed. This does bring new a new meaning to spreading viruses though.

I've been to their stores - clueless and high pressure reps trying to sell overly complex plans. It is like being locked in with a life insurance salesman. Not to mention that the fundamental product is not the best of breed in my location. They need to improve the product and figure out how to sell to people before relying on gizmos.

Maybe they should walk into an Apple Store and have a look at how you sell a good product. Then they need to concentrate on making their offerings attractive.

microwaving ivory soap

A friend tells me it expands wonderfully like shaving creme. She has used it in questionable stews and bean dishes associated with April Fool's Day.

But microwaves do have uses other than popping corn, reheating food and foaming ivory soap. The food section of the NY Times investigates.

podcastle goes live

Podcastle showed up on my iPhone today for today's lunch hour walk (I subscribed some time ago) This is the long anticipated fantasy fiction piece of Escapepod.

Today's story was Come Lady Death by Peter S Beagle - nicely read and a cute piece

recommended

(you can listen at the site)

april fools email

I received this last night from a friend in Europe (name of a very famous Chinese scientist is redacted)

Prof ********* at Fudan University reports China will place four metric tons of sulphur into the stratosphere at 20,000 meters to study albedo enhancement. Atmospheric carbon dioxide mitigation may be possible with 10^7 to 10^8 metric tons, which could economically be delivery by specialized artillery canons or rail guns.

Designed to give heart attacks. This sort of mitigation might work, it probably has really bad side effects and it is potentially cheap enough that a country like China could do it on their own. chilling to think about ... The rail gun was a nice touch

f2c 08

David's Freedom to Connect 2008 is underway. You can find a quicktime stream on the page.

I'm upset that I couldn't attend this year - whether you agree with him or not, this is simply the best conference out there on the overlap of networks, society and technology. I've had amazing discussions with people in and out of my own echo chamber and have made some wonderful friends. He also has live music at all of his doings.

What is very interesting this year is the sponsorships by Google and Verizon.

next year ...

Here is his opening statement.
sigh

ah, harvest time

(thanks Bjarne)

Roger notes some background information

saving energy in cambridge

NOW did a special on an energy conservation program in Cambridge, Mass by the Cambridge Energy Alliance.

listen or watch here

pushing the envelope

thanks Bart

biofuels are a scam

Certainly first generation crop based biofuels. Algae based fuels are not as bad, but they need lots of work and there are better alternatives (the energy conversion efficiency for photosynthesis is low). The frightening realization is the use of these first generation fuels - notably corn based ethanol - probably increases atmospheric carbon dioxide.

Sadly every state has two senators, so the US is making some costly and stupid mistakes. All three of the major presidential candidates have said very foolish things and are suggesting dangerous programs. This is nothing more than a welfare program. If we were interested in energy independence, there are many other things that make more sense. Sadly patriotism is just making sure you are shopping these days.

Even Time has a piece on the subject - it has hit the mainstream.