The Union of Concerned Scientists have done it again with a simple, yet effective video clip detailing the problems with missile defence. See article here.
In a world where tensions among nations seem to be increasing it is important for people to realize the false realities of perceived security systems. Arguably it is better to spend all the R&D money spent on star wars to be spent on meaningful science that promotes peace, not war.
The British National Gallery has opened a new exhibition called ‘Rebels and Martyrs’ and it is taking a deeper look inside the mind of the tortured artist throughout history. From Van Gogh to Kurt Cobain, artists from every genre have struggled to carve out a creative niche for themselves while engaging in regular social behaviour. Many ended their careers by ending their lives. The pieces in the show explore the psychcology behind the artist mind and look into the history of the bohemian.
The shows co-curator Alexander Sturgis commented that “it is the fierce individuality of the artists that is the wellspring of art” and that the cause of struggle is also economic, being that the growing middle class replaced state and church as the main buyers of art “artists became much less secure. The poor, struggling artist was an economic reality.”
Other subjects touched on are the increase in science and more rational theories of enlightenment which led artists to seek out something more internal, intuitive and spiritual. By exploring the mind of the ‘rebel artist’ the show sheds light on a somewhat dismal subject and gives appreciation to those who have suffered in order to share a part of themselves through their creativity.
It looks like the more things change the more they stay the same. A German company, SkySails, is going to start selling a new style of sail to help large freighters move through the ocean faster.
“SkySails’ system consists of an enormous towing kite and navigation software that can map the best route between two points for maximum wind efficiency. In development for more than four years, the system costs from roughly $380,000 to $3.2 million, depending on the size of the ship it’s pulling. SkySails claims it will save one third of fuel costs.”
When it comes to anything quantum I tend to only have a loose idea of what is going on, but I know this much: ion catching is good
“Ions (electrically charged atoms) are promising candidates for use as quantum bits (qubits) in quantum computers. The NIST team, one of 18 research groups worldwide experimenting with ion qubits, previously has demonstrated at a rudimentary level all the basic building blocks for a quantum computer, including key processes such as error correction, and also has proposed a large-scale architecture. “.
A new test has been created to test for the human form of mad cow disease, CJD. The new test for CJD is predicted to be a great step forward for finding a cure!
“Screening the population could energise the search for vCJD treatments, since drug companies are reluctant to carry out research on treating a disease that has caused about 150 deaths, with the numbers of cases declining from a peak in 2000.”