Amazing science linkdump March 2013

One thing I really like about science is how we can use it to stop human misery. We could probably even use it help poor people too!

But I'll take helping the rich as a starting place.

Gel that stops bleeding instantly
I'm confused about why there's so much ballyhoo about this being used in wars. Drones don't bleed, right?

Another option is WE COULD STOP HAVING SO MANY FUCKING WARS.

Gene therapy cures leukemia in 8 days
For once, we're not curing mice. Actual people in actual remission.

Retinal implant gives sight to blind
If you have a certain kind of blindness to start with. But seriously, a much bigger deal than Google Glass.

February Linkdump

Grammar of comic book lettering
This is the sort of detail that I read and try to memorize. I don't know what that says about me, but I'm afraid it might be bad.

Penn gets proselytized
My ground rule for evangelicals in America is, "Tell them you follow Jesus, and then don't be crazy." Here's a video of Penn telling a story about that guy.



Water that kills salmonella
According to the L.A. times, it's not too good to be true, but you'll think it is.

November Linkdump

Here's the roundup of things I ran across this month, but didn't come up with a real post for:

Flying car drives to Africa
Here's a guy just doing a thing and making it happen. I mean, he's got a team. He's not a solo operation. But it's a great example of doing something small, but amazing... something like I'd like to do. I don't want to do big amazing things. I want to do small amazing things.

(Relatively) Simple explanations
Procon is a Web site that presents the two major sides of an current controversial issue, in a theoretically unbiased manner. If you've ever felt confused about some large public policy issue, look here to help clarify your own opinions on a topic.

The Journal of Cartoon Over-analyzations
Sometimes dumb, sometimes sublime. Occasionally worth a look.

Road map
A map of the contiguous United States consisting only of roads.

July Linkdump

Things I've left open in my browser lately:

I Was a Mad Man
From Design Observer, A true-life story about a guy who burned through the ad industry, and at least partially inspired a thirtysomething character.

Aside: Thirtysomething was set in Philadelphia. Maybe worth a hometown look.

More Creative Thinking on Solar Power
Specially stained glass "increases the electrical power obtained from each solar cell 'by a factor of over 40'".

Thanks to $140/barrel oil, we're finally looking at more whens and fewer ifs on solar.

Crisis of Confidence
Speaking of playing catch-up on squandered opportunities, here's a link to Jimmy Carter's "Crisis of Confidence" speech delivered as President in 1979 -- somehow even more relevant now than 30 years ago. If you're cynical about your politicians, maybe you could stop shooting the messengers so much.

4e D&D Tools Roundup
This list will be out of date any second now, but it's a good one so far for fan-generated 4e stuff.

Guerilla Drive-In
I don't know much about this yet, but I aim to find out.

May Linkdump

Mang, whatever even happened to my BlogaDay sprint?

I've had the last week and a half off from the day job, working on freelance, and motivation took its own little holiday. Maybe reposting interesting things isn't as compelling to me as creating original content? I don't know, I just made that up. That might not be true at all.

Here are some links I was going to put in daily posts, but didn't:

Half the Universe's Missing Matter Found
Becoming one with the universe just got 50% easier.

Buffet Says We're in for a Long, Deep Recession
In recovery from a long, deep obsession.

The Phoenix Mars Lander Twitter Feed
Hey, MarsPhoenix, we don't care what you had for breakfast.

Brief Karen Allen story Following the Latest Indiana Jones Premiere

After dessert, 10-year-old Flynn looked up from his chocolate cake and offered Ms. Allen an unsolicited review of the film. “The funny thing about the movie is that you punch him and then you kiss him,” he said.

“Well, that’s love,” Ms. Allen said.

November Linkdump

Thursday ended before I got done with it.

Here's everything I've had open in a tab for the last month thinking I was going to get around to doing something with it.


Stem cell controversy: effectively over.
Now let's get on with the business of growing larger penises for insecure men.

Covering the Mouse.
A blog of covers of Disney songs. I like the idea, but this is like, a mini-series blog, right? Are there really that many cover tunes of Disney songs?

Update! Kurtis assures me that he has enough Disney cover tunes to last until the heat death of the universe. Go have a listen, whydoncha.

Heavy Ink.
This might be my new comic book store. I can't tell yet.

Photos and video of real-life Shaolin monks.

Tricksy military camouflage.
Rubber tanks! Neat!

How to make your own tact-tiles.
The manufacturer of this RPG aid apparently decided they were tired of making money or something. I emailed them six months ago asking when they might be selling their wares again, and they said they wouldn't make any more at least through the end of the year, and now their Web site is down. So screw it, I'll make my own.

June Linkdump

I've been holding on to these links as if I were going to comment meaningfully, but it's not gonna happen.

Algebra and Its Enemies
What with my B.A. in English, I'm supposed to moan about how terribly difficult math is. Well, your liberal arts paradigm is about to be rocked: I like math. Logically rigorous thinking is hard for me, but where is the petulant "real life" where I don't use math? As a game designer, I damn well used math. I don't use much from the works of James Thurber either, but I've sure read plenty.

Paean to William Tyndale
Why he belongs in the same category as Shakespeare.

Post-Mastectomy Reconstruction
As both a compassionate human and a standard-issue male, I declare this WIN-WIN.

the show with zefrank
This is my new favorite daily internet time waster.

Can Rock Stars Change the World?
Bono says yes and no.