Oct 30 2009 Russia To Build Nuclear Powered Spaceship
You read correctly: Russia plans to build a nuclear powered spaceship. I smell a new coldcool lukewarm war coming on! ADVANCE THE DOOMSDAY CLOCK!
Roscosmos, Russia's Federal Space Agency has a new design for a manned spacecraft powered by a nuclear engine. Anatoly Perminov, the head of the agency, told reporters yesterday the goal of the Megawatt-class spaceship was "implementing large-scale space exploration programs."
Perminov added that this new spacecraft -- which will have a preliminary design by 2012 -- is supposed to help Russia maintain its edge in space, and possibly allow travel to the Moon or Mars. But Anatoly Koroteyev, president of the Russian Academy of Cosmonautics and head of the Keldysh research center, told RIA-Novosti that setting up permanent base on the moon was still out of the question.
Listen, I'm all for atomic energy, but I can't imagine the aliens being too thrilled about the Ruskies launching an atomic missile in their direction. AND YOU WONDER WHY THEY COME TO EARTH AND STICK THINGS IN OUR ASSES.
Поехали! Russia Plans Atomic-Powered Spaceship [wired]
Thanks to Nick, who built a nuclear reactor in his parents' basement but got grounded when they found it.
Oct 30 2008 Man Wants To Marry Comic Book Character
A Japanese man has started a petition to allow humans to marry comic book characters. And no, it's not The Superficial Writer. Just kidding, it totally is.
I am no longer interested in three dimensions. I would even like to become a resident of the two-dimensional world. However, that seems impossible with present-day technology. Therefore, at the very least, would it be possible to legally authorize marriage with a two-dimensional character?
Amazingly, he's not the only one. In his campaign to collect a million signatures, he's run across several other nutjobs.
For a long time I have only been able to fall in love with two-dimensional people and currently I have someone I really love," one person wrote. Even if she is fictional, it is still loving someone. I would like to have legal approval for this system at any cost.
Wow, just wow. And also, WTF! I'm not sure if the character in the picture is the one of interest, but if it is, well, the dude's gay. Which will probably require some more legislation. Now, where do I sign?
Japanese man petitions to marry comic-book character [yahoonews]
Thanks to Angeline and Leigh, chicks who read Geekologie, amazing!
Oct 3 2008 3-D Force Field May Make Touching Princess Leia In (And Out Of) Her Metal Bikini A Reality
Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed the Airborne Ultrasound Tactile Display, a 3-D interactive force field that may make touching Princess Leia's golden boobies a reality.
This tactile display enables tactile feedback superimposed over 3D graphics projected in free space, which provides more intuitive handling of 3D "touchable" graphics. For example, users could touch Princess Leia projected in the air.
ZOMG!
The Airborne Ultrasound Tactile Display uses multiple ultrasound transducers to project waves into the air. Without gloves or attachments, and without risk of penetration in the body, the device takes advantage of a nonlinear ultrasound phenomena called acoustic radiation pressure. This allows for the creation of spatial shapes of acoustic ultrasound radiation pressure, which is what gives you the sensation of touching Princess Leia's breasts for real, even feeling the nature of the material
And you thought I was kidding, didn't you? I was not! And also, I demand a demo. A private demo. With mood lighting and aromatic candles.
3D Force Field Opens Door for Holodeck, Virtual Touchable Leia [gizmodo]
Thanks to Sean and Michael, who both claim to have been intimate with Princess Leia in her younger (but still totally legal) years.
