What ya thinkn?

Space age farming

2009-05-21T10:02:00.000-07:00

With all the advances that is happening in the hardware/software sect of technology it was just a matter of time before the not so exciting industry of agriculture implemented some cutting edge ideas as well. Behold, the world's first vertical seawater farm project.

This artist sketch is an idea put forward by two Italian architects to who else other than the government of Dubai who has been at the forefront of innovative projects for the past years. Dubai's location on the equatorial belt has led to the city have a extremely hot and dry environment. Therefore, farming has been completely out of the picture in Dubai all these years other than the growth of palm trees thanks to their adaptibility in harsh growing condititions. The only minimal amount of farming in the country U.A.E. takes place further north in the cities of Al Ain and Fujairah.

Each of the pod like objects in the tower will work by capturing the evaporating saline water from the Arabian Gulf and Dubai's creeks and will work to turn it into fresh water. The fresh water in turn will be used for harvesting crops at new heights. This idea was inspired from the ancient Arabian wind towers that captured humidity and irrigate crops high above the ground.

There you go, before it was an emerging and sprawling metropolis from the desert sands with the skyscrapers and malls and now looks like they on the road to the Amazon forest. What can we expect next? Well, atleast they are being green for a change.

Unleasing Antarctica's frozen killers

2009-05-20T17:06:00.000-07:00

Just in! Another bloody good reason to step up the efforts to minimise global warming. New research suggests that we could be seeing a lot more flu pandemics in the future as global warming leads to ice melting in Antarctica. The reason behind being strains of influenza frozen in the ice surrounding the poles. As a result of melting, these strains come unfrozen and lead onto being passed onto the birds that visit Antarctica.

These birds as all know carry out their annual migrations to various human populated locations around the world.

So the following scenario is possible:

1. Humans keep relying on non-renewable sources.

2. Use of these sources leads to rapid greenhouse emissions as is the case at the moment.

3. Sunlight gets blocked and the north and south pole start feeling the heat.

4. Ice melts.

5. Frozen influenze strains from years and years ago come to life, ready to get in contact with a living creature.

6. Bird A comes along doing its usual thing.

7. Bird A catches the strain.

8. Bird A thinks about migrating, kinda getting cold here it thinks.

9. Flies to one of the unlucky countries, I'm guessing Mexico.

10. Takes a dump on one of the pedestrains aka Patient 0, boom.

11. Pandemic starts.

So people, another damn good reason to start acting in an environment friendly manner and engaging with groups that are supporting the environment.

This Frankenstein-like story can really come to life.

Full source at: http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/05/iceplague/

Google Chrome

2009-05-20T16:25:00.000-07:00

I just recently installed Google's new long awaited browser Google Chrome and I have to say it is awesome. My laptop's already got Internet Explorer 8, the Mozilla Firefox 3 and now Chrome. Chrome easily stands out from the lot in terms of sleek design and functionality.
It incorporates almost all the features that are present in Explorer 8 and a lot more than dry ol' Firefox. Using it gives you that feel of using a really light weight software. I think pages in Chrome actually load just a bit faster as well than Explorer or Firefox. The best thing about it is its search feature which is integrated within the address bar. So, the address bar and the search engine are one, absolutely great. The bookmark features is also really good and easy to use, just by a click of the star.

There are some drawbacks as they are to all newly launced products and obviously the main one being of compatibility. While using it with Facebook and blogger.com, I noticed that I can't really use the features of the sites in a manner I used to before.

Still, Chrome clearly stands out from the rest and I recommend it to everyone.

Other way around

2009-05-20T15:49:00.000-07:00

We have all heard of people's attempts to better their bodies from fatty to sexy, no doubt. However, I ain't never heard of somebody purposely going the other way around. Yes, going from an extensively cut-up model's body to a large couch potato. Why on earth would somebody want to send all those months of hard training in the gym down the drain?
Well, meet Paul "PJ" James, a 32 year old "former" model who started indulging himself into junk food at a rapid rate so that he could understand his fat clients better. What? How the heck is he going to understand them better. It easily becomes quite obvious beforehand when you have a Mickey D, its clearly addictive. But I guess PJ just had to try it out himself. Look at the end result. 12.5 to 20 stones.
And now the worst bit, PJ is now so hooked up onto the kebabs, fry-ups, choclate milk that he has completely given up exercising as it's really hard for him to get back onto the treadmill. The addiction has taken him over completely by surprise.
Anyways, we wish him the best of luck.

Police brutality on a 14 year old

2009-05-19T19:04:00.000-07:00

Police brutality has really done it this time. Choking a 14 year old boy by putting him in a choke hold until he became unconscious and eventually got dropped to the ground. The neighbour managed to record the whole incident and then put it onto YouTube.

The force used was clearly excessive in this case and I am sure an alternative or less violent way could have been undertaken. Maybe the cops were setting an example to the other kids in that supposedly bad neighbourhood and if that's the case, they did a pretty good job of it.

Obviously, the public and media is going to grill the police for this but what we have to keep in mind is that the police are the ones who have to deal with all sorts of loony individuals, individuals that enjoy working up the nerves of cops and who better than young hoodlum kids. I am not saying that what the copper did in this video is right, it's wrong. However we have to understand where sometimes this brutality stems from, it's the frustration that is worked up within the individual cop by having to deal with some extremely unsocial individuals that take a piss basically.

Rick Sanchez of CNN carrys out an detailed analysis alongn with video, have a look. http://www.sodahead.com/news/2039/police-beat-teen-on-tape/

Google StreetView busted, by z Germans!

2009-05-19T18:19:00.001-07:00

Google once again is facing critisicm for its new StreetView product. This product allows the user to view major streets of major cities from a 3D point of view and is an addition to Google's existing Maps product.
I checked it out myself for a couple of streets in London and I got to say it was amazing, it's like your right there, except your not. So this way I get to go to some nice places, can't wait till they map Tahiti or something.
Anyways, StreetView's Gantt chart has taken Google to Germany at the current moment where it's German data protection officials are making it hell for Google. They are threatening to slap a not so outstanding amount of €100,000, or $136,000 onto Google if it does not carry out the mapping in accordance with the country's privacy laws which I got to say are really strict. A German citizen currently holds the right of preventing anybody taking his or his property's pictures without prior consent. Well, one would say that it's the same in major Western countries. However from what I have understood German laws are lot stricter, you all are welcome to dig into the legislation if you like to.
Funnily, enough some residents in Kiel, a Baltic sea city have pasted stickers on their windows warning Google to not film them. Extreme I say, German's aren’t letting go of their privacy that easily. In contrast, a lot of people here in UK just don't give a shit which I guess is ignorant in some cases.
Unfortunate for Google, it is all to well accustomed to these issues as it just recently confronted the Japanese government for the same reasons. Worse though, Japanese public had to pay the price as in one incident a woman filed for divorce upon seeing her husband's parked car outside another women's house and another incident which just simply showed a woman throwing up. Damn, that divorce one is quite something, people just got to take it easy and take technology a little bit less lightly at times, using that to cite divorce is kinda pathetic according to me.
Still, Google will press on to make sure it gets the whole world mapped except SWAT I'm guessing with the current BS that's going on there. But, we wish Google the best of luck for another truly innovative product. Also, you guys should check out Google's new browser "Chrome". It's been a long wait but it is excellent. http://www.google.com/chrome

Shady's back

2009-05-18T18:47:00.001-07:00

Disappeared from the spotlight for 4 years, Eminem has just made a recent comeback. He just made an album promoting appearence on British TV show "Friday Night with Jonathan Ross".

Is it just me or did he look really dopped out in that show? With eyes wide open and body language not its usual self does reflect some sort of change in Marshall. Well, looking at the fact that he was in rehab for quite some time getting over his drug addictions problems could be a factor. Nonetheless, we are all glad that rap's main man is back in good form and getting his act right. His new single "We Made You" is giving him a good base to launch his new album "Relapse" from. However, this album has been critisiced for being too intense, stark and psychological dependent. Only time will tell how his fans will get on it. I'm guessing that he will do just fine, just have a look at his previous albums that have all had similar attributes for being largely different to the rap genre and have all turned out to be great hits.

No doubt about it then, Slim Shady is back on top form.

Check out the Jonathan Ross show on BBC's IPlayer. http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/

No Brainer

2009-05-18T18:25:00.000-07:00

13 year old Kumar from Minnesota has just graduated from his community college alongside his classmates who are 10 years older than him in the US. Funnily enough, after this college graduation he will actually be starting his high school. He managed to obtain his community college degree while attending his elementary school during the day and college during the night.
http://abclocal.go.com/wtvg/story?section=news/national_world&id=6817155
Another recent media sensation, a 2 year old girl was dubbed Britain's brainiest child with an IQ of 156. In an interview by ITN, she managed to deliever answers to general knowledge questions asked by the ITN reporter without putting any effort.

Numerous other cases are surfacing of these extra ordinary league of children which is very very fascinating. Before you know it, these youngsters will be making a serious mark in the community they live in from an early age itself. Another indication of how rapidly the world is changing.

I guess we can clearly see the evolution human brains have made over the past century by looking at the syllabus of schools and how they have increased in content over the years. This most probably have enforced this early development of the human brain and is continuing to do so.

Hopefully, they ain't going cause any problems to us unemployed graduates because they ain't no jobs out there. Ha!

Russia still flexing its muscles

2009-05-17T10:16:00.000-07:00

Russia's long-awaited national security strategy that guides Russia on its foreign military policies was released this week. It highlighted concerns about the diminishing supplies of oil and natural gas worldwide. According to the Russians, the lack of these valuable supplies is going to result in 'violent competition' among countries for obtaining these resources. This will take place in the Middle East, the Barents Sea and the Caspian Sea.

The strategy paper clearly stated that Russia would fight to claim its share of the world resources. The statement that undoubtedly stuck out the most was "In the face of competition for resources, the use of military force to solve emerging problems cannot be excluded,". Here we go, Russia is again on the prowl for some sort of conflict. I'm guessing Georgia did not satisfy its war craving. This released strategy paper is to guide Russia's policy development and implementation until 2020, scary.

What strikes me as interesting is that, head of Russia President Dmitri Medvedev managed to squeeze in this statement saying "If you look at what was formulated concerning Arctic strategy last year and you look at this paper, it looks as if the government position has changed and become more moderate,". Moderate? In what sense? were they planning to use some other type of force to obtain their half of resources prior to this paper's release?

Russia, Russia, always looking for trouble. Be at peace people and get on with your lives.

Fighting the Talibs in a pink boxer

2009-05-16T17:48:00.000-07:00

The American soldiers have really outdone them this time. Engaging in combat with the fanatic Taliban and shooting at them while wearing pink boxers that say "I love NY".

Zachary Boyd of the US Army Battalion, 26th Infantry was taking a snooze at firebase Restrepo in the Korengal valley of Afghanistan when it came under fire by Taliban forces. Running low on time, he cared less about his clothing while only grabbing the essentials of his helmet, body armour, his weapon and headed straight out into combat. While it undoubtedly shows the dedication, it also shows the humour attribute the US soldiers manage to keep alive while they go around engaging in combat.
He managed to get onto the frontpage of the New York times for all the wrong reasons.

Tomato meant for space, revolutionizes earth agriculture

2009-05-16T08:39:00.001-07:00

Tomatoes are now being genetically altered to incorporate "super vegetable" traits. Mariya Khodakovskaya, a researcher at the North Carolina State University created a genetically altered tomato seed keeping in mind the harsh environment of space. The seeds were flown out to the International Space Station in August 2007. The seeds successfully germinated but the plants died soon after as they could not stand the extreme conditions put under in space.

Here is the revolutionary bit, the same seeds planted on Earth were found to be extremely successful in adverse growing conditions. These conditions include the killer of all plants, draught. Plants produced from these genetically altered seeds were capable of withstanding severe draughts that would otherwise kill majority of plants.
In addition to the withstanding capabilities, the founding researcher has taken it a step further, modifying the seed so it contains a high level of lycopene, an antioxidant. Scientists believe antioxidants are important in preventing cancer and other chronic diseases. Therefore, another superpower successfully added to the tomato, putting it definitely on the road to revolutionary agriculture.
All that remains for this unique super tomotos to hit the vegetable markets close to you is a patent for the technology and the researcher admits, she does need to work on the tasting feature of the fruit.
So there you go, before you know we all will be having a selection of vegetables that each allow various super vegetable powers according to our liking!

Student shooter to graduate officially!

2009-05-15T18:55:00.000-07:00

This is an another indication of what the US courts are coming down to. A young criminal gets away with manslaughter with no jail sentence along with being given the free card to complete his graduation. In contrast, the victim, also a graduating student at the prestigious Morehouse College gets hospitalised due to three deadly shots and will end up missing graduation himself. This victim also being the same individual who witnessed the passing away of his father three months prior to the shooting. So while the victim goes through a roller coaster of emotions from the death of his beloved to getting shot, the criminal freely wanders back into the college.

What kind of justice is this? People really need to question this generous plea deal made by the prosecutor based on whom the judge passed the sentence. Sure the sentence also included six years of probation, a $1000 fine and 240 hours of community services but these light sentences are exactly the kind of actions that further embolden other individuals with similar mindsets to carry out violent acts.
People do side with this generous sentence stating that another lost young teenager is allowed back onto his feet but is this sentence really justifiable in a nation that is already deeply scarred by educational institutions shootouts? To me, it is taking a step back. No matter what, fair justice needs to be applied.
Article found on: http://edition.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/05/14/morehouse.justice/index.html

Why us, the class of 09?

2009-05-14T15:18:00.000-07:00

Over the past years, what have graduating students being looking forward to? The day they graduate along with having the feeling that they are going to start their career and start making a bit of dosh. Not the case with the class of 09. We are looking forward to our graduation but at the same time have got that hollow feeling in our stomach knowing a job has not been secured as should be the case.
All this thanks to a bunch of unconsiderate bankers caring less about the world around them and focussing a lot more on their pockets.
For us, all those bright hopes of getting a shiny new car, getting our hands on some nice accessories or dipping of somewhere nice for a holiday are SHATTERED! And the people responsible for this continue to sip on their martinis claiming more and more bonuses.
If you actually look at it, this is literally the worst year to graduate from a university since the last recession. How bloody unlucky is that? And it gets worse.
This recession as the analysts predict will slow down by the end of '09 and eventually get back on track by '10. So what are we graduates supposed to do during this time? I hope they seriously do let us know what we ought to do, otherwise by the time this recession is finished the next batch of eager graduates will be coming out the doors timing it perfectly with the end of the recession. Therefore, they will take over the crown of being "eager beavers" for that year as they are the recent graduates and us the old ones will be forgotten along with our "eager beavers" crown as we get mixed into this collousal failure from now till next year.
We can use all the prayers that you guys can deliever!

Formula 1 getting messed up!

2009-05-13T16:05:00.000-07:00

I have fallen into liking the formula 1 sports since the 2007 season, that is since Louis Hamilton took the motoring world by suprise. He didn't win that year but he did a pretty good job of it and eventually won the trophy last year.
However, since the whole recession and every industry including formula one getting affected, it does not seem that this sport is ever going to be the same again. This year's season so far as been highly unexpected with the unknown and unfavourable Braun team of Richard Branson's dominating the podium. Ferraris and Mclarens are no where to be seen as a result of the FIA introducing new rules and regulations into the sports. Are we not getting to see the true colours of the teams and their drivers now that the technical regulations have been evened out? I reckon, we are seeing drivers and teams in their true form now with the new regulations. So much so, the FIA has set a financial cap for each team of $60 million for the 2010 season. This has really freaked out Ferrari and therefore they have decided to boycott the 2010 season. Damn! Ferrari, the team that has dominated formula 1 for the past 60 years all of a sudden boycotting a whole season is surely showing its true colours. Why don't they just get on with the FIA's new rules and put in some real hard work for once rather than spending lavishly for the high end components that gives them the edge. Now that all teams are alike, it will truly be each team's individiual efforts and innovative techniques that will establish them as a champion.
Go Button!

First one ever!

2009-05-13T16:00:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone, this is my first official blog on blogger.com. Looking to take this blog to higher highs if you know what I mean. Will try my best to blog everyday. Will be talking about anything and anything, from politics to entertainment to technology to anything that comes in my mind worth mentioning to everybody out there. Hopefully, this will allow some good stuff to be extracted from me, if there is any that is ;)