I've talked to friends before about light sabers being theoretically possible. I imagined limits on them as being different than those imposed in the movies... perhaps magnetic containment would open the possibility. This new discovery moves beyond that imposed limit, because the photons contain themselves. Star Wars fans may delight in this new discovery as it is very similar to light saber "matter" in how it interacts with itself and solid objects.
This may also open other previously impossible weapons such as photon torpedos. Space Age discoveries seem to be happening when many space missions are on hold. I can't wait to see what is coming next!
The Newest Thing: Light Sabers
Monday, September 30, 2013
Friday, April 12, 2013
Amateurs on the Rise
Despite the job climate being cold to entry level applicants at best, many people are bravely trying their hand at new skills. Currently speaking, this looks like play. These skills become serious hobbies sometimes, and occasionally turn a small profit.
Many people are attempting skill sets like 3d printing, programmable electronics (Arduino controllers), upcycling, home hydroponics (legit stuff, like gardening, but for techies), home solar projects (solar cooker, solar collector for home or water heating, home greenhouses,etc.), underground geothermal, home machine shop or woodworking, and many other serious skills (like biodiesel production). These are actually all upper end skills that relate in many ways to industry. Many of these small scale operations are new, and don't have a lot of proper support yet.
There is a rising culture of self-sufficiency directly linked to these skills, this is often referred to as "DIY" or "Maker" culture. There are suppliers that have staked a claim in helping these hobbyists find supplies to make things. There are videos all over YouTube that instruct people on how to make things themselves (take care to make sure that your instructions are safe). There are instructions on how to make or do things on ehow.com and instructables.com. There are project ideas on pinterest.com, and on the many, many blogs out here on the internet.
Historically, many things have started small. Science itself was very amateur-like when it started. Taking notes and keeping records helped, as well as communicating to each other effectively, in taking science to the next level. Industry sprung up from some innovative iron works in England, gradually working its way into every aspect of our lives, as its innovative ideas made producing goods more effective. Now it is time to start again. We need to have a grasp on the process of making things, and putting ideas into motion, for ourselves and with our own skills and minds. This is the time when we can rise or fall. Together we rise.
Many people are attempting skill sets like 3d printing, programmable electronics (Arduino controllers), upcycling, home hydroponics (legit stuff, like gardening, but for techies), home solar projects (solar cooker, solar collector for home or water heating, home greenhouses,etc.), underground geothermal, home machine shop or woodworking, and many other serious skills (like biodiesel production). These are actually all upper end skills that relate in many ways to industry. Many of these small scale operations are new, and don't have a lot of proper support yet.
There is a rising culture of self-sufficiency directly linked to these skills, this is often referred to as "DIY" or "Maker" culture. There are suppliers that have staked a claim in helping these hobbyists find supplies to make things. There are videos all over YouTube that instruct people on how to make things themselves (take care to make sure that your instructions are safe). There are instructions on how to make or do things on ehow.com and instructables.com. There are project ideas on pinterest.com, and on the many, many blogs out here on the internet.
Historically, many things have started small. Science itself was very amateur-like when it started. Taking notes and keeping records helped, as well as communicating to each other effectively, in taking science to the next level. Industry sprung up from some innovative iron works in England, gradually working its way into every aspect of our lives, as its innovative ideas made producing goods more effective. Now it is time to start again. We need to have a grasp on the process of making things, and putting ideas into motion, for ourselves and with our own skills and minds. This is the time when we can rise or fall. Together we rise.
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Makers Unite!
DIY (maker) culture is gaining momentum. This is the critical period for makers to band together to make a change in society. There is no greater pride than making your own things. There needs to be more businesses that cater to makers. There needs to be more makers turning their ideas into profits.
This requires unity. The primary problem is that the profits are small. Advertising is prohibitive at the per item profits that can be made within this culture of household industry. This makes being a maker a hard sell, literally.
This could easily be taken on. Sites for makers that sell products are out there (Etsy.com, Ebay, Amazon)
Amazon DIY
Etsy.com
Ebay DIY
Partnership, funding, advertising all offer possibilities for return on investment. We need growth. Makers can provide it, they just need help. Just putting it out there.
This requires unity. The primary problem is that the profits are small. Advertising is prohibitive at the per item profits that can be made within this culture of household industry. This makes being a maker a hard sell, literally.
This could easily be taken on. Sites for makers that sell products are out there (Etsy.com, Ebay, Amazon)
Amazon DIY
Etsy.com
Ebay DIY
Partnership, funding, advertising all offer possibilities for return on investment. We need growth. Makers can provide it, they just need help. Just putting it out there.
Sunday, March 3, 2013
To the Moon
Analysis has lately revealed that the current state of the satellites falls far short of what it should.
Satellite Crisis via PBS.org
The thing is, I knew that it would be this way. One indicator was economy. The other was the de-emphasis of the space program.
My thought on this was that a moon base partially solves the problem. A moon base can contain a larger number of instruments, is farther from the Earth and will not ever fall to Earth in our lifetime, can involve many collaborators and benefit all countries involved. I am convinced that weather monitoring will be as effective from the moon as from an orbital position, and that any working satellites could be more effective with data gathered from a moon base.
A moon base may have other offerings as well. A magnetic launch system from a low gravity object such as the moon would be very effective, and can accelerate modular objects used for space mining (which may even be assembled on the moon base itself by a human crew). This saves fuel to reach a planet for gravitational acceleration and can reach high speeds with low energy. So, inevitably, a moon base would save money on space mining operations.
A moon base may also be a good foundation for the theoretical space tourism industry. The moon may be a more popular destination if there is something there other than moon rocks.
So, economically speaking, the moon is a better option than dozens of satellites. It is more permanent, more versatile, generates less space junk, and is a stepping stone to projects in deeper space. So, let's go to the moon!
Satellite Crisis via PBS.org
The thing is, I knew that it would be this way. One indicator was economy. The other was the de-emphasis of the space program.
My thought on this was that a moon base partially solves the problem. A moon base can contain a larger number of instruments, is farther from the Earth and will not ever fall to Earth in our lifetime, can involve many collaborators and benefit all countries involved. I am convinced that weather monitoring will be as effective from the moon as from an orbital position, and that any working satellites could be more effective with data gathered from a moon base.
A moon base may have other offerings as well. A magnetic launch system from a low gravity object such as the moon would be very effective, and can accelerate modular objects used for space mining (which may even be assembled on the moon base itself by a human crew). This saves fuel to reach a planet for gravitational acceleration and can reach high speeds with low energy. So, inevitably, a moon base would save money on space mining operations.
A moon base may also be a good foundation for the theoretical space tourism industry. The moon may be a more popular destination if there is something there other than moon rocks.
So, economically speaking, the moon is a better option than dozens of satellites. It is more permanent, more versatile, generates less space junk, and is a stepping stone to projects in deeper space. So, let's go to the moon!
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