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Mjolnir – the hammer of Thor, used as a weapon against the Jotuns, heard as thunder by humans.
“If the radiance of a thousand suns were to burst at once into the sky, it would be like the splendor of the Mighty One. [Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.]"
Bracketed quote uttered by J Robert Oppenheimer, 16 July 1945, quoting the Bhagavad Gita, at the first atomic bomb test in New Mexico.
© 3 March 2012, Reginald L. Goodwin
In the aftermath of denials, false statements and outright lies for political gain, the science limped along as the Earth’s temperatures steadily increased.
The science limped as the educational system was emasculated, flaccid and impotent. Libertarian-inspired charter schools oscillated between hope to abject disaster, with no real world result to compare its outcome to. “Teaching-to-the-test” for fifty different yardsticks for a certain theocratic group that had co-opted God, convincing an electorate that theirs was the better political way, did not want critical thinkers: but mindless automatons that would keep the stratification between themselves and the bewildered proletariat intact, experts more at obfuscation than reasoned conclusions from data.
So, giving such a group controls over the nuclear football touched off short-term conflagrations that threw enough radiated dust and atomized humanity to block the exit of carbon dioxide – thankfully, not enough yet for a Sagan-prophesied nuclear winter, but enough to destabilize a teetering world economy collapsing on its own hubris.
Super storms struck continents: hurricanes that made Katrina look quaint by comparison threw tons of beachfront property into surrounding seas; tornados that made African villages existing for millennia extinct; Harlem, Brooklyn, Detroit, Vegas – settled urban concrete jungles with century-old brick and mortar swept clean to pristine, bare emptiness; polar bears that had resorted to cannibalism as polar icecaps reduced their hunting grounds for survival now like many humans…among the missing.
In the aftermath of denials, false statements and outright lies, no contrition from those that allowed this tipping point to happen. No apology for obfuscation: the remaining talking heads resorted to Blog Talk Radio – as the power grid had been decimated – and doubled-down on insanity in the only thing that they could say and could not prove: it was God’s punishment for humanity’s many sins.
Indeed, if Deity was the cause of the receding shorelines, if Divinity was the cause of our planet’s slow death, those who contributed to our slothfulness in action; they who polluted our thoughts with dogma eschewing scientific method as we polluted our terra-formed home could at least admit their contrition in our environmental iniquities.
We had reached the tipping point, there was no going back, nor solar sail, fusion engine, or warp drive to spirit us away.
...or, so we thought.
Reference link: Predicting and managing extreme weather events - Physics Today
At the urging of some close Christian friends I watched the movie "The Book of Eli". I was underwhelmed by the apocalyptic degradation theme, but I watched the whole thing. At the end I said "Eli was blind and my friends had to watch it again. They didn't get that part. In real life this is also true. I have been trained to read the bible from a certain perspective and giving weight to the "new testament". In my upbringing we ignore prophecy, the law has all been put on the cross, and the guy who saves us is the worse looking hippie I ever saw and Greek to boot. No, that's Greek to sandal, Roman to boot. There were a part that pertained to us and the rest was between god and those phony ones in Israel today.
Anyway I so embraced that Eli became "the book", was able to speak it's entire contents. I was also pissed that after the miracle of Eli's delivery, the book was printed, then shelved with a cavalier archival attitude, next to other so-called sacred literary works. So much for one god. Oh Arnold, there are many divinely inspired books. I don't know. We fight over "the book" who wrote it, who it is addressed to, what it is about. It has been altered, tampered with and yet by faith and by god's great power has been delivered to us intact (as if unaltered). We got a question as to what something meant, we go to the Greek, and yet the Torah and Prophets were all originally written in Hebrew by Hebrews. The new testament was written Greek, but they found some stuff in Hebrew, not sure. Ooh, they despised each other, had vastly different culture, language and thinking. I guess that explains why library looting and burning was a Roman army mainstay of subjugating other peoples. How easy it was to write a lie and pronounce "read'em and weep or die!". It has been used as the vary means to keep us down. Yet if you actually read it, if you can do it outside the enslavers construct, it will liberate you.
"Hey you, where are your chains, everybody's got chains, a man without chains is a threat to my freedom, my liberty, my way of life. You must read the book this way, see you must have chains."
"I hate reading but even more a Greek trained one telling me what I'm looking at."
"Damn son, I keep putting you in chains and they keep falling off, boy, what's the matter with you?"
"I'm sorry but they don't seem fit me, I think these are meant for you. It is not my fault you believe your own lies. I am immersed in your culture, schooling, thought paths, I go to church, watch you on TV, I can't understand why these chains don't fit. I started turning a def-ear to what you say and chains started dropping. I feel better though everybody thinks I'm odd now, I don't mean to be trouble."
"I hope this is not contagious, can't have all like you to be like you. This global plantation thing is not working."
Technology Review: Rolling, Rolling, Rolling...
Web Site: GoSphero
| Click to Run |
| Click to Run |
| Click to Run |
Why did those days ev-er have to go
I wish those days could come back once more
Why did those days ev-er have to go
Cause I love them so
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| T Shirt Guru |
Starting tomorrow, I will blog once a day. It's been a busy month.
I've long championed what I like to term "conversational physics concepts," as well as diversity on this blog, particularly gender ascendancy in science, technology, engineering and math. Thus, my concentration this month wasn't all physics (though, I'm admittedly partial). For the nation to advance in the future, we need every one of us.
It is my hope one or several posts during the month informed, entertained and inspired. I started these posts with something that struck me as wrong: that due to someone's name and attending a historically black college and university as an undergrad, they would most likely not get a grant from the National Institute of Health. It affected me because I know and have taught one such young man that in his future, this impediment will affect him: he currently attends Howard University in Biology Pre Med, and plans to research in Ear, Nose and Throat ailments. Something that because of my own struggles with Sinusitis, I sincerely HOPE he's successful in getting research dollars!
I post this as a father, with two young men with dreams, hopes and futures in medicine (USARMY) and Civil Engineering. I have watched over Robert and Mildred Goodwin'sgrandsons. As they did for me, I hope and work for a future that they can contribute to positively.
It's a leap year, and my hope is that teachers, professors...and students have found something of themselves in these postings. (Shout out to the students and teachers at Manor High School 
)
For students, your futures lie not just in sports or rap music; a future in science, technology, engineering and math is not only possible: it is "what you can do for your country" (John F. Kennedy)...and for yourselves.
This is the last week of our amazing online Black History Month event. It’s been an enlightening experience. I’d like to take the time to thank everyone who has participated from the other bloggers to the readers, retweeters, and commenters. You all have been wonderful. My winners this week are Chicki Brown and Ellen Barrow. Congratulations! This week we have a special treat. Each participant has created an original short story.We each created a short story that uses a bracelet. The ATL authors shared their stories at the Georgia Tech discussion so after my short, take a look at the reading of the Mathematical Genius. To read the rest of this post, please visit:
Mayer Mason
University of Illinois
Citation:
"For innovative experiments that elucidate the electronic interactions and correlations in low-dimensional systems, in particular the use of local gates and tunnel probes to control and measure the electronic states in carbon nanotubes and graphene."
I attended her talk at the NSBP conference in Austin, Texas. Nobel Prize next, Dr. Mason!
NobelPrize.org: Maria Goeppert Mayer Biography
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| Cosmic Microwave Background mapping |
The theory is called Big Bang nucleosynthesis and describes a stage early in the universe's evolution when, at temperatures of thousands of degrees, protons and neutrons began to assemble into atomic nuclei and form the first light elements: deuterium, along with isotopes of helium and lithium. As temperatures dropped, nucleosynthesis drew to a close, and eventually electrons began to add themselves to the nuclei during a period called recombination. At this time, photons stopped scattering off charged particles and the universe became transparent.
Sikivie and colleagues point out that axions can form a Bose–Einstein condensate (BEC). Such condensates contain particles that have all fallen into their lowest energy state, and are best known to occur in low-density gases at temperatures close to absolute zero. But since the critical temperature for transition to a BEC depends on density, say the Florida researchers, particles can form BECs at higher temperatures as long as they are dense enough. Even in the primordial heat of the Big Bang, the researchers say, axions would easily be dense enough to form a BEC.
All well for the universe: what about my laptop battery? 
Physics World: Axions could solve lithium problem
Greetings and salutations! I have a new short story available as a free download. It is about Marc, who had lived a wild life full of partying and sex. When he is involved in a car accident, he reunites with a mysterious shaman from his childhood and begins to question if his life was merely a futile search to find love.
The book is for mature (18+) audiences only, as it has images that might be inappropriate for younger readers. It is also not safe for work (NSFW).
You can read & download it on Scribd or download it for various formats (Kindle, ePub, PDF, etc) on Smashwords.
Thanks for reading. Hope you enjoy it.
Words = Life,
A. Jarrell Hayes
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| Optical Fibre with Integrated High-Speed Junction |
An international team of researchers has integrated a semiconductor junction into an optical fibre for the first time. The device, which works at gigahertz frequencies, is the first step in creating an all-fibre optical-communications network where light is generated, modulated and detected within a fibre itself without the need for integration with electronic chips. Its range of applications could run from improved telecommunication systems and laser technology to more-accurate remote-sensing devices.
Physics World: Optical fibres with integrated semiconductor junctions developed
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| Lydia Thomas, PhD |
To begin to understand the remarkable achievements of Dr. Lydia Thomas, the 2003 Black Engineer of the Year, first realize she is the daughter of the principal of the only all-Black high school in Portsmouth, Va., and that her mother was the school's head guidance counselor. She has said of that experience: "I grew up in Virginia, in segregated schools, but I had tremendous encouragement for my interest in science -- from my teachers and from my parents, who had a great love of learning. They taught me that a book was better than a candy bar." She also was encouraged to achieve, to soar above any limits others might wish to impose.
"As a young Black girl in high school, no one ever told me that math was hard or that science was for boys," Dr. Thomas says.
She continued her education at Howard University, receiving a B.Sc. in zoology in 1965, and went on to earn an M.Sc. in microbiology from American University in 1971. She returned to Howard in 1973, as a divorced mother of two, to earn a Ph.D. in cell biology, just in time to join the emerging technology revolution.
Dr. Thomas joined MITRE in the 1970s and rose through the ranks through a combination of skill and willingness to soar. She spent the vast majority of her career at The MITRE Corporation and Mitretek Systems, where she shaped programs that were the beacon for the nation in energy, environment, public safety, health, and national security.
Mitretek is now Noblis, Dr. Thomas is President and CEO of the company.
2003 Black Engineer of the Year: Lydia Thomas, PhD
Press Release: Mitretek Systems Changes Name to Noblis
http://www.unixmen.com/why-inkscape-is-way-ahead-of-adobe-illustrator/
Well this is most definitely not a troll. But a genuine appreciation of software that gives you the scope to develop top-quality vector graphics that allows designers to explore the limits of software and render graphics to perfection.
Of course, one cannot take away Adobe Illustrator’s great features, but there is only so much you can do with all the ‘power-packed features’. Inkscape, offers you limitless scope that allows you to learn and build as you go and this definitely is what keeps it way ahead of all other similar vector software.
Light on the pocket plus optimized design experience
First point in favor of Inkscape is of course its open source origins. That it does not cause a big hole in your pocket even as it delivers superior quality features, on par with paid Adobe Illustrator, is a worthy point that works in Inkscape’s favor.
Additionally, it is not just children working on school projects who are using Inkscape with ease. Professionals, designers prefer the hands-on experience that Inkscape offers to ensure maximum work scope over-and-above Adobe Illustrators’ power features. Add to its small footprint, typically in small sizes that makes working on Inkscape easier and faster.
Additional features such as RGB color, very sophisticated path effects; and by far, the best open and save function feature for SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics). Now, SVG is the format for rendering 2D graphics and application in XML. This helps in using these graphics on websites as well as print media.
Inkscape is as professional as Adobe Illustrator
Though, Adobe Illustrator has a better text feature pack, Inkscape makes up with some of the best multiple or general illustration features. Whether for coloring, illustrating or building icons, Inkscape is easy to use. Add to it the following features native to Inkscape only – direct editing on SVG source, editing clones on canvas, screen pixels manipulation – move, rotate or scale; shapes can be converted into objects; using handles for editing gradients on the canvas; use of keys to edit nodes’ fill paint bucket with a single click and color wash over objects.
Better User Interface
Another feature of Inkscape is its better and more useful interface. It is not the typical ‘oversimplified’ open source software, but has the perfect user interface for beginners to professionals. Additionally, Inkscape scores well users because it automatically converts Bitmap to Vector format.
Packaged Software does not translate into full support
A key feature for Inkscape users is that, when in need of support one can directly get to chat with developers and ink out doubts, use cases and optimize their scope, which is most definitely not the case with the beautifully packaged Adobe Illustrator software. You can get a host of tutorials, support pages to wade through and after an exhaustive search, get relief only after a paid conversation with the help desk. Your nearest help for Adobe Illustrator will remain support forum.
Over and above any of the above, Inkscape rules over Adobe Illustrator because of the free spirit with which it can be used. No limiting or strict licensing with Inkscape, you and the entire team can work simultaneously without having to run up budget over-runs.
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| Kevin T. Kornegay, PhD |
Electronic Design and Applications, and Microelectronics/Microsystems
Kevin Kornegay received his B.E.E. from Pratt Institute in 1985 and his M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science in 1990 and 1992, respectively. In the early part of his career, he was employed in industrial research positions at AT&T Bell Laboratories in Murray Hill, N.J. and at IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center in Yorktown Heights, N.Y. From August 1994 through December 1997, he was an assistant professor in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) at Purdue University. In 1997, Professor Kornegay was the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Visiting Professor in the EECS department at MIT.
Faculty Profile, Georgia Tech: Kevin Kornegay, PhD
From the Welcome page:
"The dream of blacks making science fiction as a concept has been in the minds of many of us since we were all children watching science fiction movies and television shows such as Buck Rogers, Star Wars, Battlestar Galactica and Star Trek. Most of us have however, found that the characters that are ethnic, as a general rule most often have been relegated to secondary roles, sidekicks, stereotypes, sex objects, dope heads, not in the show at all, or my favorite: the first to die in the show.
"We however, feel it is only right to present science fiction with a different face, one that is not filled with the normal negative representation of ethnic characters. We think that it is essential for characters of all colors and creeds to be represented positively and fairly."
Many of us...
Henry David Thoureau said: "Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them."
Many of us played the game of "go along to get along," quietly knowing full well the security guy in the red shirt (old Star Trek) was always the first to go down by phaser fire, the first to die. Insignificant to the storyline, but "PC enough" to attract a diverse audience.
I proudly own copies of "Dark Matter" and "Future Earths Under African Skies" as well as books by Octavia Butler and other Diaspora authors of speculative fiction. Part of building positive futures are what we dare to dream for ourselves to participate in (and be).
I'm grateful for the images in my young mind of Nichelle Nichols (Lieutenant Uhura), and for my own sons, LeVar Burton (Lieutenant Commander Geordi la Forge), Michael Dorn (Lieutenant Commander Worf) and Avery Brooks (Captain Benjamin Sisko).
Images still are needed for this generation, to dare to dream, participate, and be. Many members of the Black Science Fiction Society are published authors - print and Kindle/Nook - I am thankful and proud they will not go to the grave with "the [many] songs still in them," ...that many still need to hear.
The caged bird sings
with fearful trill
of the things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill for the caged bird
sings of freedom
The free bird thinks of another breeze
and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn
and he names the sky his own.
But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing
The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.
"I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" Dr. Maya Angelou
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| Nanoshells - Tiny spheres capture light |
Researchers in the US have reported on a new way to increase the amount of light absorbed by thin-film solar-cell materials. The new technique relies on "whispering gallery" modes in which light becomes trapped inside tiny shells made of silicon. The result could lead to more efficient photovoltaics, claims the team.
Nanocrystalline silicon could be ideal for making photovoltaic devices because it is an excellent conductor of electricity and can withstand harsh sunlight without suffering any damage. However, there is a problem: silicon does not absorb light very efficiently. Layers of the material have to be built up to increase the amount of light absorbed – a process that is both time-consuming and expensive.
Now, Yi Cui and colleagues at Stanford University have shown that nanoshells made of silicon could offer a quicker and cheaper route to solar-cell fabrication.
Physicsworld: Nanoshells could boost photovoltaics
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| Shirley M. Malcom, PhD |
Shirley Malcom is Head of the Directorate for Education and Human Resources Programs of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). The directorate includes AAAS programs in education, activities for underrepresented groups, and public understanding of science and technology. Dr. Malcom serves on several boards—including the Heinz Endowments and the H. John Heinz III Center for Science, Economics and the Environment—and is an honorary trustee of the American Museum of Natural History. In 2006 she was named as co-chair (with Leon Lederman) of the National Science Board Commission on 21st Century Education in STEM . She serves as a Regent of Morgan State University and as a trustee of Caltech. In addition, she has chaired a number of national committees addressing education reform and access to scientific and technical education, careers and literacy. Dr. Malcom received her doctorate in ecology from Pennsylvania State University; master's degree in zoology from the University of California, Los Angeles; and bachelor's degree with distinction in zoology from the University of Washington. She also holds 15 honorary degrees. In 2003 Dr. Malcom received the Public Welfare Medal of the National Academy of Sciences, the highest award given by the Academy.
AAAS Science Talk: Shirley M. Malcom, PhD
From a previous post on supposed superluminal neutrinos (a response):
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| io9 |
