Science!

It seems like it has been a long time since I made a post about science, but a team at MIT just dropped some serious scientific thunder.

Their discovery addresses the issue of how do we make hydrogen based fuel cell energy sources efficient enough for practical use. Somehow, by researching photosynthesis, they found an easy way to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. The joining together, of that easily split hydrogen and oxygen makes energy, which is what happens in a fuel cell. The ultimate goal is that during the day solar panels make energy and split water into H and O, and at night, the H and O recombine in a fuel cell to make more energy. So no matter what, no matter when your house is making energy and it's cheap! If your house has an electric car, which it's likely to in the next 10 years, you'd never need to use carbon based fuels, and that's not only good for the environment but your wallet, and also sticking it to the man.

MIT

Existential Burn?

The Russians probably have a rich history of US directed burns, Sputnik being a decent one, but I think they broke new grounds recently.

Recently, John McCain added to his exhausting list of squid-brained campaign statements by saying he wants Russia out of the G8. A Russian diplomat responded thusly, "... We’re not interested in what McCain has to say. Let him become president first, then we’ll listen to him." Then to top it off the diplomat said "… At the moment, they are turning Russia into a scapegoat for the mistakes of their foreign policy,' said the diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The United States 'is on the verge of an existential crisis,' he added."

That cut deep Russians, existentially deep.

Canada

1939

Ming the panda taking a photograph of photographer Bert Hardy's son, Mike.

270 = Win

National statistics as of July 28th.

Mmm

There's not much to post. I might have something after Barack makes his speech in Berlin.

So Obama basically killed it in Berlin; the crowd even broke into "Yes we can!" chants, but he did make a bit of a misstep when he asked Germany to commit more troops to Afghanistan. They kind of have a bad history with war and I imagine that did not get received very well. Despite that though, and some questionable pronunciation of German names, he totally killed it. I'll post a video of it, when it's available.

Run Run

They're Swedish, they're poppy and they're all girls. Here's "Run Run" by Those Dancing Days.

I am Leaving

This song by Laura Groves, "I am Leaving", is from an internet show called Bandstand Busking. The purpose is to get musicians to perform in barely utilized bandstands, or as I know them, gazebos. There’s a bit of wind-noise, but this a nice song. This is what contemplative moments outdoors sounds like to me. I wish I wrote songs like this, but I don't have an acoustic guitar.

How Do They Do It?

Those Germans are at it again, but this time with white lion cubs. Can I call it a cute Anschluss? Not with any shred of taste.

Parenthetical Girls

I came across a track from this Portland, Oregon group called "A Song for Ellie Greenwich". It has an interesting rhythm propelled by staccato horns and strings. Maybe an odd reference for most, but it reminds me of the music in Final Fantasy 8. Think of an creepy march with only a tiny band. I'm really enjoying it: take a listen.

We Live By The Lake

This video is from the site Black Cab Sessions, whose premise is that they get bands in a London cab and record a backseat performance. Great performancs, great bands. This video is “We Live By The Lake” by Fanfarlo.

No, Better

Air France is a pop/electronic group from Sweden. The music is a gigantic mix of sounds and samples thrown together to make this Summery, kind of early 90s dance sound. You could maybe think of it as Jens Lekmen remixed by an experimental electronic group. The best way to really get the sound is to hear it. Here's a track with a cool loop of children's voices called "Collapsing At Your Doorstep".

15th April 1930

That has to be one of the most delightful pictures I have ever seen.