Ava - Watercolor by Cassie Zhen
Cassie Zhen is an art director/illustrator/graphic designer in Germany.
Monthly Archives: October 2011
26
Oct 11
‘Magnetic tongue’ ready to help produce tastier processed foods
Is it just me, or is this just a little strange?
I don’t know… relying on an artificial tongue to decide if food tastes good seems like technology gone berserk. The article below describes a new device using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) to ‘taste’ and help produce tastier processed foods. I guess it should work, since processed foods are laden with chemicals and artificial flavorings anyway.
It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to figure out that our tastes are influenced by our human moods, cravings, and whether we’re hungry. Because of this, human tasters are deemed unreliable. The eTongue (along with the already developed eNose) reportedly can’t be swayed by moods and notions that human tasters suffer.
Continue reading →
26
Oct 11
Snake oil and Used Cars…
By James Milstid
Yesterday, presidential candidate Rick Perry (R-Texas) introduced his version of a flat-tax plan for America.
I don’t pretend to be an economics expert, so I won’t make any uneducated comments about the merits or disadvantages of his plan. Nor will I pass judgement on Herman Cain’s 999 tax plan. I’ll save that for the talking-heads in the media.
Such a deal I have for you…
What disturbed me about Rick Perry’s presentation was the slippery, slimy feeling I perceived. I’ve felt it before while shopping for a used car. Or walking through the warehouse-style furniture store. That “is-this-guy-being-straight-with-me” feeling.
When he held up his 5×7 index card, the words “snake-oil” flashed across my mind… in bright flashing neon letters. My internal warning flags were at full mast. But the premise did have a certain appeal on the surface.
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25
Oct 11
The Man A Sentence Speaks
What did the world’s first language sound like?
What languages sounded like before a few thousand years ago is one of the great unsolvable mysteries of modern science. Now two linguists have come up with a bold hypothesis: the speakers of the oldest known language spoke like Yoda.
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25
Oct 11
Bachmann: Charities Can Take Care Of The Uninsured
Bachmann: Uninsured Americans Can Rely On ‘Charitable Organizations’ For Health Care
By Igor Volsky on Oct 24, 2011 at 9:00 am
Republicans have a hard time explaining how they would make up for the loss in coverage to 32 million Americans if they succeed in repealing the Affordable Care Act. Deregulating the health insurance market and instituting malpractice reform will only do so much — in fact, a Congressional Budget Office analysis of the GOP’s standard health care plan found that such an approach would only extend coverage to three million people and actually increase the overall uninsured rate — and so the party is often forced to look at other less dependable sources for health care: charity.
24
Oct 11
Is Laura OK?
George W and Laura Bush with Nolan Ryan, president and CEO of the Texas Rangers at Game Three of the 2011 World Series
As I watched game 3 of the 2011 World Series, I observed something interesting.
It started whenever the camera flashed on a Texas Ranger warming up in the on-deck circle. Over his right shoulder, slightly obscured by fencing, I’d spot a catatonically still Laura Bush with a twitching and animated George next to her. Once after some nifty Ranger play the camera caught Bush smirkily high-fiving Ranger owner, Nolan Ryan. But Laura just sat there like a Stepford Wife, with a sweet(?) smile pasted on her face.
W and Nolan were enjoying the game immensely, but I think poor Laura was there out of some sense of duty… the dutiful Southern wife.
I really wondered if she is OK.
This would be a fun photo to caption… Hmmmm!
24
Oct 11
Hendrik Kerstens
Dutch photographer Hendrik Kerstens has discovered a wonderful niche for his photography.
His 17th-century Dutch Masters style of portraiture is both fascinating and provocative. The contrast between the incredibly formal, beautifully lit poses and the unexpected modern elements is refreshingly original.
In this photo, he replaces the white hat seen in old Dutch paintings with the ubiquitous white plastic shopping bag. He might also use a dinner napkin or a hoodie sweatshirt.
The contrasts charge his portraits with an undercurrent of sly wittiness.
His precise style and the feeling he creates is nothing short of amazing. His ability to bring out his model’s best side is a true gift. His portraits leave one with a sense of haunting; a desire to search deeper for the story behind the scene.
His daughter, Paula, is his model of choice.
See more of his works in this gallery
Many thanks to Nan B. for sharing this amazing photographer with me.
23
Oct 11
I need an inkling
This has got to be one of the coolest gadgets I’ve seen for a long time. And I want one.
The Wacom Inkling is a device that you simply clip to your drawing pad. Using the supplied pen, draw and sketch to your heart’s delight. As large or as small as you want. As detailed as you want. As many as you like.
The Inkling will digitally store your drawings to be uploaded to your computer via USB. It will save your digitized drawings in several formats; jpg, gif, png, tiff, etc. You can use any popular graphics software to manipulate your drawings into the work of art you desire.
The pen has 1024 degrees of pressure, so you can add light or heavy strokes to your sketch. You can add layers for precise detailing in Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro, or any other graphics program that supports layers.
The Wacom Inkling is scheduled to be released any day now. At USD$199 MSRP it’s a tad spendy, but did that ever stop you before?