The Lounge

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-magazine-monitor-23962379 From the BBC News Magazine Monitor:

Would it be possible for some of the well connected SFN members to propose NASA the implementation of a strobe light beacon on the International Space Station in such a way to project a cone of perhaps 20 degree colored strobing light downwards as to tell the world its presence overhead during night passes ? It would be very significant, on an insignificant power consumption and perhaps cost, or a harmless green pulsed laser instead. I suggest such as the ISS is discernible to naked eyes with good vision. A light coming from it should be highly discernible too. Would that harm any technological issues?, for the ISS just to tell us, the world... "We are over you…

Although the internet makes educating oneself free, in many cases, the cost of refereed papers is too much for me and many other retired people. I really would like to read Eternity in six hours: Intergalactic spreading of intelligent life and sharpening the Fermi paradox, and other papers from time to time, but cannot afford them. Since university salaries and research grants are often paid by governments, it seems to me that I've already paid tax $ for many of them.

Hey everyone, I am planning on opening a non profit space agency. This agency would be full of civilians from all aspects of science, and other fields. We would have a number of different departments, and a lot of projects. Funding would come from donations, sponsors, inventions we come out with, books, and other idea's. If we find something that the world should know and we confirm it and confirm it again and again we will release the information to the public. This agencies headquarters and first location will be where I live in Boston MA. One project and the major project will be to create a human civilization on the moon. Awesome Idea, a lot of money I know, but I can…

Found that most people often dream about being chased, with physical difficulty to run away or escape from the chase but never getting caught. This is not about the meaning of such or especulate an explanation; but the common scenario to many. How many unrelated different personalities and personal life intricacies can experience such common dream ! ----> Do you get that one too ?

Ever get the feeling that living your life is actually someone playing you in a game? Or viewing your life on a screen or a filmstrip or something. Or maybe it's like Assassin's Creed, where they're trying to find certain details about your life.

There have been some deaths on this show that have left me wondering how realistic the circumstances have been. First off, Alexis' death in the segment "Sky Scraped", where apparently negative pressure in the sky scraper, combined with strong winds battering the office window, caused an explosion of glass everywhere into her skin. Then there was the death of a Mel Gibson parody named Max, who happened to have his intestines ripped out by the drain of his hot tub (He sat on it by mistake). Are these deaths really that accurate? Even the woman who drank too much water? I've wanted to ask you since a lot of you here are qualified in scientific fields, and I f…

If you had an enemy who was seeking revenge against you, The enemy is a psychopathic personality with large financial resources and will most likely seek revenge in the form of suffering. The enemy is highly intelligent and has the thought process to concoct an elaborate scheme, your initial thought is the enemy is going to set you up to take the fall for somthing so you end up incarcerated. That's what you want to protect yourself against. The reasoning is they would be able to control your environment by paying prisoners and guards to make your life miserable. Using today's technology such as a cell phone pinging off a tower, computer log's and IP addresses …

I know we have discussed this before, but for those of you who haven't read some of the stories of this remarkable invention. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-23536914 There is something inspirational and heartwarming about such a simple idea revolutionising so many lives. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liter_of_Light

http://www.theonion.com/articles/royal-baby-eats-first-meal,33191/

This Ted Talk by a Yan Lang, a journalist who has been called "the Opra of China," is both heart warming and heartbreaking. She talks about events in China, many reported on their version of Facebook, a micro blogging web site.

We need to think of solutions instead of problems, because focusing on problems, that is fear, cause us to freeze and run away from the problem. On the other hand, focusing on the good things, the solutions, encourage us to try to achieve those solutions. Costa Rica produces the more happiness, love, health and wealth for the less expenditure of resources than any country on Earth, followed by Vietnam, Colombia and Belize according to happyplanetindex.org, see Table View. See also: Ted Talk, Happy Planet Index

Hello everyone. It's been a while for those who remember me from back in the day. 7 Years have passed and I just thought I'd swing by to see how things were doing. I'm going to see if I have enough time when not working to participate in some lively discussions. My main interests to be honest are economics and philosophy to be frank, so we'll se where this goes. (I'm a anarcho-capitalist/libertarian/voluntaryist of the Austrian Murray Rothbard type.) Salutations to blike, sayonara, capnref, ecoli, ydoaps and the all others I forget to mention. See ya' when I see ya!

I would love to be knowledgeable on a specific area or areas of scientific knowledge like you guys, but I love to chat, so for fun did you know that the German polymath Hildergard Von Bingen ( 1098 - 1179 ) believed that taking a bath in lettuces cured people from sexual desire. I don't believe that. However some of this remarkable woman's work in the field of medicine and plant healing is now considered to have more truth to it than once thought. I just thought 'WHAT THE HELL!!!' I'd enter something!!! Cheers - Mike

http://cakecrumbs.me/2013/08/01/spherical-concentric-layer-cake-tutorial/

Hi. This travel check list works very well for me all times. Improve it, add your items, delete what you like; print copies and should serve you well in the future. Just keep it where can be found when needed ============================================================ TRAVEL CHECK LIST ===Personal items: Comb, brush Cosmetics Dental care items Deodorant First aid supplies Glasses, lenses, cleaning supplies Hair dryer Hand, moisture lotions Insect repellent Medicines, vitamins Nail clipper Cologne, perfume Pocket knife, tools Prescription duplicates Cotton swabs, balls Razor, shaving cream Reading glasses Shampoo Sunglasses Sunscreen lotion ===Document…

This is supposed to be some sort of space drive that doesn't require fuel but I can't access the site, anyone else care to take a look? http://www.fastcompany.com/1837966/mustafas-space-drive-egyptian-students-quantum-physics-invention

Hey everyone, I haven't been posting lately and right now I have some alone time sitting in front of my computer (which I absolutely love to do) so I figured, why not? I'm just going to post. Today I went to the nature trails at our state park here in Michigan and let me tell you, it was very beautiful. I love walking these trails. It might actually be my favorite thing to do in this area. Well, after that, I decided that I wanted to sit down and meet one of my best friends moms for the first time. This woman, she is awesome, honestly, after a few years of getting to know her son and thinking that she was like satan, it turns out that she is actually a very, very smar…

I'm going through a period of change right now and it's not easy for me. I've been crying uncontrollably for days now and im not sure if I will be able to participate in these forums any longer. Me and my parents are having a rough time and people are being blamed for things as is they should be held responsible. I don't believe in the freedom of will, but I do believe that crying helps make room for change so hopefully I will soon have the capacity to secure a fulfilling, independent, desirable, and satisfying lifestyle.

My cactus blooms this morning...

In the movie iron man 3, they should the effects of the extremis virus. What I want to know is if that were real(I know it may never exist), what science/ engineering discipline(s) would be involved in its making? Also, in the upcoming movie Elysium, you see an exoskeleton on the protagonist and antagonist. Same question as the above: What science/engineering discipline would be involved in its creation if it ever existed? Finally, I was watching a science fiction show which involved creating genetically modified humans and placing bionic chips in them giving them powers like Super strength and speed, as well as laser vision. Now, I know this one might never exist i…

Asking the opposite would be more 'normal' ; that thread already exists... The brain size has an upper limit, so, In your opinion which animal is the most stupid of all ? Downward in scale, the tiniest brain should fall into insects and perhaps microorganisms, and opinions on the most stupid creatures can fall in a grey area, but, Do you have of a notable choice ?

Which song would have the best MELODY, the most preferred, top favorite of all times, pleasant, moving, unforgettable, masterpiece, with all the fulfilling attributes to your personal taste ? -On any language from any epoch- If a link is provided, fine. This link is about melody, not interpreter----> or Your turn...

How often do you visit your parents ? How often do you cook for them and chat with them ? How much do you care about them ? Do you care about your own kids/wife/husband more than your parents ? It becomes very common the adult children ignore their parents. They seldom visit them, even dont contact them for a long time(don't bother to call.). It is so hurtful ..... Why people never ask themselves why we need to have kid ? what have we done to our parents ? we cant deny we once hurt them and made them worry about us and even cried for us. I think ignoring parents is a big tragedy and not tolerable ! how to avoid such tragedy to happen ?

I know we haven't seen all the way to the end of the universe (if it even has an end, who knows?), but do you think maybe we, the human race, are the first civilization of sentient beings in the galaxy?