Entries tagged with science!

Current Music: End of the Line, Daft Punk

Entry tags:

astronomy,
science!

...

... so apparently I'm a Gemini, now? Except not really?

Man, idk. I've never put much stock in astronomy (I mean, seriously, what the fuck), and I've never been a good I-just-have-all-these-FEELINGS Cancer, and are all people born in the same year really supposed to have the same personality? Is that how it works, China?

So, yeah. If I'm a Gemini, then cool? Beats being a damn crab? XD

Edit: Yes, I do know the difference between a constellation and an astrological sign and I am aware that this isn't real. But it's still hilarious reading all of the Facebook statuses going, "ZOMG IM NOT A TAURUS ANYMORE???1? :O"

Current Music: Zombie, The Cranberries

Entry tags:

child is slowly taken

Okay, guys. I have dealt with a lot of bullshit over the course of my online Bio class, but this really was the last straw. ~~And it seems I am all kinds of a smartass on meds.~~

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Look at the population in the picture below. If you were to sketch an imaginary line on the picture where the area covered by birds-in-flight was roughly divided into six squares an estimate, per area, could be accomplished.

13. To make a population estimate, count the number of birds-in-flight in one square and multiply the total by six.

____18_______ X 6 = ____108_________ (total population)

14. How close did you come to the actual population? Count every bird in the photograph to find out.

Exact count of the population = Wow, you actually wanted me to count all of that? I think I would go blind before I could figure out exactly how many birds are occupying the same space in that photograph. Two-dimensional images do not an accurate count, make. Although, given how the forgiving the margin of error seems to be, I think you’re just messing with us. I suppose there is no getting over the factor of human error, though, so the large amount of give makes sense. And yes, I understand the nature of this exercise. Populations are subject to random environmental factors, but there is a semi-predicable curve to be found within it all, just by the nature of statistics. It’s kind of cool that life, as we know it, in all its complexity and inexplicable variation, can be predicted by simple mathematics. (Or not-so-simple mathematics, if you struggle with analytical thinking.) By implementing spatial constants, you can make sense of what would otherwise resemble chaos. In essence, science. Rock on, science.
But still. Count each and every bird? I’d rather kill them mount them on the hood of my truck and let Fish and Wildlife do the counting, right before they put me away for single-handedly decimating the waterfowl population of this particular image.

15. Check one of the following to rate your estimating accuracy.

Within 5 birds of the actual count total: Accuracy 100%
Within 25 birds of the actual count total: Accuracy 90%
Within 50 birds of the actual count total: Accuracy 80%
Within 70 birds of the actual count total: Accuracy 70%
Within 100 birds of the actual count total: Accuracy 60%
*According to Heisenburg: Accuracy 0%
*According to Schrödinger: Accuracy Infinite

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I definitely submitted this as my real answer, and I regret nothing.

* my contribution to the choice list

Current Music: Falling, Staind

Entry tags:

science!

Its getting back up that becomes the problem

Dear Bio: Please stop giving the uninformed masses a platform upon which to spout their anti-science rhetoric in the guise of 'discussions'. I am really tired of being the sole voice of reason in the face of naïve, wild-eyed liberalism.

::is probably the most conservative liberal you will ever meet:: Get off my lawn.

And also, ( I'm a little drugged atm... )

Current Music: A Punch Up At A Wedding, Radiohead

Entry tags:

science!

::don't infect me with your poison::

My Assignment:

"Please read and respond to the chapter 7 questions in Bioethical Issues on page 132 of your textbook. In 1986, it was estimated that humans already use 40% of the Earth's terrestrial photosynthetic production, and therefore we should reach maximum capacity in the middle of the 21st century when the population is expected to double. What do you feel is the best approach to meeting the world population's growing food production needs?"

My Response:

"The only solution and salvation for mankind is to put our trust in the corporations who, as we speak, are struggling to synthesize a cheap, efficient means of supporting our rapidly growing population. They will eventually manage to create synthetic food products that resemble high-energy vegetable concentrates. They will probably come in different colors, such as red or yellow. As time goes by, this super-food will be refined to become more palatable and nutritious. It may even take on a new trade name, to further it's sales. However, as time goes by, the people will begin to realize that this savior comes at a heavy price. They will find that the food production will mirror the depletion of the human population, to the point where those beyond the upper echelons will come to realize the horrible truth.

IT'S PEOPLE."

I consider this a perfectly reasonable and realistic response, which says all kinds of things about me.

Current Music: God Given, Nine Inch Nails

Entry tags:

::now we know we're right::

Just had my entire worldview turned upside down when someone explained to me that there were different types of infinity.

Infinity, by definition, is a never-ending quantity. You can start at 1 and go on until you turn blue and die. It literally goes on forever. So how could there be more than one type of going on forever?

The answer is integers. Between the numbers 0 and 1, there are an infinite number of integers. You can always add another zero to the sequence. This can go on forever. This is infinity.

Guys. There is more than one type of infinity. String theory and parallel universes didn't blow my mind this much.

Current Music: I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho), Pitbull

Entry tags:

science!

::i know you want me::

Askjlfdksj; SCIENCE.

Fizerpharm Inc.'s "Taming Yesterday's Nightmares for a Better Tomorrow"

Probably one of the best and most comprehensive explanations for the vampire phenomenon I've ever seen. And it is explained by SCIENCE!

Entry tags:

science!

::be my little rock and roll queen::

I just read the coolest thing.

Ambein is now being used to awaken vegetative patients.

The article I read was nowhere near as heart-rending or fluffy as the one above, but the fact remains that a sleep-aide has been found to be effective in waking up people who's brains have completely gone dormant.

And it's not just in one case. The drug has been effective with people who have suffered head trauma, stroke victims, and even a guy who half-drowned.

The patients just simply wake up. They can and have reacted to their own names, recognized others, and can do simple mental problems. The drug affects them for about four hours before they relapse into their coma. But they can be woken up, again.

There have been no recorded side effects, and patients have been on this experimental treatment for years, now. While not approved for long-term use, it's a very simple thing to formulate a slow-release formula that can keep a patient conscious all day.

This is amazing, you guys. I didn't and still don't care about Terri Schiavo, but a treatment like this could have saved her life.

Science, guys. It's awesome!

Current Music: Unafraid, Young Love

Entry tags:

science!

I'MA FIRIN' MA BEAM SWORD

I took a Hot Topic Health Potion energy shot thingy in the name of science. It promises 5-8 hours of energy, and I had to be over 18 to buy it.

I'm not gonna lie, it didn't taste awesome. I don't feel anything yet, but if you read news reports about some crazy bitch who tried to eat the Wendy's sign in Pensacola, send me bail money.

Also, if I die, y'all do not get my stuff. I expect a Viking Burial, with all my shit burned with me. Virgin sacrifices are a plus.

See ya in Valhalla.

Update
It's an hour and thirty minutes since I took the shot, and my head feels a little weird. I'm getting tired, though. Overdose, perhaps?

Entry tags:

Dude!

Scientists have developed a synthetic, radioactive version of scorpion venom for treating brain cancer.

You guys. They use scorpion venom. To fight brain cancer. This is awesome.

Entry tags:

It works!

FDA Approves Morning-After Pill for 17-Year-Olds

Alleluia, people! Science is fighting back!

I am, as always, floored by the blow-hard, pathetic excuses the conservatives throw up in the face of anything that doesn't equate 'Go forth and multiply.'

"Opponents, including prominent conservatives, counter that [the drug] would encourage promiscuity and might even become a tool for criminals running prostitution rings, as well as for sexual predators."

The holes in your arguments, let me show you them.

1) Encourage nothing, assholes. Condoms are free. This drug costs up to $60. Which one will most people choose?

2) Prostitutes are women, too. An abortion can cost anywhere from $400 to $500. A coat hanger and a 32-oz bottle of Drano costs $10. If pimps are gonna be pushing this drug, good for them.

3) Only 25% of sexual predators are women. Only 25% of sexual predators over the age of 17 can purchase this drug (no, you cannot send your boyfriend to buy it for you), and, guess what. They are not the victim.

I can only image what kind of noises they'll make when science proves that removing all age-limits is actually going to, you know, help women out. I mean, God forbid.

Current Music: Eye, Smashing Pumpkins

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I have figured it out!

I have been wondering to myself, "Why do I like SGA so much when SG-1 never really did anything for me?" Same premises, same shameless opportunities to play with classic plot cliques (body-switching, multiple universes, invisibility).

What is the difference?

I have the answer.

Stargate Atlantis is a geek show.
No, really. Lemme 'splain.

SG-1 functions on the premise of exploration. They find new peoples, Daniel gets excited over the culture, the rest of the team just plays along, aliens attack, hard choices are made... When wars are waged, its with fire an man-power. It's social. The aliens are parasites and the hosts are innocent victims and the show focuses on that humanity. Great for show, but it feels lacking, sometimes.

Atlantis is different. They're not figuring out the Stargate, they've already done so. They are in a different galaxy, far away from standard social norms, making their own way. Rodney and Sheppard? Both stunningly intelligent individuals who blow things up. The denizens of Atlantis? 80% are doctors and scientists. The problems they face? They fight them with brains, not brawn. They're forced to out-think their opponents, not outrun or out-fight them. And the bad guys? Are so inhuman, there is no sympathy to be had.

The jokes and references are geeked to the max. Sometimes they dumb some principles down for the audience, but their science is fundamentally sound and really kinda cool.
Geeks like this show.

And non-geeks canceled it, the bastards.

Current Music: Hey Man Nice Shot, Filter

Entry tags:

Buffy-Speak

Buffy-speak is the name of a phenomenon that has taken serious root in American culture, a tendency for intelligent people to use simplistic words to describe their complex ideas.

Its real. It exists. And I will give you examples.

"Oh please, Dad, you are slow like a slow thing."

"She Saved the World. A Lot."

"Dude, I full on Swayzed that mother!"

"But... invader's blood marches through my veins, like giant RADIOACTIVE RUBBER PANTS! The pants command me. Do not ignore my veins!"

You do it, we all do it. It's culture, bitches!