An interactive model of the Universe, big and incredibly small.
I know Kottke linked to this a couple days ago, but I overlooked it at first and maybe you did too.
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The Mirror Test is an experiment to gauge whether a species is capable of self-recognition and if they have the potential of self-awareness.
In addition to apes, dolphins, whales, elephants, European magpies, and some species of monkeys have passed the mirror test.
The test and other theories of animal intelligence were discussed on the recent episode of The Nature of Things, “Mysteries of the Animal Mind”.
It was also mentioned on SETI’s Big Picture Science podcast episode “Aware Am I?”.
Update:
Wired has a video about a guy who made a mirror rig for his smartphone camera to take interesting video of primates at the zoo.
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Current coffee setup
I recent wrote about my switch to using the Aeropress for making coffee at home. What I quickly realized is that although it’s a fantastic, easy to use coffeemaker, it also brings out the worst in poorly roasted mass produced coffee (cough Starbucks cough). But up until now I didn’t have a proper coffee grinder, so I was stuck buying beans that I could get ground at the Starbucks by my apartment. Well, now I’ve upgraded my grinder, and have some great 49th Parallel Epic Espresso beans to grind.
Having a decent burr grinder makes a huge difference, especially because the Aeropress is designed to use a very fine grind. I’m using the Bodum Electric Burr Grinder on the finest espresso setting, which seems to work very well.
Now I just need a better kettle and water filteration (the tap water in my apartment is horrifying).
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Neal Stephenson on progress and big ideas
It’s funny that the world seems to need science fiction to help progress real science. However we also need the desire to work towards answering big questions, and endurance to see projects through to completion.
(via stellar)
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The path of most/least/WTF resistance …; Winnipeg Internet Pundits
Here’s the link to the audio from today’s Winnipeg Internet Pundits.
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Winnipeg Internet Pundits
I will be a guest on UMFM's Winnipeg Internet Pundits this Wednesday. They invited me on to talk about my recent post, Are muggings an urban planning problem. Frankly I'm blown away that they even read the post let alone want to talk to me.