Dark streaks on Mars bolster case for liquid water

Image via WikipediaDark streaks on Mars bolster case for liquid water - space - 04 August 2011 - New Scientist

Some scientists are finding more evidence of water on Mars, and some are pitching a differing explanation. In any case, I find it amazing that we have spacecraft orbiting another planet sending back huge quantities of data.

I hope we do find an active water-based ecosystem there with novel bacteria (or something similar). But it is interesting either way.

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• Dark Streaks On Mars May Be Sign Of Liquid Water (npr.org)
• Liquid Water on Mars - Maybe (via Bill Housley) (archon236.wordpress.com)
• Dark streaks on Mars bolster case for liquid water (newscientist.com)
• Scientists confirm there is liquid water on the surface of Mars [Mars] (io9.com)

Human Cells a Chimera of Ancient Life

Human Cells a Chimera of Ancient Life | Wired Science | Wired.com

All our cells are apparently combinations of separate types of ancient life.

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• Human Cells a Chimera of Ancient Life (wired.com)

Dawn Mission

Dawn Mission: Dawn - Home Page

What an awesome display of science and engineering! The Dawn spacecraft is orbiting (in a standard orbit?) an asteroid. Contrary to the apparent dysfunction in our political system, we (as a people and as a species) can accomplish very impressive feats when desired.

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Conan Trailer, Blog, and Info

Flash

Flash

Conan Trailer Blog

A good geek should always support fantasy movies. After decades of starvation, we are finally having a feast of fantasy and sci-fi movies. But it will only last as long as we buy the tickets.

I am looking forward to this version of Conan, the Barbarian. I'm sure it will not be perfect, and it will definitely not be perfectly faithful. But it will be better than another romantic comedy.

He may not be the prototypical Conan, but I think Jason Momoa with do justice to the part. I'm more concerned that the villain(s) may be over-the-top or otherwise cheese-filled.

I care not. I live, I love, I slay, and I am content.

Sounds like a good sword and sorcery adventure to me.

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• New Red Band Trailer for CONAN THE BARBARIAN (geektyrant.com)
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Actual Turbine Powered Batmobile Built By Putsch Racing

Only a dedicated geek would build a Batmobile. And only a super-hardcore geek would build one that was actually powered by a turbine engine as in the 1989 Batman movie. I'm more of a Marvel geek, but I am very impressed.

• Media Package | Putsch Racing

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Clerk Foils Robbery Attempt with Samurai Sword in SC (VIDEO) - Crimesider - CBS News

Clerk Foils Robbery Attempt with Samurai Sword in SC (VIDEO) - Crimesider - CBS News

As a geek who loves fantasy stories, I can't help but wonder how much crime might go down, if everyone carried a sword.

An armed society is a polite society.

--Robert A. Heinlein

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• To a Fellow Ex-Samurai & Blogger (labofevolution.wordpress.com)

SETI has One in Ten Million Chance of Finding Extraterrestrials

Image by armigeress via FlickrSETI has One in Ten Million Chance of Finding Extraterrestrials

Those odds don't sound to bad to me. I do not know, if we will find anything. But I can't imagine many more important discoveries making this endeavor a very big deal.

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Geek Trading Cards

ThinkGeek :: Geek A Week Cards

I wonder if there's a card for me ...

A live reenactment of RoboCop, with cardboard sets and explosions

A live reenactment of RoboCop, with cardboard sets and explosions

I can't decide whether to admire this, be frightened, or just be sad. I think I'll do all three.

I mean, I think it's awesome they took the time to do this. But on the other hand, why not take the time to do something ... else.

People Are Not Logical About Spending Money

Image via WikipediaThis is how I feel about buying apps - The Oatmeal

People are Predictably Irrational. Many people are sadly proud of being bad at math, but most people do not realize how bad our "instinctual" math is. It is easy to get caught in VERY wrong estimates and assumptions.

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