In the news

[hummingwolf]

Several people are already linking to the article "Of mice, men, and in between" on the chimerical blending of human and animal. "Chimeras are allowing scientists to watch, for the first time, how nascent human cells and organs mature and interact — not in the cold isolation of laboratory dishes but inside the bodies of living creatures. Some are already revealing deep secrets of human biology and pointing the way toward new medical treatments." Among other things, you have to wonder how the animals of the future will be affecting zoo workers.

But what about the latest military technology breakthrough, brought to our attention here by the intrepid itsacountry? I must admit that I find this weapon strangely adorable. It's certainly more appealing than this misbegotten stuff, and probably more edible as well.

Right then. In more serious news, from an actual reputable scientific source, we learn that Superman is too super a role model: "Fans of the man from Krypton unwittingly compare themselves to the superhero, and realise they do not measure up. And as a result, they are less likely to help other people... Students who thought of Superman volunteered much less of their time than those who thought about other superheroes." So, this is further evidence that if you want to make the world a better place, you should be thinking about minions rather than superheroes. Yes, as hai_kah_uhk says:

Zephyr and Reginald: Minions For Hire is love.

And once again in real, serious technological news: The classic arcade game PacMan has resurfaced on the streets of Singapore using “augmented reality” technology developed by military-backed scientists at the University of Singapore. "The rules are the same as in the original, but the new game combines real and virtual elements. For example, the yellow cookies that PacMan eats to earn points are generated virtually and superimposed on the street ahead of a player via their goggles. But real sugar jars, fitted with Bluetooth radio transceivers, are dotted around the streets for players to collect." Also mentioned in the article, "Other research groups have also produced complex augmented reality games. A team at the University of South Australia has developed a version of the popular computer game Doom superimposed across a player's view of their university's campus."

What will be really cool is when electronic eyes let the blind play too. I wonder if future augmented reality games will somehow incorporate great big clouds of pollution as well.

In other other news, Bush's plans to privatize Social Security may do most harm to the conservative Christians who got him elected. Oh well. On the eighth day, God created spam.