Cartoons

Here's a funny cartoon.

Real Life vs. Politics.

This is a funny observation too.

I also found this "Kids say the darndest things" page entertaining.

Song

This will make sense about half way through. Pretty incredible, lots of practice to make this video.

E=MC^2

I was listening to some physicists explaining Einstein's equation E=MC^2 ==> Energy equals mass times the square of a maximum velocity squared ==> on this PBS site

Apparently, Einstein initially expressed the equation as M=E/(C^2), and several physicists state that this form of the equation gets more to the heart of what Einstein was communicating - that Mass is a function of the energy of an object. That as you add more energy to an object, you increase its mass, and similarly, when you take away energy you decrease its mass.

I thought these clips, in particular, were good:

Listen:
Sheldon Glashow
The mass of 2 Hydrogen atoms and an Oxygen atom separately is a little bit more than those atoms combined into water H2O, because the H2O molecule is a lower energy state than the separate elements (you have to apply energy to separate Hydrogen and Oxygen.)

Frank Wilczek
Most of the mass of matter as we know it comes from energy. I can't quite get my mind around his comments, but I think he's saying matter by itself doesn't have much mass - but that it's the energy content of that matter that gives it its "heft".

Alan Guth
"What does the speed of light(C^2) have to do with Mass and Energy? Why is this maximum velocity in the equation?"

Immune system video

Watch your body's immune system in action. If I'm understanding correctly, the video is showing a white blood cell chasing down a staph bacterium.

The chimp has a better memory than me

Watch this. It may change the way you think about what's going on in the mind of animals. Watch.

Growth in Dubai

Look at the growth that's going on over in Dubai. All that change in less than 20 years.

Identical Twins

Identical twins aren't genetically identical.

"The youngest set of twins had the most identical genomes. Genetically, the oldest twins were the least alike."

It seems while they start out the same, differences in gene expression over time result in slight differences creeping in over time. Scientists indicate this is why one identical twin may get a hereditary disease and the other not.

Here's another article

Militarization of Space

I'm thinking it's already here. It sounds like there are cover operations of all kinds, but given that so much US military tech revolves around usage of satellites, its not surprising

A couple of recent stories that sound like doubles for military tests:
Shooting down falling satellite

Shooting projectiles at the moon

Crab Nebula

The Astronomy Picture of the Day website has a fine image of the crab nebula up today. This nebula formed as the result of a supernova in 1054 that was recorded by Chinese astronomers. According to Chinese records the supernova was visible during daylight for 23 days.

Cake cutting puzzle

This requires a bit of a twist in thinking. Picture a birthday cake. Cut the cake into 8 pieces using only 3 cuts.

Here's the source article with a link to the solution.

Ocean Foam

I've never heard of this, but take a look at these pics of ocean foam in Australia

Steroids

I am _so_ glad that Congress is going to have more steroid hearings tomorrow. I'm driving home from work today and all they can seem to talk about is Roger Clemens and more hearings in front of congress.

What has elevated the topic of steroids in sports to the level that athletes get subpoenas to come to testify in front of congress?

Do I care? Well, in a small way, if for no other reason than I don't want athletes to have to risk their health to compete.

Is this something congress should be dealing with? I fail to see the relevance.

I guess it's a matter of emphasis. Of all the bad things people can do and not end up ridiculed on TV in front of congress, why should we single out steroids in sports? It seems too much like harassment to me, intended to humiliate rather than seek any kind of truth.

Maybe it'd be more fun if all the congressmen who get to grandstand about steriods have to testify publicly under oath about their own indiscretions or poor decisions ... And then have friends (or enemies) show up to give conflicting testimony.

That'd be a hearing worth watching, and it'd probably put an end to these silly things.

CTSH transcript of conf. call

Cognizant Technology's conference call transcript is here.

Very strong results and outlook is strong. This combined with the previous call from Infosys INFY (posted a while back) makes me think the upside in these companies will begin to reveal itself. These have been beaten down on economic fears, but it's just not showing up in their outlook or results. I'm long both, and CTSH is my largest individual holding, but I'm very optimistic going forward based on what I'm hearing.

Warren Buffett video

This Warren Buffett video includes a wide range of observations. Here's a quote I liked:
"The most important thing about investing is not how big your circle of competence is, it's on understanding where the perimeter is so that you don't get outside of it."

Coca Cola Super Bowl Commercial

Coca Cola Super BOwl Commercial: Parade Balloon

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odds and ends

There was this roadrunner, coyote, and a phone booth in the middle of the desert...

and while you're at it let the poor dog out.

IT environment in Businessweek

As readers are aware, I have a long position in several IT services companies including Cognizant and Infosys. Here's an article from Businessweek that does pretty good job of summarizing market conditions right now.

Marcus Aurelius for the day - 4.24

Here's some more from my favorite Roman Emperor.

4.24 “If you seek tranquility, do less.” Or more accurately, do what is essential… Which brings a double satisfaction: to do less, better. Because most of what we say and do is not essential. If you can eliminate it you’ll have more time, and more tranquility. Ask yourself at every moment “Is this necessary?”
Marcus Aurelius – Meditations from Gregory Hayes’ translation