Potpourri CXXXIX

Science, Technology, & Space



The InfoLadies of Bangladesh. This is pretty cool!


Zero-energy buildings? Yes.


Facebook’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg has admitted to making “mistakes” with FB’s privacy policies.


Amateur sky watchers have spotted the X-37.

The first named storm of the 2010 hurricane season might be forming in the Atlantic. (FYI, the season usually starts June 1).


BeBionic has released its latest bionic hand.


Ever seen a ship being lifted out of the sea? Check this out!


Solar-powered transforming robots for kids. Cool!


Boldly going where no one has gone before: if you must know, here’s some training information on going to the bathroom in space.


Jeff Foust on the challenges ahead for commercial space.

Okay, this is just cool: a time-lapse of Space Shuttle processing at Kennedy Space Center.

The European Space Agency is looking at creating artificial solar eclipses.



Foreign Affairs




President Obama orders U.S. forces in South Korea to be prepared to “ensure readiness and deter further aggression” by North Korea.


Girls wearing “emo” fashion arrested by the religious police in Saudi Arabia.


FoxNews.com has a non-scientific opinion poll on which entity poses the biggest threat to the U.S.


U.S. Politics


Got to admit this is a new one: Sarah Palin has accused Barack Obama of being “too close” to oil companies. However, oil companies donate to campaigns on both sides of the aisle, so I don’t see this as a big shock. Not thrilling or admirable, mind you, but not surprising, either.


The state of Arizona is asking President Obama for UAVs and helicopters to help patrol its southern border for illegal aliens.


Education Secretary Ame Duncan is asking for a $23 billion emergency to fund public schools. I don’t object to the notion, per se. I just like to point out that NASA’s entire budget for robotic exploration, human exploration (Constellation) program, the Space Shuttle, International Space Station operations, telescopes, Earth observation, and aeronautical research—totals around $18 billion. But we’re supposed to be living in a “budget-constrained environment.” Lesson learned: the budget isn’t constrained if the money being spent is a priority of the President or the Congress. Second lesson learned: space isn't a priority!

I'm shocked, shocked...The Government Accountability Office (GAO) wants to review the Transportation Security Agency's screening processes after they failed to spot and stop people on the "watch list."


Culture


Papercraft junkbots? Only in Japan, I guess. Maybe Father Dan would like this as a project?


I, Lobot: a day in the life of Lando Calrissian’s minion.


This could be interesting: an anthology of Filipino speculative fiction.

Mark Twain’s autobiography finally to be published. This could be very cool!


How to avoid Chinese censors. I like it! Of course now they’ll be all over this.


A 13-year-old boy has climbed Mt. Everest. Okay, so how inadequate did that just make YOU feel? Quoth James T. Kirk: “How do I feel? Old. Worn out.”


A geek alphabet. Gotta love it.


Not like I particularly give a flip about hockey, but it’s nice to see a Chicago team achieve some victories. The Blackhawks are going to the Stanley Cup Finals.


A Star Wars tuxedo shirt, complete with “TIE.”

Firefly fans have created their own film: Browncoats: Redemption.

From Gwen: Harrison Ford talks about the experience of filming Star Wars.

More tomorrow, kids. It's been a long day.