Science. And stuff.

When I was little, I wanted to go to the Bermuda Triangle. I also wanted to go to Disney World, so I guess I wasn't too weird. I was just curious. I've always been interested in conspiracy theories, alien life-forms, and strange science and the Triangle has always been such an attractive mystery to me. Well, scientists think they've figured it out. It's cool, but in a way, it's a little disappointing. I guess I'll have to ponder something else now, like where the Earth's magnetic field comes from, or what ball lightning is exactly.

So I guess it shouldn't surprise me that the Hamster wants to be a scientist. I think it's mostly influenced by Bud, who I'm currently designing a "science/space" room for. Don't worry, I'll put pics up when I'm done with it. The Hamster was falling asleep in my room last night so the rest of them could fall asleep peacefully without the tiny night owl laughing maniacally and jumping on their beds. I'm lying there with him and he's telling me all about wanting to be a scientist when he grows up. Why, I ask. Because scientists are good. They help people. They build robots. I wanted to know what he would do with his robot. It would do his chores he answered. Doesn't that sound like a benevolent and humanitarian reason? So the robot can put away the silverware. He continues to tell me about scientists. They spearmint. They walk around. They listen to their moms...

Good boy.

Weird News Wednesday

This is one that we tried desperately to see. James and I got the kids pizza, let them eat it in the car, and drove almost 2 hours to WI to try to see the Northern Lights. After playing in the park in the dark for over an hour, we came back. Unfortunately, we should have gone to Michigan instead. Check out these photos! We did get to see about 6 shooting stars though. By the way, the next cool astronomical thing going on is the Perseid meteor shower on the 12-14.

Sometimes (when I remember), I dress the kids in the same bright color to take them to the park. Like red. Papal red.

Anyone up for some papal souveniers? Celebrate your enthusiasm for your favorite sports team the pope! Don't forget to stop by the Catholics with Attitude site as well.

I wonder if they have any papal onesies. Are you due to have a baby sometime soon? In that case, I know what you were up to during the blizzards last winter! Apparently, hospitals are getting ready for a baby boom. Because, you know, building snowmen is only fun for a little while, and then you gotta find something else to do...

Warning! This is not a snowman. This is a creepy creepy robot, who according to my friend, looks like a quadriplegic baby. I agree, but with zombie overtones. Yeesh! Maybe some papal-phenalia would help.

It's Uncanny

Have you ever heard of the uncanny valley? It's a theory proposed by several different psychologists and researchers claiming that the more a robot looks and life-like, people will increasingly respond in a positive way until it becomes so life-like that we respond with a sudden revulsion. In other words, the more human the robot, the more we hate it. This theory can also be applied to prosthetics, but zombies would be at the bottom of the valley. Think of it as a bell curve that elevates with the robot's increasing human likeness, only to fall sharply as it approaches near "human-ness". Zombies are at the low point of the curve. The theory is based on the idea that we have empathy for robots when the differences between them and humans are stark, but as the gap narrows, it creeps us the hell out.

I would have to agree with this theory. I can't even watch Shawn of the Dead and it's a stinkin spoof. Robots do creep me out. I hated the movie AI. Not just because it had Haley Joel Osmond in it either. The whole mutant higher order robots at the end just gives me the heebie-jeebies. On the other hand, the kids' movie Robots was just goofy. I also love C-3PO from Star Wars.

What got me on this rant today is this story. This guy built himself a wifey-type robot. To do his, ahem, chores. That's not all I think she does for him. And this creeps me out even more.

Have you ever seen Lars and the Real Girl? Fabulous movie, by the way. I never thought a love story between a guy and sex doll could make me cry, but it did. But the doll, if you can call it that, was just too real looking.

I love technology. I love that we humans have created machines to help us make our lives more efficient. I wouldn't want to live without my washing machine, microwave, furnace, or computer. But I don't want any of my appliances to talk to me. Or cop an attitude. If that's the case, I'd rather just have a dinosaur under the counter for a garbage disposal, a la the Flinstones.

What do you think?