Cockroaches
Crunchy little bits of bug
Antennae for miles
Too many legs to creep about
More likely to survive the Apocalypse than Twinkies
As old as dirt
Will likely outlive you and I
Thrive in environments you would never live in
Nature's comeback kid
Wall*E's pet
More intelligent than a lot of people I know
More street smart than a lot of people I know
Pesky little pests
Hissing
Flying
Make-me-crying
Scarier than Texas Chainsaw Massacre
I do like them here or there
I do not like them anywhere
I do not like them in a house
I do not like them with a mouse
I do not like them. The end.
Monday, November 19, 2012
Friday, November 9, 2012
Okay, Okay, I concede. A little.
After finishing Biopunk, I realized that the movement isn't a bunch of uneducated thugs out to mess with killer bacteria. I find it interesting that the resources that are commonly used in research labs today--outsourcing primer construction and things of that nature--are crucial to the biopunk movement. While I could never have a wet lab in my own home--my OCD would be in overdrive 24/7--I admire those who take it upon themselves to better the scientific community through funding their own personal research.
One question I had nagging at my brain continuously throughout the book was "So who actually does this kind of stuff?" The book gives plenty of examples to be sure, but they all seemed to run in the same circle. I wanted to know if anyone locally was taking part in such a venture. So I'm going to try to find out. I think it would be very interesting and enlightening to actually sit down with someone participating in this movement and see how they manipulate the materials available to them. Also, a PCR machine that is only slightly bigger than my iPhone, CAN I HAVE ONE!?!
While scouring the internet for local peoples who participate in biohacking, I came across my own blog on the first page of Google, so that's exciting. Then again, finding relevant results was rather difficult... The closest group of people practicing biohacking (according to DIYbio) is as close as Houston and as far away as Singapore and Australia. That's pretty impressive. I never expected people in Europe or Asia to really be all that involved in this. The fact that they have their own groups and such is pretty cool. Although the global map tells me that there are people in both Austin and Omaha. Oklahoma doesn't really seem to be on board just yet. Typical...
The DIYbio website has some cool content, if anyone was interested. Anyway, that's about all I've got for this one! "Adventure is out there!"
One question I had nagging at my brain continuously throughout the book was "So who actually does this kind of stuff?" The book gives plenty of examples to be sure, but they all seemed to run in the same circle. I wanted to know if anyone locally was taking part in such a venture. So I'm going to try to find out. I think it would be very interesting and enlightening to actually sit down with someone participating in this movement and see how they manipulate the materials available to them. Also, a PCR machine that is only slightly bigger than my iPhone, CAN I HAVE ONE!?!
While scouring the internet for local peoples who participate in biohacking, I came across my own blog on the first page of Google, so that's exciting. Then again, finding relevant results was rather difficult... The closest group of people practicing biohacking (according to DIYbio) is as close as Houston and as far away as Singapore and Australia. That's pretty impressive. I never expected people in Europe or Asia to really be all that involved in this. The fact that they have their own groups and such is pretty cool. Although the global map tells me that there are people in both Austin and Omaha. Oklahoma doesn't really seem to be on board just yet. Typical...
The DIYbio website has some cool content, if anyone was interested. Anyway, that's about all I've got for this one! "Adventure is out there!"
Monday, October 29, 2012
Sorry to play the devil's advocate, but...
If my roommate starting biohacking in our apartment, I would probably have a fit. I am very strict about my lab conditions in an actual lab, and I cannot imagine having a wetlab in my apartment. It would be no where near clean enough. Not that my apartment is especially dirty, but my lab space is very clean. I would also wonder what my criminology studying roommate wanted to do with biohacking, considering his considerable lack of interest in what I'm studying.
I would first ask, "How did you afford and obtain the things necessary to set up this wetlab?" Then, I would likely ask, "What in the world made you think our apartment was a good space for a lab?"
I really cannot see my roommate having interest in such a hobby, but if he did, for some weird reason, I would probably be completely confused. My roommate isn't a "sciencey" person, so I can't imagine him getting into biohacking. But let's theorize that he did for some reason, want to do this....
I would probably be the complete control freak that I am and micromanage every aspect of his new hobby. If I let him keep doing it, that is. I would likely come up with a contract or list of commandments that had to be abided by in order to let him keep the lab.
BIOHACKING COMMANDMENTS:
I would first ask, "How did you afford and obtain the things necessary to set up this wetlab?" Then, I would likely ask, "What in the world made you think our apartment was a good space for a lab?"
I really cannot see my roommate having interest in such a hobby, but if he did, for some weird reason, I would probably be completely confused. My roommate isn't a "sciencey" person, so I can't imagine him getting into biohacking. But let's theorize that he did for some reason, want to do this....
I would probably be the complete control freak that I am and micromanage every aspect of his new hobby. If I let him keep doing it, that is. I would likely come up with a contract or list of commandments that had to be abided by in order to let him keep the lab.
BIOHACKING COMMANDMENTS:
- Thou shall not under any circumstances create super germs.
- Thou shall not pour biological waste down the drain.
- Thou shall keep the lab space clean and tidy.
- Thou shall have freezers at the appropriate temperatures: (4*C, -25*C, & -80*C)
- Thou shall not allow any lab equipment to come into contact with food in any way.
- Thou shall be completely educated about the ramifications and procedures involved in the project you are undertaking.
- Thou shall have and follow appropriate ventilation and safety procedures.
- Thou shall sanitize all surfaces and glassware appropriately and regularly.
- Thou shall store chemicals and organisms in appropriate environments.
- Thou shall be willing to accept constructive criticism and advice from the resident scientist (that's me).
Monday, October 22, 2012
Citizen Scientist
Maybe it's my inner astrogeek, but I love space. I have since I was young and my Dad bought me my first telescope. And I think Galaxy Zoo is awesome. I thought it was a lot of fun. I saw some seriously cool galaxies that I had never seen before. And I think it is so awesome that a normal person like me can have the opportunity to contribute to one of my favorite fields.
I think this and the other Zooniverse projects are great ways to get normal people involved in the classification of things like this. It allows for the mundane and tedious work that scientists would have to do to be done by the average Joe who might find it a lot more interesting and cool. I imagine after seeing your 10,000th smooth, round galaxy, it wouldn't be as cool anymore. Where as when I was on Galaxy Zoo, I was excited to get through those galaxies to the really really awesome ones. And those boring ones were still pretty cool too, since that's not something I get to see every day.
I think this and the other Zooniverse projects are great ways to get normal people involved in the classification of things like this. It allows for the mundane and tedious work that scientists would have to do to be done by the average Joe who might find it a lot more interesting and cool. I imagine after seeing your 10,000th smooth, round galaxy, it wouldn't be as cool anymore. Where as when I was on Galaxy Zoo, I was excited to get through those galaxies to the really really awesome ones. And those boring ones were still pretty cool too, since that's not something I get to see every day.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
The Lure of the Supernatural
If there is an alien or Bigfoot-centered show on the History Channel, you can bet my dad has probably seen it. Nevertheless, any time one is on, you can guarantee that he's probably watching it. While most of you are likely thinking that my dad is some redneck, hillbilly type, I promise you, he is one of the most intelligent people I've ever met. He got in to MIT for goodness sake.
I think the lure of the "what if" surrounding subjects like cryptozoology, zombies, vampires (even awful sparkly ones), and fantasy is what draws people in. There is incredible overlap in the "scifi nerds" and the "dungeons and dragons nerds," and I think that stems from an insatiable curiosity surrounding the "what ifs"--be they scientifically plausible or not. I think that technology has advanced so rapidly that maybe science fiction isn't enough for many. It's not hard for many scientists to imagine one day owning many of the technologies seen in science fiction, and many are working on creating them as we speak.
I think the appeal of fantasy lies in its implausibility--it simply cannot happen. Being human, we always want what we can't have. And since most of us can imagine the future as science fiction becoming science fact, we look to fantasy to fulfill the longing. I mean, sure I could fly a private plane, but wouldn't it be so much cooler to have a personal dragon or magic pixie dust? The limitless possibilities of the fantasy world are what make it so appealing to the masses.
Science fiction is limited greatly by what we know of the physical world, and can only bend those rules within a certain amount of reason. Fantasy can completely disregard these rules and create creatures that have never been seen before. The imagination can run totally wild without the constraints of physics.
Sure we live in an "Age of Science," but that doesn't mean our imaginations have to be limited to what is "scientific." I think this "age of science" has actually promoted the exploration of the fantasy world, as the scientific community continue to take great leaps and bounds every day.
I think the lure of the "what if" surrounding subjects like cryptozoology, zombies, vampires (even awful sparkly ones), and fantasy is what draws people in. There is incredible overlap in the "scifi nerds" and the "dungeons and dragons nerds," and I think that stems from an insatiable curiosity surrounding the "what ifs"--be they scientifically plausible or not. I think that technology has advanced so rapidly that maybe science fiction isn't enough for many. It's not hard for many scientists to imagine one day owning many of the technologies seen in science fiction, and many are working on creating them as we speak.
I think the appeal of fantasy lies in its implausibility--it simply cannot happen. Being human, we always want what we can't have. And since most of us can imagine the future as science fiction becoming science fact, we look to fantasy to fulfill the longing. I mean, sure I could fly a private plane, but wouldn't it be so much cooler to have a personal dragon or magic pixie dust? The limitless possibilities of the fantasy world are what make it so appealing to the masses.
Science fiction is limited greatly by what we know of the physical world, and can only bend those rules within a certain amount of reason. Fantasy can completely disregard these rules and create creatures that have never been seen before. The imagination can run totally wild without the constraints of physics.
Sure we live in an "Age of Science," but that doesn't mean our imaginations have to be limited to what is "scientific." I think this "age of science" has actually promoted the exploration of the fantasy world, as the scientific community continue to take great leaps and bounds every day.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Every College Student's Dream
I thought that the prediction regarding how housewives would clean using only water, made in 1950, was incredibly interesting. The prediction states that to clean the house, one would only need to turn on the hose. Everything in the house would be made out of materials that were made of synthetic materials. A drain in the middle of the floor would collect the detergent-containing water, and a blow drier (essentially) would be used to dry up the room. Table linens are made of paper fibers so fine that it looks like real fabric, but can be disposed of instead of washed. Bed sheets also get hosed off with everything else.
This reminds me of a story my mom told me about her coworkers daughter who realized the value of having an all vinyl interior to her car. Her drunk friend threw up in her backseat, and essentially, all she really had to do was hose it out. If only everything were this simple.
Because of rationing during World War II, the development and widespread use of synthetic fibers was growing. It was only natural to assume that they would replace natural fibers in the future, since they were a more "futuristic" development. If only they could have predicted our obsession with organic Egyptian ring-spun 1000 thread count cotton bedding (this is exaggeration, by the way)!
Most women in the 1950s were housewives, and there was a large market created by these women. Thus, people were always trying to come up with the next big thing for these housewives to buy, partly driving the economic prosperity of the 1950s.
I can see why this hasn't exactly caught on. Making EVERYTHING out of plastics would consume a lot of petroleum which is already consumed on such a large scale, and it would be obnoxious to sleep surrounded by plastic. I'm not rich enough to maintain such high standards for my sheets as Egyptian cotton, but I do stay away from polyester/cotton blends. Being able to "breathe" while I sleep is a feature I don't plan on giving up any time soon.
This reminds me of a story my mom told me about her coworkers daughter who realized the value of having an all vinyl interior to her car. Her drunk friend threw up in her backseat, and essentially, all she really had to do was hose it out. If only everything were this simple.
Because of rationing during World War II, the development and widespread use of synthetic fibers was growing. It was only natural to assume that they would replace natural fibers in the future, since they were a more "futuristic" development. If only they could have predicted our obsession with organic Egyptian ring-spun 1000 thread count cotton bedding (this is exaggeration, by the way)!
Most women in the 1950s were housewives, and there was a large market created by these women. Thus, people were always trying to come up with the next big thing for these housewives to buy, partly driving the economic prosperity of the 1950s.
I can see why this hasn't exactly caught on. Making EVERYTHING out of plastics would consume a lot of petroleum which is already consumed on such a large scale, and it would be obnoxious to sleep surrounded by plastic. I'm not rich enough to maintain such high standards for my sheets as Egyptian cotton, but I do stay away from polyester/cotton blends. Being able to "breathe" while I sleep is a feature I don't plan on giving up any time soon.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
World's Fair & Science Fiction
The 1939 New York World's Fair (hence abbreviated NYWF) provided both entertainment and inspiration to its visitors. In addition to that, the NYWF provided a large amount of optimism about the future to those who had just survived the Great Depression. Arguably, the optimism found in the NYWF stems from the hope that carried many through the Great Depression. I think a lot of this optimism can also be found in science fiction. I mean, yes, there are many distopian novels written about the future, but overall, especially pre-WWII, I think many wanted to be optimistic about their future considering the strife experienced in the Great Depression.
The influence of science fiction can be seen in many aspects of the NYWF. First, the architecture of the buildings gives off the distinct "science fiction-y" vibe that we've come to expect in science fiction shows. One does not connect science fiction with cottages or suburban ranch houses (though maybe barns, depending upon the science fiction) and that sleek, streamlined look we've all come to appreciate as "modern" and "futuristic" is the root of science fiction's credibility. Even Disney has incorporated it in Epcot. The focus on modern architecture and planning both in the buildings themselves and the models they contained were influenced highly by the works of science fiction.
Second, the NYWF was decidedly imprecise in its predictions. While no one can accurately predict what the future will be like, the ideas to completely rebuilt cities from the ground up was ridiculous. It is impossible to move the entire population of a city out to a new city just because you designed it better. Building more efficient cities and towns does not eliminate poverty or homelessness or pollution or other things which "plague" city dwellers. I think that the idea that these can be eliminated by simply building better cities is preposterous.
On a more personal note, I wish we would bring back the World's Fair. It looks like fun.
The influence of science fiction can be seen in many aspects of the NYWF. First, the architecture of the buildings gives off the distinct "science fiction-y" vibe that we've come to expect in science fiction shows. One does not connect science fiction with cottages or suburban ranch houses (though maybe barns, depending upon the science fiction) and that sleek, streamlined look we've all come to appreciate as "modern" and "futuristic" is the root of science fiction's credibility. Even Disney has incorporated it in Epcot. The focus on modern architecture and planning both in the buildings themselves and the models they contained were influenced highly by the works of science fiction.
Second, the NYWF was decidedly imprecise in its predictions. While no one can accurately predict what the future will be like, the ideas to completely rebuilt cities from the ground up was ridiculous. It is impossible to move the entire population of a city out to a new city just because you designed it better. Building more efficient cities and towns does not eliminate poverty or homelessness or pollution or other things which "plague" city dwellers. I think that the idea that these can be eliminated by simply building better cities is preposterous.
On a more personal note, I wish we would bring back the World's Fair. It looks like fun.
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