27 January, 2010
Collective wishes and fears, according to Google
Hi. My name is Alex Wiltschko.
This is my internet log.
26 January, 2010
No More Dungeons & Dragons in Wisconsin Jail
The prison warden is their new DM, and this will be no easy quest for our hero (convicted sledghammer murderer).
Prison officials instigated the Dungeons & Dragons ban among concerns that playing the game promoted gang-related activity and was a threat to security.
(via waxy)
13 January, 2010
Resurrecting Fossil Viruses
Geneticists are finding remnants of ancient viruses lodged in our DNA, and surprisingly, bringing them back to life.
Thierry Heidmann of the Gustave Roussy Institute in France and his colleagues put the fossil virus hypothesis to a spectacular test: they tried to resurrect a dead retrovirus. They first identified a number of copies of the same virus-like stretch of DNA in the human genome. Each version had its own set of mutations that it acquired after the virus had invaded our ancestors.By comparing the copies, Dr. Heidmann and his colleagues were able to figure out what the original sequence of the virus’s genes had been. When they synthesized the genes from scratch and injected the genetic material into cells, the cells produced new viruses.
Virus Indiana Jones.
9 January, 2010
Yosemite Valley on Christmas Morning
My family ventured out to Yosemite National Forest for Christmas. Dad, my Uncle Jim and I woke up every morning for the sunrise and took pictures here and there in the park.
8 January, 2010
Photos by Noah Sheldon
Noah Sheldon has a mesmerizing blend of minimalism and photojournalism. Frank and elegant.
And then there are his photos of cats wearing clothes, which are simply inspired.
8 January, 2010
And sure as Providence, I DO NOT ROLL
The Big Lebowski, as Shakespeare would have written it.
An excerpt, from one of my favorite portions of the play:
On our most holy Sabbath I am sworn
To keep tradition, form and ceremony.
The seventh and the last day rests the Jew;
I labour not, nor ride in chariot,
Nor handle gold, nor even play the cook,
And sure as Providence I do not roll.
Hath not a Jew rights? Hath not a Jew hands,
Organs, bowling-balls, Pomeranians?
If you schedule us, must you not do right?
If we step o’er the line, do we not mark it nought?
The Sabbath; I’ll roll not, God-a-mercy.
( via kottke.org )
7 January, 2010
Soothing Tunes by Justin Vernon
(download)
pre-Bon Iver droning goodness.
From his untitled self-recorded album, which as far as I can tell, was done in 2005.
