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Hello, I would like to formally warn everyone, I am indulging in some extreme s/f nerdery. With that out of the way, here is the story:

Recently I found myself on the ol’ youbietubie, and I found myself watching a holographic entertainer named Hatsune Miku. If you are concerned with the physical characteristics, she is a 16 year old, 5’2″, 93 lbs. girl with a vocal range of A3~E5. Her humble beginnings were as some run-of-the-mill singing software that you could write music for, and she would perform. She has exploded. Watch this video as thousands of fans are singing her music and enjoying her show:

(I can’t figure out how to embed the video, so follow this jump !)

This is the beginning of the end. If you are Isaac Asimov, or at least are in the same camp, perhaps you won’t be concerned with the robot takeover. I, however, am concerned that she is not really my style. I at least like to enjoy myself as the robocolypse is taking place. I can’t wait for there to be a North American model!

There are a couple of reasons why I do not have an earned PhD (I have an Honorary Doctorate from the Delft University of Technology . . . but not really)

First, and most likely, foremost — I have dropped out of an undergrad program on three separate occasions. The reasons behind these drop out experiences are directly linked to lack of discipline, a poor GPA, and a lack of finances . . . but mostly a lack of discipline.

All of this to say, Good, has posted up a fun illustrated look at what a PhD is. Have a look.

*An ongoing series highlighting things I don’t know about and am not willing to Google. If I randomly stumble across answers in books, newspapers, television, documentaries, word of mouth, or even the internet, so be it.

Discarded Latex Gloves Outside the Studio.
I haven’t thought too much about this, but have certainly noticed it everyday . . . Why are there so many discarded latex gloves in the parking lot and on the sidewalk?

*An ongoing series highlighting things I don’t know about and am not willing to Google. If I randomly stumble across answers in books, newspapers, television, documentaries, word of mouth, or even the internet, so be it.

Mixed Martial Arts.
I spent some time watching some UFC/MMA/Weirdness yesterday and I remain baffled by the whole thing. I think it starts with my general uneasiness with seeing people punched in the face, let alone kicked in the face, elbowed in the face, kneed in the face, choked in the neck, or locked into some limb twisting arm, leg, or ankle lock.

Back in October, Malcolm Gladwell wrote a New Yorker article which drew parallels between dogfighting and the NFL . . . I was reminded of this article while watching two fellows beat each other into oblivion in a chain link octagon. Gladwell cites head injury story after head injury story from the National Football League, which I can’t help but think, many of the same stories exist in the Mixed Martial Arts community — as well as some of the dogfighting parallels.

It seems odd that this hugely popular sport (UFC, etc) is almost entirely based upon of the very same practices, fighting and head shots, that another popular sport — professional hockey — is at the very least debating getting rid of altogether.

I will say, what I have seen from watching UFC, the level of sportsmanship which exists between two people engaged in such intense controlled violence is unbelievable. I’m sure it isn’t always so, but in my limited exposure, I found it to be quite surprising.

Some people are really into it. Some people like the idea of fighting for sport. I do understand there is a whole technical side to the sport, and I wouldn’t want to diminish the level of athleticism or skill involved, and developed by you average MMA participant . . . I just don’t fully get it. I don’t really want to get it either . . . So I’m going to leave it alone.

Read Gladwells article here. It’s a good one.

Music Everywhere.
I like music. I especially like listening to music. But really. Music in the pool? I guess. Thanks to Bruuks for the link.

*An ongoing series highlighting things I don’t know about and am not willing to Google. If I randomly stumble across answers in books, newspapers, television, documentaries, word of mouth, or even the internet, so be it.

Army.
Where do you sign up? What happens after you sign up? Do you live in Army or do you commute? What kind of job do you do in Army? How different is Navy? Do people yell all the time? What kind of pay scale exists in Army?

Time Travel Theories.
I remember a while back Darren Conley had ongoing posts on his blog where he discussed (AT LENGTH) different Time Travel Theories that (I think) people believe in. I read three sentences and couldn’t stick with it.

My investment in Time Travel ends with Delorean’s and Doc Brown . . . which is apparently bush league as far as Time Travel Theorists go.