News: Spacecraft data boosts Pluto's size

By Robert Ellison. Updated on Sunday, October 16, 2022.

Pinnacles National Park

By Robert Ellison. Updated on Thursday, November 12, 2015.

Pinnacles National Park

Pinnacles National Park

Pinnacles National Park

Pinnacles is the newest National Park which features various hikes to Talus Caves (formed by rockfalls into a valley) which are fun to scramble through as long as you don't think about the formation process while you do it.

Hike starts at 36.4943003, -121.173081 (Google Earth).

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(Published to the Fediverse as: Pinnacles National Park #hike #pinnacles #caves Hike through Talus Caves at Pinnacles National Park )

Book reviews for June 2015

By Robert Ellison. Updated on Friday, February 24, 2017.
The Baby Boom: How It Got That Way (And It Wasn’t My Fault) (And I’ll Never Do It Again) by P.J. O'Rourke

The Baby Boom: How It Got That Way (And It Wasn’t My Fault) (And I’ll Never Do It Again) by P.J. O'Rourke

2/5

 

Advanced Google Adwords by Brad Geddes

Advanced Google Adwords by Brad Geddes

4/5

 

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Summer Solstice 2015 in Catfood Earth

By Robert Ellison. Updated on Thursday, November 12, 2015.

Summer Solstice 2015 in Catfood Earth

Summer starts right now in the Northern Hemisphere, Winter in the southern. Rendered in Catfood Earth with the timezone layer (Windows, Android).

(previously, previously)

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News: Google, Microsoft, Mozilla And Others Team Up To Launch WebAssembly, A New Binary Format For The Web

By Robert Ellison. Updated on Saturday, October 1, 2022.

Help make London a National Park

By Robert Ellison. Updated on Saturday, September 24, 2022.

The Lawrence 37-Inch Cyclotron

By Robert Ellison. Updated on Saturday, January 18, 2025.

The Lawrence 37-Inch Cyclotron

Photo of the Lawrence 37-Inch Cyclotron, an early particle accelerator, at the Lawrence Hall of Science (University of Berkeley).

In the photograph titled "The Lawrence 37-Inch Cyclotron," we are presented with a stark, industrial relic poised amidst a backdrop of nature's subtle embrace. The cyclotron, a marvel of scientific history, stands prominently in the foreground, its metallic form a testament to the bygone era of experimental physics. The steel vessel, robust and weathered, contrasts sharply with the soft hues of the surrounding grass and the gentle sway of nearby trees. The structure's cylindrical core is encased within a sturdy arch-like framework, offering a sense of both protection and resilience. The scene is set on a patch of unadorned earth, hinting at a secluded location that once buzzed with scientific curiosity and innovation.

Artistically, the photograph embodies a documentary style, capturing the cyclotron with a straightforward, almost reverential simplicity. The composition employs a centered framing, ensuring the subject remains the unmistakable focal point. This central alignment is effective in drawing the viewer's eye directly to the historical artifact, allowing one to appreciate its structural complexity and rugged beauty. However, the focus remains predominantly on the object itself, leaving minimal interaction with the surrounding environment. This approach might leave viewers yearning for a more dynamic composition that incorporates the broader landscape, potentially adding layers of storytelling. Despite this, the photograph succeeds in conveying the cyclotron's grandeur and significance, offering an evocative glimpse into a moment of scientific and historical importance.

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(Published to the Fediverse as: The Lawrence 37-Inch Cyclotron #photo #cyclotron Photo of the Lawrence 37-Inch Cyclotron at the Lawrence Hall of Science, University of Berkeley, California. )

Zeno's Watermelon

By Robert Ellison. Updated on Saturday, January 18, 2025.

Zeno's Watermelon

This fucking watermelon will never be finished. Each bite is only going to reduce the remaining melon by half at best.

The photograph titled "Zeno's Watermelon" offers an intimate, extreme close-up of watermelon slices, inviting the viewer into an almost abstract exploration of texture and color. The world of the watermelon flesh dominates the scene, its vibrant pink and soft green hues swirling together, with the hints of juice glistening in the light. The image suggests a dance between the vibrant colors and the subtle patterns created on the surface. This scene alludes to a blend of both solidity and translucence, with light playing across the moist surface, highlighting its natural patterns and creating a sense of depth within a narrow frame.

The style of "Zeno's Watermelon" leans toward abstraction with its focus on texture and color rather than identifiable subject matter. The composition guides the viewer's eye along the curves of the watermelon, with the lines and shapes flowing naturally. There’s an intriguing use of depth here, giving a tactile feeling that invites exploration. A strength of this photograph is its ability to evoke a sensory experience through visual means, emphasizing texture and hue with a masterful use of natural lighting. However, the tight cropping may limit the observer's sense of context, potentially leaving them longing for a broader view. This minimalist approach suggests an appreciation for the beauty in small details, but might not fully satisfy those seeking narrative or context in visuals.

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(Published to the Fediverse as: Zeno's Watermelon #photo #paradox Is it possible to finish a slice of watermelon? Not if you only ever eat half of the remaining melon. Photo proof. )

Wall of Skulls

By Robert Ellison. Updated on Saturday, January 18, 2025.

Wall of Skulls

Wall of Skulls at the California Academy of Sciences in the Golden Gate Park, San Francisco.

The photograph titled "Wall of Skulls" presents an intriguing visual of meticulously arranged animal skulls, each one mounted on individual stands. They are displayed in neat, parallel rows that stretch towards the horizon, creating a sense of infinite repetition and rhythm. The skulls are distinct yet blend into a collective mass, their pale surfaces contrasting starkly against the grid-patterned floor. The symmetry is amplified by the subdued, industrial setting, with the background walls segmented into panels, echoing the grid below. Soft fluorescent light bathes the scene, highlighting the textures and contours of each skull, while casting subtle shadows that add depth to this orderly spectacle.

The photograph employs a minimalist and repetitive composition, which is both striking and serene. The use of leading lines draws the viewer's eye along the rows, inviting exploration of each skull while simultaneously emphasizing the magnitude of the collection. The symmetry and rhythm are the strengths of this composition, evoking feelings of both order and eeriness. I appreciate the way the uniformity creates a meditative quality, yet the lack of variety in perspective may make it feel somewhat monotonous. The choice of lighting enhances the textures effectively, though a different angle might introduce more dynamic shadows for visual interest. Overall, this image skillfully balances order and curiosity, provoking both thought and introspection.

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(Published to the Fediverse as: Wall of Skulls #photo #skull Photo of the Wall of Skulls exhibit at the California Academy of Sciences (Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California). )

Book reviews for April 2015

By Robert Ellison. Updated on Friday, February 24, 2017.
The Assassination of Margaret Thatcher by Hilary Mantel

The Assassination of Margaret Thatcher by Hilary Mantel

3/5

 

Successful Analytics ebook 2: Gain Business Insights By Managing Google Analytics by Brian Clifton

Successful Analytics ebook 2: Gain Business Insights By Managing Google Analytics by Brian Clifton

4/5

This is now the book I'd recommend to anyone implementing Google Analytics (and wish had been available when I started). It spends a lot of useful time on how to get data to be trustworthy, how to keep it that way and how to make sure that analysts have the right context when trying to use the data. Great stuff because this is the hard part. Getting data in is easy, being convinced that it's right and useful is complicated. My only real ding is that for some inexplicable reason you have to buy two ebooks instead of one. But that's minor, it's worth it.

 

World of Trouble (The Last Policeman, #3) by Ben H. Winters

World of Trouble (The Last Policeman, #3) by Ben H. Winters

4/5

Fitting end to a brilliant and disturbing trilogy.

 

The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell

The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell

5/5

 

Successful Analytics ebook 1: Gain Business Insights By Managing Google Analytics by Brian Clifton

Successful Analytics ebook 1: Gain Business Insights By Managing Google Analytics by Brian Clifton

4/5

I don't know why this comes as two ebooks... will review at the end of ebook 2.

 

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