By Robert Ellison. Updated on Friday, February 24, 2017.
iD (The Machine Dynasty, #2) by Madeline Ashby
3/5
Very much a middle book in a series. vN was outstanding, iD picks up where it left off and it's good if you read vN but probably doesn't stand alone. I'm looking forward to a third installment.
Flaggermusmannen (Harry Hole, #1) by Jo Nesbø
4/5
The Bat - recently translated into English. This is the first in the Harry Hole series and it's a very good one. Most of the rest were translated some time ago and it's a little odd that it's taken so long for the initial installment. I was expecting it to some sort of rubbish embarrassment but Nesbo is on top form here. My guess is that the problem was that it's set in Sydney which is probably a hard sell for fans of Scandinavian crime.
By Robert Ellison. Updated on Saturday, January 18, 2025.
I don't always find droids, but when I do, they're the ones I'm looking for.
- Most Interesting Wookie In The Universe (seen at the Lucasfilm campus).
This photograph captures a colorful and humorous piece of sidewalk chalk art. The main subject is a portrait of a figure reminiscent of a classic advertisement, but with an intriguing twist: the figure seems to be a fusion of the charismatic "most interesting man" and a character from the Star Wars universe, namely a Wookiee. Above the image, a speech bubble reads, "I don't always find droids, but when I do, they're the ones I'm looking for," ingeniously blending two famous pop culture references. Below the figure, a framed text declares "Most Interesting Wookiee in the Universe," adding to the playful nature of the artwork. To the right, smaller details like hologram-like projections and subtle shading contribute to the immersive, otherworldly effect of this creative endeavor.
The composition is well-structured, filling the pavement canvas with precision. The use of perspective draws the viewer’s eyes naturally from the text above, centering on the figure, and finally resting on the text below. This helps in easily conveying the layered message in the artwork. The earthy tones prevalent in the chalk art echo the ruggedness associated with the Wookiee while maintaining a lighthearted, inviting feel, reflecting its humorous intent. What stands out is the clever blend of cultural elements, enticing the viewer into an amusing crossover narrative. However, the boundaries of the chalk art are not sharply delineated, which might lead to its details blending into the pavement in less than ideal lighting conditions. Yet, this casualness adds to the ephemeral charm typical of street art, capturing a moment of clever creativity for passersby to enjoy.
(Published to the Fediverse as:
I don't always find droids... #photo#presidio#sanfrancisco The Most Interesting Wookie In The Universe (sidewalk art seen at the Lucasfilm campus).)
By Robert Ellison. Updated on Thursday, November 12, 2015.
"The patent system in the USA is so distorted it's now more lucrative for companies known as 'patent trolls' to sue manufacturers rather than actually make anything. The problem's so serious that President Obama has got involved -- and British companies are targeted if they do business in the US. Rory Cellan-Jones investigates and finds one of the world's biggest trolls in his lair in Dallas."
Patently Absurd is available to stream for the next six days (the BBC never took me up on the offer for a new hard drive).
(Published to the Fediverse as:
BBC On Patents #politics#patents The BBC's 'Patently Absurd' program on patent abuse which is of course no longer available.)
Pink Skull Rabbit by Jeremy Fish, photographed in the nick of time as it is now gone.
This photograph, titled "Scary Bunny," captures a surreal and eerie glimpse behind a fence, where the partial figure of a bunny lurks. It's a sharply focused image, with the primary subject being a striking red and white sign featuring bold capital letters warning to "KEEP OUT." Behind this sign, obscured by the fencing, is an ominous figure with large eyes, seeming almost to peer through the lattice of metal at the viewer. The bunny's haunting presence casts a shadow across the composition, hinting at a narrative of lurking danger or forgotten whimsy. Lush greenery fills the background, juxtaposing the foreboding elements with an illusion of natural tranquility.
In terms of style and composition, the photo employs a strong use of color contrast and depth. The red text is vivid against the muted tones of the background, capturing attention immediately while simultaneously obscuring the unsettling partial view of the bunny. The fence creates a sense of separation, both physical and metaphorical, between the viewer and the scene beyond, enhancing the feeling of curiosity mixed with caution. The alignment of elements respects the rule of thirds, guiding the eye naturally across the sign and towards the mysterious figure beyond. The image excels in its ability to evoke emotion and interest; however, the deliberate obstruction of the main subject may frustrate some viewers who desire a clearer view. This adds to the photo’s allure, compelling the viewer to imagine the unseen elements of this unusual tableau.
By Robert Ellison. Updated on Wednesday, March 12, 2025.
Two of my very own cheek cells, painlessly extracted with a cotton swab and then stained with methylene blue.
In the intricate dance of the microscopic world, this photograph presents a close-up view of human cheek cells, each a delicate whisper of translucent material captured with a methylene blue stain. The stain bathes the cellular structures in a gentle blue hue, providing contrast and clarity to the cell walls and nuclei. Within the frame, the nuclei stand out as deeper blue ovals, the central focus in this miniature universe. The texture of the cell membrane is faintly visible, an intricate lacework against a backdrop of soft focus, hinting at the complexity contained within these simple elements of human biology.
The photograph employs a clear and scientific style, focusing on the detailed exposure of cellular structures. Technically, the use of methylene blue achieves a balanced contrast that allows the viewer to distinguish between the cellular components effectively. The composition follows the fundamentals of scientific imaging, presenting the subject centrally and without distraction, ensuring that the cells remain in focus while the background fades away. One potential drawback could be the overall lack of sharpness in some areas, which may obscure finer details. However, the softness adds an organic quality to the image, emphasizing the natural form of the cells. Overall, the photograph successfully combines scientific precision with a subtle artistic touch, leaving an impression of both clarity and beauty.
1,920 frames taken every 45 seconds and stitched together into a single photo. It's a single frame time lapse of 24 hours.
The photograph titled "Diary of a Living Room" captures the quietude and everyday essence of a typical living space. It presents a cozy, inviting nook with a plush L-shaped sofa that beckons the weary soul to rest. Blankets are casually draped across its arms, hinting at recent warmth and use. Light pours through a large window, softened by sheer curtains, and fills the room with a gentle, diffused glow. On the wall, muted artworks hang subtly, while the television rests quietly on its stand alongside a few personal items on a dark coffee table. The image is artistically overlaid with vertical light streaks that blend into the scene, introducing an intriguing, ghostly effect that juxtaposes the static calm with a fleeting passage of time.
The artistic style of this photograph employs an experimental approach, blending traditional interior photography with abstract elements. The vertical light streaks act as a time-lapse, creating a dynamic tension within the otherwise serene setting. Compositionally, the image adheres to the rule of thirds, with the window and couches strategically occupying significant visual space, while balance is maintained through the placement of elements like the lamp and television. The ambient light creates a pleasing palette of soft tones, enhancing the livable charm of the room. However, the streaks, although captivating, partially obscure details, which may detract from the viewer's full appreciation of the interior’s warmth. Despite this, the photograph successfully evokes a sense of home, inviting contemplation of the passage of time within familiar spaces.
(Published to the Fediverse as:
Diary of a Living Room #photo#sftl Single Frame Time Lapse (SFTL) photo of a living room over 24 hours, 1,920 frames combined into a single image.)
By Robert Ellison. Updated on Friday, February 24, 2017.
Doctor Who: Harvest of Time by Alastair Reynolds
5/5
I don't normally do SciFi series books... but this is Alastair Reynolds doing Doctor Who. Jon Pertwee era with UNIT and The Master. If the BBC had a 300 million Pound budget for a Doctor Who story line in the 70's this is what they would have made.
Top Dog: The Science of Winning and Losing by Po Bronson
4/5
I always enjoy Po Bronson and he's typically on form here with fascinating research and anecdotes around the topic of competition. There is a lot of new evidence on how hormones work that I'd never seen before and an interesting theory that competitive sports are a precursor to democracy. Much of this book is about how competition brings out creativity and drive. I wonder it it's missing a trick here and that the real factor is operating under constraint with competition being just one of many possible forms of constraint. In addition to the studies showing that art was better when a competition was involved I'd like to see how this worked out when one set of artists was limited to using just brown and silver... I'd bet the results would look pretty similar.
A $453m fine for Barclays is equivalent to $600 for the average US household, although if the average US household got caught manipulating markets they'd probably be in jail.
These relatively small fines aren't enough to really change behavior.
Unless we change how the fines are used. Put $453m in an incubator that funds banking startups and you can have 40 scrappy well funded companies trying to take the banks down. A handful of those will succeed and really do some damage. Every time a bank misbehaves it will be sowing the seeds of its own destruction.
(Published to the Fediverse as:
HOWTO: Punish Banks #politics#banks#barclays A cunning idea to use corporate fines to fund startups that will be the eventual demise of the corrupt but too big to fail miscreants.)
