J. G. Ballard reflects on the movie version of his semi-autobiographical novel Empire of the Sun on the eve of its release on DVD. I loved the movie when it first came out. Ballard liked it too…but can’t help feeling his memories were somewhat hijacked by Hollywood.
This is going to make Alberta even richer, isn’t it?
More photos here.
Here’s a great idea for people who are away from electrical outlets for long periods of time: roll-up solar panels you can use to charge small electronic devices (or, if you get the bigger roll, even laptops and camcorders). It’d be perfect for, say, a robotic pack mule and prospector. (See previous post.)
A company called Boston Dynamics is developing a robotic pack mule called BigDog for the U.S. Military. They’re calling it the most advanced quadruped robot on Earth. Check out the video here. (28MB Windows video.) Next up: a dusty robotic gold prospector able to chew ‘baccy, sing all the verses to “My Darlin’ Clementine,” and …
…is the new red spot growing on Jupiter. This new companion to the famous Great Red Spot (both are actually giant storms) is officially called Oval BA but unofficially dubbed “Red Jr.” or “The Not-So-Great Red Spot.” It formed a few years ago when three smaller storms collided, but only now has it begun to …
Paul Sorvino is starring in Frank Loesser’s “Broadway opera” The Most Happy Fella. I played the same role (Tony Esposito–no, not the hockey player) in Regina Lyric Light Opera‘s production of the show in 1997, and it remains one of my favorites.
(More photos here.)
So says a new survey. Well, “Duh!” But I take issue with the Guardian‘s lede: A truth which has the downside of keeping many true artists poor in garrets and many false ones rich in mansions was universally acknowledged yesterday. The implication, of course, is that there is somehow more artistic merit in an unhappy …
Introduction to a story on CBC Radio’s 4 p.m. national newscast: The 100-channel universe is becoming more infinite all the time. Um…guys? Something cannot become “more” infinite. It’s either infinite or it isn’t. And if there are currently 100 channels in your universe (mine’s a bit larger than that, but what the hey), then it …
So tell me, how does Margaret Atwood’s long-distance autographing device, the Long Pen, which she’ll be unveiling this weekend, differ from this 19th century invention? (Via Normblog.)
