30th May 2011 New (to me) Inventions

All-in-one remote:

 

a student of engineering of systems of Information, in the University of National Technology of Argentina, has designed a peripheral, wireless and sensitve to movements that can be used as mouse, keyboard, projector of photographic slides, remote control and joystick.

 

It has been baptized 'iTouch 3D'. You can see how it functions here:

http://bit.ly/gkmDWu

 

New toy for the Special Forces:

 

I am left astonished by the Mega Hurtz, a tactic robot according to it's inventor, Chris Rogers. Sort of a  land-rover, type of jeep or all-terrain vehicle. It can move 12 km/hr. It could be directed through a wall by remote control and it can be incorporated with a camera with night vision and a special light musket, capable of shooting 20 projectiles of paint or peppers by second. See it in the web of Inspector Bots: www.inspectorbots.com

 

 

Tags: newinventions

Prev: 30th May 2011 Thief Of Falcon Babies

30th May 2011 Thief Of Falcon Babies

The couple of peregrine falcons that live in the famous Cathedral Sagrada Familia have been robbed of their new born babies this year. Unknown thief or thieves had invaded their nest, situated on the top of the very tall tower steeple. The prosecutor of environment has opened an investigation after the Town Hall of Barcelona denounced the incident and has alerted the police.

 

The spokesman, Durany, of the department responsible for the programmed of reintroduction, said that they were aware of the female recently hatching some eggs, but they had not known how many baby birds there were, normally there should be 3 or 4; but when they went up there to check a couple of days ago the nest was empty.

 

The falcon couple usually nurse their young in a twisted bend or loop difficult to access, with a web-cam to facilitate the following by the naturalists to supervise their well being. Never the less, the new couple (the previous female had died last year) had decided to build their nest in a different spot some 15 metres higher up. (perhaps like human females, afraid that the husband might dwell too much on his previous wife?) for Even so, the thief(S) had defied all challenge and labour to make the difficult climb and stole the babies, probably just for fun, without thought of the pain and tragedy caused to the birds, the babies, the parents, and the people who tried and work hard to preserve these rare species under protection. Well, the protection is certainly lacking efficiency.

 

Note: I used to confuse myself the difference between a falcon and a hawk. Now I know that a falcon has a notch on their beak that is used for breaking the neck of their prey, and the hawk's beak has a simpler, smoother curve and they typically use their talons on their feet to kill their prey. The peregrine falcon is one of the fastest animals in the world, flying up to 200 mph in a dive, while hawks are typically much slower and prefer to glide with much slower stroke. Hawks tend to be larger than most falcons. Falcons have long wings, hawk's wings are generally shorter. Many species of both hawk and falcon are endangered. They need all the protection they can get.

 

 

Tags: hawk, thief, falcon

Prev: 30th May 2011 Capable Of Love 

30th May 2011 Capable Of Love

It was 9pm last Friday night. At the entrance of the spacious bar 'El Carrero' of Barcelona a crowd began to form with expectant party goers. Nothing unusual such a scene on a Friday night, had it not been because it was the first 'Aspanit Party', a special soiree for people with intellectual impairment or disability. It's organised with the objective of potentiating social relations and that of forming couples. The party also helps to release them from infantile treatment by other people around them in their daily life.

 

It's pioneer of the kind, attended by some 5o people, all excited and expectant. Most of them had never been out at night on their own before. So there were a few parents who were at first concerned about their children's 1st night out on their own. At 10pm the lights dimmed, the dance floor filled up and bodies moving with the rhythm of Waka Waka and Macarena, with overflowing laughter and energy, some with enviable perfect rhythm and style.  

 

 Not yet half way on, all the parents have left, quite confident that the party was doing the youngsters a lot of good; happy that their sons and daughters were happy, being well looked after and really enjoying themselves. Gema Deulofeu, one of the psychologists of the entity of organizers smiled and said succinctly: 'They need this!' The success of the party is more than evident.

 

The initiative not just gives these people entertainment, but an adult social activity, quite different from day time classroom learning or doing handiwork or crafts. They also need to be respected as adults, not being talked down to always, by the so called 'normal' people, who automatically speak to them as if they were toddlers. They also have the chance to learn to interact with different people, and with luck, find a boyfriend/girlfriend to chat to and spend time with.

 

This party would be repeated on the last Friday of every month. For 5€, they have the whole evening of fun, catering and the consumption of a refreshment without alcohol. There would be Karaoke next time, and other programmes added from time to time.

 

The highlight of the evening: A couple on the dancing floor were so high-spirited they requested the DJ to play a Wedding March!

 

Tags: capable, incapable

Prev: 29th May 2011 The Human Doesn't Exist