Maddenation
Subway violinist
This happened two years ago, but I just heard about it now. A Washington Post reported got one of the world’s best violinists to play in the D. C. subway just to see how many people would stop to listen to the music. What do you think happened?
The article won a Pulitzer prize, and I think it’s that good. Let’s discuss.
Patrick • Observations • 06/26/09 • 1 commentsSanta Catalina and the horizon.
The question, “How far is the horizon,” has come up from time to time ever since I first raised it to myself many years ago. In those pre-Internet days, there were no readily available, googleable answers, so I did my own calculation using the Pythagorean theorem and came up with the formula: horizon distance in miles = sqrt(1.5h), where h is the height of your eyes in feet. (Hence the concept of the six-foot-eyed man.)
Of course, this formula is only good in Kansas (the flattest state) or over still water. It also does not take refraction into account, which can allow you to see farther because vertical variation in air density causes light to curve over the horizon. A good explanation of how various formulas may be derived is found here.
Dad • Explanations • 06/07/09 • 1 commentsFunny Signs
Of course, not every one of these is funny, but some of them got my cheeks hurting from laughing too hard. Guess which one nearly knocked me out of my chair…
Patrick • Funnies • 05/30/09 • 2 commentsPachelbel’s “Canon” / chord copying
For a couple or three years now, I’ve been hoping to write an essay called “Independent Redundancy,” which tackles questions of originality and creativity. My original test case is George Harrison’s “My Sweet Lord” vs. The Chiffons’ “He’s So Fine.” One of my former students, David Grover, mentioned to me that Pachelbel’s “Canon” was a great example of a song that’s been copied over and over, so I plan to explore that some day, too. Meanwhile, a comedian named Rob Paravonian has created a comedy routine around this very concept. I like how he does it. Check it out.
Also, I’m discovering more and more that in this day, when nearly everything is gooleable, there’s nothing new or original. You can think you had a cool idea, but just google it; someone else already had it.
Patrick • Funnies • 05/18/09 • 1 commentsEarthquakes
Have you ever experienced an earthquake? Probably not, since most of you don’t live in California. Well, Dan and I are experiencing our fair share of them during the past year. The most recent one? About 45 minutes ago.
Kathleen • News • 05/18/09 • 1 commentsDoes evolution explain human nature?
I stopped in the library to return some books and started paging through New Yorker magazine to pass some time before picking up a pizza. I saw an add for The Templeton Foundation and a reference to this site. Essays on the evolution of human nature. Delicious. I thought immediately of David, the only evolutionary biologist in the family. However, this subject seemed of general interest.
Amazingly, we have no category for “essays.” Accordingly, I added one.
Dad • Essays • 05/12/09 • 1 commentsColdplay Plagiarism? You Decide.
NPR’s Brian Unger analyzes recent plagiarism charges against Coldplay. He does a funny job too! Turns out three bands/artists (Cat Stevens, Joe Satriani, and Dan’s favorite band, Creaky Boards) are suing Coldplay for their song “Vidva la Vida”. Have a listen and see what you think.
David • Funnies • 05/11/09 • 5 comments17 again?
Now here’s a story about a real-life “back to the future” event that warms the cockles of my heart. A fitting exclamation point affixed to the “bragging rights” of all those affiliated with this inter-state rivalry. Dave? Dan? any thoughts on replays against Bailey Ellard or Mountain Lakes?
Dad • News • 04/27/09 • 1 commentsTree House, Anyone?
Um, this could be awesome, people. Where the heck is the link button? It was here last time!
Kathleen • Experiments • 04/23/09 • 1 commentsTime’s Winged Arrow
I just love the title of this short article in the New York Times. It addresses Dad’s old question about how experience of time changes proportionally as we get older. The article, and the scientists/philosophers mentioned, seem to agree with Dad. I wonder if they might be leaving anything out. What do you think, Dad?
David • Explanations • 04/21/09 • 1 comments