Daily Bits

QR Code Tombstones Now Available Commercially

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quiringqrQR codes have been around for a while, and people have been using them for a wide variety of purposes, but it seems that they are now making it in the commercial sector. Believe it or not, QR codes have been used to store information on tombstones!

It used to be, though, that one might have to search long and hard for people who would make the highly specialized tombstones. If you live in Seattle, or surrounding areas, then you can prepare for your own high tech memorial by getting in touch with the company Quiring Monuments.

This company has been in the business of death and remembrance for three generations, and they are keeping up with the times – actually getting ahead of others in their sector. They are now offering burial markers that have embedded QR codes containing images and info about the deceased.

You probably have seen these QR codes in magazines and ads – squarish black and white images that somehow resemble bar codes but are quite different. QR codes can be read by any device with a reader installed. For example, if you have a reader on your phone, you simple have to scan the QR code and the information will be displayed on your screen. This info can include photos and text.

So yes, Quiring Monuments is at the forefront of things, and while the technology might not be welcomed by some who want to keep to the old traditions, I am pretty sure there are more than enough technophiles who will welcome this technology with arms wide open.

What do you think of using QR codes for your tombstone?

Via NPR

This Is What Leonard Nimoy Does These Days

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Ever wondered what the famous Leonard Nimoy has been doing in the past years? Many of us know him as Spock and nothing else, but some of you may not know that he is also a photographer. In fact, last year, he held an exhibit called Secret Selves at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art.

A lot can happen within a year, though, and it seems that the venerable Spock has had another career change in the recent months. That is, if Bruno Mars and his recording label can be believed. Now I have nothing against Bruno Mars, but let’s just say that he is not part of my daily playlist. (If you are averse to his music, bear with me. You won’t regret it.)

Anyhow, his song title “The Lazy Song” has an official alternate video, which will make the day of Spock-lovers (both my hands raised). Then again, if you have no sense of humor, you just might want to send Bruno Mars a death threat for daring to portray your idol in such a way. If you feel that way, think again. Vulcans may not experience emotions like we do, but Leonard Nimoy is very much human.

Enjoy!

Most Amazing (and Freakiest) Underwater Photos You’ll See This Week

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I’ve recently taken an interest in diving – just as an observer. Perhaps I’ll try a fun dive in the near future as well. Diving is not all that unknown to me, my dad being an avid diver when I was younger. However, the thought of being deep underwater, unable to swim, darkness enveloping you…enough already!

Then there are awesome videos and photos of cute creatures like Nemo and the likes of him. Corals. That’s more than enough to get even the king of wusses try diving at least once!

For Alex Mustard, a British diver, he does need more motivation. In fact, he recently did something that every other diver might just dream about. Mustard dove between two tectonic plates. I know what you’re thinking – is he nuts? What if those tectonic plates had decided to move just when he was in between them? (I know that is unlikely and probably even a scientifically unsound idea, but I can’t help but think it!)

It seems that his risk was well worth it, though, as can be seen in the amazing photos that he took. ((Source: The Daily Mail))
Iceland Gap
Beautiful, no doubt, but all I could say when I first saw the photo was “Yikes” – and not a very emphatic yikes at that. More like a frightened little puppy whining…
Iceland Gap2
This one’s a little tamer, but no less beautiful. And for some dramatic effect…
Iceland Gap3

The dive was done in between the North American and Eurasian plates near Iceland. Mustard and his team of divers (you didn’t think he dove alone, did you?) went 80 feet down into the crevice but also went as deep as 200 feet. Yikes.

Hemoglobin in 3D

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Were you always caught up in your biology classes way back when? I remember loving my high school biology class from the get go, only to be thoroughly turned off when the time came for dissecting a frog. I found out – the hard way – that I was not cut out to do anything remotely related to touching/cutting up squishy living things.

Then again, that experience has not totally turned me off molecules and other things that can be rendered on a computer – like this hemoglobin rendition in 3D. Hemoglobin is that “thing” that transports oxygen in our blood. I can’t stand blood, but I can dig hemoglobin. 😉

So these guys from Steffen VFX, a 3D animation studio based in Brooklyn, decided to play around with human hemoglobin – its structure at least – and came up with a 3D model. They worked on this project in tandem with McFarlane Toys.

Now if you think about it, hemoglobin is so minuscule that we can’t see it with the naked eye. That’s where these guys had to do some hard work. From this structure: ((Source: Wikipedia))
Haemoglobin

They came up with this model which the average person can see and touch: ((Source: Steffen VFX))
hemoglobin_A

Here’s a closer look at the 3D model.
hemoglobin_D

The entire process is detailed in the Steffen VFX blog, if you are interested in the nitty gritty. You will also see photos of the making of the model. The details are a little too intense for me, but the finished product is somewhat of a delight to see, even though it somehow reminds me of fish eggs! 😉  The next time I think about blood and oxygen, I am sure my imagination will pull these images up.

Addicted to Tetris? You’re Not the Only One!

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Tetris. Remember those days when your mom would threaten to smash your Game Boy because you wouldn’t stop playing that highly addictive game with blocks of various shapes falling from the “sky”?

This game is arguably the most popular game ever, and it has withstood the test of time. Created in 1984 by Alexey Pajitnov, Tetris has been distributed all over the world for practically all kinds of interfaces. From the personal computer to handheld consoles to mobile phones – anything that can be used to play a game has been used to play Tetris.

For some, Tetris may just be that – a mere game. For others, Tetris means so much more. Various studies have been done to study the effects of Tetris on the human brain. One study claims that playing Tetris – especially during the first few times – makes the brain more efficient. Another study has shown that general cognitive functions become better due to regular playing. Yet another study showed preliminary results that patients deal with traumatic events better when Tetris is used as part of their therapy.

Here’s a firsthand testimony as to what Tetris can do to a real person. Have you ever heard of James Clewett? He is the 1999 Tetris world champion and a certified Tetris addict. This guy has not let his addiction get in the way of pursuing the rest of his life goals, though. If anything, he has gone beyond what the average person does (though he has already done that by becoming world champion). Pretty soon, this Tetris world champion is going to be a doctor as well – in the Dr. Sheldon Cooper way, that is.

Watch the Confessions of a Tetris Addict – you will walk away with a gem or two.

Adam Savage Does Doctor Who

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I know I just posted a Doctor Who infographic yesterday, but this video is too good to pass up. I may not have seen the series yet, but I sure as heck am familiar with Adam Savage of Mythbusters fame. I don’t know about you, but I find him to be the most endearing member of the team.

Recently, he has attracted more attention, thanks to his stint dancing in a cage. Yes, a cage. To the theme from Doctor Who. Backing up Adam Savage is Arc Attack, and the cage is flanked by two Tesla coils to complete the setup.

The performance was given in this year’s Makers Faire, giving attendees a treat that they probably did not expect. If you’re feeling low or you just have some time to waste, this video is the perfect thing to watch. The music + Adam’s robot moves and gyrations = a hilarious few minutes!

Adam Savage, you rock!