Things we don't understand

Scientists see silver lining in dark matter

Don't try this at home

Something to warm you up today...what happens when you put a lighter in a blender?




Best quip about Gibbs free energy and/or thermodynamics wins a prize.

All misfortunes are kin

"All misfortunes are kin, speak the same language and show the same generosity, the generosity of those who, because they can call nothing their own, are prodigal of sympathy and lavish of their time and trouble."

Balzac. The Wild Ass' Skin.

Elliott Carter turns 100 at Carnegie Hall

"I’d rather hear them play good contemporary music than old music,” he said of the performers devoted to his work."

An interesting article.

TONIGHT: Biggest, Brightest Moon in 15 Years

From the Daily Telegraph:

If the shortening days are getting you down, be sure to look for tonight's amazing full moon.

It will appear 14 per cent bigger than usual and a stunning 30 per cent brighter thanks to a rare, natural coincidence.

Each month the moon orbits the Earth and tonight it will skim by at its closest distance for the last 15 years.

"Where the Love Light Gleams . . ."

Somehow I don't think Bing meant the "red light district."  Anyway, per Estabrook's request Wednesday night, here's a little Christmas cheer.

 

From Somalia with Love

"The most militant group is the Shabab, a multiclan insurgent force that the United States classifies as a terrorist organization. Just a few weeks ago, the Shabab kidnapped a man it accused of being a spy and slowly sawed off his head with a dull knife, videotaping the whole episode."

The article.

Sixty years after de-colonialization, standards of living in much of Africa continue to decline. No plateau, no hard road uphill, Africa is still declining. How many generations, centuries, can this go on?