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August 30, 2007
Welcome John Arnor G. Lom
Everyone, please welcome our newest team member to Electro^Plankton, Jørgen Arnor G. Lom or John for short. I've known him for about a year and have come to appreciate his unique brand, if not twisted, sense of humor. Ironic since you'll see him under the alias "twisted" on this blog. He hails from the icy north, like for reals north. We're talkin' Norway here. Looks like Plankton has some competition. :)
When John isn't blogging here, you can find his musings on his own blog Twisted Intellect. Be nice and say hi to him!
Posted by tranism at 10:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)
August 23, 2007
60,000 Volts
Is that enough to shock the auto industry into changing direction and follwing GM's lead? Maybe. General Motors, after years lagging behind Toyota and Honda in green tech have announced the possibility of mass producing the all electric Chevy Volt. If you haven't heard of the Volt, I wrote about it some months back. Could this be America's answer to the Prius?
The game plan is to sell 60,000 Volts when it's released in 2010. Although the car looks all concept, the technology is all there and ready for mass production. A few weeks ago it was even announced that GM had sealed a deal with a 3rd party regarding lithium ion batteries while Toyota back tracked on an all electric vehicle because they had not yet possessed the lithium ion tech.
It's really a do or die situation for GM. They need to differentiate themselves from Ford and compete against the Japanese and upcoming Korean giants. They didn't anticipate the industry buzz when they announced the Volt but it seems all the puzzle pieces are there. It's up to GM to put them together.
Posted by tranism at 4:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Cats And Toilets Never Get Old
I loves me some cats. Any cat related video is almost destined for uber-cuteness. But there's two things about this video. First the technique. This cat doesn't balance on the rim of the bowl like other cat, toilet videos I've seen. She carefully balances herself by stepping on the inside of the bowl, right above the water line. Secondly, this isn't a house cat. It's a Bobcat name Ginger.
Read more about Ginger here.
via Neatorama
Posted by tranism at 3:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
States In Action, A Climate Crisis
Yes my current home state of California may have a Republican Governor whom may have once traveled back in time to save John, but it's also one of the few states to agree to reduce gas emissions by 15% below 2005 levels by 2020. The initiative will cost millions but each state is participating in different programs to create new "greener" industries to replace the older pollutant heavy ones. Unfortunately, it's only the liberal states in the west and north east who are participating. The whole of America either is thinking about it or don't see fit in it at all. Cough; Texas.
via Treehugger
Posted by tranism at 1:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)
August 21, 2007
DeLorean, Don't Call It A Comeback
This is one product from the 80's that should definitely remain in the 80's. Come 2008, DeLorean Motor Company plans on putting the DeLorean back into production. Each handmade vehicle will still have a stainless steel body, gull wing doors, and angular edges. The car will be built to order to the tune of $57,500 each.
I'm sure it holds some nostalgia for lots of people but this car is supposed to be the future right? Well the memo I have says future vehicles will be made of composite materials, run off fuel cells, and at the very least connect to my iPod.
via Jalopnik
Posted by tranism at 6:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
Japan Plans To Build The Tallest Structure Ever
The XSEED 4000 is currently on the drawing board for construction and if it receives the green light, will be the world's tallest populated structure at a whopping 13,000 feet. Just to put that into perspective, the current reigning champ is Taipei 101 at a mere 1,671 feet.
Not only is it destined to be the tallest but also the largest self-sustaining structure. Designed to look like Mount Doom Mount Fuji, the XSEED 4000 represents the Japanese view of a utopian society. The building will be powered by solar energy and can house up to 1 million inhabitants. As the Japanese islands become more crowded, engineers are finding new and extreme ways to build up. The whole project is estimated to cost anywhere from $300-900 billion U.S.
Seriously, did you really think the Japanese would just sit this one out? They are going big and if anyone can do it, the Japanese can. My only question is, how long will it take me to get from ground level to my apartment way up top? Check out the additional renderings after the jump.
via Inhabitat
Posted by tranism at 3:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (82)
Living In Apprehension
Poor goldfish, they have such hard lives. These beautiful creatures are usually discarded with little to no care for a fish that has had over a thousand years of breeding. That's why they're hardy and can tolerate almost anything we throw at them. As a joke, I though I'd get this glass goldfish bowl with cat ears.
But first a warning about keeping a fish in this bowl.
I will say to all those considering this bowl or any bowl like it to never keep goldfish in them. Goldfish actually require a lot of space. We've been taught early on that these fish can survive in these bowls but the reality is we're lucky to see them last more than a month. Goldfish can live up to almost 40 years if kept in at least a 10 gallon tank.
If you don't want the up keep of a tank with air pumps and filtration, leave goldfish alone. For a bowl like this, try bettas. Male bettas are more brightly colored and when properly cared for will live 5-6 years. Here are a few tips.
- Let tap water sit out for 2 days at room temperature before filling the bowl. Then add a a few drops of Stress Coat or some other type of water treatment.
- Only fill the bowl to about 80% capacity. Bettas can breathe in low oxygenated environments but help them out by giving them the greatest surface area. That means the water level should meet the widest diameter of the bowl.
- Bettas can jump up to 3 inches so keeping the water level well below the top of the bowl also keeps them from committing suicide. Why they jump, I have no idea, but they are one of the few fish that can breathe both water and air.
- Keep ornamental decoration to a minimum. A few smooth rounded pebbles, a smooth rock with a hole in it is all you need.
- Only keep one betta to each bowl. They will fight otherwise.
- They can live off store bought fish flakes but also love live brine shrimp and blood worms. Feed them two or three flakes twice a day.
- Buy a turkey baster to suck up waste and uneaten food. This is the easiest way to keep the bowl clean.
- Change out 35% of the water with clean treated water once a week.
- Always greet your betta everyday. They are one of the few fish that can recognize their owner (the one that feeds them) and love the attention.
Posted by tranism at 2:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
August 20, 2007
What House Are You In?
Are you as big a Harry Potter fan as I am? Then you will LOVE this. It's your very own sorting hat and it really works. It's full size (20 inches tall) and activates by pressing a small button. You'll hear the sorting hat quote some of the more famous lines from the book before assigning you to a house.
I know I know, seems pointless but at $49, I'm so tempted.
Posted by tranism at 1:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
10x Better Than A Crane Game
Japan has all the cool stuff. Just look at this photo. Number one, this is a crane game but instead of a crane, you have a robot. When you insert your hard earned money, instead of 2 or 3 tries to grab something, you control the robot in a race against the clock. How freakin' awesome is that?
On another note, everything in Japan is "cutesified" to the extreme. Just check out that Shrek doll down front. Way cuter than what we have here in the States.
Posted by tranism at 11:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
August 13, 2007
Sony Bravia Bunnies
The Sony Bravia "Color like no other" ad campaign is still my favorite ad campaign this and last year. The first being the thousands of bouncy balls in San Francisco, the second being the paint explosion in Glasgow and soon, the Playdoh bunnies in New York City. If you're a local resident, you may have noticed these bigger than life bunnies all around the city - HUNDREDS OF THEM. I can't wait to see the ad campaign but for now thanks to Notcot, we have a sneak peak.
I wanna take one home! I think I can make a paper mache version. More pics after the jump.
Posted by tranism at 1:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
He Eats SD cards
This doodad keeps your SD cards safe much like the coin holders of the 80's. Just give him a squeeze to get your cards back. Somebody needs to make a Hungry Hungry Hippo version. Hit the jump for another pic.
via Nexus404
Posted by tranism at 1:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
The Lung Ashtray
I find there are strange dichotomies in our society when sharing music is illegal but cigarette smoking is totally legit even tho it is FACT that smoking kills not only the smoker but hurts others around. The campaigns about the harms of smoking seem to have plateaued so what's the next step? Insurance companies are now stepping in with education because obviously they stand to lose if more people smoke. The Lung Ashtray is a combo art/ad installation by German health insurance company AOK. It definitely has people looking twice, but are they thinking twice too?
via Neatorama
Posted by tranism at 1:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
August 10, 2007
When Is A Wii Not A Wii?
The Piss-Screen - a pressure-sensitive inlay set within urinals, enabling users to play while they pee. They installed this newfangled creation in male restrooms across Frankfurt, teaming up with a variety of bars, clubs and cafés. The game itself was displayed on a screen above each urinal, and would automatically start as soon as someone began to pee. The player could then control the car whilst relieving himself – if they wanted the car to go right, they simply peed to the right (and visa versa).
The overall design of the driving game was similar in style to that of Need for Speed, requiring relatively quick reactions. Obviously the more drunk you are, the slower your response, reinforcing the effects of alcohol to the gamer. The game ultimately culminates in a shocking crash-sequence, leaving the viewer with little doubt as to the repercussions of driving while drunk.
Check out the video here and NO you won't be seeing any exposed wangs.
Posted by tranism at 4:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
Sharper Than A Rabbit
I really want some rabbit shears. Why? Just because.
Posted by tranism at 4:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Baker Baker Bake Me A Square
Aren't brownies the best? But they don't cook evenly and that's okay for some people because some like the gooey middle, others the chewy edges. Me? I like them both and the new Baker's Edge brownie pan uses a little design ingenuity to get the best of both worlds. The pan itself is divided into a maze like structure. This distributes heat evenly across every square brownie cut from the pan, giving you the chewy edges and the gooey middle.
Damn I'm hungry.
via Josh Spear
Posted by tranism at 2:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
August 8, 2007
The Story Of Kerberos
One of the coolest interactive installations by Minimforms Studios called "Becoming Animal" just wrapped up in Suffolk, England and it's a doozy. The installation tells the story of Kerberos, three-horned guardian of the underworld. In the interactive installation, participants influence and stimulate the three heads of Kerberos triggering interactive screens and sounds by wearing dog masks. Participants also communicate with one another by interacting without verbal communication. All dialogue exchange occurs thru the masks, creating lights and facial expressions.
via Core77
Posted by tranism at 2:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
August 3, 2007
Life Is A Long Walk
This bizarre but totally cute animation called the Walking Tour teaches us that life is simply a long slow walk. And tho some of our loved ones may fall behind, they're never really gone and one day, you'll see them again. Just remember, look back too much and you'll fall. Always look ahead.
via Presurfer
Posted by tranism at 4:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Hyposurface Is A 3D Wall
It may be old (2003) but the Hyposurface wall is still mesmerizing people every time it's demoed. Words fail when I try and describe it so just imagine a wall of lights that dynamically changes shape, like a sentient organism. Their website also has a couple quick videos. I implore you to watch.
via Core77
Posted by tranism at 3:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Microbe Mail Visualization
I know it's hard to tell from this screenshot but Anymails is one of the coolest open source developments I've seen built with flash and processing. It reads mail from Apple's built-in mail app (yes it's Mac only) and you can even download the source file to study how it's all done.
via Presurfer
Anymails is a project by Carolin Horn from Germany. It's a visualization of received emails. Emails are pictured as microbes. The project was developed during the MFA thesis 'Natural Metaphor For Information Visuzalization' at the Dynamic Media Intitute Boston in 2007.
How a microbe looks and moves depends on the condition of the represented email. The age of an email (when it was received) is shown by the size and opacity of the animal. For instance, a new email is big and opaque, an old email small and transparent. The status of an email (unread, read, responded) is shown by two animal attributes: the number of hair/feet and velocity. An unread email is hairy and swims fast; a read email has less hair and does not swim so fast anymore; a responded email is hairless and barely moves.
Posted by tranism at 3:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)
Oh Carl
I would like to direct your attention to Yann Le Coroller's Carl. An animated short that is so overloaded with cuteness, I'm throwing up rainbows and stars. There's also a series of free desktops you can download so go ahead, give Carl a home on your computer.
via Notcot
Posted by tranism at 3:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)