"The future of data storage, in which bits are shuttled around nanoscale wires like horses circling a track. With no moving parts, it's expected to combine the speed and durability of flash memory with the low cost and capacity of magnetic hard drives."
Foxes are a common subject of Japanese folklore; kitsune usually refers to them in this context. Stories depict them as intelligent beings and as possessing magical abilities that increase with their age and wisdom.
Foremost among these is the ability to assume human form. While some folktales speak of kitsune employing this ability to trick others — as foxes in folklore often do — other stories portray them as faithful guardians, friends, lovers, and wives.
A ferrofluid is a liquid which becomes strongly polarised in the presence of a magnetic field.
Ferrofluids are composed of nanoscale ferromagnetic particles suspended in a carrier fluid, usually an organic solvent or water.
The ferromagnetic nano-particles are coated with a surfactant to prevent their agglomeration (due to van der Waals and magnetic forces).
Although the name may suggest otherwise, ferrofluids do not display ferromagnetism, since they do not retain magnetisation in the absence of an externally applied field.
In fact, ferrofluids display paramagnetism, and are often referred as being "superparamagnetic" due to their large magnetic susceptibility.
True ferromagnetic fluids are difficult to create at present.
Ichi-go ichie-e is a concept connected to the way of tea; it expresses the ideal of the way of tea. Roughly translated the phrase means "one time, one meeting" or "one encounter; one opportunity." In the way of tea we should respect the host and the others in the garden and the tea room and honor the moment as if it were a once-in-a-lifetime gathering. That is, we should cherish every meeting for it will never happen again. Ichi-go ichi-e is a reminder that each tea ceremony is unique even though the elements are familiar.
A surveillance tap providing intelligence agencies with access to every conversation on an entire cell phone network.
Named after the Virginia town where the FBI Academy is located, the recently disclosed technology has short-circuited customer privacy - and Congressional oversight - since at least 2003.
Slurpees, margaritas, ice cream - they can hurt so good.
No-one really knows why, but scientists think that stabbed-in-the-forehead feeling (sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia) occurs when the temperature of your palate doesn't have time to normalise between spoonfuls of flavoured ice.
The capillaries in the roof of your mouth dilate rapidly, filling with warmth-inducing blood, and that sudden expansion could trigger nerves at the back of your palate (the sphenopalatine ganglion) to fire off urgent messages to your brain: "OMG, the head is freezing!"
In response, blood vessels in your head swell in a pattern that resembles a migraine - although brain freeze lasts less than a minute.
To cure a cranium chill, press your tongue hard against the palate to thaw it quickly, or breathe into your hands to heat your mouth.
Comments by simianaudio
simianaudio commented on the word Cartesian dualism
The view that the soul is separate from the body and superior to it. René Descartes is the modern philosopher most associated with this.
January 17, 2012
simianaudio commented on the word racetrack memory
From Wired magazine (August 2008):
"The future of data storage, in which bits are shuttled around nanoscale wires like horses circling a track. With no moving parts, it's expected to combine the speed and durability of flash memory with the low cost and capacity of magnetic hard drives."
November 29, 2008
simianaudio commented on the word kitsune
Romaji for fox.
Foxes are a common subject of Japanese folklore; kitsune usually refers to them in this context. Stories depict them as intelligent beings and as possessing magical abilities that increase with their age and wisdom.
Foremost among these is the ability to assume human form. While some folktales speak of kitsune employing this ability to trick others — as foxes in folklore often do — other stories portray them as faithful guardians, friends, lovers, and wives.
(Source: Wikipedia)
September 24, 2008
simianaudio commented on the word sekai
World
September 10, 2008
simianaudio commented on the word ferrofluid
A ferrofluid is a liquid which becomes strongly polarised in the presence of a magnetic field.
Ferrofluids are composed of nanoscale ferromagnetic particles suspended in a carrier fluid, usually an organic solvent or water.
The ferromagnetic nano-particles are coated with a surfactant to prevent their agglomeration (due to van der Waals and magnetic forces).
Although the name may suggest otherwise, ferrofluids do not display ferromagnetism, since they do not retain magnetisation in the absence of an externally applied field.
In fact, ferrofluids display paramagnetism, and are often referred as being "superparamagnetic" due to their large magnetic susceptibility.
True ferromagnetic fluids are difficult to create at present.
September 5, 2008
simianaudio commented on the word greenwashing
Disinformation disseminated by an organisation so as to present an environmentally responsible public image.
August 24, 2008
simianaudio commented on the word ichi-go ichi-e
Ichi-go ichie-e is a concept connected to the way of tea; it expresses the ideal of the way of tea. Roughly translated the phrase means "one time, one meeting" or "one encounter; one opportunity." In the way of tea we should respect the host and the others in the garden and the tea room and honor the moment as if it were a once-in-a-lifetime gathering. That is, we should cherish every meeting for it will never happen again. Ichi-go ichi-e is a reminder that each tea ceremony is unique even though the elements are familiar.
August 4, 2008
simianaudio commented on the word omae mona
A comeback that translates roughly as "I know you are but what I am?"
August 2, 2008
simianaudio commented on the word kuki yomenai
A put-down used to refer to someone who "can't read the air", who isn't in on the joke.
August 2, 2008
simianaudio commented on the word delphic reed
A prophetic flute such as played by the god Apollo, from Greek and Roman mythology.
July 31, 2008
simianaudio commented on the word potiphar
Chapter 39 of Genesis tells the story of Joseph's service in the house of Potiphar, an official of the pharaoh in Egypt.
Potiphar's wife flirts with Joseph incessantly. Once while trying to evade her advances, Joseph leaves behind his cloak in her hands.
With the garment as evidence, she claims that Joseph has thrown himself upon her.
When he hears this accusation, the jealous Potiphar imprisons Joseph.
July 31, 2008
simianaudio commented on the word googleganger
I saw another good spin on this one on Twitter today - someone with your name with whom you battle for pagerank supremacy.
July 20, 2008
simianaudio commented on the word geophony
Non-biological natural sound
July 20, 2008
simianaudio commented on the word purikura
Print club.
Refers to the ubiquitous photo kiosks popular with Japanese youth.
Photos are generally printed out on stickers.
July 17, 2008
simianaudio commented on the word genetic corridor
A protected migration route designed to reduce inbreeding by endangered species.
The zones, including a new 5,000 mile long pathway for Asian tigers, will braoden gene pools by linking estranged habitats.
From Wired magazine, June 2008
July 17, 2008
simianaudio commented on the word macrochip
An array of microchips connected by lasers, enabling them to communicate at the speed of light and effectively function as a single processor.
Sun Microsystems secured US$44 million from DARPA to build a prototype; it should extend Moore's Law.
From Wired magazine, June 2008
July 17, 2008
simianaudio commented on the word thought marshalling
Reinforcing memories by briefly dozing after after learning new material.
Occurring in the first few minutes of sleep, thought marshalling is like study hall for the brain.
It's also a scientific excuse for snoozing in class.
From Wired magazine, June 2008
July 17, 2008
simianaudio commented on the word quantico circuit
A surveillance tap providing intelligence agencies with access to every conversation on an entire cell phone network.
Named after the Virginia town where the FBI Academy is located, the recently disclosed technology has short-circuited customer privacy - and Congressional oversight - since at least 2003.
From Wired magazine, June 2008
July 17, 2008
simianaudio commented on the word anthrophony
Man-made noise
July 17, 2008
simianaudio commented on the word sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia
Also known as 'Brain Freeze'
Slurpees, margaritas, ice cream - they can hurt so good.
No-one really knows why, but scientists think that stabbed-in-the-forehead feeling (sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia) occurs when the temperature of your palate doesn't have time to normalise between spoonfuls of flavoured ice.
The capillaries in the roof of your mouth dilate rapidly, filling with warmth-inducing blood, and that sudden expansion could trigger nerves at the back of your palate (the sphenopalatine ganglion) to fire off urgent messages to your brain: "OMG, the head is freezing!"
In response, blood vessels in your head swell in a pattern that resembles a migraine - although brain freeze lasts less than a minute.
To cure a cranium chill, press your tongue hard against the palate to thaw it quickly, or breathe into your hands to heat your mouth.
From Wired magazine, June 2008
July 17, 2008