Mathematician Cracks Mystery Beatles Chord
The opening chord to A Hard Day’s Night is also famous because for 40 years, no one quite knew exactly what chord Harrison was playing. Musicians, scholars and amateur guitar players alike had all come up with their own theories, but it took a Dalhousie mathematician to figure out the exact formula.
General Kenobi, years ago you served my father in the Clone Wars. Now he begs you to help him in his struggle to explain what a hologram is, and isn’t.
I only watched a few minutes of CNN’s election coverage before becoming ill (figuratively) and switching off the TV, so I missed where he called their camera trick a hologram. But it wasn’t, and several people caught it.
So what happened?
CNN focused more than 35 high-definition cameras on Yellin to get multiple views from Grant Park in Chicago for the look of a 3-D holographic image Tuesday. That made it appear as if Yellin was in the studio talking with CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer.
That’s a camera trick, but not a hologram.
Unfortunately, some of the criticism misses the mark. Uh, Wolf, That CNN Election Image Wasn’t a Hologram
A hologram is a photographic image that is three-dimensional and appears to have depth. They work by creating an image composed of two superimposed pictures of the same object, but seen from different points.
No, but I think I can see how the writer got from what a hologram actually is to this explanation. A hologram is a comparison of an image with some reference light, not the comparison of two images. Some of the light bounces off of the target and then interferes with the reference beam (and I think this interference pattern is the “superimposed” reference), and you record the interference pattern on the film. That pattern has all the information of the object, and when you pass a reference beam through the film (or off the surface, if it’s a reflection hologram) you’ll see a 3-D image.
The CNN image wasn’t 3-D. It looked something that was 3-D on the TV screen, but like everything else on the screen, the image was 2-D.
CNN’s Hologram. Real or Fake? calls the CNN technique a tomogram, which I don’t think is right. Tomography gives you 2-D slices of a 3-D object, and that’s not what’s happening here.
CNN’s “Holograms” Aren’t Holograms, So Cut It Out doesn’t attempt an explanation of holography, and is content to note that
It was movie magic, folks, similar to what we all remember from The Matrix. Given that it was done live without a hitch, it was extremely way cool. But it wasn’t a hologram, and no amount of wishing will make it so.
Zapperz, in Not A Hologram, has linked to an article that lists other instances of people misusing “hologram”
Amazon.com (UK) user product reviews: Bic Crystal Ballpoint Pen, Medium Point, Black
OMG, this is TFF. Beverage-through-the-nose caliber. (sorry, calibre)
You’d think, with all of the new anti-obscenity laws, that this pen would have a V-chip installed. It DOESN’T!!!!! You should see some of the filthy words and drawings that my children were able to write with this product. I am going to file a formal complaint with the FCC.
Buyer (with young children) Beware!!!!
This product has NO included manual and NO CUSTOMER SUPPORT! You are on your own. I have used these in the past, so I was able to figure it out, but it took a while. Another caveat: If you lose the cap, there is NO way to attach it to anything because the retainer clip is inexplicably attached to the cap. Also, the caps for the different colors of ink all fit each other, so it is far too easy to misplace a cap on the wrong pen. Very confusing.
I also especially like the A4 vs 8.5×11 compatibility comment. Go read.
Exploring Liquids: An Experiment
Fun, and physics, with fluids
Here’s a fun experiment you can try using the contents of your kitchen cupboard. Explore the effects of different densities and learn about refraction, viscosity and the planet Jupiter. You’ll need five different liquids; I used golden syrup, dishwashing liquid, water, alcohol and vegetable oil. I also used some food colouring to make it easier to see what was going on (and because the alcohol I use is Tequila which looks just like water). If you have a chopstick around that will also be handy – but any stirring implement will do.
People with Too Much Time on Their Hands: Toast Art
It would never occur to me to take a picture of my toast. Unless it had an image of the Virgin Mary on it or something. Then I would make sure to capture just the right image for my posting on Ebay. Seriously, though, it’s amazing what kinds of creative uses people have put their toasters and minds to. I love it when bored people take a few steps outside of the box. Sometimes it’s a few steps too many. You be the judge.
Don’t try this at home. Or at the mall.