Brian Gongol
The television networks have had an Obama overdose
They're getting tired of the White House asking for (and getting) prime-time news conferences whenever it wants. And who can blame them? There's a difference between telling the public that we've just bombed Libya and showing up for a bit of chit-chat to promote a political agenda.
Until bio-engineered limbs arrive, humans can borrow robotic exoskeletons
Before long, if DARPA gets its way, we'll be able to replace entire body parts -- like limbs -- with brand-new ones grown right off our bodies. Sure, it'll be strange to see, but if it works (and there's reason to believe it will), we could be embarking on a remarkable path to regenerative medicine, replacing old body parts with new ones. In the meantime, though, a Japanese firm has created a robotic exoskeleton to help the disabled use their limbs as though they're normally-functioning.
Google is trying to use local news to make YouTube profitable
The songs of Iowa
The University of Iowa has a collection of sheet music for many of the Iowa-themed songs of decades ago. Yes, the collection includes the "Iowa Corn Song": "We're from Iowa, Iowa, that's where the tall corn grows." Related: Scientific measurement of pitch and tone helps identify the notes we think are pleasant to the ear.
US Air Force retires the T-37 after 52 years of continuous service
The jet trainer had been in service since 1957, which, for reference, was nine years before Studebaker stopped building cars.
What it takes to create an expert
Mastery or even high-level proficiency in a subject takes a long time to achieve, but it's not just a matter of time spent. It also requires deliberate focus and practice.
Delivery is more important than content
The BBC broadcasts a weather forecast for ships at sea on Radio 4 four times a day, but most notably at just before 1:00 in the morning. The forecast follows a standardized format and lasts for almost 12 minutes, and due to its specialized delivery style, is widely appreciated by those who have nothing to do with maritime shipping as a quasi-hypnotic lullabye. It's often mis-believed in America that people listen to talk radio for the content. The content matters, but it's probably only about 20% of what anyone really cares about; the other 80% is in the delivery. A pleasant-enough voice striking the right note at the right time could be reading a recipe for taco salad and be more listenable than someone with great content but an outrageous delivery.
Texas is losing billions of dollars to drought
Podcast: Are we any better off now than before the automakers went bankrupt?
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Podcast: Facebook stockholders need to sell out
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