Showing posts with label layman's science. Show all posts
Showing posts with label layman's science. Show all posts
January 25, 2009
January 7, 2009
Tech No Logic
The advancement of technology has become a re-occurring conversation as of late. And the idea of eventually being too old to "get it" has come up numerously. The thought of technologies evolution in our grandparent’s lives and even the evolution in our parent’s lives is ridiculous. My mom was quick to point out her move from the black and white to the colour TV, the toaster oven to the microwave, the gymnasium sized computer to the macbook. It's a tad overwhelming to think of.
A day before I came back to Toronto, I spent the afternoon with my 86-year-old Grandpa. He wanted me to add some contacts into his e-mail address book and then, teach him how to send one. I carefully went through each step and made sure to write it down for reference. After I had left, I attempted to remember the first time I learned to e-mail someone. But I couldn’t. My Grandpa is an intelligent man. But the concept of the internet is still relatively foreign to him. The idea that our futuristic selves may (will) be in-able to comprehend a technology so prevalent within our society leaves a lot to the imagination. If we have Iphone’s and Crackberry’s now, what will our cell phones look like when were 40?
On my plane ride back to Toronto, a man beside me had a lot of opinions to offer. If he could predict the future our cell phones would merely be chips implanted beneath our scalp. Using our thoughts to decide whether or not we wanted to answer. Using our thoughts instead of our mouth to even talk. He amusingly acted out a fake convo with his wife, pretending his brain was magically doing all the work. As she rolled her eyes at the spectacle beside her, she quipped,” relying on the thought process would effectively end every male’s ability to carry a conversation." Her words, not mine.
The advancement of technology has become a re-occurring conversation as of late. And the idea of eventually being too old to "get it" has come up numerously. The thought of technologies evolution in our grandparent’s lives and even the evolution in our parent’s lives is ridiculous. My mom was quick to point out her move from the black and white to the colour TV, the toaster oven to the microwave, the gymnasium sized computer to the macbook. It's a tad overwhelming to think of.
A day before I came back to Toronto, I spent the afternoon with my 86-year-old Grandpa. He wanted me to add some contacts into his e-mail address book and then, teach him how to send one. I carefully went through each step and made sure to write it down for reference. After I had left, I attempted to remember the first time I learned to e-mail someone. But I couldn’t. My Grandpa is an intelligent man. But the concept of the internet is still relatively foreign to him. The idea that our futuristic selves may (will) be in-able to comprehend a technology so prevalent within our society leaves a lot to the imagination. If we have Iphone’s and Crackberry’s now, what will our cell phones look like when were 40?
On my plane ride back to Toronto, a man beside me had a lot of opinions to offer. If he could predict the future our cell phones would merely be chips implanted beneath our scalp. Using our thoughts to decide whether or not we wanted to answer. Using our thoughts instead of our mouth to even talk. He amusingly acted out a fake convo with his wife, pretending his brain was magically doing all the work. As she rolled her eyes at the spectacle beside her, she quipped,” relying on the thought process would effectively end every male’s ability to carry a conversation." Her words, not mine.
November 16, 2008
Say It Aint So
Remember, oh, two years back when scientists discovered that Pluto was not a planet...but merely a dwarf planet that brought our solar systems total down to eight. Textbook's had to be re-written, ironic t-shirts were worn and one began to question all that their grade three teachers had taught them...it's happened again.
You know that handy map which outlines the sections of your tongue. Highlighting which areas respond to different tastes --sour on the side, sweet at the tip, bitter at the back, yeah that one...it's wrong. Scientist’s don’t know much yet about the various taste receptors, but they know enough. That map has become absolute.
Turns out there is actually way more receptors lurking on our tongue. Including ones that identify with a more savory taste, specificly soya sauce...excellent! Anyways, I have yet to see a facebook group entitled, "I remember when the tongue map was still in use..." but, I know those ironic t-shirts are coming.
Remember, oh, two years back when scientists discovered that Pluto was not a planet...but merely a dwarf planet that brought our solar systems total down to eight. Textbook's had to be re-written, ironic t-shirts were worn and one began to question all that their grade three teachers had taught them...it's happened again.
You know that handy map which outlines the sections of your tongue. Highlighting which areas respond to different tastes --sour on the side, sweet at the tip, bitter at the back, yeah that one...it's wrong. Scientist’s don’t know much yet about the various taste receptors, but they know enough. That map has become absolute.
Turns out there is actually way more receptors lurking on our tongue. Including ones that identify with a more savory taste, specificly soya sauce...excellent! Anyways, I have yet to see a facebook group entitled, "I remember when the tongue map was still in use..." but, I know those ironic t-shirts are coming.
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