Category Archives: science

The kilogram redefined

Posted on 16 November 2018 by Fletcher DeLancey

This long-form article on Vox is a fascinating read on both why and how the kilogram was recently redefined. No longer based on a single plug of metal stored under lock, key, and guard, it will soon be based on … Continue reading →

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Sonic booms

Posted on 4 October 2018 by Fletcher DeLancey

An observation from a reader sent me on a search for a good photograph of a sonic boom, and inevitably, I ended up chasing facts and cool tidbits down a few rabbit holes. First cool tidbit: Sonic booms are created … Continue reading →

Posted in science | 6 Comments

MIND BLOWN: the lightning edition

Posted on 5 December 2017 by Fletcher DeLancey

Stop what you’re doing and watch this video. But watch it the right way: full screen, in a darkened room, and with a good sound system turned up. This is 3:18 minutes of the best lightning footage I’ve ever seen, … Continue reading →

Posted in science, weather | 6 Comments

Math + pop music = hidden education

Posted on 5 December 2016 by Fletcher DeLancey

Popular music group OK Go, famous for their unusual and meticulously planned videos (which often put Rube Goldberg to shame) have done it again, this time with a video that explores a world we cannot see. The video opens with … Continue reading →

Posted in music, science, tech | 6 Comments

Le Tour is coming!…and other tidbits

Posted on 3 July 2015 by Fletcher DeLancey

Tomorrow is a day my wife and I look forward to all year: the start of the Tour de France. For the next three weeks, we will arrange our work and social lives around the television as we absorb gorgeous … Continue reading →

Posted in life, science, sport, video, weather | 7 Comments

Bits and pieces

Posted on 10 April 2015 by Fletcher DeLancey

Time for another “let’s start the weekend right” post, by clearing out some bits and pieces. First up, a video left by commenter Erik that could serve as a meditative aid: the life of a baby hummingbird, from hatching to … Continue reading →

Posted in biology, science, wildlife | 5 Comments

This ‘n’ that

Posted on 20 March 2015 by Fletcher DeLancey

While working hard on deadlines, I kept tossing interesting things into a folder and thinking I’d blog them later. That folder needs a good cleaning, so here’s a link dump to start off your weekend. *** In a classic example … Continue reading →

Posted in astronomy, biology, culture, Europe, life, science, video | 11 Comments

Oranges to excess (or, “Orange you done yet?”)

Posted on 25 February 2015 by Fletcher DeLancey

Although the Algarve doesn’t really have a winter (it just goes straight from autumn to spring), we call the oranges that ripen this time of year “winter oranges,” and they are the sweetest of all the varieties. I adore winter … Continue reading →

Posted in food, Portugal, science | 4 Comments

A most amazing “failure”

Posted on 24 January 2015 by Fletcher DeLancey

Sometimes the mainstream press really does not know what’s going on when it comes to anything techy. Case in point: earlier this month, SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket carrying a Dragon capsule that was destined to dock with the … Continue reading →

Posted in astronomy, science, tech, USA | 11 Comments

Peer-reviewed as “excellent”

Posted on 2 December 2014 by Fletcher DeLancey

This paper, containing nothing but these seven words (and the address of the main authors), was accepted for publishing by the International Journal of Advanced Computer Technology. It was even peer-reviewed (by an anonymous reviewer, of course) as “excellent.” ***** … Continue reading →

Posted in humor, science | 4 Comments