Why Videos go Viral

Kevin Allocca tracks how videos "go viral" for Google.  Here in his TED talk, he talks about the components that come together to make a new kind of media that may define the entertainment of the future.  He claims it is all about Tastemakers, creative communities and unexpectedness. I really hope we can do better than Nyan Cat in the long run, but still it is interesting to see how technology affects popular culture - and vice-versa.

Pileated Woodpecker

I remember as a boy seeing a Pileated Woodpecker.  I think it was in Michigan.  He had that angular, Woody Woodpecker look and the bright red cap.  I remember at the time wishing that I could have seen him a little more up close.  Well, this video captures one very up close and personal.  In fact it's so close, its a little bit scary to think what a bug probably feels like when one of these lands near by.  As the author of the video says, " I can see how dinosaurs would have been scary."

Crazy Rubik's Cube Action

Marcell Endrey may have broken a world record at the Zonhoven Open 2012 in Zonhoven, Belgium hosted by World Cube Association.  Apparently, competitors are able to examine the cube, then put on a blindfold and solve it.  Now I don't know about you, but you really don't need to blindfold me in order to make a challenge of solving a Rubik's Cube.  However, even with this handicap, Marcell was able to solve the cube in less than 30 seconds.  Take a look at the video and see for yourself.  

You can learn more from the World Cube Association site.
All the various records are here.

How to Extract Your Own DNA

Here is a fun little science project for you to try this weekend.  Watch the video above and then try extracting your own DNA.  If you decide to try, send us a picture.

Of course, once you extract it, you'll likely want to sequence it, so take a look here.  This process seems a little bit more involved.


via Nova on PBS

Dr Seuss Quotes that can Change Your Life

From the silly ideas department

I must say, I don't think I would have come up with this idea.  Aire is a mask that you wear while you sleep,  Your breathing turns a turbine that charges your smartphone.  I don't think it is practical (or real in any sense), but no one can accuse them of thinking inside the box.

More reasons to love quadcopters

You just have to love the folks at U Penn who continue to make quadcopters do unusual, unnatural, yet strangely beautiful things...  Here they play the James Bond theme song.  Quite impressive.

Happy Leap Day (Extraday)

Happy Leap Day!  Don't forget to set your watches back a day for that funny funky February 29.  This only happens every 4 years, so do something unusual to celebrate.
It always seemed like we could make so much more of Leap Day.  It could be sort of like Daylight Savings Time in the Fall; you know, when you get to set your clock back an hour and you get to sleep in an extra little bit.  Sweet!  Why don't we count Feb 29 as an extra, unaccounted for day? It shouldn't be just just like every other day of the week.  No, we should really add an extra day for this event... We would call it Extraday and just shut everything off.  It only happens once every 4 years, so why not?  Think of it.  Tuesday, Feb 28, followed by Extraday, Feb 29, followed by Wed, Mar 1.  The whole world could sleep in.  Everyone could catch up on all those chores around the house that have been piling up.  I bet you on Mar 1, everyone would be rested and in a better mood.  Who can we contact about this?  Unfortunately, Leap Day is Wednesday this year, and not Extraday... but we can dream, can't we?

Of course, these sorts of things are always more complicated than they seem.   Even the definition of a year is pretty complex, but as always, the Minute Physics guy does a great job explaining it in the video above.  If you are looking for a simple explanation of leap year, check out the video below.  Unfortunately, I haven't found any videos on "Extraday."

Pauli Exclusion Principle

I had never heard of the Pauli Exclusion Principle before in the way this fellow, physicist Brian Cox, describes it, but it sort of freaks me out.  It basically says that every atom in the world is instantaneously affected by every other atom.  Watch the video and you'll see.  I mean it's not like he's saying that an atom in my thumb could totally be like a solar system for some really little dudes, or that Schroedinger's Cat might appear in my bathtub.  No, he's saying that by definition, if I scratch my bottom, I change the entire universe.  You know, at first this seems real cool, like I'm some sort of all-powerful god or something, but then the responsibility sets in.  Just think about it.  If anything you do necessarily changes the universe, it seems like you should be really careful about what you do.  Then of course, the reality of the situation takes over.  Everybody is continually changing the universe.  So, basically, every atom of my being is continually jerked around because you don't think before you scratch your bottom.  I mean, come on... Think a little people.  Please.

Carl Sagan - 'A Glorious Dawn'

This isn't new, but it is a favorite here at Digital Diner and for some reason it is going through my head today.  It is a little pitch shifted remix of Carl Sagan doing his thing.  Watch and enjoy!

There are more of these available here