~e; Electromagnetic News & Views #137
From
brian carroll <human@electronetwork.org>
Date
Thu, 19 Aug 2004 22:31:59 -0500
===================================================
Electromagnetic News & Views -- #137
===================================================
00) Electronetwork.org Commentary (8/19/2004)
01) Top Stories of Electromagnetism
02) Electromagnetic health & safety
03) Electromagnetic trash & treasure
04) Electromagnetic security & surveillance
05) Electromagnetic power & energy
06) Electromagnetic current & human affairs
07) Electromagnetic transport & communication
08) Electromagnetic matter & information
09) Electromagnetic trends & inventions
10) Electromagnetic weaponry & warfare
11) Electromagnetic business & economics
12) Electromagnetic artworks & artifacts
===================================================
00) --commentary--
* the following quote, part of the NewsScan Daily, reminded me of
the oftentimes quixotic aspects of exploring electromagnetism...
FLASH CARD (from NewsScan <http://www.newsscan.com/>)
"We must go beyond textbooks, go out into the byways
and untrodden depths of the wilderness, and travel and
explore and tell the world the glories of our journey."
(John Hope Franklin)
* realized this week that work prepared more than a year ago and
saved up until recently for the EM education project was deleted
by accidental shifting of data and finally must have forgot its
importance (a finished piece with custom drawings about magnets,
commpasses, lodestone, with .gif animations, all ready to go).
the one drawing that was saved (of a dozen+) can be seen at the
mnartists site: http://www.mnartists.org/work.do?rid=42268
it was felt that it was important to try to work on the basics
of electricity and magnetism and electromagnetism and yet what
was realized is that even this simple knowledge is difficult to
simply explain without much more knowledge of the many varieties
and differences in these (now well advanced) fields. for instance,
there are many types of magnets, many materials for magnets, and
many poles for magnets depending on their design. maybe it is a
relief to not to attempt a comprehensive approach in such a way
(the content/text had yet to be written, though it would've been
very basic) -- though now it is still a question of what is the
best way to approach 'the basics' when it is not all so basic.
so lately have been working on a magnetic toy, with ring-shaped
magnets on a balsa wood pole, in which opposing poles are put
onto the pole and when 3 to 7 are suspended by magnetism atop
one another, they begin to bounce as a spring, as if magical.
such a toy is, it will be proposed, a way to teach about the
concepts of radio and electromagnetic waves and how the remote-
controlled toys of children, or radio and tv, work by similar
properties - in that what holds the magnets apart is not seen,
not visible, yet it can be conceptually seen, this magnetism.
* another project came to closure which was the circuitwood
(driftwood/wormwood painted as a circuit board), as it was a
conundrum as to the arbitrary placement of various electronic
components on the piece (seen at the following url)...
http://www.mnartists.org/work.do?rid=42193
<http://www.mnartists.org/uploads/users/user_2940/
29483c73b89f055630750521bfc6c46c/29483c73b89f055630750521bfc6c46c.jpg>
and the day had yet to arrive where inspiration struck and all
of the arbitrary decisions were taken over by some intuitive
sense. instead of this happening, a small group of the little
people visited and this became a project of supergluing small
transitors, salvaged (desoldered) computer piezo speakers, a
lot of chips, some amber beads (from a necklace) (would have
never thought of placing them on the log-- which one of the
participants in the sculpture referred to as an alligator).
in any case, a USB connector and power jack among many other
artifacts made their way as 'bugs' onto this log, spiders and
mosquitos and caterpillars, it was a lot of fun and may be a
good DIY project if such material was available in some form.
it was a lot of fun and a good learning experience for all.
photos of the finished circuitwood will be online shortly...
===================================================
01) --top stories--
---------------------------------------------------
// IAGS, a different kind of Stratfor. ** free subscription, first
URL...
Energy Security Newsletter: Institute for the Analysis of Global Energy
<http://www.iags.org/es.html> <http://www.iags.org/>
<http://www.iags.org/about.htm>
'The Institute for the Analysis of Global Security is the world's only
non-profit public educational organization focusing on energy security.
IAGS seeks to promote public awareness to the strong impact energy
dependency has on our economy and security and to the myriad of
technological and policy solutions that could help us move into an era
of energy independence, and increase peace, prosperity and stability in
the world.'
// some wicked stuff here. EM crowd control weapons, or at least
dual-use,
// and the litany of technologies unmentioned for the recent DNC
convention.
// must be VP Cheney's forward security team for democratic
countermeasures.
// meanwhile, down at the ranch, the President prepares for his media
pulpit.
Police Turn Up Volume for GOP Convention // via drudgereport.com
<http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=694&u=/ap/20040819/
ap_on_el_pr/gop_convention_protest_12&printer=1>
Iraqi Oil Company Sabotaged // 8/19 (follows reported Al-Sadr threat...)
<http://7am.com/cgi-bin/wires02.cgi?1000_2004081905.htm>
[and] Al-Sadr Rebellion's Defeat Tied to Allawi's Success, Oil Flow
<http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/
news?pid=10000087&sid=aG5bKPKIYS3c&refer=home>
'The defeat of Shiite Muslim cleric Moqtada al-Sadr's rebellion is
critical to Iraq's political transition and increased oil production,
Iraqi officials and U.S. policy analysts said.' .... 'Iraq's oil
production and global oil prices are also linked to the outcome,
according to Tim Evans, a senior energy analyst for IFR Markets in New
York.' .. '"The violence in Najaf is adding to the price of oil,''
Evans said. ``The spokesman for Moqtada al-Sadr spelled it out: they
are threatening to torch the oil fields. This is one case where the
market isn't fabricating a threat; this is real."' .. 'Al-Sadr aide
Sheikh Aws al-Khafagi said residents in southern Iraq have attacked oil
pipelines and may set fire to oil wells, Agence France-Presse reported,
citing an interview on Al- Jazeera television.' .. 'Headquarters
offices and warehouses belonging to Iraq's South Oil Co. were set on
fire today by people whom witnesses described as Shiite militants, AP
reported from Basra. South Oil operates pipelines and terminals for
Iraqi oil exports through the Persian Gulf.' .. 'Insurgents forced
security guards to flee, then fired rocket- propelled grenades that
burned at least 10 warehouses to the ground, according to AP. The blaze
spread to company offices.'
---------------------------------------------------
02-- electromagnetic health & safety
---------------------------------------------------
[headline] Brain disease surge linked to modern life
[and] Pollutants cause huge rise in brain diseases // em-brain &
nervous system
Scientists alarmed as number of cases triples in 20 years // via
drudgereport
<http://www.guardian.co.uk/medicine/story/0,11381,1283588,00.html>
'The numbers of sufferers of brain diseases, including Alzheimer's,
Parkinson's and motor neurone disease, have soared across the West in
less than 20 years, scientists have discovered.' .. 'The alarming rise,
which includes figures showing rates of dementia have trebled in men,
has been linked to rises in levels of pesticides, industrial effluents,
domestic waste, car exhausts and other pollutants, says a report in the
journal Public Health.'
How to keep ESD out of electronics
<http://xtronics.com/reference/esd.htm>
'The key part is a neon bulb to detect ESD. Neon bulbs typically break
down and glow at about 60V (this is over the 20V or so that damage
begins). If you place a neon bulb in series with your body, rub your
feet on a carpet, and touch the other lead to a doorknob, you will see
the bulb light when the spark flies. The problem with this is that the
flash can be so dim and quick that it can only be seen in a darkened
room. To solve this problem I’ve come up with a simple circuit that
detects even very dim and fast flashes and stores the fact that they
have occurred.' .. 'Mount the Neon bulb and phototransistor inside an
opaque plastic can that 35-MM film comes in. The neon bulb lights
turning on Q1, a high-gain phototransistor. The transistor pulls down
Pin 1 of the 4096. Section A and B of this 4096 form a SET - RESET flip
flop. The momentary push button switch activates the reset. The Q
output is buffered by section C of the 4096 which in turn drives the
LED. No resistor is necessary because the output FET will 'pinch off'
at an appropriate current to light an LED. A 9-volt battery with an
ON/OFF switch provides power to the circuit. this is not finished - I
need to get a schematic and so on - email me if you care to see it...'
---------------------------------------------------
03-- electromagnetic trash & treasure
---------------------------------------------------
Europe's Eel Population Collapsing // em-related fish...
<http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/world/wire/sns-ap-europe-exit-
eels,0,5790696.story?coll=sns-ap-world-headlines>
'Eel live in fresh water for 15 to 20 years, then, turning from
yellowish green to silver, swim far out into the Atlantic Ocean and are
believed to spawn somewhere in the vast kelp bed of the Sargasso Sea.'
.. 'Eel larvae then apparently ride the ocean currents until they
arrive on European and American shores as glass eel.' .. 'Because the
American Eel population is also in decline, some scientists believe the
real problem may be changes in ocean currents due to global warming or
a parasite or virus in the breeding zone.'
[and] Voltage of an Electric Eel
<http://hypertextbook.com/facts/BarryLajnwand.shtml>
<http://hypertextbook.com/facts/2000/SunnyFeng.shtml>
'The electric organs of the eel are located in it's tail, which is
roughly 4/5 of the animal's body. The electric organs are made up of a
large number of electric disks (as many as 200,000 in one tail) piled
in vertical or horizontal rows. The nerve endings located at the end of
the electroplax discharge the electricity.' .. 'The electric organs are
used many different ways by the electric eel. The low intensity
impulses are used by the eel for sensory perception. This helps it
navigate in it's habitat (muddy streams) where vision is blocked. The
low intensity impulses are also used for communication. The high
intensity charges are used for stunning or killing smaller fish. The
charge is also used for the eel to defend itself.' .. 'The electric eel
is one of the few animals on the planet that can make, store, and
discharge electricity. The actual amount it discharges is debatable.
However, 500 V is the most accepted value to express the electric
current produced by an electric eel. Barry Lajnwand -- 1999'
[and] More information about Electric Eels
<http://www.whozoo.org/Intro2000/tashcorm/tempagetwo.htm>
[and] electric fish // e-catfish
<http://www.whozoo.org/Intro2000/tashcorm/tempagetwo.htm>
Gymnotiformes: The Neotropical Electric Eels and Knifefishes // *
<http://tolweb.org/
tree?group=Gymnotiformes&contgroup=Ostariophysi#titlefigcaption>
The Electrical Eels // Cleveland, Ohio band...
<http://www.scatrecords.com/eels/eels.htm>
<http://www.furious.com/perfect/electriceels.html>
// two things about this recall story: one, like the autoindustry, it is
// sometimes hard to fathom the recall of so many, somewhat large
objects
// and all the costs involved in such a design flaw. secondly, reading
of
// batteries and learning a few basics, such a story is a bit
frightening
// as they are not small batteries, & having heard of exploding
batteries
// so often, just by shorting a 9V across the terminals, and to consider
// much larger devices makes safe disposal seem all the more necessary.
// curious if batteries explode as mini-mines in landfills if shorted...
Apple Recalls Batch of PowerBook Batteries
<http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1637947,00.asp>
'The recalled batteries have been built into the "aluminum" 15-inch
PowerBook G4 laptop computer, the agency said.'
// a couple things about this informative article about e-waste which,
IMO,
// focuses too narrowly on the computer industry and not enough on the
much
// larger and diverse electronics industries, consumer, industrial,
etc. a
// computer may be one of hundreds of electronics artifacts that are
toxic,
// especially if just dumped. even a battery is this way from what is
said.
// there would seem to be a problem, and appraoches to recycling in
utopian
// design-terms (which is great) yet the corn-DVD has yet to make it to
the
// farmer's market, nor edible paper from Wired's prediction-machine
heyday.
// what if, like with the used computer market where small groups and
some
// larger organizations would start getting the flows of goods and
start to
// deconstruct them for parts and recycle ones for donations or,
sometimes,
// selling at seemingly high-costs (possibly to recoup non-profit
expenses).
// what if the variety of electronics waste were separated into streams
in
// which the 'still usable' or 'reusable' or deconstructable goods were
to
// become part of a project for people to volunteer in dismantling and
in
// getting useful parts for, say, other projects. like, robotics or
making
// things in a program/coop type electronics surplus/supply-- so that
what
// is valued in fair-quality cassette decks (good motors, low voltage)
can
// be taken out, along with gears and assemblies, while the rest goes
down
// the line for other parts, knobs, switches, without a total
dissassembly
// yet possibly some electronics component recovery, limited to a
certain
// type of electronics which could be used in teaching or by hobbyists.
a
// lot of electronics waste is out there (from the warehouse I have
seen,
// and the recycling center) -- and a lot of what is still valuable goes
// straight to the dump, with the used computer market still dominating
// while robotics and electronics are taking off (again) without local
// supplies for such basic parts to make it more economical. this could
// be a way to take the trash and turn it into treasure troves of useful
// stuff, with mentors and some plan of learning about these electronics
// both by taking them apart and making new things with recovered parts.
// the handling of circuit boards and the rest could be high-controlled,
// gloves and safety glasses and ventillation of spaces, and workshops
// could pick up a pile of stuff to work through to discover e-bounties.
Where computers go to die -- California's new electronics recycling
program
will treat monitors and flat screens like bottles and cans. But is that
the
best way to keep high-tech toxins out of the local landfill?
//freedaypasss
<http://www.salon.com/tech/feature/2004/08/17/california_recycling/>
'The California approach -- which, as is often the case with
California initiatives, is likely to be copied by other states --
offers a sharp contrast to the comprehensive computer-recycling
approach adopted by the European Union. There, to the satisfaction of
recycling activists, computer companies are required by law to take
back all hardware and recycle it themselves, an approach that has given
those companies a powerful incentive to design their products in such a
way as to make recycling cost-efficient and easy.' .. '"If
manufacturers [in California] had to contribute, they would take more
consideration in the design of the product," says Sheila Davis, a
project director for the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, one of the
groups waging a nationwide Computer Take Back Campaign. "As it turned
out, the manufacturers have absolutely no responsibility."' ....
'Hewlett-Packard is currently running a free nationwide promotion with
Office Depot that invites consumers to bring a myriad of electronics --
regardless of manufacturer -- into stores to have them picked up for
recycling. HP's goal is to recycle a billion pounds of hardware by
2007.' .... 'Dell's most successful recycling promotion for consumers
so far began just a few weeks ago, when the company began offering free
computer recycling, including home pickup and shipping costs, to
customers buying a new Dell computer. The customer sticks the old
computer in the new computer's box and slaps on an enclosed shipping
label.'
---------------------------------------------------
04-- electromagnetic security & surveillance
---------------------------------------------------
Police want 25-cent surcharge on phone bills to fund wiretaps // .ca
<http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2004/08/16/
phone_surcharge040816.html>
Crypto researchers abuzz over flaws // hash functions. via wired.com
<http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1105_2-5313655.html?tag=zdfd.newsfeed>
'Biham's presentation was very preliminary, but it could call into
question the long-term future of the wildly popular SHA-1 algorithm and
spur researchers to identify alternatives.' .. 'Currently considered
the gold standard of its class of algorithms, SHA-1 is embedded in
popular programs like PGP and SSL. It is certified by the National
Institute of Standards and Technology and is the only signing algorithm
approved for use in the U.S. government's Digital Signature Standard.
SHA-1 yields a 160-bit output, which is longer than MD5's 128-bit
output and is considered more secure.'
Nuclear Data Found Missing From New Mexico // via drudgereport.com
<http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=542&u=/ap/20040819/
ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/nuclear_security_1&printer=1>
'An inventory has found another case of missing data involving nuclear
weapons, this time at the Energy Department's regional office in
Albuquerque, N.M., the department disclosed Thursday.' .. 'The Energy
Department said that an "accounting discrepancy" involving three copies
of a "controlled removable electronic media" — or CREM — was found at
the regional office as part of the nationwide inventory of such
devices.' .... 'Meanwhile, investigators, despite extensive searches,
have yet to find the two CREM devices that were reported missing at the
Los Alamos laboratory in the New Mexico mountains 100 miles north of
Albuquerque. The investigation into that incident was continuing.' ..
'No one was suggesting that the classified information — either at Los
Alamos or in the DOE regional office — had been stolen or that the
disappearances involved espionage. However, DOE officials have been
concerned about lax procedures and security involving the handing of
such devices.'
---------------------------------------------------
05-- electromagnetic power & energy
---------------------------------------------------
Interactive Power Electronics Seminar (iPES) // java simulations.
thanks *
This is an educational module dedicated to basic power electronic
circuits.
The module includes DC/DC converters, basic diode and thyristor
converter
systems, AC/DC inverter, space vector modulation and basic signal
theory.
<http://www.ipes.ethz.ch/ipes/e_index.html>
Free Physics Educational Software (Win & Mac) // FREE for instructional
use
<http://www.saintmarys.edu/~rtarara/software.html>
NEW: Animations for PowerPoint
Animation updates
International Energy Management Simulator
[and] Energy 2100--class project // FREE for instructional use
<http://www.saintmarys.edu/~rtarara/ENERGY_PROJECT/ENERGY2100.htm>
Nearly 800,000 in Florida Without Power
GOVT. To Provide Electricity To All Far-Flung Areas
Pakistan News Service - Lahore,Pakistan
PM urged to review national electricity grid
ABC Online - Australia
ELECTRICITY deregulation not surging
Akron Beacon Journal (subscription) - Akron,OH,USA
UKRAINE considers supplying electricity to Georgia
ITAR-TASS - Moscow,Russia
Iraq Pipeline Shut Down // southern .IQ, Aug. 14th
RESTORING electricity top priority in Osceola
Fort Pierce Tribune - Fort Pierce,FL,USA
POWER Of Prayer Helps Amid Loss Of Water, Electricity
Tampa Tribune - Tampa,FL,USA
GENERATOR Brings Electricity to 156,000 More Iraqi Homes
Defenselink.mil - USA
NO electricity tariff hike in Budget 2005
The Edge Daily - Malaysia
CHILDREN’S Home in Fort Myers loses electricity
Florida Baptist Witness - Jacksonville,FL,USA
NO electricity charge increase: Minister
fijilive.com - Fiji
11000 volt of electricity claims life of Rawalpindi teenager :
123Bharath.com - India
UNATTENDED candles burned down a house left without electricity ...
Miami Herald (subscription) - Miami,FL,USA
Greece's Largest Solar Roof in Athens Installed for Olympic Games //
project
<http://www.physorg.com/news823.html>
---------------------------------------------------
06-- Electromagnetic current & human affairs
---------------------------------------------------
Mind goes out with electricity // first-person post-hurricane EM
report...
<http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/Lifestyle/
Headlines/03AccentFAM01081904.htm>
'My carpets are now clean, I've got my electric fan going and my
computer is plugged in. Life is proceeding as normally as possible.' ..
'Except that I've got this powerful urge to see if I can hook this
generator up to my washing machine.'
// it is time to deal with 'email' vs. e-mail, too, as it seems all too
easy to
// ignore the 'electronic' aspect by losing the hyphen, than making
sure it is
// known that email is 'electronic' mail (involves electrons) and is
made clear.
// a comparison may be to have an x-ray taken & made equivalent to
portraiture.
It's Just the 'internet' Now // one of those things...
<http://www.wired.com/news/culture/0,1284,64596,00.html?tw=wn_tophead_7>
'At the same time, Web becomes web and Net becomes net.' .. 'Why? The
simple answer is because there is no earthly reason to capitalize any
of these words. Actually, there never was.'
[em-quote] Cheney and Edwards: The Me 2 Campaign
On the Trail, Looking for Second Best.
By Mark Leibovich // *** great writing.
Washington Post Staff Writer, Sunday, August 15, 2004; Page D0
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A1555-2004Aug14.html>
'Campaign venues in a general election are essentially TV studios.'
Sex spam clogs summer in-boxes-- The temperature is rising in inboxes as
spammers attempt to promote a summer of 'love'. // spam-weather
report...
<http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/3575820.stm>
'Pornographic spam has risen by almost 350% since June according to
e-mail filter firm Clearswift.'
Scientist says numeracy theories don't add up // no EM wordage, no EM
reality.
<http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2004/08/20/
wadds20.xml&sSheet=/portal/2004/08/20/ixportal.html>
'Dr Gordon says that his research casts doubt on claims by linguists
that people have an innate numerical sense. He says that the ability to
perceive specific numbers is innate only up to three.' .. 'Dr Gordon's
work supports findings made in the 1930s by Benjamin Lee Whorf, a
linguist who argued that language can determine the nature and content
of thought. "Whether one language chooses to distinguish one thing
versus another affects how an individual perceives reality," Dr Gordon
said.'
---------------------------------------------------
07-- electromagnetic transport & communication
---------------------------------------------------
Wireless net to get speed boost // 802.11n
<http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/3561808.stm>
The Boondocks on the Tivo // cartoon. via PHYS-L
<http://images.ucomics.com/comics/bo/2004/bo040815.gif>
Understanding the KrKwic: A computer program for the analysis of Korean
text
<http://www.leydesdorff.net/KrKwic/>
<http://users.fmg.uva.nl/lleydesdorff/list.htm>
Soldering Surprise-- There's nothing routine about working in space, as
astronaut Mike Fincke found out recently when he did some soldering
onboard
the International Space Station. // soldersmoke in space .mov via
design-l.
<http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2004/16aug_solder.htm?list1147529>
---------------------------------------------------
08-- electromagnetic matter & information
---------------------------------------------------
Quickiwiki, Swiki, Twiki, Zwiki and the Plone Wars Wiki
as a PIM and Collaborative Content Tool // via STS-L
<http://www.infotoday.com/searcher/apr03/mattison.shtml>
Anatomy Of A PDA: Dissecting A Small Computer // .pdf
<http://www.smartcomputing.com/articles/2000/S1109/21s09/
21s09.pdf?guid=1DEACEADC70E4035A5B6AC82D6A3BD6F>
[and] Anatomy of a PDA (Technology for Clinicians)
<http://www.medpdareview.com/Anatomy%20of%20a%20PDA.htm>
Modern Students Devour Old Math // Vedic formulas...
<http://www.wired.com/news/culture/0,1284,64575,00.html?tw=wn_tophead_1>
'T.A. Ramasubban, who has penned a book on Vedic math, said, "The
controversy arises because some people question how a cryptic Sanskrit
verse that means several things can be safely interpreted as an
arithmetic shortcut. For example, there is a verse in the Vedas
(scriptures) that praises Lord Krishna in the Vedas. If the Sanskrit
words are interpreted, the verse gives the value of pi to 30 decimal
points.' .. '"My point is that a verse may extol a god, but ... if it
also gives the value of pi to 30 decimals, it cannot be a coincidence
or desperate translation."'
The Catt Anomaly
<http://www.electromagnetism.demon.co.uk/catanoi.htm>
Why shouldn't aliens look like us? // the new Ediacaran period...
There are good scientific reasons to believe that extraterrestrial
life forms might resemble human beings // via scitech daily review...
<http://www.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,1278934,00.html>
Integrated circuit // *** Notable integrated circuits
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integrated_circuit>
'Integrated circuits can be classified into analog ,digital and mixed
signal (both analog and digital on the same chip). Digital integrated
circuits can contain anything from one to millions of logic gates
,flip-flops ,multiplexers , etc. in a few square millimeters. The small
size of these circuits allows high speed, low power dissipation, and
reduced manufacturing cost compared with board-level integration.' ....
'The integrated circuit is one of the most important inventions of the
20th century . Modern computing ,communications ,manufacturing , and
transportation systems, including the Internet , all depend on its
existence.'
[and] Microcontroller // interesting comparison to general CPUs...
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microcontroller>
---------------------------------------------------
09-- electromagnetic trends & inventions
---------------------------------------------------
Xcel puts new 3M power cable to use // registration required...
<http://www.startribune.com/stories/535/4931630.html>
'Most power lines are made of aluminum wire wrapped around a steel
cable that elongates as more electricity passes through the line. On
hot summer days, a line can sag so much that it can touch trees and
buildings, shorting out the line.' .... '3M's answer is a [aluminum
composite conductor reinforced (ACCR)] cable made of a heat-resistant
metallic core that can carry up to three times more electricity than
conventional power lines. That should reduce sagging and help to
prevent outages on days when energy use is high.'
iPodLibrary.com // free/open university/other lectures/speeches/ideas?
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A61461-2004Aug12.html>
Breakthrough Nanotechnology Will Bring 100 Terabyte
3.5-inch Digital Data Storage Disks // via engadget.com
<http://www.physorg.com/news785.html>
Japan firm unveils world's lightest flying micro-robot // Epson. via
wired.com
<http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-08/18/content_1816189.htm>
[and] closeup images of flying micro-robot // via engadget.com
<http://pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/2004/0819/epson748.jpg>
<http://pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/2004/0819/epson745.jpg>
<http://pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/2004/0819/epson780.jpg>
<http://pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/2004/0819/epson772.jpg>
<http://pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/2004/0819/epson724.jpg>
<http://pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/2004/0819/epson778.jpg> (?)
<http://pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/2004/0819/epson.htm>
[and] Videos of flying micro-robot // via engadget.com. amazing.
<http://pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/2004/0819/epson757.mpg> (6.6mb)
<http://pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/2004/0819/epson766.mpg> (3.0mb)
<http://pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/2004/0819/epson788.mpg> (6.6mb)
[def] microbots // mobile robot with microcontroller. wikipedia
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microbotics>
---------------------------------------------------
10-- electromagnetic weaponry & warfare
---------------------------------------------------
// absolutely incredible document about the increased vulnerability of
nuclear
// waste during shipments from (~250-400?) nuclear power plants in the
.US and
// how their transport on heavy rail in giant casks adds a big 'target'
sign
// for anti-tank weaponry (similar to threats on airplanes &
shoulder-launched
// missiles) on their way to Yucca Mountain. the range would seem to
indicate
// a good distance for many weapons, too. so that the old 'wild west
movies'
// of the 'great robbery' when a train goes through some cliff area
could now
// be updated for someone firing a missile at a nuke waste shipment, to
send
// radioactive waste and debris (giant dirty bomb) out into the
atmosphere,
// and surrounding cities to contaminate it. targets-of-opportunity, no
less,
// as hundreds of such trains would be running all around the country,
too
// many to keep tabs on during every second on and off the tracks, and
idling.
// it would seem underground burial takes away this threat, and
perimeters of
// existing plants could at least deter this type of attack much more
easily.
Nuclear Waste Transportation Security and Safety Issues // Yucca Firing
Range
The Risk of Terrorism and Sabotage Against Repository Shipments
<http://cryptome.org/rpg-guide/rpg-guide.htm>
Militia Set Fire to Iraq Oil Well in New Tactic // ***
<http://www.reuters.com/
newsArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=5986969>
---------------------------------------------------
11-- electromagnetic business & economics
---------------------------------------------------
CYBER FEARS ON FED'S WEB PLAN // yikes. e-goldtrade & pirates. via
drudgereport
<http://www.nypost.com/business/18671.htm>
'The Fed moves about $1.8 trillion a day on a closed, stand-alone
computer network. But soon it will switch to a system called FedLine
Advantage, a Web-based technology.' .. 'Proponents say the system is
more efficient and flexible. The current system is outdated, using DOS
— Microsoft's predecessor to the Windows operating system.' .. 'But
security experts say the threat of outside access is too big a risk.'
.... '[Glenn Kurtz, Foundstone:] "If a security breach strikes the very
heart of the financial world and money stops moving around, then our
financial system will literally start to collapse and chaos will ensue."
Crude Oil Boils Again // 8/17 (short, general situation)
<http://www.thestreet.com/_tscfoc/markets/marketfeatures/10178554.html>
ELECTRICITY bills to jump another 10% this year
The Times (subscription) - London,England,UK
REPORT finds households struggle to pay for electricity
ABC Regional Online - Australia
Oil Falls on Reduced Concern About Venezuelan, Russian Supply
Consumer prices fall as gas costs drop
Oil Prices Set Record, Near $47 a Barrel...
Oil rises to record as jitters increase
Oil Price Jump Not All Good for OPEC NPR (audio)
Stocks Sag As Oil Prices Steam Higher...
Update 11: Crude Oil Prices Climb Above $48 a Barrel // 8/18
---------------------------------------------------
12-- electromagnetic artworks & artifacts
---------------------------------------------------
// looked online for more information and images of Foster and Partner's
// designs for e-pylons as there is a 'status-quo' hatred for powerlines
// that may or not be similar to that in the .US, where obstructed views
// of a perfect landscape ruin the illusion through the artifacts of the
// artifice that sustain it (as with Disneyland, the mechanics are
hidden
// underground, so the illusion of magical wonderland can be
maintained).
// there have been some spectacular designs locally for power pylons
which
// are full of potential for meaningful aesthetics which can help
enhance
// an understanding and appreciation of the land. Christo's Running
Fence
// could be seen in relation to this EM-routing through the landscape,
as
// the pylons are ultimately as important as aquaducts to ancient
Romans.
// and the better of these artifacts will be remembered as critical to
// the functioning of the electromagnetic infrastructure of
civilization.
// likewise, other issues are of course relevant and context-dependent,
// and this seems to be a controversial and recurring land-use issue...
Lord Foster sparks fury with design for electricity pylons in Tuscany
// em-arch
<http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2004/08/15/
wfost15.xml&sSheet=/news/2004/08/15/ixworld.html>
'Lord Foster has been commissioned by Terna, a part of Enel, Italy's
state electricity company, to design 230ft pylons that will stretch
across five miles of unspoilt landscape. The 11 pylons are, says the
company, part of an upgrade to the national grid system.' .... '
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