Why I Now Call These Octopodes
I love etymology. The history and meaning behind words often intrigues me.
I discovered the following video a few years ago. It is made by the Merriam Webster staff and there is a whole series of them. Several of them are rather interesting but this one had a particularly lasting influence on my vocabulary.
It addresses octopuses, or octopi, as you might call them. I, however, no longer refer to them as either.
OK TOP OH DEEEES!!!! (/ɒkˈtɒpədiːz/)
Some additional videos of octopodes that I found to be worth watching
This is actually a squid, not an octopus, but I think it's both fascinating and relevant. Although, it is pretty disgusting, as well. This squid is actually dead. Yes, DEAD! The sauce activates the nerves or something within the squid and makes it "dance" on your plate. I'm not sure if I would want to eat one of those, yet alone have on dance on my other food.
Edit: Found a great new video of the mimic: http://www.dump.com/2011/12/29/most-intelligent-mimic-octopus-in-the-world-video/
Don Cheadle is a Badass
I flew into LAX this morning for work. I was casually strolling along and as I looked up, there's Don Cheadle! He's chilling in the corner, trying not to be noticed.
He sees me spot him, as I argue internally with myself about whether it's really him or some sort of clone. Celebs must find this sort of stumble to be hilarious. I know I would.
I quickly recovered from my stumble, smiled, and said "what's up, Don?" He nodded and I went about my business as if we did this on a daily basis.
I was very tempted to ask for a photo with him. Don Cheadle is a badass and I'm a big fan. I even had my point-n-shoot in my pocket but I just couldn't bring myself to bother him.
I noticed, as he grabbed his luggage, that Bruce Greenwood was also there. There were a few others with them that I didn't recognize. I'm pretty sure they were there for the movie, Flight. It looks like a good show and has a pretty amazing cast.
I Love Technology
My first real post is about my two favorite subjects. Science and technology. Both go hand-in-hand and continually amaze me! While I'm fascinated by so many aspects of the two, this post is specifically about how they relate to the medical field. I am so appreciative to live in the age we do, where nearly every day something new and astounding becomes a reality. Science & technology make our lives easier through now, every-day things, like phones & computers. But, it's how they contribute to the medical field that truly astonishes me.
Only this year, 29 year old, Sarah Churman, was able to hear herself and her husband for the first time, ever!
Johnathan Cochlear, was also able to hear his mother for the first time, at eight months old.
When his pacifier falls out, I nearly lose it, every time. These are nothing short of miracles!
I am almost certain that if we didn't live during this period in time my first child would have died during child-birth. I can't imagine a world without Kyla. There's a good chance my wife would have also died. And if she did survive, my other two children would very likely not be here, either, due to the same complications. So these things hit close to home for me.
I could easily write a whole post on amazing robots and exoskeletons. For now, only a few that demonstrate technology that allows paraplegic people to walk, again, or for the first time.
Science & technology are not only helping blind people see, they are allowing everybody to see better. Researchers at the University of Washington are developing contact lenses that have wireless Internet connectivity. They can display anything they want using a HUD (heads-up display) not unlike that of a fighter jet cockpit, only better! Imagine watching a movie on your contact lens! In addition to the display capabilities, they can also transmit medical data to your eye doctor, like glucose level readings. I can't wait to become a cyborg!
There are hundreds of other ways science & technology are assisting us, medically, but I can't cover it all right now. I'm not a cyborg, yet! So, for now, I'll leave you with just one more.
Miracle Powder Regrows Fingers, Now Thigh Muscle for Marine
-Dan
Darger.org Initialized!
Well, it's finally started!
Some time ago I began collecting links for things on the internet that "blew my mind." I'm a long-time internet addict so I've experienced a few things on here. I sent an email around to a few of you with some of these links but I've continued to collect them ever since. This inspired me to create a site where I can share these mind blowing things with everybody!
Aside from all the mind blowing wonderment, I also wanted this to be a place where I can provide helpful advise, tutorials, etc. to those of you that are less experienced with computers. I do this via phone/email enough already and I am sure the geeks among you can relate. I figured I might as well make that something I can share with everybody, as well.
If you've made it this far through my simple first post, I thank you! I'll start work on my first real post now and hopefully have something better for you, shortly.
Be sure to come back, soon! http://darger.org
-Dan