Weblog for December 2002

David Brin on Tolkien [permanent link]: Well know SF author David Brin has written an interesting and, in some places, tongue-in-cheek look at Tolkien and his book, The Lord of the Rings. Brin argues that the books have a role in the long strugge of romantism against the modern world as seen in the War of the Ring and the representation of characters on both sides of the war.

BBC World Service turns 70 [permanent link]: The well loved BBC World Service turns seventy. A special broadcast from Table Mountain, South Africa and global parties are being hosted to celebrate the event. More information can be found from this special 70th anniversary web site.
Out-of-body Operation [permanent link]: This New Scientist story looks what may be an interesting new technique to treat cancers. Instead of using chemotheraphy and radiation treatment on a patient, doctors have instead removed the affected organ from the patient's body, irradiated it to kill the cancer and the re-implanted the organ into the body. This allows the treatment to be concentrated on just the organ.

Galileo resumes data transmission [permanent link]: Scientists has successfully repaired damage caused to the Galileo spacecraft and have resumed transmission of vital data according to this press release from JPL. The long distance diagnosis and repair done is very impressive (how many people do you can fix a problem from many billions of kilometres away?).

Richard Feynman Online [permanent link]: Richard Feynman was one of the 20th century's best known physicists who was also well known as a 'character'. He also able to play the bongo drums as well as write a number of well received and lucid books on science and on himself. The Feynman Online website is a site that has put together some stuff on Feynman as well as what other people remember about him.

Get Your Own Klein Bottle [permanent link]: A Klein Bottle is a three-dimensional version of a Moebius Strip. It is mathematically impossible to have a klein bottle in three-dimensional space but if such a bottle were projected into three dimensions and you want to get one, the Acme Klein Bottle is an interesting choice.
Own Your Own R2D2 [permanent link]: Ever wanted your own R2D2 (the robot/'droid from Star Wars)? Well now you can, sort of, from the R2D2 Droid Factory, which sells R2 units and lets you program it.

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