jAneDD - Snapshots of Attention

Not So Random After All

By Freakonomics

The random coin toss must be one of society’s most frequently used decision-making mechanisms. We use the coin toss to choose which movie to see, to determine team positions in major sporting events, to divvy up household chores, and even name cities. But it may be that the the random coin toss isn’t so random. A 2007 study found that a vigorously flipped coin is likely to land on the same side it started on at least 51 percent of the time, possibly more depending on the person doing the flipping. (HT: Chris Blattman)

I like to flip the coin as close to my hand as possible - I wonder how that changes the odds (if at all?). I know people who like to throw the coin in the air and let it land on the ground - no finesse or sense-of-the-occasion.

All personal style, I guess.

Lomography invites you to join the incredible Diana World Tour in New York City. View the real treasured Detrich Collection, including over a hundred Diana and Diana Clone Cameras produced from the 60’s to 70’s. Plus the stunning New Yorker edition of the Diana Vignettes. A series of in-depth Lomography lectures and workshops will be held to share the true fun and secret tips of Lomography Diana F+ “Diana World Tour”.

The Detrich Collection
It’s assumed that the original Diana camera was met with significant success in its domestic and export markets, so much so that a flood of knock-off’s, copies, and derivatives were quickly introduced to capitalize on the demand. With names like “Future Scientist,” “Megomatic,” “Snappy,” “Windsor,” and “Zodiac,” the camera clones offered a huge range of varying features, including simplified apertures, extra shutter speeds, electronic flashes, fake light meters, longer lenses, and a 620 film format. Several versions were private-label commissions by large American companies such as GE or Reader’s Digest. It’s not clear which copies were made by the original Great Wall Plastic Factory, and which were made by rival manufacturers.
Mr. Allan Detrich was able to amass what must be the most incredible collection of Diana cameras and Diana clones in the entire world. In Spring 2007, Lomography was able to convince Mr. Detrich to sell us this incredible batch of cameras and is absolutely thrilled to present it as the priceless “Detrich Collection”.

The Detrich Collection & Diana Vignettes Exhibition runs from November 2nd 2009 through November 26th 2009.

This is a quiet obsession (one that is similar to my Polaroid obsession) - and while I was planning on hitting the NYC store tomorrow, I think I need to wait until later in the week. My Diana Mini is calling!

Hopkins won an Oscar in 1992 for The Silence of the Lambs

Sir Anthony Hopkins has joined the cast of Thor, Kenneth Branagh's film version of the Marvel comic book, according to industry paper Variety.

The Oscar-winning star will play Odin, the father of the title character, in Branagh's film, which begins production in January ahead of its 2011 release.

Star Trek actor Chris Hemsworth plays Thor, while Natalie Portman plays his love interest Jane Foster.

Based on Norse mythology, Thor first appeared in Marvel's comics in 1962.

Described by Marvel as "a powerful but arrogant warrior", the film sees him banished to Earth after reigniting an ancient war.

Remake

Once there, he comes to humanity's aid when invaders arrive from his home land of Asgard.

Hopkins, 71, will next be seen in horror remake The Wolfman, opposite Benicio Del Toro and Emily Blunt.

This summer also saw him working in London on Woody Allen's as yet untitled new film.

Branagh was seen earlier this year in Richard Curtis's comedy The Boat That Rocked, shortly to be released in the US as Pirate Radio.

As a director he is best known for such big-screen Shakespeare adaptations as Hamlet, Henry V and Much Ado About Nothing.

Didn't see this coming - Branagh's THOR???

(YouTube Link)

Lauren McCarthy created the Happiness Hat – a gadget that detects whether or not you’re smiling. If you’re not, it drives a small metal spike into the back of your head to encourage to you resolve that problem quickly:

An enclosed bend sensor attaches to the cheek and measures smile size, a servo motor moves a metal spike into the head inversely proportional to the degree of smile. Through repeated use of this conditioning device you can train your brain to smile all the time. The device runs on Arduino.

Link via Geekologie

So. Wrong.

When flow from a teapot (or a liquor bottle) is very slow, the liquid has a propensity to dribble back along the surface of the spout.

“Previous studies have shown that a number of factors affect [dribbling], such as the radius of curvature of the teapot lip, the speed of the flow and the “wettability” of the teapot material. But a full understanding of what’s going on has so far eluded scientists…”

Now scientists at the University of Lyon have identified a “hydro-capillary” effect that can be overcome either by thinning the edge of the spout, or by applying superhydrophobic materials to the lip.� Superhydrophobicity is sometimes referred to as the “Lotus effect,” because the leaves of the lotus and certain other plants (and the wings of some insects) are among the most water-repellant surfaces known to science.

Further details about the “Teapot effect” are available at M.I.T.’s Technology Review, via the New Shelton wet/dry.