Wordle was one of the highlights of 2021, a simple and enjoyable word game that was (mostly) free of the rancor and divisiveness affecting so much of the world. Now, in addition to your digital devices, Wordle is coming to your living room.
The Universe in High Definition ∞
Hubble images were once stunning, but they're wet garbage now.
Friday, July 15th, 2022
When I posted about the new James Webb Space Telescope on Tuesday, I also linked to a similar image from the Hubble. Now, there’s a fantastic site to compare images between the two space telescopes: WebbCompare.com.
Left: Hubble; Right: Webb
It’s not unlike the switch from standard definition television to HD. It’s a stark and astounding improvement.
I Voted For This “I Voted” Sticker ∞
Let’s get weird. Why not?
Thursday, July 14th, 2022
In the Second Annual “I Voted Sticker Contest”, put on by the Board of Elections in Ulster County, New York, 14-year-old Hudson Rowan has my vote. He’s also got almost 180,000 other votes as of this writing, just about one vote for every resident of Ulster County, and 93% of the overall vote. It’s a landslide, and it seems certain that Rowan’s sticker is what will be passed out to voters this November. Once you see his design, I think you’ll understand why:
It’s like something out of a fever dream and I can’t imagine a more fitting representation of our current era.
Bodily Autonomy in Federal Waters ∞
This is fine.
Wednesday, July 13th, 2022
“Should we put a floating abortion clinic in the Gulf of Mexico?” is also a question we must now ask ourselves in the year 2022.
A Glimpse at the Universe ∞
Look at what we can do.
Tuesday, July 12th, 2022
The James Webb Space Telescope is the most powerful telescope ever launched into space. It’s a remarkable tool, one which will enable us to see objects which the once top-of-the-line Hubble couldn’t make out because they’re too distant, too faint, or too old. In the past 24 hours, NASA has unveiled the first images from the Webb, and they are simply remarkable.
“Cosmic Cliffs”
This image is stunning, but all the more so when compared against one previously captured by the Hubble.
Two People, Outside of the Body ∞
I'm sure the Supreme Court would rule on this logically and consistently.
Monday, July 11th, 2022
“Is an unborn fetus a human being in the eyes of Texas traffic laws?” is a logical question we must now ask ourselves in the year 2022.
Possible Uses for AI-Generated Artwork ∞
Useful for more than just making chuckle, that is.
Friday, July 8th, 2022
Have you noticed a recent trend in AI-generated imagery? It’s been spreading around social media of late, as several artificially intelligent systems are being used to create surprisingly good artwork. Often, the results from systems like DALL-E are just a curiosity or an amusing diversion, particularly in the way the systems get things wrong or weird. But even in their still-primitive forms, these systems could be useful. They could spur the creativity of a human artist, or even provide artwork for sites like the one you’re reading right now.
At Prompt.Press, they’re creating AI generated artwork inspired by current events, and it’s pretty neat. For instance, this image goes with the story “South Korea launches rocket into space”:
Not bad!
Meet The Williamseses
Also the Ja(y)l(e/i)ns
Thursday, July 7th, 2022
In this year’s NBA draft, there were two players with very similar names: Jalen Williams and Jaylin Williams. When Jalen was selected at number 12 by the Oklahoma City Thunder, Jaylin’s camp was briefly confused, as this unsourced video spotted online shows:
Jaylin himself, however, immediately knew he had not yet been selected:
Jaylin waving off his crowd
I don’t know about his specific basketball talents, but Jaylin should surely get high marks for good-naturedness. Fortunately, Jaylin was drafted not too much later. Indeed, with pick number 34, Jaylin Williams was selected by…the Oklahoma City Thunder. Sure, why the hell not? Let’s have some fun. Make the world a slightly more amusing place. Put two players with identical-sounding names on the same team.
Following the draft, the Thunder arranged a photo shoot for the two players which included an excellent use of the Spider-Man pointing at Spider-man meme:
[Photo credits: OKC Thunder and, uh, the 1960’s era Spider-Man TV show]
This story doesn’t need to get more ridiculous, but it will anyway. A look at the current Thunder roster will show another player with an identical-sounding first name in Jaylen Hoard, as well as another player with the exact same last name, Kenrich Williams.
Good luck to the coaches and broadcasters who are going to have a hell of a confusing time next season.
America Needs Gun Control ∞
Crimo also had a collection of knives that he did NOT use for a mass casualty event.
Wednesday, July 6th, 2022
Look at Lilli Martini’s face and tell her America doesn’t need gun control.
If you can somehow manage that, read about how the shooter managed to obtain a gun permit despite multiple red flags. The insistence by the NRA and others that even common sense gun control measures are nothing short of tyranny is killing Americans every single day.
Watch Out for Billy Mack ∞
Go on, take the money and run.
Tuesday, July 5th, 2022
When it came to linking to this story of a man who was paid 27.5 years’ worth of salary for a single month of work and decided to disappear with the money, the only question was whether to use a Radiohead reference or a Steve Miller Band reference.
