It struck me today, while brushing my teeth – as it so often does, that it is useless and impossible in every way that I know of to truly be someone else. To walk in their shoes and see the world as they see it.

I had been watching The Prestige and the twin paradox struck me. No matter how convincing they were in play the same man, they were ultimately different and saw the world with their own unique eyes. (I’m trying not to spoil anything, and probably failed.) Then it struck me that it is in fact impossible even if we’d allow for infinite parallel multiverses and infinite possibilities. If I were for example to swap places with a person in another universe, then I could not possibly “be” that person and observe through their eyes. I’d be me in that persons guise and vice versa. Maybe not the deepest of observations, but pretty good for something you realize when brushing your teeth.

It’s no secret that I have a special place in my warped mind for Hunter Thompson. It’s a fascination that has bordered on obsession on many occasions. And as much as I’d like to actually be my idol I know that it is impossible and not really desirable. His style of living was his alone and suited to his psyche.

I’ve seen quite a few people try to imitate his style of writing on various blogs and forums, but they usually get called out for it. “I know mr Hunter S Thompson, and you good sir are not him”
But there is a twist to this. Early in his life when Hunter had decided to become a great American writer he copied out among other texts “The Great Gatsby” on his typewriter. To feel the music and flow of the words.

Now Hunter did become the great American writer, but not by being Fitzgerald. No, he wrote until he found his own voice. It has become known as Gonzo, a word he made his own. At some point I’d like to find my own particular voice, to write my novel. It is all a folly right now, but who knows? Stranger things are yet to come after all.

Enough soft brained mumblings for now…

//The Dude

It turns out that chameleons’ tongues give them a natural advantage over other lizards.

Their tongues work roughly like a cross between a catapult and an collapsable fishing pole. This means that they don’t use their muscles to launch the tongue, but they use them when reeling it back in.

This is significant because lizards are slow and sluggish when cold because their muscles are less effective. Not the chameleons tongue though, so he can get a late or early snack just as easily as at noon.

You can read the full article here:
www.newscientist.com

And here’s more on the workings of the tongue:
www.nationalgeographic.com

Cheers!
//The Dude

So I got an invitation on all our truly beloved FaceBook to “The International Day of Awesomness” featuring approxiamately 5321 guests from around the globe. How awesome isin’t that? Anywho. To celebrate this severely cool day, all you need is to strut your stuff as if you were the most awesome thing walking around (I know I am, so I will).

For those with difficulties figuring out their awesomeness, you should check out this periodic table. It’ll definitely rise your awesome-factor! I can’t help but ask… Awesome, isin’t it? Just click on the picture or follow the source below to be able to check out all the sweet details.

Source: http://pixelbits.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/tblofawesome.jpg

//The Dudette

…while being eaten by a snake!

It’s cute too! At least I think so

He looks a bit hissy, showing off those colorful stripes on his chins. I guess he don’t like being messed with, hehe!

“A new species of chameleon, measuring just 6 inches from snout to tail, has been discovered in east Tanzania’s mountains.”

Read More at Wired Science

//The Dude

These are sculptures of the human form that are so detailed and realistic that they could pass off as the real thing. More real than real possibly…

Link via webdesignerdepot.com

There’s more…

See also these realistic 3D renderings of people

Noupe.com via FARK

//The Dude

I guess most people are familiar with the classic image of the mandelbrot fractal.

Now some genius has taken it to the next logical step and rendered it in 3D. What was once trippy can now really blow your mind!

Although the images are stunning, what really gets me off is how what is really a simple mathematical function can generate such astounding complexity. But the real kicker is that this can be found everywhere, in every living thing.

Link: Mandelbulb
Via: Fark

//The Dude

This is by far the sweetest fusion of LEGO, 8-bit and demo scene madness and awesome! Cudos to these crazy swedes for pulling it off

//The Dude

Via Spelfeber

The Folder bike is what I would like in a compactable bike. And it is a full size bike to boot!

Don’t forget to check the video, you’ll see what I mean

//The Dude

The Hubble Ultra Deep Field in 3D

Astronomy has always fascinated me, no other pursuit has given me a real sense of my place in the existence like it has.

I can still recall sitting with a borrowed telescope in a freezing cold field in the middle of November and seeing the Andromeda galaxy for myself. I felt very small and at the same time very privileged to be able to grasp even this tiny fraction of the Universe.
One day I’ll get myself a nice telescope and again sit in freezing fields in the middle of the night. Maybe you should too?

//The Dude

Via Neatorama

Note: This is a repost due to an accidental deletion

Ever wondered why some inventions EVER made it to the consumer market? Or why some of us care to buy them? Check out 10 of the strangest, most useless products no one would ever really need...


Courtesy of www.oddee.com

//The Dudette