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Gacked from Metafilter:

Terence Tao, former child math prodigy and 2006 Fields Medalist, recently admitted that he only got 4 out of these 5 basic math questions right. Can you do better?

Okay, now I's confused. That was a HELLA easy quiz, but a math whiz didn't ace it?


Also, metafilter be eating my brain recently.

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1

Galileo and Copernicus stumble out of a bar early one weekday morning.

Galileo says,"Oh my God, the sun's coming up."

Copernicus says, "We are so screwed".



2

Rene Descartes walks into a bar.

The bartender asks, "Would you like a beer?"

Descartes answers, "I think not." And promptly disappears.

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Continuing the science theme:

The Elements Song - Tom Lehrer

"Simply the names of the chemical elements
set to a possibly recognizable tune."


Not sure if I've posted this in the past, but since I'm on a science kick here, I had to include it.

Yay for Tom Lehrer! For my money, the best of the Song Comedians who recorded albums back in the 50's-70's. Not only funny, but musically erudite as well - he could compose in almost any style and have you rolling on the floor laughing. This is a fun and very useful ditty.

Wanna hear something frustrating? I introduced this animation to my nephew Tommy, and damn if the little shit didn't memorize it in three days. I've known this song since high school, over THIRTY YEARS AGO, and have never managed to learn it by heart.

I think I hate him now.


( Lyrics here )

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The Galaxy Song - Monty Python


Probably the sweetest and most easily memorable rundown of the basic facts pertaining to the Earth's place in the Universe.

I adored this piece from the first moment I saw it, back when The Meaning of Life was out in theaters. I was particular ecstatic to see the depiction of the Mother Goddess giving birth to the Universe; talk about a surprise! After the film, when my friend Pam and I were discussing it, I noted how the audience had laughed at that image, and asked her, "If we had all been raised with that idea, that the Universe came into being through childbirth rather than through handicraft, can you imagine how we'd laugh if Python had included an animation of some bearded old man playing in the mud?" She smiled and admitted I had a point.

Must remember to teach my nephew Tommy this little ditty.

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Oh, goody!


( AP probe finds drugs in drinking water )


Just what I need to get my week off to a cheery start.

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They hum to themselves between the stars.


The link above will take you to a longed-for treasure: the contents of Voyager I & II's Golden Discs of Welcome. These were gold-anodized copper discs that were attached to the two spacecraft, along with the means to play them, and which are now (and presumably will be for a long, long time) drifting out of our solar system.

The discs contained photos, diagrams, recorded greetings, sounds of Earth, and selected pieces of music. Basically it was a mix-tape for whatever aliens happened to come across the craft. "Hey, how's it going? Wanna hang out?" Very 70's, very hopeful. *sigh*

At the site linked above, you can see all the pics and hear all the recordings. It is a great mix. If anybody can tell me how I can get the recordings off that site, I would be incredibly greatful. This is stuff I'd love to listen to in the car.

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Watch on YouTube

Pale Blue Dot
a tribute to Carl Sagan

Watch on YouTube

Carl Sagan reads from Pale Blue Dot
same text but continuing on, read in Carl's inimitably wise,
compassionate voice

Watch on YouTube

Carl Sagan addressing members of the US Congress
on the value of pure research, May 1993


CQ, CQ. Carl, are you there? This is Earth. Come back! CQ, CQ. Carl, come back...