Researchers from Duke University revealed technology that can completely “cloak” any object by using meta-materials to guide electromagnetic waves around an object. The recent version of the cloak reduced any reflections of light coming off of the cloak so that the viewer is not aware that anything is there.
This amazing research turns an idea we previously thought of as magical into an achievable science. In relation to our recent discussion about patents and open access to education and data, I am curious about how this technology will be used in the future and who will be granted access to it. I hope that someday I can have the chance to own an invisibility cloak. I will no longer have to mourn the fact that I’m not a witch - I can have magic anyway.
http://todayonthetrail.today.com/_news/2012/11/08/15020130-hurricane-sandy-saved-barack-obamas-presidency-says-gov-haley-barbour?lite (11.8.12)
Haley Barbour, former governor of Mississippi, claims that “Hurricane Sandy saved Barack Obama’s presidency.” Even Romney seemed to hint that it stunted the momentum of his campaign.
Although I have heard that poor weather has a negative effect on the number of people who vote (the election drew 11.5 million fewer voters to the poll this year) - this seems like a poor excuse for either side. The race was very close up until the end, not a blowout by any means, and it is clear that other factors took effect (eg. the growing Hispanic population). I seriously doubt the Hurricane was what made the difference in the outcome for the two candidates.
http://techcrunch.com/2012/10/26/bald-beliebers-remind-us-just-because-you-read-it-on-twitter-doesnt-mean-its-true/ (10.26.12)
4chan recently made it appear that Entertainment Weekly tweeted the following:
“Pop Star Justin Bieber was diagnosed with cancer earlier this morning. Bieber fans are shaving their heads to show their support.”
And so Bieber fans immediately jumped to support him and shaved their heads. However, he doesn’t actually have cancer…
Not only is this hilarious but it also serves as a reminder that not everything on the internet is true. We live in a participatory culture and anyone can be an “expert.” An entire campaign was fabricated into something that seemed so real and actually drove these fans to shave their heads.
Well played.