"Walk in a Bamboo Bush"

One of the things that I love about computers and the advances made in software is that it allows whole new realms of creativity to be explored. My case is pretty simple, I work in digital photography, and I love the manipulation that Photoshop lets me do. I'm not yet at the skill level where I can do manips good enough for FARK's contests, but I understand what they're doing and I greatly respect their skill.

This is a short animation piece that retells Star Wars Episode 4: A New Hope using what I would describe as animation based on iconography. It's not origami, it's not paper animation. These guys use symbology associated with Japanese history and blend it into an animation style that is amazingly good. I watched it in stunned silence until the ending.


http://www.atomfilms.com/af/content/walk_bamboo_bush

Steel spiked steering wheels!

I came across this in a discussion about computer safety and found it quite true and amusing.

In the auto world, the introduction of anti-lock brakes and airbags, etc. have not reduced traffic fatalities. The reason is that it is human nature to subconsciously alter your behavior due to the belief that you have a safety net. For example, those with anti-lock brakes tend to drive a little faster and follow cars a little more closely knowing they have these features, and that behavior offsets the safety factor.

One great quote was from an engineer who said that if your purpose was to reduce fatalities on the road, the one simple feature you could add to all cars was a twelve inch, steel spike in the center of the steering wheel pointed directly at your face. The more danger you perceive, the more attention you will put into being safe.