ydnar

Monochrome Japanese Perspective Puzzles

nobody@vox.com(ydnar) — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 09:14:27 -0800

I have a thing for purposeful monochromatic constructions, devices that simultaneously tickle my parietal and occipital lobes, Venn diagrams of precious little intersection of the trickster, beauty and math. Childhood ingredients included parts Escher, Pinball Construction Set and the Basel School. This week I was ecstatic to be exposed to not one, but two examples of this meter—one physical, the other virtual, both Japanese, rendered in white, challenges to be experimented with.

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Takayuki Senzaki’s Magical Origami

nobody@vox.com(ydnar) — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 11:23:51 -0800

Takayuki Senzaki’s Magical Origami

http://pingmag.jp/2007/11/22/takayuki...

Using Japanese origami, Kyushu-based artist Takayuki Senzaki creates beautiful decor, like playing with shadows and creating cute plant patterns with traditional paper with designs that change when it is folded. During this year’s DesignTide, his colourful origami-style chandeliers as part of his ORIKAMI exhibition filled the walls with mysterious shadows creating a magical atmosphere. PingMag just had to visit Takayuki Senzaki right away.

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Seed: Rise of Roboethics

nobody@vox.com(ydnar) — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 15:30:21 -0700

Seed: Rise of Roboethics

http://www.seedmagazine.com/news/2007...

In April, the government of Japan released more than 60 pages of recommendations to "secure the safe performance of next-generation robots," which called for a centralized database to log all robot-inflicted human injuries. That same month, the European Robotics Research Network (EURON) updated its "Roboethics Roadmap," a document broadly listing the ethical implications of projected developments like robotic surgeons, soldiers, and sex workers. And in March, South Korea provided a sneak peek at its "Robot Ethics Charter" slated for release later in 2007. The charter envisioned a near future wherein humans may run the risk of becoming emotionally dependent on or addicted to their robots.

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Kogoro Kurata working on a giant, bone crushing Mech

nobody@vox.com(ydnar) — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 08:30:19 -0700

Kogoro Kurata working on a giant, bone crushing Mech

http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/27/ko...

Imagine the power requirements for operating that hand. Now multiply them by... let's say 20 and I think you get a clue about the total power consumption of the whole robot. Will it be able to do 5 steps without refueling? And another thing.. It may be strong, but I really doubt that it will be fast. So for all you doomsday prophets, I think this will not be the end. Not just yet...

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RackGaki

nobody@vox.com(ydnar) — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 21:47:44 -0700

Rackgaki: Japanese Graffiti

Ryo Sanada

Disclaimer: I watched the movie, but didn’t read the book. It’s very, very good. Grooving Japanese trip-hop (can I still call it that?) over video montage almost entirely sped up 2-3x, interspersed with subtitled interviews with Japanese writers.

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The Tunnel of Bones (or The Bigger Dig)

nobody@vox.com(ydnar) — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 09:14:07 -0700

I ♥ mammoth engineering projects:

Tunnel between Siberia and Alaska, built by Japan to carry oil, trains, and electicity. Cost $65B.

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Real Life Side-Scroller

nobody@vox.com(ydnar) — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 12:40:32 -0700

Ninja Warrior: Makoto Nagano

This guy is amazing:

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QotD: It's hot in here...

nobody@vox.com(ydnar) — Sun, 23 Jul 2006 19:30:29 -0700

What's the most extreme weather you've been in? A memorable storm? Heat wave? Or something else?

Aha, the second time I can use this story for a QotD. Hint: Kyushu + blizzard + bicycle.

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Planes, Trains and Automobiles

nobody@vox.com(ydnar) — Sun, 02 Jul 2006 21:34:06 -0700

This one time in Japan, I was caught in a blizzard on top of a volcano in Kyushu, abandoned on a 70 mile bridge between Shikoku and Honshu and caught Scarlet Fever.

sure, it's just a few more miles

closer

Had I died it might have been a worse vacation. If you ever go to Japan, never try to simultaneously tour the country on a 1) bicycle 2) whilst camping and 3) doing it in the [spring]. Pick one.

Edit: OK, so between these particularly traumatic events, I was caught in:

Three tunnels in the middle of the night trying to find a tiny mountain onsen town.
A torrential spring downpour, utterly soaking myself and everything I owned.
A half dozen notable fights with my girlfriend (we broke up halfway through this trip).

symbolism

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Does it come in Bluetooth?

nobody@vox.com(ydnar) — Fri, 21 Apr 2006 09:03:07 -0700

Bamboo Input

There is a god, and [s]he is Japanese. I wonder how much hacking it will take to sever the wires...

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