Imprinting Ducks

Ducks when they are very young imprint on their mothers, meaning they recognize their mother as the one they should follow and have take care of them.  Interestingly enough, ducks can actually imprint on other animals such as dogs as well as people.

My idea is to make a baby duck imprint on a remote control car.  Then you could drive it around, and the duck would follow.  This could be used to have remote control duck races, where an RC car is driven around an obstacle course, showing the duck where to go.  Imagine an indoor RC car track, filled with ducklings running around.  Now who wouldn’t pay to see that?

The Monty Hall Problem

The Monty Hall problem is an intriguing question of probability and counter-intuitiveness.  I’ll let the video explain the concept of the problem:

When you first are exposed to the problem, you would say that the chance is 50/50 since there are two possible doors, one containing a goat and one containing a car.  As you think about the problem further (and maybe even test it experimentally a few times) you will hopefully come to realize why swapping is indeed the better choice.

There are many Monty-Hall-esque problems in everyday life.  Initially they seem to be one way, but with greater understanding, they turn out to be the opposite.  If I were to take a group of people, and explain the problem to them without an explanation of the answer, and told them to debate which option was correct, which side would win?  I would imagine that the people with the shorter, quicker, more concise (although incorrect) answer would prevail.  Sometimes it doesn’t matter how complicated an issue is; the people who have a quicker answer win anyways.  An important thing to keep in mind, however, is that not everything is a Monty-Hall problem – sometimes the most obvious answer is the right one.

Rainy Mornings

Today was a rainy morning.  A rainy Monday morning.  To the overweight, lasagna-loving cats of the world this would be the foreboding sign of a terrible day.

However, I like rainy mornings for a few reasons.  To start, it means the sun isn’t as bright in the morning, and you get to wake up to the soothing sound of rain.  On a more superficial scale, it cleans your car.

The best part about rainy mornings is that they create a good school/office environment.  Flustered from rushing inside, people are more open.  They care less about their physical appearance since they are probably wet, and the indoors feels like a safe-haven.  The rain creates a great atmosphere because of the effect it has on people.  No matter who you are, the rain hits you just the same.  Unless, of course, you carry an umbrella.

Extreme Veganism

Today I was thinking, if vegans don’t eat animals or animal products, why stop there?  Would it even be possible to have a diet consisting of no living things, or nothing derived from living things?

If this were the case, it would almost be easier to have one of those nutritional IV’s so you don’t even have to eat at all.  I could design a backpack that contains the IV fluid, which injects the necessary nutrients to live.  Not only would you not be hurting any living things, you would also not have to waste any time eating.

The only problem is that no one would buy it, since after all, being vegan is more for the attention and feeling that you are special than actual care for animals.

What are the chances?

Today I picked five cards from a shuffled deck of cards: the 4 of spades, the 7 of spades, the king of diamonds, the 6 of hearts, and the 9 of clubs.  On the very next hand, I picked the following: the jack of spades, the 4 of hearts, the jack of hearts, the 2 of clubs, and the 8 of clubs.  That only has a 1 in 422,160,768,121 chance of happening.  I should go to Vegas.

Microwave Popcorn 101

WARNING! DO NOT USE THE POPCORN BUTTON!
¡AVISO! ¡NO UTILICE EL BOTÓN DE PALOMITAS DE MAÍZ!

I would argue that the popcorn button is a perfectly legitimate way to cook popcorn, but there is a better way.  I will give you step by step instructions on how to prepare microwave popcorn like a pro.

1. Read the packaging to find the recommended cooking time.
2. Take the time listed (or the highest of the range) and add 15 seconds.
3. Set your microwave for that time.
4. As the timer approaches 15 seconds before the original time (30 seconds left on the clock), listen to the popping.
5. Once you here an interval of 2 seconds with no pops, or 3 consecutive 1 second intervals of no pops, stop the microwave.

After writing this I realized this is the same as saying that when you bake cookies you should wait until they are a nice golden-brown color.  Based on the quality of some cookies I have eaten, however, not everyone understands rules like these.

April Fools

Only the first April Fools joke you experience today works.  I’ll bet you’ve already gotten pranked, in at least one form another, so I’m not going to bother.  Just kidding, yes I am – April Fools.

I think it’s funny how lots of businesses and corporations try to pull April Fools jokes for fun.  It’s like an old guy wearing an AC/DC t-shirt trying to fit in with “kids today”.

Simon Says Animation

Here is a short animation I made in the past few days.  It took far too long, but I think it turned out alright in the end.

Abbr.

It’s pointless to abbreviate words if:
• They make more sense as the original
• They have the same number of syllables as the original

In addition, if you are talking, over abbreviating on average takes more time.  More often than not the other person won’t understand, and you have to take additional time explaining.

This happens a lot when you talk to college students.  Colleges are full of abbreviations, from the university names themselves, the names of the buildings, and majors.  Is it really too difficult to say “Political Science”?  PolySci doesn’t really save much time/effort.  I can understand BME for “Bio-Medical Engineering,” but seriously.  Communication is always important, and being clear is key.

Restaurant Conveyer Belt

People are good, but automated machines that do the same job are better.  In this case, I have an idea that would make traditional waiters obsolete.

When the food is ready for a table, the cook places the plates on a conveyer belt that takes them to the appropriate table.  The conveyer system is hidden in the walls, and has openings at each table, so things can be delivered.  Also included would be a touchscreen at each table so people can make their orders.  It would have all the options available, and even have a spot for people to add special requests.  If you need a drink refilled, or an extra straw, or something of that nature, you can press the button on the touchscreen, and someone in the kitchen will send the needed item your way.

I have included a mock-up design of a restaurant fitted with this technology.

The only problem I foresee if is someone spills something in the conveyer.  That would be messy.