Launch of STS-127
Another amazing space shuttle launch yesterday. This time of Space Shuttle Endeavor on mission STS-127 “completing Kibo and fulfilling Japan’s hope for an out of this world space laboratory. This came after 5 previous launch attempts were scrubbed due to either technical difficulties or weather.
When Endeavour docks with the International Space Station (ISS), it will set a record for the most humans in space at the same time in the same vehicle, the first time thirteen people will have been at the station at the same time.
This mission also carries Canadian astronaut Julie Payette, a graduate of McGill University. Her launch into space also marks the first time two Canadian astronauts are in space at the same time, the other being Robert Thirsk, who is in the middle of a 6 month stay on the ISS.
Project Natal
So Microsoft previewed their upcoming motion sensing system codenamed Project Natal at the E3 expo yesterday. Its supposed to work with the Xbox 360 and it allows for full body motion control by tracking 3D movement. It also recognizes voices, and is meant to fully immerses the players into the game. The promotional video by Microsoft makes the whole system look pretty awesome.
I think its an interesting concept and its sort of an extension from the Wii, minus the controller. However, I have my doubts about how well this thing is going to work in the real world. The technology being used (motion tracking, voice recognition) have all proven to be pretty iffy in real world use. The last thing you want is the system not detecting your move on a crucial point in the game. Also, the racing game in the video looks a bit awkward to play as you’re just holding your hands up in the air like you’re gripping a steering wheel. I would imagine that people’s hands would get tired pretty quickly.
Its good to see Microsoft innovating though, with the announcement of “Project Natal” hot on the heels of the launch of their new search engine “Bing“, which has some pretty positive reviews so far. I think they have been resting on their laurels for way too long, always having to play catch up to others like Google and Apple. Its a good thing if Microsoft can provide some form of competition against Google and Apple as this will force all the companies to keep innovating and pushing the boundaries of technology.
Speaking of Microsoft, I remember coming across, a while ago, another two very cool and potentially ground-breaking pieces of technology that they have been working on, called Seadragon and Photosynth. My jaw literally dropped as I watched the demo. Very cool stuff.
A Happy Journey Starts Like That!
This is such a typically Singaporean thing. Cringe-worthy rap videos commissioned by the government for certain campaigns, in this case the courtesy campaign.
I remember during the SARS period, they were playing the SAR-vivor (a bad pun on the word survivor) rap video on TV non-stop. It was actually quite catchy! Haha! Now when I watch the video on YouTube, it actually brings a smile to my face. Maybe I’ve been away from Singapore too long already.
(For my non-Singaporean friends, the guy rapping in the videos is Phua Chu Kang, a popular character from a Singapore sitcom.)
The Science News Cycle
Moral of the story: The next time you see a news report about scientific discoveries on TV, take it with a pinch of salt.
Eric Schmidt’s Speech
Eric Schmidt’s keynote speech at Carnegie Mellon’s 112th commencement ceremony. I find that there are some very good points in his speech and also some funny observations.
“We got our news from newspapers, your generation gets it from blogs and tweets, and for those of you who don’t know, that’s not what you hear in zoos.”
“We thought ‘friend’ is a noun, you think it’s a verb.”
3…2…1…Liftoff!!
Today, I watched the Atlantis space shuttle liftoff for mission STS-125 live online. Space shuttle launches never fail to give me goosebumps. It’s always such a grand sight. Engineering at its very best.
Be sure to watch the video at full screen to enjoy the launch at its best.
I like what the NASA commentator said upon liftoff of the space shuttle:
Liftoff of space shuttle Atlantis. Final visit to enhance the vision of Hubble into the deepest grandeur of our universe.
Sadly though, this also marks the last repairs mission that will be conducted on the Hubble Space Telescope. After that, astronomers will just use the Hubble for as long as possible before vital components start breaking down again. Once it can no longer serve its purpose, it’ll be left to slowly orbit the Earth until drag causes its orbit to decay to a point that it re-enters the Earth’s atmosphere and burns up.
AWARE: More to it than meets the eye
This letter posted on TODAYonline is a very thought-provoking piece on the AWARE saga in Singapore.
Aware: More to it than meets the eye
09:20 PM May 05, 2009Letter from Andy Sim
In the past few weeks, I have been observing and analysing the development of the Aware saga through the local media as well as online forums. Initially, the incident was reported as the power struggle between its new leadership and the old guards. Then, there was the allegation that a group of conservative Christians from the same church was behind the coup. More recently, it was revealed that the change of leadership was over Aware’s pro-homosexual stance.
Despite clarifications from both parties to refute these claims, allegations still continue as to the hidden agenda. This saga was further fuelled by newspaper reports that linked the new leadership to their personal religious beliefs. This instigation is highly inappropriate and dangerous in Singapore’s multi-racial and multi-religious society. In fact, this may have raised the tension that led to the death threats and call for boycott. Such lines of reporting that incite religious intolerance, by speculating one’s motive based on personal faith, must be censured. It not only sows seeds of discords in our fragile multi-racia society, but also distracts the discussion away from its real issue.
So, after all the unravelling, what is this saga about?
Continue reading the letter…
I agree with many of the points made above and I think Singapore is picking up on a very disconcerting trend that is most obvious in the US, where a very vocal and militant minority is taking over mainstream media coverage. They are trying to portray their minority views as that of the norm and trying to discredit those whose views do not agree with them by calling them names.
This liberal, usually atheistic minority claim that their views are superior as they are inclusive. However, by saying they are all-inclusive, they are actually excluding all those who are exclusive. And it so happens that the ‘exclusives’ still make up the majority of society. Now, how inclusive is that?
I think that the current state of technology is also helping the minority have a louder voice in the world. With the advent and popularization of Twitter, anyone can have a say in 140 characters. This is not wrong per se but the way that some of the vocal minority are trying to push their views onto everyone is taking things a bit too far.
The problem also lies with those who belong to the mainstream of society. There is a tendency for them to feel less of a need to air their views as they feel that they belong to the norm and thus have nothing to shout about. Some are beginning to slowly realize that times have changed and that they need to make a stand for themselves but many are still contented to sit in their comfort zone. There might not be much of a comfort zone left for them if things continue as they do.
The AWARE saga has also touched on the issue of religion encroaching into a secular organization, which brings to mind the issue of the separation of church and state, as Singapore has long maintained a secular government. As a Christian, I strongly feel that religion and state should be kept separate, as that is what the bible teaches. On the other hand, so too should anti-religion and state be kept separate. Being secular does not mean being anti-religion but that is something that people tend to overlook.
Some people might think that a secular organization/government should not allow the views of any religion at all. That should not be the case. Being secular means that all religions are given equal respect and consideration. So yes, the liberal, atheistic minority should be allowed to have a say. An atheistic world view is just another ‘religion’ after all. They put their faith in the belief that there is no God. However, they should not be having more ‘air time’ than other religions and certainly should not be calling for religion to be removed from our secular organizations and government.
I would like to end in the same vein as the letter above: It is time for Singaporeans of different race, language or religion, to make a stand and defend the values that are keys to Singapore’s future. We should not be letting the views of one group dominate public debate on the important issues in Singapore’s society.
New Template!
Finally got around to putting in a new template for my blog! I like it coz its really simple and clean. My blog template was long overdue for an update. Now that I have a new template, I might be willing to update my blog more often. 🙂
Edit: I decided to do away with the chat box in the new layout (not like anyone was using it in the first place). If you want to respond to my posts, just put it in the comments for the respective posts or you can tell me on twitter.
Larry Page’s University of Michigan commencement address
I think he makes some really good points in there. Also interesting to know some of the stories behind Google (Larry Page is the co-founder of Google).
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFb2rvmrahc&hl=en&fs=1]
The full transcript can also be found here.