Google backs a $30 million Lunar X-Prize

Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about!  The X-Prize Foundation just launched a new competition, offering $20 million to the first team to send a rover to the moon and send back high-definition photos. From the Beeb: To claim the cash, any craft reaching the lunar surface must perform a series of tasks such as shoot [...]

Posted by Chris in Space, Technology on September 13th, 2007 | 1 Comment »

What happens when Google fails?

I had an eye-opening experience tonight. Google isn’t responding on port 80 (basically to Web requests) from any of its core sites, include search, news, maps, and ads. This is pretty bad by itself; I’d guess over half my browsing is to those sites. Even worse is the effect on the rest of the Web, [...]

Posted by Chris in Technology on September 8th, 2007 | 1 Comment »

World Violence Decreases

You read that right. Steven Pinker thinks so and I’m inclined to agree with much of his reasoning. “We’re Getting Nicer Every Day” is an html version of a pdf, so a bit messy, but you can always download it if you prefer…

Posted by Deana in Academia, Crime, Culture, History, Oddly Enough, Politics, Religion, Science on September 8th, 2007 | 1 Comment »