On this day (November 2nd) in 1988, Cornell University graduate Robert Morris uncaged the first computer worm (virus), which began replicating itself far beyond what its programmer intended. The infection spread rapidly among universities, medical research facilities, and military sites to name a few. Morris’ intent was to gauge the width and breadth of the internet, but because of the ferocity of the virus (and the ensuing damages) he was convicted in 1990 under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, paid a hefty fine, served 400 hours of community service, and was sentenced to 3 years of probation.
Here’s to, ummm, cholera.
In 1850’s England, physician John Snow decided that authorities were off track when declaring that a deadly outbreak of cholera (also known as Black Death) was due to breathing foul air. Instead, he was able to track the disease to a public well near Broad Street in the Soho district of London. He also pointed out that the well was drawing its water from the much-polluted River Thames. Gross!
Shaking It Up
Depending upon where you live in the United States, you may or may not be visited by an earthquake sometime soon. The areas of greatest concern lie along major fault lines (as in California and Alaska), but New Madrid, Missouri was known for hosting a major dish-buster in 1811-1812. (See also Plate Tectonics.)
Who’s Watching Who?
Usually, it watches us. Now, we are watching it. The Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) is expected to fall out of the sky and break into pieces as it enters Earth’s atmosphere sometime this weekend. The 6.5 ton, large-as-a-bus ozone research platform was launched in 1991 by NASA.
How To Peel a Planet
If the kids are bored some afternoon, and the question of map projections comes up (just sayin’), dig around for a piece of citrus (navel oranges do well), draw a likeness of the earth on the surface, then have the kids peel it in one piece. It’s the perfect primer for showing how maps work. For more infotoons, click here. (From Kids Discover Geography)
Gregor Mendel’s Pea Plants
Austrian monk and avid Gardener Gregor Mendel is credited for discovering why tall plants (in his case, pea) don’t always produce tall offspring, nor do smaller plants. (From Kids Discover Cells.) Click for a larger image…
Coloring books were never like this.
Here’s a fun little video I made. It’s time-lapse of a project I’m working on for a production entitled Diversity Circus. It’s an illustration of a trick using a broom, where–if you keep your elbows bent–no one will be able to push you off your spot. Lots of physics going on here.
I don’t recall how many times I changed the color of the broom handle, but it’s pretty obvious I wasn’t pleased with the first few. Enjoy!
There’s SNOW business like climate business…
Unlike humans who can travel and adapt to new environments, animals do not always have that luxury. The loss of sea ice to a polar bear can be devastating. You could liken the situation to an alligator trying to survive in the mountains of Colorado.
















