Barron of Blog Wife, Kids, and the Pursuit of Happiness

15Mar/069

I Miss the Animaniacs

Here's a funny video about the countries of the world [2mb], sung by Yakko (one of the Animanaics). I still get a kick out of the sheer lunacy of it all, not to mention all the hard work that must have gone into producing this 2 minute segment.

For those who don't know: Animaniacs was an animated series on the WB which, in addition to being juvenile, was usually rather clever and funny. Popular characters included Pinky and the Brain and Yakko, Wakko, and Dot.

Filed under: animation, funny, videos 9 Comments
28Feb/060

Quantum Physics Video

Entertaining and informative science video explaining the quantum physics "double slit" experiment. It is a short clip from the extended directors cut of "What the *Bleep* Do We Know", which was a movie that tried to present science as religion (instead of the Intelligent Design approach of presenting religion as science).

For the most part this clip stays true to science. Near the end, when they are talking about a "mysterious observer" and the electron "knowing it is being watched", I can see where science has taken a back seat to crafting an interesting story. In reality, since we can't just set up a video camera to observe these incredibly small particles/waves, the act of observing is not as passive as they describe. Reminds me of that old physics joke:

Heisenberg was driving down the Autobahn whereupon he was pulled over by a policeman. The policeman asked, "Do you know how fast you were going back there?" Heisenberg replied, "No, but I know where I am."

For those of you who don't get it google Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle. Simply put:

A consequence of the HUP is that if an object's position x is defined precisely then the momentum of the object is completely unknowable, and vice versa.

9Feb/062

A Quoi ca Sert L’Amour

A lovely little French animation (quicktime movie) about love titled "Akoacacere" (roughly "what that is useful"). It is by Louis Clichy and, from what I can tell, has been floating around the web for some time now. The musical soundtrack, a duet titled "A quoi ca sert l'amour" (roughly "what is the use of love?"), is by Edith Piaf.

Filed under: animation, videos 2 Comments
19Jan/066

Inside Out Drawing

Witness a woman being drawn from the inside out. An artist has taken the time to draw each layer of a reclined woman, starting from a skeleton and working out to her clothing and makeup. Everything is done in real time right before your eyes; quite surreal and captivating. It is written in flash.

Filed under: animation, cool 6 Comments