Since 2017 has been such a roller coaster year, thought I
would look up some coaster facts.
Missouri is home to the steepest wooden roller coaster,
according to the Guinness Book of World Records. 'Outlaw Run'
has a drop at an 81-degree angle.
Kingda Ka at Six
Flags Great Adventure near Jackson, New Jersey includes a drop
of 418 ft (127 meters). It is also the world's tallest roller
coaster at 456 ft (139 m).
The GateKeeper roller
coaster at Cedar Point amusement park is the longest wing
coaster at 4,164 feet (1269 m). It also has the tallest
inversion of any roller coaster 170 feet (51.8 m), has the
most inversions on a wing coaster (6) and is the fastest
non-launched wing coaster.
Leap-the-Dips is the
world's oldest operating roller coaster, built in 1902 and located in Lakemont Park, Altoona.
It is also North America's last surviving side friction roller
coaster.
Formula Rossa is the
fastest roller coaster which races up to 149.1 mph (227kph) in
just 4.9 seconds. It is Located
in Abu Dhabi, UA.
The thrill of riding
a coaster continues and more coasters are being built each
year to challenge these records.
Dec 22, 2017
Dec 15, 2017
Web Birthday
The internet as we know it has profoundly changed all of our
lives, but many forget how young it is and how quickly it
evolved. The web, or "world wide web" turns 27 years old on
December 20. On that date in 1990, British engineer and
scientist Tim Berners-Lee, who once made a computer out of an
old television set, launched the world's first website, running
on a NeXT computer at the European Organization for Nuclear
Research (CERN) in Switzerland.
On 30 April 1993 CERN put the World Wide Web software in the public domain. CERN made the next release available with an open license, as a way to maximize its dissemination. Making the software required to run a web server freely available, along with a basic browser, and a library of code, the web quickly flourished to what it is today.
Incidentally, the web neutrality act that was overturned yesterday was just put in place during 2015. Facebook, Google, Twitter, YouTube, Netflix, Amazon, etc., grew and flourished before the government took over the web and the vote to keep the government out of it will not be the end of the world as some pundits will have us believe. Evidence of government control can be found in many other areas, such as post office, student loans, higher education, taxes, healthcare, banking, and more. The internet will not end because the government decided to not be in charge of it.
On 30 April 1993 CERN put the World Wide Web software in the public domain. CERN made the next release available with an open license, as a way to maximize its dissemination. Making the software required to run a web server freely available, along with a basic browser, and a library of code, the web quickly flourished to what it is today.
Incidentally, the web neutrality act that was overturned yesterday was just put in place during 2015. Facebook, Google, Twitter, YouTube, Netflix, Amazon, etc., grew and flourished before the government took over the web and the vote to keep the government out of it will not be the end of the world as some pundits will have us believe. Evidence of government control can be found in many other areas, such as post office, student loans, higher education, taxes, healthcare, banking, and more. The internet will not end because the government decided to not be in charge of it.
Natural Foods Myth
Foods that are labeled “natural” are better for you" is a
myth.
“Natural” is a word that evokes pleasant feelings, implying that a food is inherently good for you. However, “natural” and “all-natural” are not regulated in the same way that “organic” or “kosher” are. Natural foods can contain large amounts of high fructose corn syrup, foods treated with pesticides, or genetically engineered products.
In response to consumer concerns about this issue, during 2016 the US Food and Drug Administration asked for public comments on the use of the word “natural” in food labeling. It means the FDA may take action to regulate use of this term to prevent consumers from being misled.
Until the label “natural” is better regulated, reading nutritional labels carefully is the best way to ensure the foods you eat are healthy. Never assume that an “all-natural” food has any particular nutritional benefit or superior qualities.
“Natural” is a word that evokes pleasant feelings, implying that a food is inherently good for you. However, “natural” and “all-natural” are not regulated in the same way that “organic” or “kosher” are. Natural foods can contain large amounts of high fructose corn syrup, foods treated with pesticides, or genetically engineered products.
In response to consumer concerns about this issue, during 2016 the US Food and Drug Administration asked for public comments on the use of the word “natural” in food labeling. It means the FDA may take action to regulate use of this term to prevent consumers from being misled.
Until the label “natural” is better regulated, reading nutritional labels carefully is the best way to ensure the foods you eat are healthy. Never assume that an “all-natural” food has any particular nutritional benefit or superior qualities.
Holiday Healthy Drinking
There is a myth that says wine has health
benefits, while beer and liquor do not.
There are many studies outlining the health benefits of wine, but not as many for other alcohols. However, in addition to the antioxidants in wine, all alcohols, when consumed in moderate doses can raise the body's levels of HDL, the good cholesterol.
Boston-based nutritionist and wellness counselor Alannah DiBona explains, "Wine (as well as beer and all types of alcohol) in moderate doses raise the body's levels of HDL, or good cholesterol, which protects the heart against the plaque buildup that may cause strokes and heart attacks. As Europeans have proven for centuries, 1 to 2 alcoholic beverages per day helps to reduce the risks of heart disease."
Developing an alcohol problem in the name of good heart health and lower cholesterol is not a good idea, but a glass of wine, or a few shots, or a few beers can actually reduce your risk for heart disease when combined with a good diet and exercise. Also remember the calories you intake when drinking alcohol, wine, or six-pack of beer can cause weight gain.
There are many studies outlining the health benefits of wine, but not as many for other alcohols. However, in addition to the antioxidants in wine, all alcohols, when consumed in moderate doses can raise the body's levels of HDL, the good cholesterol.
Boston-based nutritionist and wellness counselor Alannah DiBona explains, "Wine (as well as beer and all types of alcohol) in moderate doses raise the body's levels of HDL, or good cholesterol, which protects the heart against the plaque buildup that may cause strokes and heart attacks. As Europeans have proven for centuries, 1 to 2 alcoholic beverages per day helps to reduce the risks of heart disease."
Developing an alcohol problem in the name of good heart health and lower cholesterol is not a good idea, but a glass of wine, or a few shots, or a few beers can actually reduce your risk for heart disease when combined with a good diet and exercise. Also remember the calories you intake when drinking alcohol, wine, or six-pack of beer can cause weight gain.
Beer, Wine, and Spirits
The spirits industry, as of 2016
commands 35.9% of the total alcohol market vs. 47% for beer and
17.1% for wine. Beer made up close to 60% of the alcohol market
during the 1990s.
Contest vs. Sweepstakes
Some people use the two terms
interchangeably, but there is actually a large difference
between the two.
In a contest, you might be evaluated based on an essay, a cheesecake recipe, or some kind of design. A panel of judges makes a subjective determination based on the judging criteria outlined in the fine print.
In a sweepstakes, luck takes the place of talent. All entries are given equal consideration and tossed into a random drawing.
According to the many state and federal laws, charging money for a sweepstakes entry would classify it as a lottery, and that is usually illegal, unless it is being sponsored by a state government. Contests, on the other hand, can charge an entry fee since there is a degree of skill involved.
In 2006, the CVS pharmacy chain was ordered to pay $152,000 in civil penalties in New York after they promoted a “sweepstakes” in which entries were automatically submitted for customers buying Nicorette gum; the chain did not make the offer available to people who did not buy the product making it no equal consideration.
In a contest, you might be evaluated based on an essay, a cheesecake recipe, or some kind of design. A panel of judges makes a subjective determination based on the judging criteria outlined in the fine print.
In a sweepstakes, luck takes the place of talent. All entries are given equal consideration and tossed into a random drawing.
According to the many state and federal laws, charging money for a sweepstakes entry would classify it as a lottery, and that is usually illegal, unless it is being sponsored by a state government. Contests, on the other hand, can charge an entry fee since there is a degree of skill involved.
In 2006, the CVS pharmacy chain was ordered to pay $152,000 in civil penalties in New York after they promoted a “sweepstakes” in which entries were automatically submitted for customers buying Nicorette gum; the chain did not make the offer available to people who did not buy the product making it no equal consideration.
4K vs. 8K TV
4K,
or 3840×2160, is about 2 million pixels and it contains almost
four times the number of pixels on a screen compared with
1080P (current) technology.
8K
resolution is 7680×4320 pixels. It is 16 times more dense than
4K. The numbers show 4K at 2 million pixels is compared to 8K
at 33 million pixels. Today’s TV technology is not yet capable
of handling this kind of raw power.
For
human eyes to actually differentiate between 4K and 8K
resolutions, 8K televisions need to be at least 70 and 80
inches in size and you need to sit very close. To truly enjoy
8K, the television sets need to be even larger than that.
Panasonic has developed a plasma television that is 145
inches.
2020
Olympics will all be broadcast in 8K - Samsung, LG, Sony, and
Panasonic have all announced plans to have 8K TVs ready for
the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Incidentally,
as of September 2017 an 85 inch 8K TV costs $133,000 and is
only available in Japan. Oh, and the old wives tale of sitting
too close can hurt your eyes is a myth.
HDTV Antenna Myth
HDTV antenna hype created a huge
misconception with regard to TV antennas used for HDTV
reception. There is no such thing as an HDTV antenna. An
antenna is like a pipe (as I recently described HDMI cables).
An antenna just takes in the signal and passes it along to
your TV. If the signal is HD, it passes HD. If the signal is
SD, it passes SD.
Bottom
line, do not be fooled by a marketing ploy to get you to pay
more for an HD antenna, any modern antenna will pass
along HD content to your TV. Also, all antennas provide a
better picture than cable as the digital signals are
compressed by cable companies.
Heisman Trophy
Last week they awarded the Heisman trophy, but
many do not remember who John Heisman was and how he had the
trophy named for him.
He was a player, coach, and hugely successful innovator in the early days of football. He played for Brown and then Penn as a collegian from 1887 to 1891, then went on to coach a number of college teams. He changed the sport from placing the ball on the ground and rolling it from center to lifting and handing or passing it back to the quarterback. He also added more innovations to the game.
He was a player, coach, and hugely successful innovator in the early days of football. He played for Brown and then Penn as a collegian from 1887 to 1891, then went on to coach a number of college teams. He changed the sport from placing the ball on the ground and rolling it from center to lifting and handing or passing it back to the quarterback. He also added more innovations to the game.
During
1916, he coached Georgia Tech to the highest scoring game in
college football. While playing a makeshift Cumberland team,
his team outscored its opponent 222-0.
Heisman
became the athletic director at New York’s Downtown Athletic
Club, which awarded the Downtown Athletic Club Trophy to the
most valuable college football player east of the Mississippi.
He died after the first trophy was awarded and before the
second trophy could be awarded, the club voted to rename the
prize the Heisman Memorial Trophy Award and included college
players west of the Mississippi.
Incidentally,
The famous “Heisman pose” trophy is actually based on Ed
Smith, a former NYU running back who modeled for the
trophy’s sculptor in 1934.
Robot Handiwork
For those who do not think robots are ready
for prime time, here is a gif showing a robot stitching the
skin of a grape. LINK
Dec 8, 2017
Happy Friday
Do not chase happiness, attract it.
I am always attracted to happiness, especially on a Happy Friday!
I am always attracted to happiness, especially on a Happy Friday!
Camel Beauty Contest
An interesting beauty contest is held in Madinat Zayed in Al Gharbia from December 13 to 29, the Al Dhafra Festival, the world’s largest festival of Bedouin traditions, is organized by the Cultural Programs and Heritage Festivals Committee - Abu Dhabi. The two-week event also serves as an important channel to make future generations familiar with their traditions and cultural heritage.
The festival will host one of the world’s largest camel beauty contests and camel gatherings with organizers expecting around 2,000 camel owners and over 20,000 camels from the GCC taking part in the event.
Last year camels owned by Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed, the President’s Representative, won top prizes in the camel ‘mazayna’ beauty contest at this year’s Al Dhafra Festival. Sheikh Sultan’s camels won the Aayel category for the golden-red camel breed, originally from Oman. Camels belonging to Khamis Al Mazrouie won the Majahim category, the black camels of Saudi Arabia.
The festival will host one of the world’s largest camel beauty contests and camel gatherings with organizers expecting around 2,000 camel owners and over 20,000 camels from the GCC taking part in the event.
Last year camels owned by Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed, the President’s Representative, won top prizes in the camel ‘mazayna’ beauty contest at this year’s Al Dhafra Festival. Sheikh Sultan’s camels won the Aayel category for the golden-red camel breed, originally from Oman. Camels belonging to Khamis Al Mazrouie won the Majahim category, the black camels of Saudi Arabia.
Overweight Statistics
Many things have changed since 1960. Back then the price of gas was 25 cents, house price $12,700, loaf of bread 25 cents, and a pound of hamburger 45 cents. Not so with the CDC definitions of weight. The tables used to determine the current obesity levels are still the same ones used during 1960.
Unrelated, but interesting to note that since 1960, the average weight of a turkey has more than doubled from 15.1 pounds during 1960 to 31.1 pounds during 2017.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and the US National Center for Health Statistics, as of 2014, close to 71% of US adults age 20 or older are overweight or obese, based on those old tables.
While the world has changed dramatically, the weight definitions for overweight and obese have not changed during the past almost sixty years. The fact that Americans have also increased height and age during that time is not taken into consideration of the weight calculations.
Bottom line, we are comparing current weights to ancient 1960 tables. Also, BMI, as a measure has been debunked by the same CDC which states, "BMI ranges are not exact ranges of healthy and unhealthy weight." According to the BMI table, Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson and Vin Diesel are both overweight.
Maybe the 1960 definitions and the BMI definitions need to be updated according to modern reality. Since we have achieved two standard deviations above the almost 60 year old tables, it might be time to redefine normal or we will soon be 100% overweight. Then the government agencies will forced to redefine the definition of windmills, as they are wont to do.
Unrelated, but interesting to note that since 1960, the average weight of a turkey has more than doubled from 15.1 pounds during 1960 to 31.1 pounds during 2017.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and the US National Center for Health Statistics, as of 2014, close to 71% of US adults age 20 or older are overweight or obese, based on those old tables.
While the world has changed dramatically, the weight definitions for overweight and obese have not changed during the past almost sixty years. The fact that Americans have also increased height and age during that time is not taken into consideration of the weight calculations.
Bottom line, we are comparing current weights to ancient 1960 tables. Also, BMI, as a measure has been debunked by the same CDC which states, "BMI ranges are not exact ranges of healthy and unhealthy weight." According to the BMI table, Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson and Vin Diesel are both overweight.
Maybe the 1960 definitions and the BMI definitions need to be updated according to modern reality. Since we have achieved two standard deviations above the almost 60 year old tables, it might be time to redefine normal or we will soon be 100% overweight. Then the government agencies will forced to redefine the definition of windmills, as they are wont to do.
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