Archive for March, 2008

Sir Arthur C. Clarke

Published on March 19, 2008 in Journal. 0 Comments

space odyssey

Sir Arthur C. Clarke, a British science fiction author, inventor, and futurist, has passed away. He’s been a key figure in shaping today’s science fiction movies. Clarke was among other things, the author of the novel that Stanley Kubrick adapted to the movie 2001: Space Odyssey; he wrote “The Sentinel” for a BBC competition in 1948 and though the story was rejected, it changed the course of Clarke’s career. Not only was it the basis for A Space Odyssey, but “The Sentinel” also introduced a more mystical and cosmic element to Clarke’s work.

Clarke has also been an influencial person in technological advancements. He was one of the first people to suggest that geostationary satellites would be ideal telecommunications relays. Clarke described this concept in a paper titled “Extra-Terrestrial Relays — Can Rocket Stations Give Worldwide Radio Coverage?”, published in October 1945. The geostationary orbit is now sometimes known as the Clarke Orbit or the Clarke Belt in his honour.

So Sir Arthur C. Clarke, we salute you. *cue 2001:Space Odyssey beginning theme*

“Freeze! I’ve got a flashlight… sort of”

Published on March 11, 2008 in Journal. 0 Comments

Here’s a rather interesting flashlight… erhm, gun — which by a touch of a button transforms into your everyday submachine gun. Sort of like the ultimate Transformers flashlight. Trust the Americans to turn a normal household object into a gun. — gotta love ‘em, in a sort of twisted and wierd way. I think I’m going to keep my eyes peeled for suspicious people with foldable flashlights, just in case. [via]

Halo Cutscenes (now in HD)

Published on March 10, 2008 in Journal. 0 Comments

Halo.bungie.org have been a bunch of busy bees and collected a library of cutscenes from all the Halo games during the past years. Starting from Halo 2, they’re available in crystal clear High-Def — Yummy. The storytelling and directing is topnotch, as well as the actual graphics, so even if you don’t really care for the Halo-series, I suggest you check them out. [The library, for your viewing pleasure]