May 2008
Shock and Awe and Childlike Wonder
MacRumors is usually kind of
interesting, but I guess it's a slow news day.
This piece informs us of the
shocking fact that Mac OS 10.5 will probably be
followed by a version called 10.6, based on a
reference to "10.6" found in the iPhone SDK. (In
hot political news, sources close to the 2008
election process have indicated that it will
happen again in 2012)
On the other hand we have a previous item that the pundits didn't pick up on, but which I think is really interesting. About Apple's acquisition of PA Semiconductor:
(The Register, via MacRumors. Emphasis added.)
Now that's interesting: Apple-powered missiles. Now only if they'd loan out Jon Ive to help design them. Imagine missiles with a seamless brushed aluminum or glossy white surface that emit a soft, pulsing glow from hidden LEDs when armed. Maybe some kind of iTunes integration, downloading and playing "Ride of the Valkyries" or other suitable music over any BlueTooth headsets in the target area. Missile nose cameras would stream back QuickTime videos of the impact, automatically saved and organized in iPhoto. Google Maps integration for targeting. Use your imagination.
That's right. Missiles that deliver not only Shock and Awe, but Childlike Wonder.
On the other hand we have a previous item that the pundits didn't pick up on, but which I think is really interesting. About Apple's acquisition of PA Semiconductor:
"PA Semi's staff has started notifying a limited set of customers that the company's existing dual-core processor will enjoy long-term support. Apple will employ a number of old PA Semi staffers just for this task, which is good news for folks making missiles, mine-sweeping gear and storage boxes."
(The Register, via MacRumors. Emphasis added.)
Now that's interesting: Apple-powered missiles. Now only if they'd loan out Jon Ive to help design them. Imagine missiles with a seamless brushed aluminum or glossy white surface that emit a soft, pulsing glow from hidden LEDs when armed. Maybe some kind of iTunes integration, downloading and playing "Ride of the Valkyries" or other suitable music over any BlueTooth headsets in the target area. Missile nose cameras would stream back QuickTime videos of the impact, automatically saved and organized in iPhoto. Google Maps integration for targeting. Use your imagination.
That's right. Missiles that deliver not only Shock and Awe, but Childlike Wonder.
Apple.
Explode different.
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Parking Ticket Vehicle Camoflage and Business Card Müllerian Mimicry
05/27/08 22:36 Filed in: Clever Ideas
In camoflage, whether man-made or in nature, the idea
is to disguise something as something else that is
harmless or uninteresting. But there exists a kind of
opposite in nature, Müllerian mimicry. This is when
something tries to disguise itself as something
more dangerous and visible. There are
harmless snakes who have evolved to look very much
like a poisionous variety, for example.
You may have heard previously of Telstar Logistics, a nonexistent company that is really just a scam to avoid parking tickets in loading zones. Todd Lappin camoflages his car as a fleet vehicle, to blend into its urban surroundings as a defense mechanism.
Well, today I came across a kind of flip side: Business Card Müllerian Mimicry.
The inventor displays this business card on his luggage while traveling when he doesn't want to be bothered. Quote: "It's amazing how often I get an empty seat next to me".
You may have heard previously of Telstar Logistics, a nonexistent company that is really just a scam to avoid parking tickets in loading zones. Todd Lappin camoflages his car as a fleet vehicle, to blend into its urban surroundings as a defense mechanism.
Well, today I came across a kind of flip side: Business Card Müllerian Mimicry.
The inventor displays this business card on his luggage while traveling when he doesn't want to be bothered. Quote: "It's amazing how often I get an empty seat next to me".
