piscine matrix: a fish’s virtual swim is neurologically no different than the authentic experience
koyaanisqatsi: time-lapse of satellite telemetry shows urban-sprawl and changing landscapes over the past thirty-two years
On many old brick buildings across England, one might find the notice bracketing window-sills of “Ancient Lights.”
Earlier this year, researchers at the Max Planck Institute’s Mainz campus discovered how infectious agency of the pathogenic bacterium Pseudomonas syringae operates to allow it to establish itself and spread in vegetation in a very novel and unexpected way—by producing their own frost that damages leaves and steams.
Specialised proteins on the cellular membranes of the bacteria align water molecules into the crystalline structure they’d assume at the freezing point and then the bacteria flagellates itself to dissipate the surrounding heat and make its own ice. The physics are different but the clever trick of the bacteria made me think about this other recent sleight of hand that demonstrates that a vanishingly small column of water will freeze solid even at boiling temperatures. Apparently the bacteria even propagates itself by seeding clouds with ice crystals and comes down with the rain. That’s pretty amazing and I wonder if these bacteria might have applications in cryogenics.
I understand that a rather innovative hybrid cigarette from a major manufacturer has come to British markets, and while I’m not endorsing any part of a nasty addictive habit, I did however find the system—which is not like an e-cigarette or vaping which I originally found pretty unsatisfying but rather almost like a pipe insofar as the tobacco is toasted and the experience is “smokeless”—interestingly self-destructive, almost as much as being hooked itself by in the opposite direction.
I can appreciate the industry’s motivation to turn towards what might be honestly touted as less unhealthy and I was really surprised that once I tried it out in May (it came to Germany in late Spring and was previously only available in Switzerland and Japan) I never once had the urge to switch back to regular cigarettes. I continued through the end of October, finding myself smoking less—just keeping up the ritual and the pretence and was ultimately, gladly able to leave it altogether, reconciling to myself that the glamour of it all was still costing me the same amount per tiny pack—like those cigarettes that were mostly filter from The Fifth Element. The holder itself could be mistaken for a home pregnancy-test kit. Like I said, I wouldn’t recommend such a product but am grateful for it weening me off the habit, which was something I would have never imagined.
Whether the European political status quo can weather the trends that first emerged with the Brexit with the encore number, dรฉnouement of the Trump ascendancy will see its first stress test this weekend with the run-off election in Austria and a contested referendum in Italy that could spark a constitutional crisis equally if it passes or fails. Even if the concept of polling hadn’t lost all its credence, the outcomes of both votes are highly uncertain.
What sort of precedent has already been struck and what would this shift bode more broadly? If elected, the conservative candidate of the Freedom Party Norbert Hofer will hold a plebiscite on continued EU membership, touted as รxit. This protracted drama was too close to call in April of this year and a second vote was called for October—but delayed until now due to an issue with the glue on ballots mailed out. Meanwhile in Rome, Matteo Renzi’s government is pledging to dissolve itself if a sweeping reform bill engineered to reduce the gridlock that’s inchoate in the Italian parliament by divesting one chamber of its veto power. Even though that does smack as pretty much antidisestablishmentarian, populist elements oppose the change and its failure (and the resignation of the incumbent) are seen as an opportunity for social and economic conservatives to gain control.
In order to salvage TV Land’s threatened heritage, the British Film Institute has concocted an ambitious five year strategy, as the Verge informs, to conserve and digitise over a hundred thousand “at risk” programmes. Episodes from arcane but memorable children’s shows, documentaries, breakfast-time spots from the 1950s to the early 1980s are in danger of being lost to future generations as the antiquated storage media continues to degrade—shelf-life being a consideration no matter how good the environment is—and the loss of institutional knowledge and wherewithal as those familiar with the archives and format are retiring.
Among the titles set to be saved are, in the category of children’s programming, shows include Basil Brush (pictured) and Shang-a-Lang featuring the musical stylings of Bay City Rollers. There’s also At Last the 1948 Show from 1967 is a comedy starring John Cleese before joining the troupe that became Monty Python’s Flying Circus and a marriage quiz show from the same year called Mister and Missus, which might illicit some cringes and not everything retro is worthy of our nostalgia but from an ethnographic and historical standpoint it’s really an invaluable glimpse into our collective, formative pasts. Do you remember any of these shows mentioned here and at the links? I personally cannot claim myself as heir to this television legacy but my interest is a genuine one—and not an affection, like a semester abroad accent—and hope that the Telly will allow me to play along.
