Now, I know there are people that can play two flutes at once.
The real trick would be to be able to play three! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Showing posts with label Magic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Magic. Show all posts
September 22, 2021
Two Flutes Are Better Than One
September 17, 2020
Automation By Gloves
Here's a hydraulic oil machine.
And you see no people.
Just some blue gloves.
If you look long enough, perhaps you'll see the gloves move and work the machine all by themselves.
That's the magic of automation and computerization.
Say hi gloves! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumnethal)
June 20, 2020
When We Were Kids
Many moons ago.
Television with rabbit ears in the background.
That's when we all we had were 4 stations ABC, CBS, NBC, and PBS.
We called it the "Zombie Box" because you could just stay glued to it for hours and tune the world out mesmerized at the moving pictures.
Everyone knew what was on every station, every hour of the day and still there was a TV Guide published weekly to check.
When the TV went fuzzy, you had to give it a clop on the side and magically the picture cleared up for a few minutes if you were lucky.
Those were the days. ;-)
(Thank you to my sister, Roz, for refreshing a copy of this to me)
June 24, 2019
The Goal is Automagically
Automagically.
I thought my colleague was using it as a gag.
But when I asked Dr. Google, there it was.
Automagically - Automatically + Magical
It refers to the use of computer automation and how when well-implemented it seems almost like the process is magical, ingenious, and oh, so easy.
So this is the goal for us that all our processes and efforts should be poof--automagically done and there it is! ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
May 27, 2018
Crazy Sink
February 18, 2016
Let The Genie Out
Of course, people gathered around joking about whether, as legend has it, there was a genie inside.
They asked, what do you have to do to try and get the genie out to make your three wishes.
Well of course, they say you have to rub the lantern--where the heck did that come from?
Me being the curious jokster that I am just picked the lantern up off the table and flipped the top open!
Low and behold, it was completely empty--no genie to be found.
Needless-to-say, I was quite disappointed hoping for an I Dream of Genie lady to magically appear or for a flying Persian magic carpet to whisk me away somewhere exciting.
Then I thought, perhaps someone else got to the lantern first?
And darn, they say you can't put the genie back in the bottle!
A great notion when it comes to transparency, freedom of ideas and expression, no repression...but when you still are waiting for your three earth-shattering wishes then perhaps you still need to find your magic lantern. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
July 3, 2013
Magic Computer Displays
This is some awesome technology from Tactus Technology.
It is called a dynamic tactile touchscreen.
Here's how it works:
When you want to type with a tablet or other touchscreen display, not only do you see a QWERTY keyboard, but also the buttons actually rise out of of the flatscreen display--for a tactile typing experience.
Using microfluidics, the fluids in the screen actually change shape--and form buttons.
When your done typing, the keyboard buttons melt away back down into the screen.
It all happens in a split second and has negligible impact on power consumption (i.e. less than 1%).
This type of tactile experience with computer displays can be used for tablets, smartphones, gaming devices, and I would imagine even SCADA devices (e.g. for turning a dial, pulling a level, etc. all virtually on a monitor).
Goodbye physical controls and hello magic touchscreen--presto chango. ;-)
June 21, 2013
Are They Anything Without Him?
Sometimes, one person can be so instrumental to the success of an organization that they really are, for all intensive purposes, irreplaceable.
Leadership classes and anecdotes about great leaders tell us that one of leaders primary duties is a good succession plan.
But what happens, when a visionary place like Apple, loses their very special talent--someone that is truly their "secret sauce"--someone like a Steve Jobs--who you can't just replicate or replace (easily or maybe at all)?
While Apple still makes great products, the jury is still out on whether they can truly innovate without Job's vision, exacting attention to detail, and bigger than life persona.
Hence, the question, are they anything without him?
Perhaps, Apple can find the next Steve Jobs--who will bring new energy and talents and keep them a great organization--or perhaps not.
This new movie about Jobs--played by Ashton Kutcher will remind us of the magic that a truly special leader can bring to an organization.
If only there was a pill to swallow to make talented leaders--now that would be a job for Jobs. ;-)
August 22, 2012
An Approach To Teamwork That Isn't Hot Air
Ever creative, they drew a smiley face on some celebratory balloons.
Up over the air conditioner, and the balloons danced literally all day long.
One person is waving their arms to show no strings or anything holding it up.
For a terrific team that works really hard, it was nice to see them laugh it off a little.
Cost what--2 cents? And it made everyone happy! :-)
July 2, 2012
The Tiger Woods of Ping Pong
This 9-year old kid--Tom Spicer--from Australia is quite simply amazing.
Hard to believe this is real--but I understand that it is!
This kid throws a ping ball every which way into a tiny cup.
Straight shot, with a bounce and even 4, off the wall, rolling off a roof, behind his back and around the corner, out of a window, a backflip while laying down, with a flick of a skateboard, with the cup in motion, even while bouncing on a trampoline.
This kid is an inspiration with just a ball and cup, a million and one shots, and a big smile.
Tom has been practicing for 5 1/2 years.
Amazing discipline and creativity--seems right for America's Got Talent.
Imagine what we can do if we set our mind to accomplishing great things too.
Everyone can score! ;-)
December 11, 2011
This Man's A Real Magician
One more very impressive act on this Sunday afternoon.
10 illusions in less than 5 minutes.
Hans Klok is amazing--especially impressive to me is how he does the following:
1) Moves so fast--more than 1 illusion every 30 seconds!
2) Actually remembers all 10 illusions--I can't remember what I ate for breakfast this morning ;-)
3) Pulls all the illusions off without a single glitch
4) Changes positions with the roaring lady with his hand sticking out of a locked box at :30.
5) Has the women's legs (just her legs!) pushing a cart across the stage at 2:40--are those legs robotic?
6) Moves the guys head from his shoulders to his belly and back again at 2:50--the guys head falls almost like from a guillotine!
While I am not usually terribly wowed by magic acts, this one has quite a lot going for it including speed, action, humor, and some pretty good accompanying music.
Thank G-d for the Internet and Youtube, which enables us to share and enjoy all this great stuff--anytime, anywhere.
(Also, thanks Cousin Betty for sharing this.)
What is The Secret of Laserman
This is a terrific performance by Laserman.
He seems to break all the laws of physics and manipulates laser light beams as if it is both a vapor and a solid.
He stops and redirects it, yet at the same time he pushes and twirls it--huh?
While I am not a fan of the movie Tron--I think I actually fell asleep in the theater (and more than once), this performance more than makes up for it.
My favorite piece is at 1:39 when Laserman picks the laser light up out of the stage--people start yelling as no one can believe it!--and he starts twirling it around like a baton now.
Then at 1:48, he breaks the light beam in two and starts twirling both and sticking them back in the stage only to start bending the light again.
To me, this performance is really cool and inspiring--it makes me think of a bright future for all of us--one that is agile, high-tech, heart-pounding, and where natural laws are almost made to be broken.
Someone please tell me how he does this...I promise, I won't tell ;-)
August 3, 2011
Head Over Heels For Technology
This is really a very cool video called iPad Head Girl.
The girl is covered with 4 iPads--each with an image of a different angle of a headshot (face, back, and sides) making it look almost like her real head.
You're thinking--what is this: a robot, a person, an alien?--it's really up to your imagination, but you'd better get a closer look.
I understand from Coolest-Gadgets that this is actually part of an advertising campaign by Thinkmodo for a racy iPad magazine called "Cosmo for Guys," and No, I am not promoting this in any way!
However, the advertising with the walking head iPads and the images of the girl is definitely making heads turn, but for very different reasons and it has nothing to do with sex and everything to do with technology.
My view is that we are fascinated by the "latest and greatest" use of technology--and are basically ready, on the lookout for the next great amazing breakthrough.
Technology while obviously amazing feats of science, engineering, and design--also borders on the magical for most of us as we watch and see what the new technology can do, even though we don't really know how it does it.
Like the lady walking around with iPad head--we see it, but can't really believe what we're seeing.
The miracle of technology--keeps us all at the edge of our seats with hope, wonder, and awe for what magic is going to walk down the street next and leave us mouths agape.
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