Patricia Burchat
Astrophysicist
Only a small fraction of the universe is made of "ordinary matter" (us, this chair, this planet). 26% is dark matter...how does that matter impact our view of the universe? Profoundly it seems. Since I am not an astronomer, I can't even begin to explain why. It has gravitational attraction and forms structure.
Dark energy makes up 70% and is completely different from dark matter in effect. It impedes gravitational attraction, competing with dark matter.
Fantastically succinct explanation of dark matter and energy.
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John Hodgman
(he's the Apple commercial PC guy, author, Resident Expert on The Daily Show)
Cute little talk about Enrico Fermi's belief there is no other intelligent life in the universe. Not much else to say except that he's very funny in a quiet sort of way.
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Peter Ward
Paleontologist
How are we going to talk to alien life if we can't even transfer a slide from a PC to a Mac and have it get the letters right? Peter Ward studies the K-T extinction event and writes about why other complex life in the universe is very improbable and simple life is not just probable, but likely common.
I can't even go into detail about this, but he's talking about Mark Roth's theory of how to turn a mammal into a reptile by infusing them with hydrogen sulfide. Joe, please explain when I get home! Remember to ask geologist husband more about Flood Basalts.
Note - at no time in earth history that we can discern has any ice existed on the planet when the CO2 levels were at 1000ppm. Right now we're at 280ppm.
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Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
spiritual teacher
The universe it to create the "wow" in us. The first thing we do on entering the world is take a deep breath in and cry. The last thing we do is exhale a breath and others cry.
Sorry, I didn't really take any notes during this, I just needed to be and listen.
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Tom Reilly, TED
Talking about the TED gift bags...I didn't go into much detail about this last night.
Unless Bottega Venneta made one I don't know about, it really is the nicest conference bag I've ever seen. Not only is it green (100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottle fabric). Very well designed interior with IDEO "big questions tag.
TED tee by REMO
TED polar bear from WWF
Custom laser-engraved back Zune preloaded with TED talks, music from performers here
Jawbone bluetooth headset in red
Keen Footwear GC for free shoes
$1000 GC from Lexus plus a Pangea Organics product box
Mimobot USB drive from Mozilla
1-yr subscription to Lynda.com (online tech how-to)
Nice pen from The Ladders
BMW electronic tire gauge
40% off Steelcase Chair
Media storage pocket
30% off Sony BRAVIA TV and/or Blu-Ray
23andMe GC (I got this free, more on that later)
Hint Mint mints
Zenergize water flavoring tablets
In the Name of Love - Africa Celebrates U2
CD with Kaki King
Surf's Up on Blu-Ray
BBC Planet Earth DVD set
REMO planner
Wired is picking up shipping home for any book purchases here
TED program guide and pencil made from recycled newsprint
Muji pencil sharpener (one of my favorite things!)
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Kaki King
Named by Rolling Stone as the "first ever female guitar god." What they didn't say is she's sort of a philosopher, too. If only I could post a sound file of this performance. She plays the guitar as if it's an entire orchestra.
Off for the opening night party at the Baldwin Gallery in town...
I'm hoping after you are done and home and talk w/ the husband and others about some of this you'll revisit things like the mammalian/reptilian transmutation by hydrogen sulfide infusion.
I know Ward is the great "ELE* Guru" but he's way off base on the 'other intelligent life' thing... and right on target with 'how could we communicate w/ alien life if we can't get Mac & PC to communicate?' - but then again off-base. One has to assume that if an alien life-form can conquer the 'traveling galactic distances' dilemma to come 'visit' they can certainly figure out how to communicate with us. (hint: binary is binary is binary - no matter what the overlaying 3rd generation language is... math is the language of the universe.)
:)
Still - so very envious! Keep up the reports!
Posted by: GeekMommy | February 28, 2008 at 01:58 AM
Oh duh... asterisks are useless without the footnote!
ELE == Extinction Level Event. :P
Posted by: GeekMommy | February 28, 2008 at 01:59 AM
I saw Kaki King live a couple of years ago. She was absolutely amazing. Her music is fabulous, but *watching* her play the guitar was incredible. It's a shame you don't get that from a CD.
Posted by: Stinky | February 28, 2008 at 09:24 AM
Hey ... I had to stop at this site to say that this incredibly informed about one of the sweetest instruments and subtlety of the music as the guitar, just amazing, thanks for improving my life with this information, because as they say around ... . never stop learning to play guitar.
Posted by: guanacaste costa rica | July 15, 2010 at 12:02 AM