Futurama Writer Created And Proved A Brand New Math Theorem Just For 1 Episode
We all knew the writing staff of Futurama was brainy, but this is something else. To work out the ridiculous brain switching plot line from last night’s hilarious episode, writer Ken Keeler (who also just happens to have a PhD in mathematics) ended up writing and proving an entirely new theorem. This is probably the most impressive bit of side work from a TV writer since a writer ofDesperate Housewives discovered a new species or the staff of Full House developed a vaccine for a specific strain of syphilis.
In the episode “The Prisoner of Benda,” the Professor and Amy use a new invention to switch bodies. Unfortunately, they discover that the same two brains can’t switch twice and have to come up with some equation to prove that, with enough people switching, eventually everyone will end up in their rightful form. This, of course, leads to much hijinks as well as the grossest sex scene the show has ever done (take that, Prof. Farnsworth and Mom!).
Check out the full description of the theory here.
The world’s best countries
The phrase “world’s best” belongs on a mug next to the word “dad”, but as reductionist as it sounds, the rather wonderfully made infographic over at Newsweek is a fascinating insight in to the rankings of various countries.
The detailed comparison such as ’quality of life ranking’ includes: income inequality, gender gap, % living on less than $2 a day, Consumption per capita, homicide rate, environmental health and unemployment – all of which can be compared to any other country based on its population size, income group or region.
Surprisingly the UK ranks at 8th in the world overall, and 2nd if you take in to consideration our population size. We do however rank 28th for Political Environment among the world’s “high income” countries and drop to 33rd when you include everyone. Ahead of us are Costa Rica, Lithuania and Poland.
Kazakhstan makes a surprising appearance at 14th for education with a 99.5% literacy rate and 15 years of average schooling.
Once you start to play you’ll find it becomes strangely addictive.
Win Tickets to Questival
Questival is a weekend camping trip organised by The National Federation of Atheist, Humanist and Secular Student Societies and Leeds Atheist Society, inspired by Camp Quest UK, and sponsored by the British Humanist Association.
Unlike Camp Quest, which is aimed at children, Questival is for fully grown atheists, agnostics, humanists, freethinkers and all those who are curious about the world in which we live. In addition to walks around the Dales, discussions about critical thinking and logical fallacies, scientific methods, pseudo-science, philosophy and ethics, Iszi Lawrence (www.iszi.com) and Rebecca Watson (www.skepchick.org) will be attending to speak at the event.
Questival runs from 5pm on Friday 13/08/2010 until 4pm on Sunday 15/08/2010. The event will be held at Dalesbridge Camp Site, Austwick, Near Settle, North Yorkshire, LA2 8AZ.
Tickets can be purchased from the British Humanist Association (http://www.humanism.org.uk/shop/85).
How to win two tickets
You can also enter a competition to win two tickets (worth £60 total) donated by the organisers to The Skeptic Magazine (UK). To win the tickets, email competitions@skeptic.org.uk with your answer to the following:
What activity, event or product would you like sceptical groups to hold or develop within the UK?
The tickets will be given to the individual who submits the idea judged to be the best, by staff from The Skeptic and by any other nominated judge(s). Responses should be concise and feasible. The competition will close at midnight (GMT) on Saturday 07/08/2010. By submitting ideas, you agree they may be used or developed at a future point. Details are also available at http://skeptic.org.uk/magazine/competitions
A truly psychological thriller – Inception
Lovers of mind bending movies like 12 Monkeys, The Fountain and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind have something to look forward to. Inception is another thriller based in the surreal landscape of dreams and uses some rather impressive effects and a wee bit of psychology to create a consistently entertaining journey. The movie has had such incredible reviews that talk of a backlash has been surfacing before it’s even opened.
Directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Leonardo DiCaprio the movie has a 9.3 rating on IMDB which will push it right in to the top spot by a clear lead if voting continues this way. The movie is released today across the UK. You’re all welcome to leave your favourite mental movies in the comments and we’ll make a list.
Tim Minchin – If You Open Your Mind Too Much
Can’t wait for this. Taken from the forthcoming series of ITV’s ‘Comedy Cuts’ – If You Open Your Mind Too Much Your Brain Will Fall Out.
via (Atheist Media)
Carl Sagan: A Universe Not Made For Us
I first read Carl Sagan’s Pale Blue Dot 10 years ago. It’s an incredible release that hasn’t aged at all and was released when the internet was just a fledgling. Having been sent this more than a few times I picked up the book again and browsed it’s glossy pages – it’s a fantastic read that we highly recommend. This great little homage is both humbling and appropriate, it shows how Sagan is such a huge influence on the scientific rhetoric all over the internet today and why his ability to grasp big ideas will live forever.
Stephen Fry on Wagner
“Stephen Fry explores his passion for controversial composer Richard Wagner. Can he salvage the music he loves from its dark association with Hitler’s Nazi regime? His journey takes him to Germany, Switzerland and Russia as he pieces together the story of the composer’s turbulent career.
Along the way he plays Wagner’s piano, meets the composer’s descendants and eavesdrops on rehearsals for the legendary Bayreuth Festival, the annual extravaganza of Wagner’s music held in a theatre designed by the composer himself.”
Watch on BBC iPlayer
Stephen Fry portrait is also available in the Art Store
Happy Birthday Coops!
It’s young Coops Birthday and this time instead of flooding his email – you shuold follow him on @lordcoopy and say a Happy 13th Birthday to him yourself.
All New Derren Brown website launched tomorrow, sometime.
Yes you read it right and it’s only taken us a whole friggin year. Lots of pushing back and forth between TV companies, managers, copyright lawyers, human rights groups, gay activists, animal welfare research scientists and an army of Puerto Rican immigration officials has laboured the slow task of amassing all the content and arranging it in a format suitable for your new iPad, HTC phone or Commodore 64. Well now it’s ready.
There’s a stack of new content and stuff to browse – we’ll also be adding things as we go along. We will be on the look out for those of you who have stuff we’ve missed, radio interviews, paper clippings, nuggets of joy or long suppressed images of DB’s “bad hair” phase.
We will also happily entertain those of you who are vigilant, well versed and keen-eyed to point out the mistakes, glitches and bugs you come across. We’re even open to the Grammar-Nazi Clan still working on Windows ME who wish death upon us for a misplaced Hungarian umlaut on some of the fan pages we have nothing to do with.
For those of you who are more original thinkers who want to suggest content such as an interactive hamster suppressant or things such as this are welcome to send in ideas and we will consider any on site proposal no matter how utterly ridiculous. Best one wins a bunch of stuff I found in a room no one knew existed here at Brown Towers. I (Phillis) will be tweeting the best and worst ones and may reward both.
Ideas, feedback and insults should be aimed at Phillis Dorris the site CONTENT admin – or tweet me @phillisdorris. Glitches and bugs should be sent to the TECHNICAL admin Abeo – or tweet her on @abeodbart, but please check you’ve spotted a genuine mistake as “my hard drive is full of porn” is really not our issue.
There’s no official launch time as the servers hate spikes. So we’ll open up bits over the day and allow you all access in an orderly fashion. We hope you enjoy.
Edit: Site is now Live, visit derrenbrown.co.uk
