Hansen's MagNET » Archive for July 2010
Fighter plane without wings
It’s appropriately named the Bloodhound SSC. It’s powered by a rocket delivering 47,500 pounds of thrust, and – if everything works out as planned – it will glide over land at 1,000 miles per hour. The insane (in this case a compliment) guys behind the machine, Richard Noble and Andy Green, hold the current land speed record of 763.035 miles per hour. But that’s an old record – we’re talking 1997 – and it’s not enough … Read entire article »
Filed under: Cool Chariots
Who needs a car, anyway?
Okay, this thing – Sikorsky’s Project Firefly – is not exactly a chariot (as the category implies). But it is cool (as the category implies). It’s damn cool. Also, it’s – most likely coincidentally – named after one of the groups participating in the Danish X Factor show this year. With a 200 horsepower electric engine, this baby bug should be able to get you over land in a jiffy. But although it will run on … Read entire article »
Filed under: Cool Chariots
First reply from the US embassy
Today I got a reply from the US embassy. It was short and to the point, and can be summed up like this: Get married or stay put. Well, that’s not exactly what it said, but close. If I understand it correctly I can work in the US without a problem if I am married with my silly scientist, or if a US employer fills out the necessary papers for me to get a work … Read entire article »
Filed under: Atlantic Crossing Countdown
Why scientists should stop trying to prove things
When I talk to my scientist friends I constantly hear about what they have recently proven. Often their findings are fascinating, but to me they haven’t proven anything. And I am truly saddened they even try. I think trying to prove something is counterproductive, and slows down scientific progress – most likely much more than we imagine. Of course, it’s not only my scientist friends who – wrongly – talk about what they have proven. It’s … Read entire article »
Filed under: Featured, Ramblings and reflections, Science & Technology
Happiness oversimplified
I just came home, after spending two hours at a friends place watching Deepak Chopra’s “The Happiness Prescription” – approximately one and a half hour of good ideas for living a happy life, most of them based on an oversimplified model of human beings and the world they live in. It was actually a good film, since Deepak Chopak is a rather good speaker, although he comes across as a little arrogant, and too self assured, … Read entire article »
Filed under: Hansen Recommend, Healthy Happiness & Happy Health
Efficiency on wheels
Here, in this first installment of Cool Chariots, I will present to you: The Aptera – a three-wheeled electric vehicles with aerodynamics like a bird in flight. I am in no way affiliated with Aptera, I simply present it here, because I think it’s extraordinarily cool. For more on this Cool Chariot, go to Aptera’s own site. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Cool Chariots
American gigolo
Our little hamster, Buggy, is running around on the floor. In and out of her corn bags, along the walls, behind the couch – stopping for a second – standing on two legs, listening, then making a rodent drag burnout, before she races back in her house. She is having a lot of fun, not a care in the world. I told her we are moving to the US – in less than 100 days … Read entire article »
Filed under: Atlantic Crossing Countdown
Catch 22′s
He had always had a dream about travelling. Not taking vacations but really travelling. Like an adventurer. Like Christopher Columbus. He was thirtytwo and until three weeks ago the dream had stayed a dream. Three weeks ago he sat on his bike and went south. He was happy. He was living his dream. He felt alive. Now he wasn’t so sure anymore. Was travelling really what he wanted? The idea of travelling was without flaws. The … Read entire article »
Filed under: Fiction and pseudo-fiction
Living creatures
Someone is happy. Someone is sad. Someone is there. No one is here. Last year was different. Next year might be like a dagger and guitar. No matter what you do it’s annoying. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Fiction and pseudo-fiction
Why why?
He didn’t complain much. He was in Bremen. Wondering why. A long route was in front of him. If he stuck with his initial plan. He wasn’t sure he would. The idea was to ride his bike to Tarifa and celebrate New Year in Tanger. But why? This always appearing question “why” was his rational faculty trying to clarify what the hell was going on. It was a constant struggle. The character within him carrying … Read entire article »
Filed under: Fiction and pseudo-fiction