Theo Jansen and the design of evolution

Theo Jansen is an artist and engineer who creates intricate and gorgeous creatures who roam beaches, powered by the wind.

I saw a video about Jansen's project (posted below) a while ago, and was intrigued, but did not imagine that I would have a chance to see his creations first-hand. This changed abruptly a couple weeks ago when I spotted a poster in a Seoul subway station for a Theo Jansen exhibit at the National Gwacheon Science museum. (I learned the location later when I translated it on my computer.)

Yesterday, I went with my friend James to check out the exhibit, which included some demonstrations of the creatures moving. It was fascinating - both because the animals were themselves things of beautiful evolutionary design, but also for the insights it suggests about the evolution of all living things. Kevin Kelly's TED talk, which I posted earlier, talked about "life hacks", and the hacks that Jansen's creatures have evolved to avoid the dangers of the beach - the sea and the storms, for example - are an elegant analogy to the natural world.

TED video and a few more pictures after the jump. Many thanks to James for the pictures and the company.

North Korean jokes

... which may be repackaged USSR jokes, but hey - they're still funny. From Ask A Korean.

My favourite:

Kim Jong-Il visited a commune farm, and saw a number of healthy pigs. Kim became pleased at the sight, and took a photo with the pigs.

The Rodong Shinmun [newspaper] had to carry the picture, and the editor agonized over the caption: "Hm... 'Comrade Kim Jong-Il stands with pigs.' No... 'Pigs with comrade Kim Jong-Il.' No..."

Finally, the caption on the newspaper said: "Comrade Kim Jong-Il is the third one from the left!"

Another couple faves after the jump.

How does technology evolve?

Some answers:

NTY Mag, Building One Big Brain by Robert Wright (2010).

TED Talks, How Technology Evolves by Kevin Kelly (2005):


And perhaps a prescient view? Darwin Among the Machines, by Samuel Butler (1863). Money quote:

Our opinion is that war to the death should be instantly proclaimed against them. Every machine of every sort should be destroyed by the well-wisher of his species.

S E O U L

A little taste of K-Pop and Seoul all rolled into one promotional video. Features two of the most popular teen bands in Korea.

News story of the day

CBC - Flood Emergency Declared in Yorktown, Sask.

This reminds me of a story my grandparents tell, which if I recall correctly involved canoeing down the streets of their Saskatchewan town during a flood. In my mind, that story is romanticized - not so much now, I guess. (Photo credit: CBC)

How I'm Celebrating Canada Day...

... two days late. Still, I think it's appropriate: this Saturday I'm going on a boat cruise put on by a local microbrewery! For about CAN $35, there's unlimited good beer and food for three hours. On a boat. On the Han River.

If that's not cool enough by itself, I've heard that among the variety of breweries offering free beer is Alley Kat, from Edmonton.

Canadian microbrewery beer, here I come!

Happy Canada Day!