Write, Because You Aren't Being Represented

These are the hands of Willie Wayne Young, a self-taught sketch artist. He sketches mostly the mundane of everyday life in Dallas, Texas. He began doing this in between customers at the barbershop he currently works.

If you’ve ever read anything I’ve written you’d know that games writing is something I just “did just to do.” Somewhere between now and 2008, I’ve managed to meet more progressive thinkers which has helped me mature as a person. Unfortunately, I had to step away. It took me the better part of last year to figure out the reason(s) I continue to write about games -- among other things. It had a lot to do with my passions shifting, my health, and the reason I have your eyes here at this moment.

Here’s where I, abstractly, beg you to start writing.

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Commercial Break: Getting Your Ass To Mars

NASA Jet Propulsion Library in conjunction with California Institute of Technology combine forces. They've managed to make the Mars Science Laboratory wizards words sound transparent and, well, cool. 

And all we needed was an all-too-similar Inception score with fancy-looking computer generated imagery. One thing is for sure, if my kids are going to be visiting Mars as all-access resort (Total Recall teaches us this*), we're gonna need a 1600 degree Faherenheit-resistant ship. Maybe even a couple jetpacks to ensure a safe landing.

Other than that, I'd say Mars as a destination for nude tanning and discussions for all things reddish-brown is a safe bet in the next century.

*And yes, I have thought about this idea of us, over the years, sending rovers and robots to inspect Mars. Only for said robots and rovers to turn on us, creating their own colony. And thusly, charging us higher rates to stay at their robot resort.

Commercial Break: Planet Earth's Northern Hemisphere Is Somethin'

My health has been better*. In my stead, enjoy life, anywhere. Like, right now. Perfect time of year to go outside and avoid people, but appreciate that there are things happening thanks to their interference [try and take the positive out of this sentence].

As one Bart Simpson reminds us, "birds and bees are having sex with each other."

[the description of what you see above is after the jump]

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Commercial Break: To The Greatest Science Professor Ever

Michigan State University's Paul Hunter may not have been the most liked professor, but he was well respected. For years I heard tales for quite sometime about a "grey-haired man of science" making things go boom in his lectures. Friends who defected from Ohio to attend Michigan State gave me mixed-impressions of him. 

As a native Ohioan I'm supposed to be hardcoded to hate anything resembling Michigan or Michigan accessories. However, I'm not eight and this guy is clearly operating on a level far above that of the average Joe Science ... pack?

Last month Professor Hunter past away from a heart attack which was attibuted to a car accident hours prior.

The video above is from the Science Olympiad held at MSU. A very difficult exam most of the students have to take in order to pass their class. At the end of the Olympiad, Professor Hunter would amaze students with his daring science savvy.

Commercial Break: Processed Food vs Whole Foods -- Inside Of You

One day me and some dancing buddies were waiting in line at an IHOP talking about cancer. Because, you know, what else would some twenty-somethings talk about while waiting to fill ourselves with sugary-fried goodness? 

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Commercial Break: Eager Scientist vs. Lava Lake

When I was a kid, I had this eschewed vision of what lava could do. I had weird fantasies of lining up my toys next to the base of a volcano and watching the toxic plastic, become deformed representations of what Hasbro initially sold my mom. Not for once thinking that my shoes, feet and legs would be destroyed in the process of watching my toys turn to ash. I've always wanted to get close enough to touch a "super-teensy" portion and taste it. Because when you're a kid you think lava tastes like hot orange sherbert.

Which, even in theory, is a terrible taste to imagine. When I see this eager scientist running up to the lava lake. I see an educated man tapping into that child that [momentarily] threw away logic and is dead-set on putting is toys as close to destruction as possible.

It's cool that he got the sample and can study the inner-workings of how our planet reacts to our existence. I'd still like to see what lava does to some die-cast metal though.

Enjoy

Short Documentary: The Death & Life Of Radiotron

TRACES NO.1: YOUTH BREAK CENTER, INC. / RADIOTRON from maya santos on Vimeo.

An event, I've always wanted to photograph and participate in Radiotron. I only knew of it via VHS tapes [and now DVDs]. I remember talking to West Coast bboys and bgirls years back, who said there has always been a movement to continue throwing events and gatherings in the name of Radiotron. Though the original building has been destroyed and turned into a strip mall, the people who truly care about keeping a community are still doing great things [Radiotron.org].

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Commercial Break: da Vinci Robot Is Both Expensive And Peels Grapes

As the title indicates, the surgical da Vinci robot is clearly being used for it's intended purposes. That purpose being: stylin' on all other robots that wish they had the swag and technological bling that this one cleary possess. What with having them arms and grape peeling power. One day, yes, one day this surgical robot will see the inside of -- a melon.

[In all honesty, The da Vinci robot has been quite the achievement for modern medical science. It's been zapping cervical, prostate and all sorts of cancers for years. For more info, go here]

Commercial Break: Robot Starfish Isn't Lame

So the Harvard engineering research department has been up to no good. In by that I mean, they've possibly created several breakthroughs with just one robo-project. Here we see a video that has all the fireworks of paint drying, but what you don't see are the many uses that could come as a result.

By creating a "soft robot" we can come closer to understanding how inverterbrates function. Their muscle structure and movements could lead to several marine biological studies. Not only this, but there is a clear military use that will most-likely follow. And I'm all for more robots and less humans out on the battlefield [at least, when asked].

One result I hope comes from this is an advancement in prosthesis and amputee studies. We could finally be closer to giving those in need something past a mannequin limb.

Anyway, that's it from me. I'll get back to writing about games and stuff...

Commercial Break: How To Steal In Skyrim

Sure it'll probably be patched by the time you read this, but aren't bugs like this fun? Come one Bethesda, be a pal and leave this one be. 

Sidenote: If you've taken a break from your Skyrimathon, please, I beg of you. Go to the bathroom, because that sock just isn't cutting it anymore.