BraiNation

(Via Boston.com)

So I know it’s a little late, but I found a great post on Boston.com that shows cities from around the world before and during Earth Hour 2009. Some of them are pretty dramatic and its a noble cause. I don’t know about you, but I love Earth! It’s f’ing amazing!

The figures have yet to be fully compiled but last year’s event amassed an amazing 53 million participants in 371 cities from 35 countries! (eWeek.com). This year’s numbers were expected to be significantly higher as over 1,000 cities in 80 countries took action on March 28th, 2009.

I celebrated with vodka tonics! And poured one out for my homie Mother Earth, who isn’t dead but deserves all the respect. Word.

(Image via National Geographic)

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison recently completed studies on the optimal running speed of both men and women. Optimal meaning being able to run for long distances while expending the least amount of energy. The findings are definitely worth a look if you are into sports at all. If you aren’t think about it this way; if you are being chased by a large predator (ie. bear, cougar) and you have a head start, you will know the most efficient speed to attempt your long distance escape. Humans are long distance runners, not sprinters like cheetahs.

Results show that the optimal running rate for a male is 8.3 mph and 6.5 mph for females (average over testing group). So if you are camping with a new gf or a mother-in law you don’t particularly care for and you are attacked by wild animals, run buddy run! they will get her first!

It was also concluded that the worst speed to run at is the “in-between jog and walk” speed or 4.5 mph. So don’t be lazy.

Full article available at LiveScience.com.

Ladies and Gentlemen. It is Friday. (Insert happy dance here)

As usual vote on your favorite picture. 

Make sure you check out Earthobservatory.nasa.gov for the extra large images

(Image via Autopia)

Some of you may have already seen the Roadster by Tesla Motors, but the Sedan was set to be revealed at an invite only event in LA hosted by the company’s CEO Elon Musk… seems somebody has been bad bad boy and leaked some shots of this gorgeous EV and are available via Kevin Rose’s Flickr page.

For those of you who have never heard of Tesla Motors, you can click the bluuue text! <——(back there) to visit their site. Electric cars that are sexy instead of stupid looking.

I found this story on Wired’s Autopia blog.

I want one…. soooo bad! So bad that I will give up x-box for it… I promise.

(Image borrowed from SteriPEN.com)

This is a cool little gadget, especially for frequent travelers or anyone living in a less fortunate nation who has an expendable $99.99 US. Essentially the “pen” uses Ultra Violet light to kill off any unwanted DNA in your drinking water. According to PopSci.com writer Brett Zarda, the gizmo has undergone scrutinizing tests and passed them all (available for review on the company’s site).

It comes in both 1/2 litre and 1 litre models and will last roughly 7 years, should you be sterilizing 4 litres/day. Considering that is a long time, the $99 price tag seems completely justifiable. For more on this little life saver go to the company’s website: www.steripen.com

or read the full article on PopSci.com

Haha this is pretty clever. If you ever dreamed of being a spy (…or you’re extremely paranoid) you can buy this $600 wireless Tissue Box Hidden DVR Camera made by GeniusGuard. It films at 30fps with a 720×480 resolution, and can also film and record in low light conditions. It also comes with a remote control and a 6hrs rechargeable battery!

Really people? Aren’t door locks enough anymore?

via Gizmowatch.com