A Hole in Mars...

Via APOD, of course.  Follow the link to get more explanation, but the short story is that there's some kind of a cavity at the bottom of this crater.  Reminds me of an antlion's trap – but that hole at the bottom is over 100' across, so that would be one heck of an antlion!

Geek Help Wanted...

Here's a flood-fill algorithm, implemented on canvas in JavaScript, that exhibits behavior the author can't explain.  He's looking for help understanding why his algorithm behaves as it does.  Any takers?  I haven't looked at it yet myself, but I'm fascinated by the visible behavior – it looks quite organic...

Prime Patterns...

Here's an interesting algorithmically-generated graphical pattern that highlights prime numbers.  I'd love to see this expanded to larger numbers, to see what the pattern looks like...

LOST Goes Down to Defeat...

To my delight – and suprise – the Law Of the Sea Treaty (LOST) went down to defeat in the U.S. Senate yesterday.  John Yoo celebrates:

But those interested in national sovereignty were a bit more concerned about the rules of navigation, where it is really the power of the U.S. Navy, rather than parchment barriers, that keep the sea lanes open to all. Conservatives also opposed the treaty's creation of a new international bureaucracy that would give out property rights to the seabed, collect taxes, and redistribute income (and technology) to poorer countries. It was a welfare state for the oceans.

Read the whole thing...

How Far Will They Go?

After viewing this video, I can only think of two explanations.  Either:
1) Those treats are really, really good
– or –
2) The fact that Australians spend their lives upside-down really does have significant negative effects on brain function

You decide:

Obama Is Driving Her Insane...

Rachel Lucas, on Obama's fatuous and progressive (but I repeat myself) tax comments:

Also throughout the speech, Obama kept talking about how maintaining the current tax rates for the rich would “cost” the government money. This idiotic verbal and rhetorical construction drives me insane. It is like my teenage niece saying it is “costing” her money if I don’t send cash on her birthday. But, she’d never say that or even think that, because she doesn’t feel entitled to my money since I am not her mommy. Amazing how a 15-year-old girl can see reality more clearly than 50% of the American electorate.

Also, she continues her Paul Ryan crush...