All posts by Scott Meisner

Are HP computers racist?

Hilarity, Technology, Video, , , , ,

According to a computer store employee HP computer are racist against black people because their video camera software cannot recognize or track black faces.  White faces have no problem being recognized, as evidenced in this video.  HP responded to this rather awkward issue:

“We are working with our partners to learn more. The technology we use is built on standard algorithms that measure the difference in intensity of contrast between the eyes and the upper cheek and nose. We believe that the camera might have difficulty “seeing” contrast in conditions where there is insufficient foreground lighting.”

[Via Gizmodo]

Now this makes sense…

Cars, Design, Image cache, Technology, , , ,

Attach a camera to the front side of all large trucks, have the recorded image projected onto the back of the trucks, and viola!–now we can all see what’s lying ahead beyond the giant truck stuck in front of us.  That is the conceptual thinking behind Art Lebedev’s Transperentius.  This system will allow for large trucks to become seemingly transparent, providing additional road safety and assurance.  Bear in mind that this is an Art Lebedev project (uber-expensive), so don’t hold your breath for its near existence to suddenly spring about.  Why he places a tank in his visual recreation is beyond me.

[Via Engadget]

Satellite imagery portraits Planet Earth

Art, Images, space, ,

Weddesigner Depot has posted 60 images of Earth taken by Landsat7 satillites in space.  “Various combinations of the eight Landsat 7 spectral bands were selected to create [these] vivid RGB composites.”  These images are beautiful and really put into perspective how expansive and breathtaking our planet truly is.  Enjoy some more satellite compositions in the gallery below, and head over to Webdesigner Depot to see the rest.

[Via Gizmodo; Webdesigner Depot]

Glowy dress monitors pollution in the air

Design, environment, Fashion, Images, Technology, , , , , ,

Climate Dress.  Designed by Diffus.

The inclusion of an Arduino Lilypad microprocessor, a carbon dioxide detector, and LED lights make this dress, well, very unique.  Stitched together using conductive embroidery, the LEDs are connected to the CO2 detector and light up when the dress interacts with carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.  Glowing patterns range from “slow pulses to rapid flashes” depending on how much CO2 is detected.  Diffus representatives: It generate awareness of environmental issues through an “aesthetic representation of environmental data.”  I’ll say.

[Via Engadget; ecouterre]

Clock represents time with images, not numbers

Design, Images,

Daily Like Wall Clock.  Designed by BGM Project.

This clock does not tell time like a traditional clock, with hands and numbers.  Instead it uses images; the figures of a grandmother, grandchild, and dog represent the hour, minute and second hands, respectively.  These figures move through different scenes as time passes by.  Very creative, indeed.

[Via Gizmodo; DesignBoom]

Concept: The cup that knows what you’re drinking

Design, Image cache, ,

Cipher Drinking Glass.  Designed by Damjan Stankovic.

While these drinking glasses appear to be decorated with many tiny colorful squares, their function goes far beyond looks.  When liquid is added to the glass, it can decipher (get it?) what you are drinking.  For example, if you pour in some OJ, the side of the glass will read “orange” or if you pour in some Coke it’ll read “coca cola.”  Don’t ask me how it works because I don’t know.  Hell, it’s just a concept.  But one can dream, right?

[Via Gizmodo; OhGizmo!]

Animals inside the womb (simply stunning)

Images, science, Technology, , , ,

An upcoming National Geographic documentary called “Extraordinary Animals in the Womb” will feature these photographs of dolphins, sharks, dogs, penguins, cats and elephants inside the womb of their parents.  Peter Chinn, the show’s producer, “used a combination of three-dimensional ultrasound scans, computer graphics and tiny cameras to capture the process from conception to birth.”  These are definitely the most detailed (and first, really) embryonic animal pictures I have ever seen.  How beautiful, innocent, and fascinating they all look.

[Via ThisBlogRules, thanks Alli K.]

 

Mid-season TV cheat sheet

News, Television,

When are your favorite TV shows coming back?  Where are new episodes of ABC’s Modern Family, FlashForward, V, and Castle?  What about FOX‘s House, Fringe, and Glee?  And what of NBC’s The Office, Parks & Rec, and Heroes?  CBS’ The Mentalist and The Big Bang Theory? I can’t wait for the return of Lost, 24, and American Idol, but when do they air?  When does Dollhouse air its series finale?  RELAX, fellow TV viewer.  Posted after the break is a mid-season TV cheat sheet that provides a complete schedule of when shows return and when season premieres air.  Be sure to thank EW’s intern Sandra Gonzalez in the comments for her beautiful work.

[Via EW]

Continue reading Mid-season TV cheat sheet →

New Lost: The Final Season promos

Television, Video, , , ,

Get pumped for the final season of Lost with these new televised promos.  The first is an extended 60-second commercial that features Willie Nelson’s “Saving Grace” and plays memorable moments from all five seasons.  The second is a commercial shown in Spain on their Cuatro channel.  “Peridos” features Radio Head’s “Everything in its Right Place” and includes a unique animated chessboard tie-in.  Enjoy my fellow Losties.  The return is upon us.  /020210/

[Via IGN, here & here]

Continue reading New Lost: The Final Season promos →