The concept of information as viewed in theoretical physics through statistical mechanics and thermodynamics, and its implications and connections with evolutionary biology. An interesting reading:
How Life (and Death) Spring From Disorder (via WIRED -original story from Quanta Magazine)
Biological systems don’t defy physical laws, of course—but neither do they seem to be predicted by them. In contrast, they are goal-directed: survive and reproduce. We can say that they have a purpose—or what philosophers have traditionally called a teleology—that guides their behavior.
By the same token, physics now lets us predict, starting from the state of the universe a billionth of a second after the Big Bang, what it looks like today. But no one imagines that the appearance of the first primitive cells on Earth led predictably to the human race. Laws do not, it seems, dictate the course of evolution.
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David Kaplan explains how the law of increasing entropy could drive random bits of matter into the stable, orderly structures of life.
Camping tip
Spectacular fossil collection starting off with whales and other ocean-dwelling organisms at the Gallery of paleontology and comparative anatomy, France
loose, foot loose, put on your fuckin foot loose, feet, foot feet, dance on your fucking feet
Snuggly boy and his favorite toy.
Video by Marielle Tepe
Agatized Cerithium (Eocene) - Assa, Morocco
Here is a semester project in the 2012 Mechatronic control systems engineering module at San Jose State University. This is a Proportional-Integral-Derivative controlled (PID), 6 degree of freedom (6-DOF) Stewart platform, which basically means it has six axes on the top plate. This prototype uses 6 radio controlled servo motors instead of the traditional use of hydraulic jacks or electronic actuators. (this video has sound)
Proportional-Integral-Derivative:
A PID controller continuously calculates an error value as the difference between a measured process variable and a desired setpoint. The controller attempts to minimize the error over time by adjustment of a control variable, such as the position of a set of servo motors or actuators, to a new value, given by a weighted sum:
where Kp ,Ki , and Kd, all non-negative, denote the coefficients for the proportional, integral, and derivative terms, respectively (sometimes denoted P, I, and D).
P accounts for present values of the error , and is determined by the direction and magnitude the correction needs to be applied (e.g. if the error is large and positive, the control variable will be large and negative),
I accounts for past values of the error (e.g. if the output is not sufficient to reduce the size of the error, the control variable will accumulate over time, causing the controller to apply a stronger action through P), and
D accounts for possible future values of the error, based on its current rate of change. This part determines when and at what rate it needs to reduce the magnitude of its action, e.g as the ball fast approaches the desired set point at the centre of the plate.
[source]
Calculating the surface area of a sphere. Found on Imgur.
Panda tree!
Start the day off right… with a little code!
douggsbase This was the 4th big way I have organised at Kjerag, Norway and the local record of 26 jumpers. The last record held here was a 24 way back in 1999. It went incredibly well. Text book in fact! And for most people this was their first big way. 20 jumpers were from @learntobasejump#LTBJA huge thanks to everyone for doing their jobs. I am very proud of all of you!! Big thanks to @sophiimeredithfor the great video angle 🎥