No Copyright Law: The Real Reason for Germany's Industrial Expansion?

It is interesting to contrast this article's historic look at the lack of copyright law in 19th century Germany with what is happening today in the digital age. It seems that the absence of (or at least a more relaxed) copyright law actually fuels competition and innovation in industry as well as the interest of the general public.

Did Germany experience rapid industrial expansion in the 19th century due to an absence of copyright law? A German historian argues that the massive proliferation of books, and thus knowledge, laid the foundation for the country's industrial might.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,710976,00.html

Remarkable Stop-Motion Walk Across America

I stumbled this today and thought it was worth sharing. A real technical achievement on a shoestring budget. Watch it full screen. Here is a google map that shows the route they took and the locations they filmed.

Cristopher Hitchens on Cancer and God

Christopher Hitchens wrote a very moving new article in Vanity Fair about his recent experience with esophageal cancer. Here CNN's Anderson Cooper talks with Hitchens about his experience with cancer and his lack of belief in god.

Judge strikes down Prop. 8, allows gay marriage in California

It looks like reason and civility are supplanting fear, hatred and religious dogma in California. The Proposition 8 dark age is finally coming to an end. Congratulations to my friends there; if only Texas would follow suit.
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/la-mew-prop-8-10042010,0,6634127.story

An Engineer's Guide to Cat Yodeling (with Cat Polka)

A video involving two guys annoying their cats into making the annoyed-cat-sound while playing the cat's lungs like a yodeling musical instrument... I know, it sounds stupid and at the core of the argument, it is stupid... But if you've ever owned a cat, you will know that cats are both easily annoyed and incredibly forgiving. And, it's really funny...

Things being destroyed very slowly

Street Art: Joshua Allen Harris' Inflatable Bag Monsters

The Dickies - Banana Splits

Late night music: Dickies cover of a 1970's children's show theme song.

And for those of you who were born after 1980, this is the kids show theme song they were covering.

Stanford's Mobile Phone Orchestra and iPhone Ocarina

Gotta love the fact that they call the ensemble Mo-Pho for short.