Comments on: Exploring Your Own Backyard http://boingboing.net/2009/06/03/exploring-your-own-backyard.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Tue, 21 May 2013 19:43:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/06/03/exploring-your-own-backyard.html#comment-509185 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-509185 things our digital world can do to enhance experiences like this: * identify the species of insects you are showing in the video (http://www.entomology.cornell.edu/CUIC/) * gps could be used to log the location you encountered the specimens * a series of this gps data (hopefully contributed by many people) can be used to map the habitat of the species * as a people we gain a better understanding of the world we live in and the life we share it with * over time we can observe shifts in habitat which could indicate impact from adjustable factors digital and physical life should not be mutually exclusive. what was once merely curiosity can very easily become an important contribution to field science though our digital tools. things our digital world can do to enhance experiences like this:
* identify the species of insects you are showing in the video (http://www.entomology.cornell.edu/CUIC/)
* gps could be used to log the location you encountered the specimens
* a series of this gps data (hopefully contributed by many people) can be used to map the habitat of the species
* as a people we gain a better understanding of the world we live in and the life we share it with
* over time we can observe shifts in habitat which could indicate impact from adjustable factors

digital and physical life should not be mutually exclusive. what was once merely curiosity can very easily become an important contribution to field science though our digital tools.

]]> By: mdh http://boingboing.net/2009/06/03/exploring-your-own-backyard.html#comment-509448 mdh Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-509448 I gave my nephew one of these. He is 12, and it is his prized possession, and the only "toy" he always puts away in the box. I gave my nephew one of these. He is 12, and it is his prized possession, and the only “toy” he always puts away in the box.

]]> By: richlach http://boingboing.net/2009/06/03/exploring-your-own-backyard.html#comment-509209 richlach Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-509209 Just a note -- if you (and your kids) want to play around with a cheaper alternative, there's "Jakk's Bionic Eye" -- a similar scope that plugs into your TV. It only does NTSC (via RCA cables -- no USB), but it's cheaper. Amazon lists for $40, but a friend found 2 at the salvation army for $5/ea. And I agree -- it's definitely fun Just a note — if you (and your kids) want to play around with a cheaper alternative, there’s “Jakk’s Bionic Eye” — a similar scope that plugs into your TV. It only does NTSC (via RCA cables — no USB), but it’s cheaper. Amazon lists for $40, but a friend found 2 at the salvation army for $5/ea. And I agree — it’s definitely fun

]]> By: Padraig http://boingboing.net/2009/06/03/exploring-your-own-backyard.html#comment-509210 Padraig Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-509210 I'm curious about the scope. When you link it to your computer does the memory card show up as a mass storage device or is there some more complicated mechanism to retrieve the images? I’m curious about the scope. When you link it to your computer does the memory card show up as a mass storage device or is there some more complicated mechanism to retrieve the images?

]]> By: bshock http://boingboing.net/2009/06/03/exploring-your-own-backyard.html#comment-509215 bshock Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-509215 It's somewhat depressing to me that this discussion would be misframed as "net vs. nature," or some such. You can spend all of your time online surfing porn. You can spend all of your time in your back yard staring at clouds. Neither one is particularly helpful to you. The question of net or nature is irrelevant, if you have curiosity and a systematic approach to investigation and learning. It’s somewhat depressing to me that this discussion would be misframed as “net vs. nature,” or some such.

You can spend all of your time online surfing porn. You can spend all of your time in your back yard staring at clouds. Neither one is particularly helpful to you.

The question of net or nature is irrelevant, if you have curiosity and a systematic approach to investigation and learning.

]]> By: Darwindr http://boingboing.net/2009/06/03/exploring-your-own-backyard.html#comment-509217 Darwindr Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-509217 "So nat'ralists observe, a flea Hath smaller fleas that on him prey, And these have smaller fleas that bite 'em, And so proceed ad infinitum." -Jonathan Swift “So nat’ralists observe, a flea
Hath smaller fleas that on him prey,
And these have smaller fleas that bite ‘em,
And so proceed ad infinitum.”
-Jonathan Swift

]]> By: TroofSeeker http://boingboing.net/2009/06/03/exploring-your-own-backyard.html#comment-509479 TroofSeeker Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-509479 How excellent is that, MDH! I've bought $50, $60 games that the boys drop on the floor, cover with laundry, and walk on. It sounds like you knocked that one out of the park, M. Can I be your nephew too? How excellent is that, MDH! I’ve bought $50, $60 games that the boys drop on the floor, cover with laundry, and walk on. It sounds like you knocked that one out of the park, M. Can I be your nephew too?

]]> By: TroofSeeker http://boingboing.net/2009/06/03/exploring-your-own-backyard.html#comment-509991 TroofSeeker Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-509991 Is anyone else imagining Solenski, in 'Honey I Shrunk The Kids', in a harness hanging from the rotating laundry hanger with a magnifier, so he wouldn't step on his kids? That's me tomorrow. Is anyone else imagining Solenski, in ‘Honey I Shrunk The Kids’, in a harness hanging from the rotating laundry hanger with a magnifier, so he wouldn’t step on his kids? That’s me tomorrow.

]]> By: Mark Frauenfelder http://boingboing.net/2009/06/03/exploring-your-own-backyard.html#comment-509995 Mark Frauenfelder Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-509995 That's really neat Flickrpug! I enjoyed looking at your photos. It helps to keep things interesting when you have alligators in your back yard. :) That’s really neat Flickrpug! I enjoyed looking at your photos. It helps to keep things interesting when you have alligators in your back yard. :)

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/06/03/exploring-your-own-backyard.html#comment-509740 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-509740 I don't see the irony in using a digital tool here. This isn't about what we use to experience reality, it's about whether we look at it first- or second-hand. I don’t see the irony in using a digital tool here. This isn’t about what we use to experience reality, it’s about whether we look at it first- or second-hand.

]]> By: matthewijenkins http://boingboing.net/2009/06/03/exploring-your-own-backyard.html#comment-509246 matthewijenkins Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-509246 am i the only one who finds it ironic that Talbot discusses too much technology and then WMGURST runs out there with a microscope and laptop? tho', much better than staring at the internet indoors, i don't think you quite got the gist of what Talbot was saying, lol. i also don't think BSHOCK gets it either if he is seriously comparing watching 'net porn and watching clouds outdoors as being equal in worthwhile activities... am i the only one who finds it ironic that Talbot discusses too much technology and then WMGURST runs out there with a microscope and laptop? tho’, much better than staring at the internet indoors, i don’t think you quite got the gist of what Talbot was saying, lol.

i also don’t think BSHOCK gets it either if he is seriously comparing watching ‘net porn and watching clouds outdoors as being equal in worthwhile activities…

]]> By: SednaBoo http://boingboing.net/2009/06/03/exploring-your-own-backyard.html#comment-509296 SednaBoo Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-509296 Thanks for putting all this on the internet, it's cold and I don't want to go outside Thanks for putting all this on the internet, it’s cold and I don’t want to go outside

]]> By: flickrpug http://boingboing.net/2009/06/03/exploring-your-own-backyard.html#comment-509810 flickrpug Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-509810 I did a photography exercise once for a month that was about exploring your back yard. I had read once that a great way to improve your eye as a photographer is to go out into your backyard every single day for a month and take at least one photo. This forces you to look for new things, look for new angles, and find new ways to photograph the same old things. I found all kinda of neat things living in the ground, as well as many other things; bugs, shells, etc.. I posted all my project photos to a project photoblog. (the blog was/is http://backyardblog.blogspot.com/) I enjoyed it. We'll be moving again and when I get a new backyard I may do the project again. I did a photography exercise once for a month that was about exploring your back yard. I had read once that a great way to improve your eye as a photographer is to go out into your backyard every single day for a month and take at least one photo. This forces you to look for new things, look for new angles, and find new ways to photograph the same old things. I found all kinda of neat things living in the ground, as well as many other things; bugs, shells, etc.. I posted all my project photos to a project photoblog. (the blog was/is http://backyardblog.blogspot.com/) I enjoyed it. We’ll be moving again and when I get a new backyard I may do the project again.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/06/03/exploring-your-own-backyard.html#comment-510090 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-510090 Added bonus: pot looks really cool at 400x Added bonus:

pot looks really cool at 400x

]]> By: dbarak http://boingboing.net/2009/06/03/exploring-your-own-backyard.html#comment-509332 dbarak Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-509332 I just happened to spot a strange beetle today (San Diego area) that I'd never seen before. It's a Ten-Lined June Beetle (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten-lined_June_beetle). I prodded it with my keys to get it to a safe place, and it would rear up and hiss at me. Very strange, but very cool. I just happened to spot a strange beetle today (San Diego area) that I’d never seen before. It’s a Ten-Lined June Beetle (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten-lined_June_beetle). I prodded it with my keys to get it to a safe place, and it would rear up and hiss at me. Very strange, but very cool.

]]> By: rageahol http://boingboing.net/2009/06/03/exploring-your-own-backyard.html#comment-509356 rageahol Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-509356 the two biggest pieces of technology that intermediate our children's interactions with the natural world are CARS and TELEVISION. all those other newfangled gadgets are problematic maybe, but start with the basics. drive less, bicycle more. turn off the tv. go outside. the two biggest pieces of technology that intermediate our children’s interactions with the natural world are CARS and TELEVISION.

all those other newfangled gadgets are problematic maybe, but start with the basics. drive less, bicycle more. turn off the tv. go outside.

]]> By: wolfiesma http://boingboing.net/2009/06/03/exploring-your-own-backyard.html#comment-509615 wolfiesma Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-509615 If I had aptitude, equipment, or the necessary patience, I'd make a movie showing the metamorphosis of jade green chrysalis etched in gold, slowly stained glass wings appearing through a thinning shell, shaking off the transparent cocoon skin, monarch wings like flags hung out to dry, curling tongue unfurling toward its first sip of nectar.... Thank god for the nature documentarians of the world! It takes the pressure off knowing someone has already captured these moments on film and I can just sit back and take it in as it happens... If I had aptitude, equipment, or the necessary patience, I’d make a movie showing the metamorphosis of jade green chrysalis etched in gold, slowly stained glass wings appearing through a thinning shell, shaking off the transparent cocoon skin, monarch wings like flags hung out to dry, curling tongue unfurling toward its first sip of nectar….

Thank god for the nature documentarians of the world! It takes the pressure off knowing someone has already captured these moments on film and I can just sit back and take it in as it happens…

]]> By: Takuan http://boingboing.net/2009/06/03/exploring-your-own-backyard.html#comment-509622 Takuan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-509622 Snig and friend http://www.show.me.uk/dbimages/chunked_image/RattyMoleBoatDragonfly.jpg Snig and friend
http://www.show.me.uk/dbimages/chunked_image/RattyMoleBoatDragonfly.jpg

]]> By: WalterBillington http://boingboing.net/2009/06/03/exploring-your-own-backyard.html#comment-510148 WalterBillington Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-510148 I love this - I've been growing plenty of things this year, spending more time in the gardenm and the creatures I've seen! Yesterday evening - in a London backyard - I caught (in a beer trap) a slug that elongated itself to a scary 14 cm! It nearly had me arm off! 6 types of bee, 4 types of wasp / hornet etc ... it's amazing out there I love this – I’ve been growing plenty of things this year, spending more time in the gardenm and the creatures I’ve seen!

Yesterday evening – in a London backyard – I caught (in a beer trap) a slug that elongated itself to a scary 14 cm! It nearly had me arm off!

6 types of bee, 4 types of wasp / hornet etc … it’s amazing out there

]]> By: wackyvorlon http://boingboing.net/2009/06/03/exploring-your-own-backyard.html#comment-509644 wackyvorlon Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-509644 That is an exceedingly cool video. That is an exceedingly cool video.

]]> By: Takuan http://boingboing.net/2009/06/03/exploring-your-own-backyard.html#comment-509138 Takuan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-509138 http://www.instructables.com/id/Build-a-USB-Digital-Microscope-in-60min-and-15/ http://www.instructables.com/id/Build-a-USB-Digital-Microscope-in-60min-and-15/

]]> By: nmeyer79 http://boingboing.net/2009/06/03/exploring-your-own-backyard.html#comment-509141 nmeyer79 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-509141 I was lucky enough to grow up in Lincoln, MA which is about 70% conservation land. It was- and still is- hugely fun to go out into the woods and explore, and I appreciate this post as it's reminding me that I need to go out and do that. There is, of course, a bit of irony in writing online about the wonders of non-digital life, ESPECIALLY when that online post involves sending the readers over to youtube, where they can spend even MORE time online...and then selling us on a DIGITAL product that will inevitably lead to more online time spent tracking the item down and buying it! I know the OP had his heart in the right place, of course, and I don't want to seem ungrateful because I'm not. It's just funny and more than a little ironic, that's all. I was lucky enough to grow up in Lincoln, MA which is about 70% conservation land. It was- and still is- hugely fun to go out into the woods and explore, and I appreciate this post as it’s reminding me that I need to go out and do that.

There is, of course, a bit of irony in writing online about the wonders of non-digital life, ESPECIALLY when that online post involves sending the readers over to youtube, where they can spend even MORE time online…and then selling us on a DIGITAL product that will inevitably lead to more online time spent tracking the item down and buying it!

I know the OP had his heart in the right place, of course, and I don’t want to seem ungrateful because I’m not. It’s just funny and more than a little ironic, that’s all.

]]> By: royaltrux http://boingboing.net/2009/06/03/exploring-your-own-backyard.html#comment-509142 royaltrux Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-509142 This past Sunday I spent a wonderful five hours in our beautiful little back yard admiring a rich diversity or flora and fauna that we have, much of which surrounds a little koi pond. Sadly, we don't know what some of it is as it came with the house. Still, a beautiful view and a beautiful day to spend outside - playing with (old) technology. You see, I set up a battery operated low-power Morse code-only transceiver and worked a CW contest, contacting about a dozen US states and three European countries using only five watts of RF power output around 14 Mhz. Spectacular. This past Sunday I spent a wonderful five hours in our beautiful little back yard admiring a rich diversity or flora and fauna that we have, much of which surrounds a little koi pond. Sadly, we don’t know what some of it is as it came with the house. Still, a beautiful view and a beautiful day to spend outside – playing with (old) technology. You see, I set up a battery operated low-power Morse code-only transceiver and worked a CW contest, contacting about a dozen US states and three European countries using only five watts of RF power output around 14 Mhz. Spectacular.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/06/03/exploring-your-own-backyard.html#comment-509146 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-509146 In other words, get away from excess technology by exploring your backyard (with a handheld digital optical microscope). http://www.flickr.com/photos/illingworth/3183642938/in/set-72157603227592634/ In other words, get away from excess technology by exploring your backyard (with a handheld digital optical microscope).
http://www.flickr.com/photos/illingworth/3183642938/in/set-72157603227592634/

]]> By: dculberson http://boingboing.net/2009/06/03/exploring-your-own-backyard.html#comment-509149 dculberson Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-509149 I, too, appreciated the irony here of exploring the outdoors with a digital tool. But it's awesome! I definitely need to spend more time in my yard. It seems more like an obligation than a resource some times. I, too, appreciated the irony here of exploring the outdoors with a digital tool. But it’s awesome! I definitely need to spend more time in my yard. It seems more like an obligation than a resource some times.

]]> By: TroofSeeker http://boingboing.net/2009/06/03/exploring-your-own-backyard.html#comment-509165 TroofSeeker Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-509165 Cat and I spent Sunday on a ten-hour, 300 mile drive, all back hiways, to visit a high mountain, pine forest lake. Because that's what we do. Oh, but that digital microscope! I have always been fascinated by the micro world. The other day I found a cockroach and a daddy long-legs, drown together in a bowl of water. I presume that in the melee of a life-and-death struggle, a line broke and hunter and hunted fell together to a watery death. Insect life is awesome / horrific. Cat and I spent Sunday on a ten-hour, 300 mile drive, all back hiways, to visit a high mountain, pine forest lake. Because that’s what we do.

Oh, but that digital microscope! I have always been fascinated by the micro world. The other day I found a cockroach and a daddy long-legs, drown together in a bowl of water. I presume that in the melee of a life-and-death struggle, a line broke and hunter and hunted fell together to a watery death. Insect life is awesome / horrific.

]]> By: mackenzi http://boingboing.net/2009/06/03/exploring-your-own-backyard.html#comment-509167 mackenzi Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-509167 Own backyard? How about own two neighboring two cities where one mayor wants the other's stuff, like say student brain power to run the city systems for _no_ money? I mean, why not? There's just a 50-foot bridge over a river separating the two. Jeez, if we've can get one potential student to advise us for free, then why can't we get more? What about the ants? And if the ants have any other enemies, like maybe other citizens find them valuable too, ((with me?)) we can all get together and just take them. Fun, eh? Scary picture. Forget about it if you don't care. Own backyard? How about own two neighboring two cities where one mayor wants the other’s stuff, like say student brain power to run the city systems for _no_ money? I mean, why not? There’s just a 50-foot bridge over a river separating the two. Jeez, if we’ve can get one potential student to advise us for free, then why can’t we get more? What about the ants? And if the ants have any other enemies, like maybe other citizens find them valuable too, ((with me?)) we can all get together and just take them. Fun, eh? Scary picture. Forget about it if you don’t care.

]]> By: Snig http://boingboing.net/2009/06/03/exploring-your-own-backyard.html#comment-509170 Snig Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-509170 "There is nothing -- absolutely nothing -- half so much worth doing as simply messing about with 'scopes. Nothing seems really to matter, that's the charm of it. Whether you get away, or whether you don't; whether you arrive at your destination or whether you reach somewhere else, or whether you never get anywhere at all, you're always busy, and you never do anything in particular; and when you've done it there's always something else to do, and you can do it if you like, but you'd much better not." “There is nothing — absolutely nothing — half so much worth doing as simply messing about with ‘scopes. Nothing seems really to matter, that’s the charm of it. Whether you get away, or whether you don’t; whether you arrive at your destination or whether you reach somewhere else, or whether you never get anywhere at all, you’re always busy, and you never do anything in particular; and when you’ve done it there’s always something else to do, and you can do it if you like, but you’d much better not.”

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/06/03/exploring-your-own-backyard.html#comment-516600 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-516600 My Microscope arrived today. My watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GosSy0wCwG8 My eye: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOFcsgWDWBo My Microscope arrived today.

My watch:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GosSy0wCwG8

My eye:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOFcsgWDWBo

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/06/03/exploring-your-own-backyard.html#comment-511486 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-511486 So what was that thing crawling around on the ant? So what was that thing crawling around on the ant?

]]>