Comments on: Synchronized Smokey Mountain Fireflies http://boingboing.net/2009/06/16/syncronized-smokey-m.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Wed, 22 May 2013 06:50:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Takuan http://boingboing.net/2009/06/16/syncronized-smokey-m.html#comment-520704 Takuan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-520704 synâ‹…chroâ‹…nize   /ˈsɪŋkrəˌnaɪz/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [sing-kruh-nahyz] Show IPA verb, -nized, -nizâ‹…ing. –verb (used with object) 1. to cause to indicate the same time, as one timepiece with another: Synchronize your watches. 2. to cause to go on, move, operate, work, etc., at the same rate and exactly together: They synchronized their steps and walked on together. 3. Movies, Television. a. to cause (sound and action) to match precisely: to synchronize the sound of footsteps with the actor's movements. b. to match the sound and action in (a scene). 4. to cause to agree in time of occurrence; assign to the same time or period, as in a history. 5. to adjust the periodicities of (two or more electrical or mechanical devices) so that the periods are equal or integral multiples or fractions of each other. –verb (used without object) 6. to occur at the same time or coincide or agree in time. 7. to go on, move, operate, work, etc., at the same rate and exactly together; recur together. Also, especially British, synâ‹…chroâ‹…nise. Origin: 1615–25; < Gk synchronízein to be contemporary with, equiv. to sýnchron(os) synchronous + -izein -ize Related forms: synâ‹…chroâ‹…niâ‹…zaâ‹…tion, noun synâ‹…chroâ‹…nizâ‹…er, noun Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009. Cite This Source | Link To synchronize synâ‹…chroâ‹…nize
  /ˈsɪŋkrəˌnaɪz/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [sing-kruh-nahyz] Show IPA verb, -nized, -niz⋅ing.
–verb (used with object)
1. to cause to indicate the same time, as one timepiece with another: Synchronize your watches.
2. to cause to go on, move, operate, work, etc., at the same rate and exactly together: They synchronized their steps and walked on together.
3. Movies, Television.
a. to cause (sound and action) to match precisely: to synchronize the sound of footsteps with the actor’s movements.
b. to match the sound and action in (a scene).
4. to cause to agree in time of occurrence; assign to the same time or period, as in a history.
5. to adjust the periodicities of (two or more electrical or mechanical devices) so that the periods are equal or integral multiples or fractions of each other.
–verb (used without object)
6. to occur at the same time or coincide or agree in time.
7. to go on, move, operate, work, etc., at the same rate and exactly together; recur together.
Also, especially British, synâ‹…chroâ‹…nise.

Origin:
1615–25; < Gk synchronízein to be contemporary with, equiv. to sýnchron(os) synchronous + -izein -ize

Related forms:
synâ‹…chroâ‹…niâ‹…zaâ‹…tion, noun
synâ‹…chroâ‹…nizâ‹…er, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source
|
Link To synchronize

]]> By: michael.belcher http://boingboing.net/2009/06/16/syncronized-smokey-m.html#comment-520196 michael.belcher Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-520196 My girlfriend saw this in southern Illinois some years ago. She was pretty excited to find that it happens elsewhere. My girlfriend saw this in southern Illinois some years ago. She was pretty excited to find that it happens elsewhere.

]]> By: Brainspore http://boingboing.net/2009/06/16/syncronized-smokey-m.html#comment-520719 Brainspore Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-520719 If I were a firefly I'd probably be one of those poor outliers trying helplessly to keep the beat with everybody else. If I were a firefly I’d probably be one of those poor outliers trying helplessly to keep the beat with everybody else.

]]> By: dculberson http://boingboing.net/2009/06/16/syncronized-smokey-m.html#comment-520233 dculberson Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-520233 Sources say that it's pretty amazing to unexpectedly come across this on a hike while high as a kite. Sources say that it’s pretty amazing to unexpectedly come across this on a hike while high as a kite.

]]> By: ian_b http://boingboing.net/2009/06/16/syncronized-smokey-m.html#comment-520247 ian_b Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-520247 this will replace twitter in a few years, we'll call it blinkroblogging. this will replace twitter in a few years, we’ll call it blinkroblogging.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/06/16/syncronized-smokey-m.html#comment-520000 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-520000 Near my sister in laws family farm in Blairsville, GA I noticed a group of thousands of fireflies on one tree near their property on a late night star gazing hike. I'm due to go back up there soon and will hit the spot with my GPS. I'll be sure to put it up on the atlas... --E Near my sister in laws family farm in Blairsville, GA I noticed a group of thousands of fireflies on one tree near their property on a late night star gazing hike. I’m due to go back up there soon and will hit the spot with my GPS. I’ll be sure to put it up on the atlas…
–E

]]> By: Zan http://boingboing.net/2009/06/16/syncronized-smokey-m.html#comment-520004 Zan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-520004 This thread is useless without video This thread is useless without video

]]> By: aldasin http://boingboing.net/2009/06/16/syncronized-smokey-m.html#comment-520009 aldasin Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-520009 Also, if you put on Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon... Also, if you put on Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon…

]]> By: iain010100 http://boingboing.net/2009/06/16/syncronized-smokey-m.html#comment-520525 iain010100 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-520525 Check out WNYC's Radiolab podcast on emergence (http://www.wnyc.org/shows/radiolab/episodes/2005/02/18), one of the most fascinating scientific areas of study beautifully explained. In the episode they talk about the synchronous firefly activity as an aspect of emergence. Check out WNYC’s Radiolab podcast on emergence (http://www.wnyc.org/shows/radiolab/episodes/2005/02/18), one of the most fascinating scientific areas of study beautifully explained. In the episode they talk about the synchronous firefly activity as an aspect of emergence.

]]> By: J France http://boingboing.net/2009/06/16/syncronized-smokey-m.html#comment-520015 J France Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-520015 That was the most awesome video of black and near-black compression artefacts. Did I miss anything? That was the most awesome video of black and near-black compression artefacts.

Did I miss anything?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/06/16/syncronized-smokey-m.html#comment-520030 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-520030 I love synchronizing fireflies. It's so astonishing, that this is achieved by self organization and without a "boss". I made a little electronic circuit that simulates a synchronizing firefly. http://tinkerlog.com/howto/synchronizing-firefly-how-to/ Cheers, Alex I love synchronizing fireflies. It’s so astonishing, that this is achieved by self organization and without a “boss”.
I made a little electronic circuit that simulates a synchronizing firefly.
http://tinkerlog.com/howto/synchronizing-firefly-how-to/
Cheers,
Alex

]]> By: Boba Fett Diop http://boingboing.net/2009/06/16/syncronized-smokey-m.html#comment-520292 Boba Fett Diop Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-520292 - .... . / .... ..- -- .- -. ... / ... ..- ... .--. . -.-. - / -. --- - .... .. -. --. .-.-.- / -.-. --- -- -- . -. -.-. . / ... .. --. -. .- .-.. .. -. --. / - .... . / -- --- - .... . .-. / ... .... .. .--. .-.-.- - …. . / …. ..- — .- -. … / … ..- … .–. . -.-. – / -. — – …. .. -. –. .-.-.- / -.-. — — – . -. -.-. . / … .. –. -. .- .-.. .. -. –. / – …. . / — — – …. . .-. / … …. .. .–. .-.-.-

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/06/16/syncronized-smokey-m.html#comment-520044 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-520044 Even in the Atlanta suburb in which I live, there are similar effects. If you go out on a nice, warm night like tonight and quietly watch among the pines, you'll see the fireflies doing this. If it's a really good night, you might even be able to watch the flash shoot across the woods like a high-speed lightning-bug version of "the wave." Beautiful little bugs. I always thought people who kill lightning bugs are sick and useless things. Even in the Atlanta suburb in which I live, there are similar effects. If you go out on a nice, warm night like tonight and quietly watch among the pines, you’ll see the fireflies doing this. If it’s a really good night, you might even be able to watch the flash shoot across the woods like a high-speed lightning-bug version of “the wave.” Beautiful little bugs. I always thought people who kill lightning bugs are sick and useless things.

]]> By: secretdark http://boingboing.net/2009/06/16/syncronized-smokey-m.html#comment-520056 secretdark Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-520056 (Warning: gratuitous self-pimpage) I actually tried modelling firefly synchronisation (with only moderate success) using Processing a while ago. Some videos are here: http://www.vimeo.com/653177 http://www.vimeo.com/799638 (Warning: gratuitous self-pimpage)

I actually tried modelling firefly synchronisation (with only moderate success) using Processing a while ago. Some videos are here:

http://www.vimeo.com/653177

http://www.vimeo.com/799638

]]> By: hhype http://boingboing.net/2009/06/16/syncronized-smokey-m.html#comment-520318 hhype Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-520318 After watching the video I can confirm that I have seen this in my own backyard, just not as many fireflies. I was hoping for something a little more dramatic. Please bring back the Athanasius Kircher Society, if everybody knows about these out of the way things they are not very obscure, are they? Perhaps Atlas Obscura means they made it hard to see the fireflies in this video. After watching the video I can confirm that I have seen this in my own backyard, just not as many fireflies. I was hoping for something a little more dramatic.

Please bring back the Athanasius Kircher Society, if everybody knows about these out of the way things they are not very obscure, are they? Perhaps Atlas Obscura means they made it hard to see the fireflies in this video.

]]> By: librarybob http://boingboing.net/2009/06/16/syncronized-smokey-m.html#comment-520333 librarybob Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-520333 I saw synchronization while a student at George Peabody College (now part of Vanderbilt) in Nashville, summer of 1975. The major buildings there are arranged on either side of a long rectangle. A flash would start on one end and work its way down to the other, a moving line of light. I saw synchronization while a student at George Peabody College (now part of Vanderbilt) in Nashville, summer of 1975. The major buildings there are arranged on either side of a long rectangle. A flash would start on one end and work its way down to the other, a moving line of light.

]]> By: Ito Kagehisa http://boingboing.net/2009/06/16/syncronized-smokey-m.html#comment-520626 Ito Kagehisa Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-520626 So wonderful, Dylan. Thank you. So wonderful, Dylan. Thank you.

]]> By: TheHikingStick http://boingboing.net/2009/06/16/syncronized-smokey-m.html#comment-520120 TheHikingStick Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-520120 This video clip is just begging for someone to turn it into one of those flash-the-scary-face-and-add-a-scream-clip videos. You'd totally sucker loads of people into watching it. This video clip is just begging for someone to turn it into one of those flash-the-scary-face-and-add-a-scream-clip videos. You’d totally sucker loads of people into watching it.

]]> By: PaulR http://boingboing.net/2009/06/16/syncronized-smokey-m.html#comment-520648 PaulR Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-520648 Syncronized? Synchronized! Syncronized?

Synchronized!

]]> By: franko http://boingboing.net/2009/06/16/syncronized-smokey-m.html#comment-520162 franko Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-520162 wow, the internets are harsh this morning. i thought that was stunning. wow, the internets are harsh this morning. i thought that was stunning.

]]> By: Pipenta http://boingboing.net/2009/06/16/syncronized-smokey-m.html#comment-520698 Pipenta Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-520698 Synchronized? How are these synchronized? They aren't. They don't. Even those blinking highway barriers seem synchronized every once a while. But they ain't. Synchronized? How are these synchronized?

They aren’t.
They don’t.

Even those blinking highway barriers seem synchronized every once a while. But they ain’t.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/06/16/syncronized-smokey-m.html#comment-808187 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-808187 I've been 5 years in a row to Elkmont and the show is stunning. The bugs are much brighter and larger than in other places. You may have thought you've seen synchronization elsewhere but once you see the real thing here, you know it's totally amazing. I’ve been 5 years in a row to Elkmont and the show is stunning. The bugs are much brighter and larger than in other places. You may have thought you’ve seen synchronization elsewhere but once you see the real thing here, you know it’s totally amazing.

]]> By: foobiebletch http://boingboing.net/2009/06/16/syncronized-smokey-m.html#comment-520702 foobiebletch Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-520702 Elkmont is about 45 minutes away from my house. I've watched this every year for the last 5 years. Stunning to see in person. Elkmont is about 45 minutes away from my house. I’ve watched this every year for the last 5 years. Stunning to see in person.

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