I'm a guest of honor this weekend at the Dallas's Fencon this weekend, and I've just learned that some of the other speakers won't be able to talk, thanks to the government shutdown. They're government space scientists, and the 143-year-old Antideficiency Act makes it a crime (punishable by fines and imprisonment) for government employees to volunteer to do their own jobs (which, in their cases, includes talking about science to the public). The law dates back to the Lincoln administration, and was aimed at stopping fraudsters who did "government" business, then presented a bill for services that hadn't been contracted but had nevertheless been performed — a kind of Civil War era version of red-light windscreen squeegeeing.
During the shutdown, some scientists can't talk about science
Man gets pedicure from a flesh eating crab
This man's beauty hack is getting a free pedicure from flesh eating crabs. Am I weird for thinking the close up shots of the crab tearing off tiny pieces of… READ THE REST
The earth's core may have reversed direction.
In the 1989 Stone Roses song "What the World is Waiting For," Ian Brown sings, "Stop the worldStop the worldI'm getting off … I'm getting off … Can't get enoughI'm… READ THE REST
Make a pinhole camera from an Orange
A pinhole camera is "the simplest camera possible. It consists of a light-proof box, some sort of film and a pinhole. When light goes through the pinhole, it creates an… READ THE REST
Stay warm and toasty while unpredictable winter weather rages with this Personal Desk Heater
We thank our sponsor for making this content possible; it is not written by the editorial staff nor does it necessarily reflect its views. Once winter rolls around and we… READ THE REST
This ridiculously cool light will instantly change the vibe in any room.
We thank our sponsor for making this content possible; it is not written by the editorial staff nor does it necessarily reflect its views. When you realize you need a… READ THE REST
In an emergency, this practical multi-tool is sure to come in handy
We thank our sponsor for making this content possible; it is not written by the editorial staff nor does it necessarily reflect its views. You've got your emergency kit ready, right? While… READ THE REST
