Zari, The Perfect Bobbing Apple

Sounds like good research to me:

After meticulous research Professor Smith, whose professional interests include the theory of solids and fluid flows, found that the British Zari apple is the perfect bobber.

His mind-bogglingly complicated equation was D = 3 x (2 + T ^2) x M / (10 x T), where D is diameter, T is typical texture of an apple, and M is average mouth size.

via Zari is the perfect bobbing apple, UCL professor finds – Telegraph.

Clocks Forward? Not Without Scotland!

I can see Scotland’s point, with the darker mornings and all, but Pauline West has it the worst:

The proposed changes would not be good for Hampshire-based Pauline West, who has 4,000 clocks which would need winding on

via Daylight savings 2011: Clocks will move forward an hour for good – if Scotland agrees | Mail Online.

Less Square Footage Than A Roll Of Toilet Paper

Impressive:

Nothing felt like home until Jones moved into an 8-by-14-foot dwelling with a trailer hitch and less square footage than a roll of toilet paper.

via Tiny Portland home spells freedom in the simple life | OregonLive.com.

The Right Employee

Absolutely true:

The right employee, however, wants many of the same things her employer wants, and if allowed to pursue her own goals in her own style (with some direction, of course), she will improve the business in completely unexpected ways.

via Inside Employees’ Minds | Special Series | Big Think.

The Permanent Streetcar

Tags

streetcar, transportation, urban development

Interesting perspective on the fixed streetcar:

the old New Orleans streetcar is inextricably linked to the city it navigates. This sense of permanency is a big reason for the St. Charles streetcar’s success. It’s also something buses lack: because they can go anywhere, they belong nowhere.

via Why Did Some Streetcars Survive When Most Didn’t? – Commute – The Atlantic Cities.

Contemplating ‘Great By Choice’

I haven’t been sure if I wanted to read the next Jim Collins book, Great By Choice, but I’ve thought a lot about luck as of late and a statement like this lines up nicely:

the best leaders are not necessarily more visionary or creative than their peers; the best leaders simply know how to adapt to whatever comes their way. Good and bad.

via Is Jim Collins just lucky? – The Washington Post.

PaddyPower Puts Greece At 2 to 7 Odds To Leave Euro

Seems that some bet makers really think this is going to happen. Though notable these odds were published before today’s announced deal. Also notable, PaddyPower has Herman Cain at 8 to 1 to win the presidential race. Better odds than Rick Perry at 12 to 1.

Greece is 2/7 to be first to leave the economic union

via From PaddyPower, not the same as the InTrade odds — Marginal Revolution.

Maintaining A Thirst For Knowledge Can’t Be A Bad Thing

Ed Shevlin, who seems to be turning a hobby into a second career while finishing out the first, is a good example of someone who appreciates the power of learn:

“Tá sé an la go hálainn ach tá bruscar beagan trom inniu,” he said. “Which means, ‘It is a beautiful day but the garbage is a little heavy today.’ ”

via Ed Shevlin Polishes His Irish While Collecting the Trash – NYTimes.com.

The Cost of Food Depends on the Definition of Cost

the idea that food is too cheap comes from the fact that it does not take into account the hidden costs for our environment, our community, the animals and people producing it.

via Is Organic Food Only for the Rich? | Kosmos 9.

Felicia Day’s Social Media Analogy

I like Felica Day’s analogy for social media outlets:

I feel like small blogs cut their own throat by taking away the RSS capability. I give this analogy a lot, but social media outlets are INFO COLANDERS! 5% of your followers will see anything you post, and that’s probably only within 20 minutes of posting.

via Felicia Day » Blog Archive » RSS Rant.