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- Pointing West | Octopoison | Invisibility - The Convo Kit #41
Pointing West | Octopoison | Invisibility - The Convo Kit #41
Tacos are drastically overrated. Think about it, they perform poorly compared to other food with edible packaging. A few examples of more efficient options:
Crunchwrap Supreme
Dumplings
Peanut butter and fluff
Burrito
The ingredients aren’t the issue, it’s simply poor delivery. Some may say the Crunchwrap is just a closed taco, and I’d reply, “exactly!”
-Steve
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Gladys West
Whether you use a navigation app or still print out directions(!?), you can thank Gladys West for getting you to your destination. Her work as a mathematician on the Naval Proving Ground’s GEOSAT project led to accurate GPS.
Born October 27, 1930 in Sutherland, Virginia
Inducted to USAF Hall of Fame in 2018
GEOSAT project: determined the exact shape of the Earth
Earth’s shape was calculated after West programmed computers to account for distortions caused by gravitational and tidal forces. Paired with algorithms to determine satellite orbital paths, her team could accurately pinpoint any place on Earth.
Blue Ring of Death
Flashing blue rings are the final warning sign from one of the world’s most venomous animals. The blue-ringed octopus’ tetrodotoxin paralyzes diaphragm muscles, suffocating its victim, humans included.
Fun-sized lethality: ~5-8 inches long, weighing 25 grams
~60 rings flash by rapidly contracting/relaxing radial muscles
Surviving a bite requires 15 hours on a ventilator
Tetrodotoxin is distributed throughout the octopus’ body as a defense mechanism, it’s even in their eggs. Thankfully this naturally passive animal is just doing its best to avoid dinner plates and octo-omelets.
Invisibility Shield
It may actually be possible to hide in plain sight. Invisibility Shield, by aptly named Invisibility Shield Company, helps you disappear without using any power.
Works by reflecting light away horizontally
37.4” x 25.6”
Price: $394 on Kickstarter
The shield’s reflective trick completely hides anything directly behind it with a blurry image of the background. If attempting to cheat in hide-and-go-seek, it works best in front of uniform backgrounds and 2D worlds.
Behind the Lights
NASA is sending two rockets through the Northern Lights to learn more about them. Both sounding rockets are on stand-by in Poker Flat, Alaska, ready to launch through the Lights.
Sounding Rocket = small rocket for short measurement flights
First rocket will release tracers for researchers to track the winds
Second rocket will measure plasma temperature and density
Aurora Boeralis (aka Northern Lights) are the result of near-Earth electrons entering our atmosphere and colliding with neutral gases. NASA’s Ion-Neutral Coupling during Active Aurora (INCAA) mission will help us better understand this collision and the energy it produces.
Inflate-a-Tent
Camping supplies: tent, s’mores, sleeping bag, …pump? Heimplanet’s Cave XL inflatable shelter goes up in under a minute and can handle all four seasons with ease.
Weighs 10.6 lb and packs small enough to fit under a plane seat (30L)
54 square feet of floor area
Price: $1,199
The three-person shelter is made for extreme Icelandic weather. Its waterproof fabric and sturdy frame keep you safe, while its bright orange color helps you find it. A classic security measure for midnight bathroom runs.
1 More Thing
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