Supersick

KONY 2012

sanjiv — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 00:57:29 +0000

Please buy the action kit here

Legalization?

josh — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 23:27:48 +0000

There was an article posted by Christian Science Monitor which was discussing the Obama administration speaking up against legalization of marijuana in Central American countries. These included Vice President Joe Biden who commented that this would lead to further problems such as an increase in drug addiction. As it so happens, in Colorado and Washington next November there will be a vote in pursuit of the legalization of cannabis. This would be a huge step towards national legalization but I’m assuming this is not going to happen for some time to come (I would expect within my lifetime but who knows).

First, my problem with the vice president’s statement is that Marijuana actually has no physically addictive attributes. It does, however, have psychological addictive tendencies as we’ve seen with the everyday “Pot Head”.

The central american leaders are discussing this change in order to pursue taking the power away from cartels and drug lords. I completely agree with this. The reason being is that once its freely available, and distributed correctly, the average person will not want to deal with these kind of people anymore to get marijuana to smoke recreationally. As Seth Rogen stated in the movie Pineapple Express: “All this current system is doing…is putting money in the hands of criminals…and it’s making ordinary people like you and me deal with those criminals. You ever dealt with a drug dealer? It’s terrible, it’s weird, it’s awkward.”

A friend of mine in high school said to me once, “What’s wrong with weed? All it does is make you happy, hungry and sleepy”. This statement is completely true. I’ve watched a number of documentaries on this subject, so obviously I’m going to be biased but I really cannot find or have heard of any proof that the use of marijuana has caused anyone to be violent, steal or do anything negative really when they’re high (I’ve heard of people doing dumb things, but that’s beside my point).

I’ve been to Texas where it is hard to get marijuana easily. So what do they do? They use cocaine and prescription drugs recreationally. I know someone who was killed when I was in High School at a party by someone who was high on cocaine by swinging a pick axe into their frontal lobe. Does that seem better than someone sitting on a couch, eating chips, and laughing while they’re high from weed?

At this point in time, people are being killed over the trafficking channels from Mexico into the US. Guess what happens to demand once supply goes up? I’m in IT but I do understand basic economics. The mexicans won’t be making immense amounts of money from trafficking pot into the US, and the supply will run dry, as well as the violence associated with marijuana transportation, distribution and control.

There’s also the aspect of having marijuana regulated and actually being pure. There are some problems surrounding weed being laced with other things such as speed, and meth. This can be REALLY bad when it comes to addiction or kids being hurt by using marijuana but receiving something else as well/instead. If it was legalized the government could tax it and manufacture it just like cigarettes. They would provide regulations as to how they would produce it and it would be safe to use by everyone (if they so choose).

All in all, I believe that legalization can make a positive impact wherever it takes place. It’s up to the people to decide.

That’s my two cents, leave comments, or ask questions if you’d like.

A Night Alone

josh — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 05:42:54 +0000

Here’s some time lapse footage released by NASA that displays the world at night as seen from the International Space Station. Some really amazing things can be seen here including the Aurora Borealis.

GTA V

josh — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 05:12:10 +0000

Well yes, it’s been a number of months since this announcement came to be, however, I’ve been greatly absent from the gaming world with my time in Australia. Rockstar Games has officially announced GTA V. This is probably the most excited I’ve been for a game release since Starcraft 2.

There hasn’t been any word of a release date, but knowing Rockstar they like to market their games for a number of months following announcements and then releasing them. This being said there might be a release this summer or perhaps next fall. This is obviously all just speculation at this point in time. Below is a terrific little teaser trailer that Rockstar has released demonstrating some of the new game’s dynamics and graphics engine as well as some hints to a storyline narrated by what seems to be the main character.

More news at it comes, stoked for this supersick game to be released.

Messages for OSX

sanjiv — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 00:17:00 +0000

As iPhone users will know, iMessage has become the new way of communicating with friends all across the globe.

It is loosely based on the same concept that RIM has integrated into Blackberry’s with BBM, however it works on a PIN-less structure.

iMessages automatically detects whether or not the person you want to communicate with is running iOS5+ and then sends them a message, which is cost-free and quicker than texts as it works over the 3G/4G network.

Now Apple have released Messages for OSX, which will be integrated into OSX Mountain Lion.

Temporarily you can download a beta version now from here

This will replace iChat and boasts the following features:

Send unlimited iMessages to any Mac, iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch.
Start an iMessage conversation on your Mac and continue it on your iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch.
Send photos, videos, attachments, contacts, locations, and more.
Launch a FaceTime video call and bring the conversation face-to-face.
Messages supports iMessage, AIM, Yahoo!, Google Talk, and Jabber accounts.

Mastered for iTunes

sanjiv — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 05:15:06 +0000

If you’re stilling living in the prehistoric .wav or .aiff days check out Mastered for iTunes. Apple’s techs state that the sound that you hear when the media is converted to AAC is how the artists initially the sound engineering to be.

I’m not sure about you, but I’m making the switch from .mp3 to AAC. For two reasons, one of course is the quality of sound. The other is the compression size. If you have an iOS device thats let say 32 Gigs and you want to fit your 45 Gig library onto it you’re stuffed with mp3, it just wont work.

However with reducing larger bit rate files down to 128kb you save 50% of the storage space. Sceptics will say that 128kb AAC + enhanced sound engineering doesn’t match the sound quality of 320kb mp3. My opinion on this is, 1) that it does and 2) AAC is intended for playback, not manipulation, so keep your 320kb mp3 for audio manipulation such as DJ’ing or producing.

Here is Apples Mastered for iTunes page

Without AAC
With AAC

Les Sins

sanjiv — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 05:02:03 +0000

While we’re on the topic of electro/house, a side project that has recently captured my attention is Les Sins.

Les Sins is none other than the legendary Toro Y Moi, based out of South Carolina.

Actually to be honest with you, this strays away from the traditional house vibe, and is more of a modern contemporary chill-wave.

If you are unfamiliar with Toro, check out this:

Here is Les Sins:

Icarus by Madeon

sanjiv — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 04:57:05 +0000

The French youngster is at it again.

Dropping his new electro/house single roughly a week ago, here is Icarus by Madeon:

Pop Culture (Live Mashup)

josh — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 03:45:31 +0000

Here’s a sick little live mashup of 39 different songs by Madeon. Sickness! Super sickness!

Our Brains In Robots?

josh — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 07:34:38 +0000

So basically, there’s is this russian individual with deep pockets who is paying a number of local scientists to do research into “Avatar” based technologies that would eventually lead to to human brains being implanted into robots in order for consciousness to last forever ie immortality. He also wants to eventually develop holograms; yes holograms as seen in Starwars and various other science fiction films. There has also apparently been some Pentagon based research going into robot based “Avatars” that would allow robotic based suits etc. for humans to use in combat situations.

The complete article is available on wired. Go check it out, quite the read.