Brad

There was an article in Discover or Scientific American not too long ago. I believe the motion is caused by the vortex caused by the hot water cooling off on its way down. This cooling warms the air and causes swirling and movement. It is kind of like a weak mini-tornado.

I think the most interesting thing about the electronic eyes is that the brain and CNS "learns" to interpret the signal. Granted, the image is nothing more than maybe a few hundred pixels (so to speak) but hey, some vision is better than none, right?

I'm not sure about a real jet engine, but rockets can work underwater. For example the Polaris submarine-launched ICBM can be launched from up to a couple hundred feet under the surface. A traditional jet engine couldn't work underwater unless you had some way to supply it with air (like a tank of compressed air) but of course that would limit the time it could be used. Just a thought...

Okay this is a question... What is the minimum required power of a laser (in standard wavelength ~650nm) to cut through steel quickly? In addition how much power would be required to run this laser? Which kind of laser would be best? (ie HeNe, CO2, etc) I'm kind of interested in building a "poor man's laser" but as with everything "if it's worth doing it's worth overdoing.":D Thanks.

I think someone needs to stop playing Parasite Eve and doing drugs at the same time... Sorry for breaking up this argument but here's what I want to know: Why is your math off limits?

Yeah that's what scares me...

This is somewhat relevant and I believe they even are able to send light into the condensate and have it emerge "before" they sent it. http://www.nist.gov/public_affairs/releases/BEC_background.htm

Zarkov's post has some basis in reality. Obviously lead is known for being damaging to the brain and CNS. Magnesium and Aluminum are implicated in Alzheimer's and senile dementia. I believe there are other metals which harm the brain. However, I don't think they cause everyone to become a mindless zombie like you think...

The great thing is that there are (I think) 3 different types of eyes in different animals today. They were evolved separately and do not seem to have a "common ancestor." This is a counterpoint to that of creationists who say that there is no way for an eye to evolve. I think this was mentioned in a recent issue of Discover or Scientific American.

I don't see why there would be a limit to the smallest unit of time. After all time is really just a human creation. Have any of you heard of Rees, the British scientist who has some pretty wild ideas about time/space?

This is the first post in here it appears so here is my question: How long until we are truly able to interface electronics with our nervous systems. There are preliminary trials for electronic eyes hooked up to the optical nerve. Think what could be done...