Faster-than-light neutrinos impossible?

Had another conversation last weekend over those damn neutrinos. Have I been talking myself blue that there are possibilities that these so-called super-luminal neutrinos can arrive at their destination faster than light without traveling at a velocity greater than light? Yes. Didn't anyone watch Dune?

However, I feel that the press (and certain scientists) are jumping to a sensationalist, provocative conclusion (even if it is damn sexy) without exploring alternate interpretations of the findings.  io9's "Final Proof that Faster-Than-Light Neutrinos are Impossible," focuses on the results the OPERA team's CERN experiment, in which pions produced as a by product of the experiment decay into the sub-luminal neutrinos. Specifically, the article explains how a Washington University team pointed out that the pions did not possess the extreme amount of energy to create faster-than-light neutrinos.

Scientists SHOULD be duplicating the experiments and checking and rechecking the results, but not in some frenzied attempt to save a pillar of physics that seems to be crumbling like so many stale chocolate-chip cookies, but because these findings would introduce an incredibly exciting time into physics and space-time topography (Hey, just in time for the new-cycle year 2012 on the Mayan calendar).

Don't get me wrong, if these results stick, that would be cool. So mind-bogglingly cool that it could be the first step in proving the existence of string theory, quantum foam and other wibbley-wobbley, timey-wimey stuff that Doctor Who probably knows all about. Jason Palmer's BBC News article, "Light speed: Flying into fantasy," outlines some of these exciting possibilities. For instance, the neutrinos could be taking a shortcut through another dimension, a theory that, while not mainstream, has been around since 1935. And that'd be wormholes, ya'll.

The He-Man/She-Ra gender divide

I was always a Transformers and GI Joe kind of girl. Voltron, Dungeon and Dragons, Robotech, Thundercats and (somewhat embarrassingly) Jem and the Holograms, which, in reflection, were serials that overplayed romance and tragedy rather than humorous situations that taught life-lessons. But on a recent late-night date with a bottle of ice-cold muscat and Qubo's Night Owl I watched the Masters of the Universe shows He-Man and She-Ra for this first time. Wildly disdained by my discerning eye in the 80's, this viewing lead me to a few realizations why people (still!) love these Filmation productions:

He-Man is an attractive metaphor for a boy-child's transition into adulthood. Who wouldn't want a magical sword to change you from a frightened, sheltered, indecisive coward to a self-assured natural leader who is the most powerful man in the universe? And Prince Adam's lack of confidence didn't seem just due to laziness and pampering; his misgivings seemed pre-pubescent. He-Man's voice even transitions from tenor to baritone.

But has anyone else noticed that He-Man is not afraid to be kind and considerate? When things don't go his way in battle, he laughs at himself. A far cry from what we're taught by the Apprentices and Katie Prices of reality TV. He-Man's fairness to the misfortunate who'd fallen upon hard times and his merciless to the evil-doeers who begged for sympathy were equally appealing. What could be more rewarding for a man than for his friends to need his help and for him to be able to readily satisfy them? (By the way, the evil-bunny dude in the episode 'Quest for He-Man', was ripe with passive aggressive homo-erotic overtones. I'm just saying is all.)

But the metaphor doesn't come across one-to-one for his sister She-Ra does it? Unlike Adam, Adora is never cowardly, but is instead gentle, mild-mannered and mildly submissive. She is also intelligent and helpful, but is somehow unable to effect change or fight for what she knows is right without becoming She-Ra. For heavens sake, She-Ra doesn't even say "I have the power", she screams "I am She-Ra!" as if finally remembering her identity. (Why does Bo resemble Adam more than He-Man? Even He-Man has sharp-tongued Teela to pine after. And who, who, I ask you, made Bo wear that ridiculous cravat?).

Even as a child I recognized that She-Ra lacked part of the attraction of He-Man. The transformation of her personality is less substantial, and I'm not just talking about a change in voice-timbre, here.

Although, sure, who wouldn't want a bitchin' rainbow-winged unicorn to ride?

No one, that's who. Even He-Man is itching to trade Battle-Cat in for Spirit, I bet.

ilovecatparty

Had this discussion on Sunday about the ownership of female sexuality and whether it had been irreparably interpreted through the lens of the patriarchy. This was inspired by my first visit to CandyBar in London (1996? London I thought you were liberated). What was this girl-power bupkis on the walls? Not. Sexy. What were these videos of male fantasies, which primarily featured women? Not. Sexy. What were these multi-colored pinpoint lights on the dance floor that made the patrons look as if they'd been glitter-bombed? (Okay, those were sexy-fun. GirlPower!)

So where was the sexy, I ask you? The unfiltered sexy as interpreted by a woman through her own eyes? Well, enter ilovecatparty written by Chelsea Fairless and Megan Hart. Their blog is unabashedly feminine and equal parts fashion, quirk and pink fluff (plus Elisabeth Moch's illustrations look like the island of Dr. Moreau was inhabited by Josie and the Pussycats).

Need convincing of its awesomeness? Check out posts 'Watch the Throne', Mermaids, and 'The Company of Wolves'.

And at the end of the day, what endeared me these two forever? Their post celebrating Gothic Romance. Long live paperback pulp covers.

The Psychopath Test

The team at NPR's 'this American Life' conduct a show on the so-called Psychopath Test. They also take the test themselves with hilarious results. Do not miss the interview at the end, in the mansion of an everyday psychopath who runs an extremely successful business of firing people. Yes, that is a snap-shot of some truly hysterical decor.

And let's not confuse psychopath with psychotic, folks. Psychopath and sociopath mean the same thing (due to some PC mumbo-jumboing in the 50s by the American Psychiatric Association). And while many sociopaths are serial killers, even more are simply your everyday, run-of-the-mill controlling backstabbing office mates. Chances are you know a sociopath, since researchers estimate about 4 percent of the general population constitute unfeeling jackasses. Your mileage may vary if you live in New York.

This subject matter is also very telling and timely. Reflective, even of our modern society of casual, reality-TV driven narcissism, winning obsessed game-showism sprinkled with a Ferengi bartender-like self-deluded entitlement to wealth and fame. I can make up other words if need be, until then, enjoy.


http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/436/the-psychopath-test