In The Noise - January 21, 2010

This is good news but kind of puzzling...

A government report released yesterday says that wind energy could generate 20 percent of the electricity needed by households and businesses in the eastern half of the United States by 2024..but it would require up to $90 billion in investment.

With all the blowhards in Washington, 20 percent seems kind of low, don't you think?

-----------------------------

An iPhone app to translate a baby's cries and tell parents instantly what they mean has been made available.

Researchers discovered infants had five distinct, universal yells - regardless of language - indicating whether the tot is hungry, annoyed, tired, stressed or bored. The makers claim 96 per cent accuracy. But parenting experts believe the app could make people rely on technology, rather than parental instinct and experience (which is kind of creepy).

Anywho, what we now need is a "grown-up" app - to explain the opposite sex to us.

-----------------------------

Only in New Jersey.

Police have charged three people in connection with the fire that destroyed Loyle Lanes bowling alley last week, including the owner of a rival bowling alley.

Yep, the owner of Pike Lanes, was charged Tuesday with aggravated arson, aggravated "arson for hire" and "conspiracy to commit aggravated arson".

Police said, “We are continuing to investigate the motivation of the three individuals, and we are not going to elaborate on what physical evidence was discovered at the scene.”

What? Like a smelly old pair of rental bowling shoes??? Please, spare me the details.

-----------------------------

NASA today said it would begin soliciting public photo shoot suggestions for the cutting edge camera onboard its Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. Wow. This could be far out. Literally.

I guess the orbiter's High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment camera (or HiRISE - really!), is the most powerful camera ever to orbit another planet.

We Earthlings can view Mars maps using a new online tool called "HiWish" to see images already taken, check which targets already have been suggested and make new suggestions.

Let me think. What would I like to see on Mars?

Life-sized cardboard cutout of Obama? Kermit the Frog hanging out with a little green Martian?

Maybe one of those Venice gondoliers trying to pole his way down a Martian canal?

I know! A photo of the Mars rover next to a can of Alpo...