I have a new video essay on Time.com about Galileo and the International Year of Astronomy. It features exoplanet hunter extraordinaire Geoff Marcy and Ben Burress of the Chabot Space and Science Center.
Check it out. Let me know what you think. And get your own Galileoscope!…
Someone I met via Twitter - Delia the Artist - just interviewed me for Current.com. Current has a shorter, edited version of the interview but Delia is hosting the full interview on her own site.
And, oh look! Here comes the full version now…
Ah, the chicken or the egg, eh?… Well, in terms of it being a passion and a potential career choice, science came way before comedy. And I joke that I used to be an astronomer who got stuck on the day shift, but I never became a scientist.
Science was my first love: dream girl, high school sweetheart, prom date. But then I had a long torrid affair with comedy. We ran off and eloped. And it may have appeared to the casual observer that I had completely forgotten about science but, if you looked closely you could see the truth… the heavy bias toward science geeky topics, habitual use of the language of science for analogies and metaphors - a tendency to invoke Newton’s equation for universal gravitation, for instance - or to use “molybdenum” as a punch line.
These were the signs that I would someday come running back to science, if she would have me. But I didn’t want to give up comedy, my mistress. Would I have to? Perhaps not…
Comedy is both a science and an art. And, for that matter, science is both a science and an art!
I’m not sure I can even tell them apart anymore. We apply the same kind of critical thinking in both pursuits - but we also hope for and rely on those flashes of inspiration that come from somewhere beneath the level of conscious thought… like Kekule’s day-dream that helped him solve the riddle of the structure of the benzene molecule.
You know, Einstein once said, “The only real valuable thing is intuition” and the classic, “Imagination is more important than knowledge.”
I know: Easy for you to say, Einstein!
But seriously… it has its surreal side, but my comedy has often emerged from the application of rational thinking to the reality of the human condition. Thus, the name of my first science comedy CD: “Rational Comedy for an Irrational Planet.” I like to think I solve small problems that we didn’t know we had.
I was referring specifically to Isaac Asimov and Arthur C. Clarke - and to their non-fiction - their science writing. They were early influences on me. I learned more science from Asimov and Clarke than from most of my teachers. And they are still the best explainers, by the way - along with Carl Sagan. They can’t be beat for teaching you complex ideas without losing you - and, in fact, engaging and entertaining you. Their love and passion for science is well-communicated! I implore you to find their old, out-of-print books! Get thee to a used bookstore! (or an internet connection).
Anyway, I never set out with such a noble goal as that. I just wanted to entertain, make people laugh - hopefully, with my own brand of comedy (insert Registered Trademark symbol: ® ).
But I guess there’s always been a little teacher in the 4-chambered classroom of my heart. I can’t help it. A comedy colleague of mine once said that my jokes had more information in them than most comics’ jokes. I think I can take that as a compliment.
And, whatever my initial intentions… now, yes, it has become a goal of mine to clearly and colorfully explain some science concepts - and certainly to show another side of science - that science can be fun as well as mind-blowing. That having this knowledge, this familiarity, this understanding of nature can enrich your life in unexpected ways. Funny ways.
Actually, now I think my science comedy does function rather like science fiction: it may teach you a few new concepts along the way but mostly it aims to entertain you using bits of science as its raw material.
Well, I discovered many years ago that you shouldn’t say, “You can make me go to my room but you can’t make me go to sleep!” if either of your parents is an anesthesiologist.
And I discovered that science can, indeed, get massive mainstream media coverage as long as there is at least the suggestion that it may destroy the planet (cf. Large Hadron Collider).
Avogadro’s Number is well-known, of course, but I believe I was the first to discover his address.
I discovered that if, instead of asking strangers, “Where are you from?” you make a habit of asking them, “WHEN are you from?” it will improve your chances of tripping up a time-traveling tourist.
I discovered that some people talk to their plants, which is okay. But you shouldn’t ask them a lot of questions.
And I discovered that whenever my mom loses weight, my dad gains weight. And vice versa. It’s like the Conservation of Mass, within our family. My theory: You never actually lose weight - you just give it to somebody else. Fat can be neither created nor destroyed. It’s one of the basic laws of the universe. If you’re gonna live here, you gotta know the laws.
Don’t try to mix science and comedy! Go find your own ecological niche! Run along!
:: Beats chest, roars, shakes rattle, spreads wings threateningly, generally attempts to appear larger and more intimidating ::
(Objects in State of Fear May Appear Larger Than Actual Size)
Honestly, the best advice I have is to learn how to be yourself. Centuries-old wisdom: to thine own self be true. Watch a lot of comedy. Study those who do it well - and realize you can also learn a lot from those who do it poorly! And don’t limit yourself to comedians! Absorb a broader swath of life than that. But, in the end, don’t let yourself be over-influenced by your influences. Try to be different from everything else you’ve seen. Tap into what is unique about you. Find your own voice. Tell your own stories. In two words: Be yourself.
I love what I’m doing and it gets more interesting every year. I want to perform at more museums and for more science organizations, events, and festivals. I recently performed in England for the first time and I’m anxious to return and to do other international events.
I’m doing video pieces for Time Magazine’s website (www.time.com), and working on some other television and multimedia projects. I should blog more: www.sciencecomedian.com/blog .
Long-term…. I’d like to be the first comedian with an extended run at an orbital space hotel. Or just a one-nighter on the International Space Station. I’d love to be the in-house comic for the first lunar or Martian colony. I’d even consider a one-way ticket. I should probably start with Virgin Galactic… does anyone know Richard Branson’s email address?
*****
Find out more about Brian Malow and get on his mailing list: sciencecomedian@gmail.com
See videos and subscribe to Brian’s YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/sciencecomedian
@sciencecomedian on Twitter
Looks like Frito-Lay is getting into the God Game. A couple from my home state of Texas, found a one-armed two-inch praying Jesus in a bag of Cheetos purchased at a gas station.
Yes, it’s the traditional Second Coming story, just as you remember it.
Sarah Bell was eating the Cheetos out of her hand and she had already eaten most of the disciples when she discovered Him. “It is a reminder of our blessings from God, but primarily I think it’s a funny Cheeto,” says Mrs. Bell.
She adds that her first reaction was, “Let’s put this on eBay.”
Of course! Look! A reminder of our blessings from God!… how much do you think we can get for it?
“Thing is,” says Mr. Bell, “If it’s only 25 cents, we’re probably just gonna eat it.”
The artificial cheese-flavored body of Christ.
*
***********
*
*
This is not the first appearance of Jesus in a bag of Cheetos. Check the sidebar on YouTube. For instance, CBS reported a Cheesus on the Cross last year.
*
***********
*
*
If you know anyone in the Davis or Sacramento area, please spread the word…
presents
Monday, June 1 8:30pm
Varsity Theatre
616 Second Street
Davis, CA 95616
Sponsored by the Agnostic and Atheist Student Association of UC Davis
My friend Dan Piraro is the mastermind (and master hand) behind the cartoon Bizarro.
And, even drawing a daily cartoon - 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year - and being a most active animal rights activist, he somehow finds time to make a daily blog post. And his blog is hilarious. He’s a very entertaining writer, he includes a lot of cartoons, and he delights in the playful use of hyperlinks. Click on every link - it’s always good for a bonus laugh.
Dan and I have collaborated on a handful of cartoons. Basically, I send him an idea every once in a while and, if he likes it, he plays with it, draws it, makes it a Bizarro cartoon.
Go check out his blog - and here are my favorite collaborations with genius Dan Piraro:
***
***
***
***
***
***
Our Ignite presentation is up on YouTube and the O’Reilly Media Ignite Show page.
What is Ignite?
The evening consisted of about fifteen 5-minute PowerPoint presentations. Each presenter gets 20 slides that auto-advance every 15 seconds. Within those limitations, you create a presentation that should be of interest to geeks.
Since Brady Forrest and Bre Pettis started Ignite in Seattle in 2006, events have been happening all over the world and hundreds of presentations have been given. Recently, they started putting them online, one per week, with some post-production added. Ours is Episode 11.
It was presented on April 1, 2009, at the Ignite SF event, which was also a party for the Web 2.0 Conference going on that week (hence, the 2.0 reference in the piece).
Tara and I created the presentation - with me doing most of the writing and her doing most of the graphics. Our friend Michael Capozzola hand-drew the final slide for us (primitive technique but effective!).
We attempt to tell a 14-billion year story in five minutes: “A Tale of Two Elements” takes us from the Big Bang to the Earth and touches on a problem that many people are not aware of - the helium shortage (a local problem).
Enjoy!…
Links:
Brian Malow - Ignite Presentation - “A Tale of Two Elements”
Brian Malow on Hydrogen and Helium at O’Reilly’s Ignite Show page
For more information about Ignite, visit http://ignite.oreilly.com/show/
Ignite on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/ignite
A few months ago I was asked to write an essay about being a science comedian for a really cool publication - Symmetry Magazine - and it finally came out today!
Symmetry is “a magazine about particle physics and its connections to other aspects of life and science” - and it’s put out jointly by Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory and the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center, two national labs funded by the Office of Science of the US Department of Energy.
It’s available in print and online editions - and anyone can receive a free subscription to the print version simply by filling out a form. That’s a benefit of it being paid for by our tax dollars.
Symmetry is a great science magazine for the layperson, giving fascinating glimpses into the world of subatomic particles and gigantic particle accelerators and the people who attend to them.
The current issue is particularly good!
Ahem.
The picture was taken by my friend John Gilbey during a session at SciFoo 2008 entitled “Seducing the Public With Science.”
Alom Shaha has made a wonderful 28-minute film entitled “Why is Science Important?” .
Shaha is a physics teacher at an inner city school in the UK, and also a TV producer who specializes in science programs. The film was made to be broadcast on Teachers TV (a UK cable channel) but it’s also available online in excellent HD quality - and can even be shared and embedded, as seen below (you can view a larger size if you click over to his site).
The website also contains “a collection of thoughts from leading scientists, public figures …and you.” Add your thoughts on why science is important and they’ll appear alongside the thoughts of Bad Astronomer Phil Plait, SETI’s Seth Shostak, LabLit’s Jennifer Rohn, and many others.
Visit Alom’s YouTube Channel - sciencefilms - to see more answers to the question “Why is Science Important?” as well as some of his other films.
Links:
Why is Science Important?
Bad Astronomy blog
SETI
Seth Shostak
LabLit
Oops… I must’ve taken a wrong turn at Arcturus…
From the Wikipedia entry on Vega:
Vega is the brightest star in the constellation Lyra, the fifth brightest star in the night sky and the second brightest star in the northern celestial hemisphere, after Arcturus. It is a relatively nearby star at only 25.3 light-years from Earth, and, together with Arcturus and Sirius, one of the most luminous stars in the Sun’s neighborhood.
Vega has been extensively studied by astronomers, leading it to be termed, “arguably the next most important star in the sky after the Sun”.[8] Historically, Vega served as the northern pole star at about 12,000 BCE and will do so again at around 14,000 CE. Vega was the first star, other than the Sun, to have its photograph taken and the first to have its spectrum photographed. It was also one of the first stars to have its distance estimated through parallax measurements.
Also: Vega became the first star to have a car named after it when Chevrolet launched the Vega in 1971.
A second video for the COPUS Project’s Year of Science and the March theme of Physics and Technology. A few thoughts on…
Alfred Nobel, who funded the Nobel Prize with the fortune he made from his invention of dynamite, the first relatively stable and safely-usable form of nitroglycerin.
Thomas Edison, who perfected the incandescent light bulb - and, with the phonograph and movie projector, damn near invented modern entertainment. We should all give thanks!
And, then, one of my classical, if not “classic,” physics routines about the speed of light…
Related posts:
Year of Science, March: JetBlue and Cell Phones
Year of Science, February: Stand Up For Evolution
Year of Science, January: Why is the Sky Blue?
In conjunction with the COPUS Project’s Year of Science - and the March theme of Physics and Technology - I offer up a bit of humor on bad website usability on the Jet Blue website and also a couple thoughts on cell phones - loud users and shrinking sizes.
Do you think we’ll live to see implantable cell phones?… or the end of obnoxiously loud cell phone talkers? When will they realize that technology is here to relieve the strain on their voices?
One of the many highlights of the Emerging Technology conference was the Wednesday evening performance of Zoe Keating: “Using a 17th Century Instrument to Create the Music of the 21st Century.”
Zoe uses a cello and a laptop to make beautiful multilayered music. She plays with herself. It’s loopy. Very cool.
Excuse the rough camera work up front - it was shot on a tiny Flip camera - and it gets much better a couple minutes in when I get to the closeups.
At the end of the Siftables session, I met Seth Raphael (also here), who was sitting two seats over from me. We also happen to be sharing a stage together tonight at the LateTech event - I’ll be doing science comedy and Seth presents “a new technological magic show.”
In the three or four minutes we spoke, Seth gave me an absolutely amazing demonstration of his abilities.
He told me that when top hats and handkerchiefs were in style magicians developed presentations making use of them. But they are no longer in style. So, as a modern magician, he draws from more modern materials.
His demonstration involved a Google search that I defined.
He asked me to type two random words into the search field but not to hit Enter yet. I typed “turtle opinion.” He suggested I add a third word because my two words were going to generate too many hits. I added “candy.”
He jotted something down on a piece of scratch paper that I provided.
Then he asked me to hit Enter on my Google search and, as I did, he quickly put his paper facedown. He estimated that it took him about a third of a second to do so. The Google search took slightly less time.
Now here’s the amazing part:
Seth had written down on the piece of paper the number 2,510,001.
Google returned 2,510,000 results.
Then, apparently off the top of his head, he typed in a url at About.com that he claimed is the one result/page that Google missed.
And, as a bonus, there was another number that he’d first written and then scratched out… it was 3,540,000. And, when we removed “candy” from the search, so that it was simply on “turtle opinion,” that was exactly how many results the search returned.
How did he do it?
I can’t wait to see what else he has up his virtual sleeve.
A couple weeks ago I saw this very cool short TED video about Siftables, a project coming out of the MIT Media Lab and Taco Lab in San Francisco. So, for my first ETech session this morning, I’m checking out Cookie Scale Computing with Jeevan Kalanithi and David Merrill. The brief program description is:
Cookie Scale Computing: Human-Computer Interfaces as Piles of Gesture Sensitive Displays
David Merrill (MIT Media Lab) et alWe’ve built a new type of interface that brings computation into our physical and gestural world: a set of cookie-sized, gesturally aware, neighbor detecting wireless displays that act together as one interface. We call them Siftables. People live in and know about the physical world. Computers should too.
Siftables are cookie-sized computers that are interactive, show graphics and can be manipulated physically in interesting ways - they can sense their neighbors and communicate wirelessly. They work together to form a single interface.
They demonstrated a bunch of interesting uses - check out the website and the TED video for examples and numerous news stories.
Interesting ETech session this morning about hacking DNA led by Reshma Shetty and Barry Canton of Ginkgo BioWorks.
They brought some kits for the audience to play with. “Play” consisted of inserting some foreign DNA into e. coli for one of three effects: you could either make it turn red, smell like a banana, or, the most popular option, make it glow in the dark.
Took us through the first easy steps but it takes a couple days to observe effects.
Where in the Bible does it say, when Jesus returns, he will appear as a silver Rorschach blot on a chest X-ray in a small town in Florida?
A few thoughts…
Reynaldo Farinas went to the hospital after experiencing chest pains.
Okay, no surprise there. You’d have chest pains, too, if Jesus were unexpectedly resurrected inside your chest cavity. The human chest cavity simply wasn’t designed for such a celestial homecoming.
Or was it?
If the Divine Plan is - and always was - to resurrect Jesus inside an evangelical’s chest… well, it seems like rather poor planning, doesn’t it? Not exactly Intelligent Design. In the very least, it might have been helpful - or polite - to have sent some advance notice, maybe an email - particularly to the person who was to receive such a glorious but awkward visitation.
I like when they show the man on camera and the lower-third graphic, the on-screen identifier, has his name and a short definition - the explanation for why we’re watching a video clip of him:
“Reynaldo Farinas: Sees Jesus in X-ray.”
How would you like that to be the 4-word summation of your life?
Farinas says, “This never happened to me.” I can accept that. In fact, it never happened to anyone.
But perhaps I’m being unfair, too much of a stickler for proper grammar, because what he likely meant was, “This never happened to me before,” in which case he is expressing surprise that Jesus never previously spontaneously generated inside his chest.
They show the X-ray around 25 seconds into the video clip…
But I don’t see Jesus. Do you? If anything, I just see a Grey, which is far more likely, if you think about it.
An extraterrestrial inside someone’s chest makes perfect biological sense. It requires no resurrection or Second Coming or magic of any kind - it’s simply a natural part of a metamorph’s life cycle - to incubate inside a host organism. It’s even part of (science fiction) canon - perhaps most famously in the movie Alien.
So, what we have here is nothing supernatural. This visitor is not from Heaven but merely from Zeta Reticuli. Just a friendly parasitic neighbor stopping by to gestate.
One family member says, “And I was surprised. I got goosebumps and I was like ‘Wow,’ you know? That’s unbelievable.”
Exactly.
But if you’re still curious, here are some stories of other sightings of Jesus and his mom - in flapjacks, lemons, and cheese sandwiches.
I always thought these commercials were very funny but, of course, there is nothing - no science - behind their claim of… “enhancement.” That’s a nice, safe word for it.
Odyssey Moon is making a bid for the Google Lunar X Prize:
From their website:
Odyssey Moon is the first team to complete registration for the $30M Google Lunar X PRIZE competition. The company made its first public debut on December 6th, 2007, at the Space Investment Summit in San Jose, California, unveiling its plans to make history with the first private robotic mission to the surface of the Moon and win the Google Lunar X PRIZE. The inaugural Odyssey Moon mission will involve a unique small robotic lander designed to deliver scientific, exploration and commercial payloads to the surface of the Moon.
Good luck! The more the merrier!
There’s a promo video on their website but a longer version is available on YouTube:
And the X PRIZE Foundation’s own video from last year explains their “incentivized competition,” inspired by the $25,000 Orteig Prize which Charles Lindbergh won for the first non-stop flight between New York and Paris:
Zero Gravity is proudly powered by
WordPress
Entries (RSS)
and Comments (RSS).
