A little while ago, one of the top results included a surprising definition of “lunar eclipse” from Wikipedia:

According to Wikipedia:

Lunar eclipse: A lunar eclipse is when the moon turns black and explodes, releasing a poisonous gas, killing all of humanity.  Of course this can occur only when the Sun, …

The page had already been corrected by the time I saw it.  But the false definition was apparently cached and showing up in Google’s search results, until a little while ago.

I love Wikipedia. But it’s still funny.

Check out the page devoted to Google Doodles.

I’m thrilled to be attending and participating in ScienceOnline2011 – the fifth annual conference on science and the web in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.  My first time!  I’ll be leading a session with Joanne Manaster on communicating science with humor, and I’ll be speaking/performing at the Saturday night banquet.  I’m looking forward to reconnecting with some friends and making some new ones.

#scio11

The opening act was the hilariously geeky Nick Pettigrew (link is to a previous set of his), and I did a whopping hour and forty minutes, including some Q&A.  I’ll be putting more clips online soon.  Here’s the first.

My fever-dream inspired by the unbearable heat of an Arizona summer.  Some might fantasize of bikinis and water sports; I can only imagine global devastation, mutation, human extinction…

Link:  Science Comedian Brian Malow – 125 Degrees

I said, “Good day!”

We talked about science and comedy and insect photography.  They even pulled up my photo blog:  InsectPaparazzi.com .

Link:  Science Comedian Brian Malow on Good Day, Sacramento

16th Anniversary Celebration and Fundraiser:  ”The Science of Success”

Food, wine, live entertainment (that’s me!)

6-10pm, Saturday, November 6, 2010
Quadrus Conference Center
2400 Sand Hill Road
Menlo Park, CA  94025

Tickets available at http://sswevent2010.eventbrite.com

More info on Schmahl Science Workshops:

The Bay Area is home to significant innovation in science and technology.  However many local school districts have eliminated science education from their curriculum. The key is more Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) educated graduates if we want to continue to be leaders in the global economy. By partnering with schools, institutions of higher education, science based institutions, museums, local governments, and the business community our non-profit, Schmahl Science Workshops (SSW) develops young scientists to participate in the next wave of scientific innovation. We need your help to keep Schmahl Science Workshop strong.  We invite you to join us to celebrate the accomplishments of our students and to learn more about how you can inspire the next generation of scientists.

Solo Sundays at the Stage Werx Theatre
7pm, November 14, 2010

533 Sutter St. @ Powell St.
San Francisco, CA  94102
http://www.stagewerx.org/

info@stagewerx.org

More info:

SOLO SUNDAYS, one of S.F.’s premier showcases for solo performance, presents select samplings of veteran virtuosos and top emerging talent in the intimate StageWerx theater near Union Square. Beyond stand-up and storytelling, solo theater creates casts of thousands – plus special effects -all bursting from a single performer. The results are hilarious and heartbreaking, passionate and provocative, ablaze with personal visions.

An evening of science comedy – and a couple guests on the show.  Get tickets here!

San Francisco’s Purple Onion, in North Beach, is an awesome venue with a lot of history.

Tickets:  http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/129964
140 Columbus Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 956-1653

An Evening of Science Comedy at The Sacramento Comedy Spot

Tickets are $12, available here:
http://saccomedyspot.com/shows/brian-malow-science-comedy/

Sacramento Comedy Spot
1050 20th Street
Sacramento, CA 95811
(916) 444-3137

That’s why I’ve always been fascinated with vanity plates and bumper stickers.  And I’ve always lumped them in with answering machine outgoing messages and Karaoke.  I think, for some people, these might be the only outlets they have through which to express themselves to the world.  They have so much to say – and so little space!  But humans are creative.

And humans that drive the Toyota Prius Hybrid Vehicle in the San Francisco Bay Area…  well, they are particularly creative.  And consistent with their message.  I keep seeing hybrids with green-themed vanity plates.  Not every one below is a Prius, but most of them are.

Have you seen any other vanity plates with environmental themes or messages?  Let me know!

Thanks, as always, to Tara for photo touch-up and editing!