The Morgan Town

MOVED

noreply@blogger.com (Daniel Morgan) — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 05:00:00 +0000

This blog, the home of the personal for Daniel Morgan, has moved to http://thefatanimals.com

visual visual forever

noreply@blogger.com (Daniel Morgan) — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 04:20:00 +0000

Just posted some thoughts on design and antiquity at moneydick.com.

Nanotech and Me

noreply@blogger.com (Daniel Morgan) — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 09:14:00 +0000

Theoretical Model of a Nano bearing

The nano is within me and without you as I embark on my fourth month of research into the Gray Goo Scenario (an apocalyptic vision of nanotech popular from 1986-2001 wherin nanomachines self-replicate to no end, devouring the earth) for my senior thesis. Let's just say I've done a lot of squinting.
In more upbeat news, Robert Hamers, a chemistry professor at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, has created his school's mascot with tiny carbon nanofiber hairs. For scale, 9,000 of these rascally teddy bears could fit on the head of a single pin.

As always, research into the production of very small things requires a tip of the hat to Robert Feynman who got all excited in 1959 over the inevitable miniaturization of technology. He would shit a pin-sized brick today if he knew what we were doing with nanotech (and if he were alive).

Luckily for us, the field hasn't been moving forward as quickly as people have hoped. We haven't written his speech on the head of a pin (his challenge within his 1959 speech). But most importantly we don't have a number of the things nanoethicists have been saying were just a few nanotech breakthroughs away.

There's no robotic submarines that swim around our blood, repairing our every ill, and we also don't have fly-sized assasins capable of injecting sarin gas into the jugular of the nearest Russian Mob boss.

These silly predictions make it an exciting field filled with utterly confusing consequences for man and bear. To cope with this technological insecurity, the field depends on a heavy component of mythology and imaginative futurism. Everything theoretical is possible simply by virtue of it's ability to be imagined. Confused on how to deal with it? Me too. Nanotech has convinced a lot of people that we will have ultimate control over matter. Anything made of matter can be produced. If technology = matter and we can imagine any technology, then anything = possible. We just need to work out the kinks of about ten trillion problems before our godlike control of matter becomes a reality. Think 40-60 years.

99% of scientists
have read this book

What I'm dealing with specifically in my thesis is the notion that nanotechnology writing has taken too many liberties with futurism. As a socio-political lubricant of technology transparency (vital for democracy), science journalism (or any link between public and scientific spheres) has failed the public, jamming up the works. The allure of juxtaposing apocalyptic consequences of theoretical technologies with their utopian counterparts is partly to blame. The field has not yet learned to temper its deterministic narrative. It's for this reason that Nanotech writing has been called a "subgenre of science fiction." The whole world makes for interesting reading on a cold night such as tonight [24F].

All the systems (NGOs, civil society organizations) employed to respond to the news of outlandish and theoretical nanotech fears have expended energy on a distant and uncertain threats and failed to address current nanotech issues like nanoparticle stability in the environment and the effects of nanotech inhalation. The extremely high surface areas of nanomaterials is believed to complicate particle toxicity. As a result of the lazy NGO action, we now have nanotech in 300 products and still no function to regulate them. The FDA response was to assign approximately 3.2 monkeys to whack repeatedly at small banana-shaped joysticks.

In response to many many many calls to enforce the labelling of nano-containing products for consumption, the FDA responded with this conclusion:

Recommendations for Consideration

Because the current science does not support a finding that classes of products with nanoscale materials necessarily present greater safety concerns than classes of products without nanoscale materials, the Task Force does not believe there is a basis for saying that, as a general matter, a product containing nanoscale materials must be labeled as such. Therefore the Task Force is not recommending that the agency require such labeling at this time. Instead, the Task Force recommends that the agency take the following action:

* Address on a case-by-case basis whether labeling must or may contain information on the use of nanoscale materials.

Nano lacks compelling regulatory efforts by either the epa or the fda. The EPA was about to team up with a major corporation to create an environmental risk asessment but there was too much of a holler in the academic halls.

And get this: A bloody "nano-silver" clothes washer just came out, promising to soak your clothes in a soapy-silver dust (an anti-bacterial agent):

The Silver Nano Health System is a comprehensive system developed by Samsung to improve your quality of life by eliminating bacteria from the places that count most. Despite our hopes, the appliances we rely on often become breeding grounds for very bacteria and odors we hope to remove. Just as a dirty washer never truly cleans clothes, only clean air conditioners and purifiers can supply clean air, and a clean, bacteria free refrigerator keeps food fresh longer. Samsung has found a solution in the safety of silver, ionizing silver into ions for an effective coating that lets your home appliances remain remarkably free of bacteria and odors. We’re creating a zone of protection for the health and safety of your family’s future. It’s here, it’s clear and it’s silver. [link]

Busy days

On a personal note, I'll be working feverishly over the next two weeks on a

Latin History final paper

Biological and Chemical Weapons Arms Control Research Paper (I'm writing on Nanotech Arms Control)

A bioethics research paper on the moral distinction between 'enhancement' and 'treatment' in regards to Genetic Medicine and Genetic Therapy

And last but not least, working on my thesis. A rough draft is due January 28th. I can't tell you about it because it's secret.

New Photos

The Dirty Projectors, Video Hippos, and Ponytail came to vassar Nov 30th. I took whipped out the soul catchercam: Jump into a slideshow or view the set here.

And Here's some tunes like I promised ya:

Mgmt - Electric Feet
King Herbert and the Knights with Jack Harden - Chicken Strut

(if the above playlist stop working, just let me know in a comment)

we salute you

noreply@blogger.com (Daniel Morgan) — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 04:44:00 +0000

we salute you, originally uploaded by moneydick.

Just posted some new photos from this weekend. The dirty projectors came. It was fun

What did you do today? I scared dogs and dylans

noreply@blogger.com (Daniel Morgan) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 07:28:00 +0000

Well it technically wasn't today, but who knows.

um

noreply@blogger.com (Daniel Morgan) — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 23:27:00 +0000

Is this blog Essential?

noreply@blogger.com (Daniel Morgan) — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 03:09:00 +0000

IMG_1139 - 2007-11-22 at 13-21-19.jpg, originally uploaded by moneydick.

I feel like all that things I can do with facebook: Post music, movies, my thoughts, and news--can all be done on facebook. It immediately shows up for people who know me, are friends with me, and might care. The only thing this blog gives me is a nice black screen background that reduces power consumption and saves the earth from sure destruction.

So I think I'll keep it, at least for the purposes of showing photos.

More thanksgiving

noreply@blogger.com (Daniel Morgan) — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 03:06:00 +0000

IMG_1140 - 2007-11-22 at 13-22-11.jpg, originally uploaded by moneydick.

And you can find many more thanksgiving photos here

In the Basement

noreply@blogger.com (Daniel Morgan) — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 03:05:00 +0000

IMG_1196 - 2007-11-22 at 17-56-35.jpg, originally uploaded by moneydick.

I think this picture nicely captures some of the sentiments I have about basements and people.

Devin the Dude

noreply@blogger.com (Daniel Morgan) — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 02:39:00 +0000

Music time:

Devin the Dude.

SeeqPod Music beta - Playable Search

A sweaty Premise...

noreply@blogger.com (Daniel Morgan) — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 02:26:00 +0000

MUSIC HERE:

Pandora opened my box

noreply@blogger.com (Daniel Morgan) — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 02:06:00 +0000

I feel like all my interest in collecting, learning about, and storing music has been all for naught since I've started listening to Pandora.com almost nonstop. It seems to always know what I want to hear, as long as a I give it the subtle hint of my mood (in the form of a song from which it can create a station).

J-Dilla, Devin the Dude, Hop Skip and Jump, and Menomena are a few of the radio stations I've had going recently.

Photo Contest

noreply@blogger.com (Daniel Morgan) — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 05:33:00 +0000

Just submitted these to a photo contest along some sort of vague international travel theme.

One Self

noreply@blogger.com (Daniel Morgan) — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 05:29:00 +0000

Just discovered these guys: 'One Self'. Hope yall enjoy.

SeeqPod Music beta - Playable Search

Movie of the Day: Whole (2003)

noreply@blogger.com (Daniel Morgan) — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 02:06:00 +0000

Director: Melody Gilbert
Genre: Documentary
Tagline:
"Whole" takes you into the world of people obsessed with becoming an amputee
Plot Outline: Explores individuals who feel the need to become amputees by interviewing these individuals and psychiatrists, loved ones, etc.
User Comments: Gutwrenching and disturbing, but ultimately touching and thought-provoking

IMDB link.

REVIEW:

It's long I've been wanting to see this documentary, and now that I've seen it, I can gladly say it exceeded my high expectations. Whole truly is a documentary that's disturbing, bizarre, but also touching, profound and even at times funny.

You could see Whole as an antidote to all the boring plastic surgery shows every other TV program seems to be these days. The people interviewed in this film -- just like all who drop by at a plastic surgeon -- have an ideal image of themselves, and want to realize it. But these folks aren't complaining about nose that's too big or breasts that are too small, they have been miserable for their entire life just because they feel they have one limb too much. Call that superficial?

Tragic thing about this is that they cannot get professional help for this. Pathological desire to amputate oneself isn't widely accepted as a disease so far, and healthy-limb removal is out of the question in the medical world. From the documentary Whole we learn that not only this leads to excessive depression among wannabes, but ultimately to the act of self-mutilation (although wannabes themselves don't see this as "mutilation," but more like "relief"). In the movie, we meet a guy who shot off his leg using a shotgun. We hear how one seeked professional amputation from Mexico but died from complications following surgery. This begs for the question: should these completely sane people be able to remove their limbs by professional doctors if they want? Or are they just plain sick?

Whole doesn't provide concrete answers, and maybe that's why it is so effective. It doesn't judge wannabes and certainly doesn't approach them sentimentally. Melody Gilbert has wonderfully turned a subject matter that's normally fodder for sensationalist journalism into a thought-provoking, profound journey to the world of medical avant-garde. Highly recommended.

Moving day

noreply@blogger.com (Daniel Morgan) — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 16:49:00 +0000

The ny marathon is not making it easy to move Melissa into her new apartment, but most of the heavy stuff is already up. I'm doing reading for the next week now.

boyo

noreply@blogger.com (Daniel Morgan) — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 17:18:00 +0000

1vass, originally uploaded by moneydick.

The things a boy'll do to get into college...

More tunies for the goonies

noreply@blogger.com (Daniel Morgan) — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 03:01:00 +0000

Instituto Mexicano del Sonido - Katia, Tania, Paulina Y La Kim

Taken by Trees - Taken too Young by TTA

Les Deux Alps

noreply@blogger.com (Daniel Morgan) — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 21:21:00 +0000

DSC02990, originally uploaded by moneydick.

Here's one of em: East of Grenoble, France. Taken February 4th, 2006. Ski Season in da prime.

More Photos

22,098 miles in Europe: 5 months

noreply@blogger.com (Daniel Morgan) — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 21:18:00 +0000

22,098 miles in Europe: 5 months, originally uploaded by moneydick.

I took a trip in 2006 after my sophomore year. You can read about it here.

I'll be posting more pictures from it soon.

Detroit grand pubahs - Chocolate Thunder

noreply@blogger.com (Daniel Morgan) — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 23:21:00 +0000

Awwwwwoooooooooooo

Russians

noreply@blogger.com (Daniel Morgan) — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 20:41:00 +0000

Thank you

noreply@blogger.com (Daniel Morgan) — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 20:36:00 +0000

I'd like to thank the city of Strasbourg for visiting my website. This goes out to you!

Jacques Brel

noreply@blogger.com (Daniel Morgan) — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 01:14:00 +0000

Enjoy

Looking for a Brand New Game

noreply@blogger.com (Daniel Morgan) — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 04:38:00 +0000

Don't know where's this is from, but I likes it. It harnesses the sweet innuendo in the potent sounds of the 70s: BOOM: "Looking for a brand new Game". If you know the title of the song, let me know.
This is much easier than posting 30 songs. I got things to do.