SAN FRANCISCO — In the late 1950s, American space companies jumped into a headlong race to build an aerospace industry that could launch missiles across the world and rockets above it. In her new book Another Science Fiction, archivist Megan Prelinger delves into the hyperbolic, whimsical world of the advertisements these early aerospace companies created to [...]

digg_url ="http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2010/03/hydro-paraplant/"; Take a huge oceanic catamaran, stick a hydroelectric turbine underneath it, and hitch it to a 6.5 million-square-foot parafoil flying nearly a mile in the air. That’s a Korean research team’s new proposal for generating gigawatts of clean energy. As the parafoil pulls the boat, seawater would be forced through the turbine, which generates electricity. [...]

An empirical test of ideas proposed by Martin Heidegger shows the great German philosopher to be correct: Everyday tools really do become part of ourselves. The findings come from a deceptively simple study of people using a computer mouse rigged to malfunction. The resulting disruption in attention wasn’t superficial. It seemingly extended to the very roots [...]

Republican state Sen. Roy Ashburn said Monday he is gay, ending days of speculation that began after his arrest last week for investigation of driving under the influence.

Some 65 years after their service, a group of former civilian women pilots whose unheralded work was key to helping the U.S. effort in World War II are honored with the Congressional Gold Medal.

Filed under: Humor, Photos, Animals

Did you know that squirrels like coconuts? Jane Roberts of Fareham, Hants, England, does. And she's a genius. Every few days Ms. Roberts cuts holes in a couple of coconuts and hangs them outside from the laundry line in her yard. The sight she's greeted with as squirrels and other local wildlife feast on milky coconut meat is pure astro-island chic. Said Ms. Roberts,

The first time I saw them feeding I nearly died laughing, they looked just like a pair of spacemen...

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Some 65 years after their service, a group of former civilian women pilots whose unheralded work was key to helping the U.S. effort in World War II are being honored Wednesday with the Congressional Gold Medal.

Filed under: Videos, Weird

Sometimes, YouTube reveals magical stories of weirdos and exhibitionists. For example, this video provides us with a peek into the world of "erotic garbage," I guess (?), in which one gentleman's poking at a close-up of a pile of trash is meant to tickle your parts or something? I dunno, but it's weird enough on its own that you could be like, I get it, YouTube. This is your "thing."

But then we are treated to a silent nod and smile from the film's auteur which will definitely give you a case of the Old Guy Shudders. And then, to bring the piece to Le Fin, it's revealed that we're inside a Panera Bread or something. So that's how life is these days.

 

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A nearly $140 billion bill to extend unemployment benefits and a host of expiring tax cuts cleared a procedural hurdle Tuesday in the Senate on a vote of 66-34, setting up passage of the bill possibly later in the day.

Why would a gay politician vote against gay rights?

Progressive activists ratcheted up the pressure for health care reform Tuesday, picketing in front of a hotel where a group of insurance industry leaders were meeting.

Michelle Obama said Tuesday that she'll always cherish the moment she slipped into her inaugural ball gown, a one-shouldered, white chiffon design she wore for her first Cinderella-like spins on the dance floor as first lady.

A New York congressman who resigned under an ethics cloud has been under investigation for allegedly groping multiple male aides, the Washington Post reported Tuesday.

Global financial reform is expected to top the agenda Tuesday as President Obama huddles with Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou, whose country is at the center of Europe's debt crisis.