Tuesday 15 May 2012

Singers and Scientists

I was pleased to note that singer William Shatner was to make an appearance on BBC comedy show 'Have I Got News For You' on Friday 25 May 2012. The show normally takes on a guest to chair the show as well as to be on the panel with John Hislop and Paul Merton service as team leaders.

Then I took a second look at the announcement. I did read that right: the singer William Shatner! Was there more than one William Shatner, former Star Trek Captain of the Enterprise James T Kirk! I say former now that that role has gone to a much younger Chris Pine. I double checked and realised that was not mistaken. There is only one William Shatner. And he does release records. I dare anyone to look up Shatner's version of Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds and then to listen to the whole thing. I would reckon that Simon Cowell would probably not even allow Shatner to pass the first verse, never mind the first audition.

But saying that just because something is not popular does that make it not art? I wonder if many of us know who the previous winners of the X-Factor are, or who is number one in the charts these days? And would we listen to it all the way to the end? Hmmm. Bill, you're in good company. Keep going.

In other news Doctor Who fans received a boost as scientist claim to have invented the sonic screwdriver. Well, they say screwdriver, it looks like the whole device would be hard pressed to fit inside a room, never mind your top pocket. This project is part of something called the Sonotweezers; which sounds more a torture tool more likely to be used by one of the Doctors more notorious enemies than a science programme.

Nevertheless the principle appears to have been proven. What they have managed to do is in fact shape ultrasound waves into a vortex in order to manipulate objects. The shaped pressure wave exert force on the object and it moves accordingly. The aim of this invention is medical. With precise aiming of the ultrasound waves they intend to be able to manipulate objects inside the body without the need to cut, reducing a lot of trauma and pain.

So, unless you have big, BIG, pockets, and an even bigger wallet, you'll have to wait a long time before pocketing your very own sonic scredriver.

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