I just sat in on a lecture last week by the inventor of this low-cost communications device for people suffering from similar conditions. It looks like it might be what you're looking for:
What have you found is the most effective way to deal with friends, loved ones, or co-workers that latch on to something that is obviously pseudo-scientific nonsense? For example, my boss is obsessed with the healing properties of his high-priced alkaline water filter, while a cousin is certain that vaccines are the source of all health problems. Confronting them seems mean, and could damage the relationship, while leaving them to fall prey to hucksters also seems wrong. What can a kind-but-rational person do?
On November 4, 2002, THEL shot down an incoming artillery shell. A mobile version completed successful testing. During a test conducted on August 24, 2004 the system successfully shot down multiple mortar rounds. The test represented actual mortar threat scenarios. Targets were intercepted by the THEL testbed and destroyed. Both single mortar rounds and salvo were tested.
I have had an E engine explode right after ignition, however, 1) no one was hurt, since the rocket is constructed of lightweight materials, and b) it was a great lesson in why solid propellents should be handled carefully to avoid cracking. Failure is often an important part of learning, and shouldn't be seen as an unacceptable outcome (at least in hobby activities).
Since no one else seems to have mentioned it, I'd like to add a vote for the Netlogo agent-based simulation system as an excellent tool for teaching kids programming. It's not open source, but is free and available for most platforms, has excellent graphics, an easy UI builder, and can be extended with Java code if more advanced functionality is required. I use it off and on to prototype simulations for work, and have found it excellent for many purposes. Last summer, my son expressed an interest in learning programming, so I pointed him to the Netlogo site. Soon he was happily working through the hundreds of examples included with the package, and has since developed some pretty fancy simulations for his school science classes. Netlogo encourages such experimentation, and unlike more powerful languages, allows kids to quickly build useful programs that include fancy stuff like graphical displays, charts and graphs, and complex GUIs without having to do a lot of low-level programming. Take a look....this is NOT the simple logo we all remember from decades ago.
I'll second the recommendation for Netlogo, which has grown up into a very powerful Agent based simulation system. Many of the 100 or so examples included with the program are physics and biology-based, and would provide a great starting point for your simulations. Since java applets are one of the possible output file formats, the resulting simulations can even be run from a web page. It's free (but not open source yet), and runs under most operating systems.
While the asexual reproduction quote is pretty good, I still think the best overall quote is a toss up between:
General Beringer: Goddammit, I'd piss on a spark plug if I thought it'd do any good!
and this exchange:
Stephen Falken: General, what you see on these screens up here is a fantasy; a computer enhanced hallucination. Those blips are not real missiles. They're phantoms. McKittrick: Jack, there's nothing to indicate a simulation at all. Everything is working perfectly! Stephen Falken: But does it make any sense? General Beringer: Does what make any sense? Stephen Falken: [Points to the screens] That! General Beringer: Look, I don't have time for a conversation right now. Stephen Falken: General, are you prepared to destroy the enemy? General Beringer: You betcha! Stephen Falken: Do you think they know that? General Beringer: I believe we've made that clear enough. Stephen Falken: Then don't! Tell the president to ride out the attack Colonel Joe Conley: Sir, they need a decision. Stephen Falken: General, do you really believe that the enemy would attack without provocation, using so many missiles, bombers, and subs so that we would have no choice but to totally annihilate them? [Over the intercom they hear there's one minute and thirty seconds to impact] Stephen Falken: General, you are listening to a machine! Do the world a favor and don't act like one!
Slashdot Mirror
I just sat in on a lecture last week by the inventor of this low-cost communications device for people suffering from similar conditions. It looks like it might be what you're looking for:
This article neatly describes why there are "unsafe" ingredients in vaccines:
Skeptoid.com: Vaccine ingredients
What have you found is the most effective way to deal with friends, loved ones, or co-workers that latch on to something that is obviously pseudo-scientific nonsense? For example, my boss is obsessed with the healing properties of his high-priced alkaline water filter, while a cousin is certain that vaccines are the source of all health problems. Confronting them seems mean, and could damage the relationship, while leaving them to fall prey to hucksters also seems wrong. What can a kind-but-rational person do?
It wouldn't do much against artillery shells or naval gunfire.
Actually, it's already been done....
Tactical High Energy Laser
On November 4, 2002, THEL shot down an incoming artillery shell. A mobile version completed successful testing. During a test conducted on August 24, 2004 the system successfully shot down multiple mortar rounds. The test represented actual mortar threat scenarios. Targets were intercepted by the THEL testbed and destroyed. Both single mortar rounds and salvo were tested.
A Pelican case, and you're protected from just about anything that you could survive. http://www.pelicancases.com/1055CC-p/1055cc.htm
I have had an E engine explode right after ignition, however, 1) no one was hurt, since the rocket is constructed of lightweight materials, and b) it was a great lesson in why solid propellents should be handled carefully to avoid cracking. Failure is often an important part of learning, and shouldn't be seen as an unacceptable outcome (at least in hobby activities).
Since no one else seems to have mentioned it, I'd like to add a vote for the Netlogo agent-based simulation system as an excellent tool for teaching kids programming. It's not open source, but is free and available for most platforms, has excellent graphics, an easy UI builder, and can be extended with Java code if more advanced functionality is required. I use it off and on to prototype simulations for work, and have found it excellent for many purposes. Last summer, my son expressed an interest in learning programming, so I pointed him to the Netlogo site. Soon he was happily working through the hundreds of examples included with the package, and has since developed some pretty fancy simulations for his school science classes. Netlogo encourages such experimentation, and unlike more powerful languages, allows kids to quickly build useful programs that include fancy stuff like graphical displays, charts and graphs, and complex GUIs without having to do a lot of low-level programming. Take a look....this is NOT the simple logo we all remember from decades ago.
I'll second the recommendation for Netlogo, which has grown up into a very powerful Agent based simulation system. Many of the 100 or so examples included with the program are physics and biology-based, and would provide a great starting point for your simulations. Since java applets are one of the possible output file formats, the resulting simulations can even be run from a web page. It's free (but not open source yet), and runs under most operating systems.
Netlogo home page
He said "best quote ever by an end user,"
While the asexual reproduction quote is pretty good, I still think the best overall quote is a toss up between:
General Beringer: Goddammit, I'd piss on a spark plug if I thought it'd do any good!
and this exchange:
Stephen Falken: General, what you see on these screens up here is a fantasy; a computer enhanced hallucination. Those blips are not real missiles. They're phantoms.
McKittrick: Jack, there's nothing to indicate a simulation at all. Everything is working perfectly!
Stephen Falken: But does it make any sense?
General Beringer: Does what make any sense?
Stephen Falken: [Points to the screens] That!
General Beringer: Look, I don't have time for a conversation right now.
Stephen Falken: General, are you prepared to destroy the enemy?
General Beringer: You betcha!
Stephen Falken: Do you think they know that?
General Beringer: I believe we've made that clear enough.
Stephen Falken: Then don't! Tell the president to ride out the attack
Colonel Joe Conley: Sir, they need a decision.
Stephen Falken: General, do you really believe that the enemy would attack without provocation, using so many missiles, bombers, and subs so that we would have no choice but to totally annihilate them?
[Over the intercom they hear there's one minute and thirty seconds to impact]
Stephen Falken: General, you are listening to a machine! Do the world a favor and don't act like one!