The amount of energy required by gravity to hold the Earth together is called “Gravitational Binding Energy. If we were to build a device capable of generating an amount of energy equal to the paltry sum of 1 GBE we could easily destroy this measly planet, unless of course the UN sees things my way and agrees to pay a delicate sum for their precious world. The Earth’s topography is unique in the solar system, constantly changing thanks to tectonic plates that shift over a arm, magma-like mantle. If enough freeze energy were supplied by ice nanites burrowing deep beyond…
The Science Creative Quarterly
The Science Creative Quarterly (SCQ) is not a quarterly, but instead publishes new material at a non-linear rate. Currently, it is sleeping and in a sort of stasis (turpor?) It used to seek science writing of any genre, and your contribution would have involved checking out our submissions guidelines.
The Science Creative Quarterly (SCQ) has a single print edition so far (half SCQ pieces, and half fake science journal – see here for more details). Also, badges?
Stay safe everyone!
FROM THE COLLECTION NO IRON RING (THIRD)
the bridge is singular it asserts its beauty as verisimilitude of form its presence is a provocation a displacement of the natural strung like a witness over incremental depths the tenants of this occupation suppose the iron ordinance of stasis a beauty that refuses to be held entirely bridging precipice to precipice a band of light over that which lies beneath (first | second)
FROM THE COLLECTION NO IRON RING (SECOND)
notions of hydrography piers from the channel the object imbued with conditional phrases contextual meaning a hydrostatic balance if you will, are, of, but not consumed by the Kitsap peninsula 5979 feet minus 40 reciprocal inductions during the rise and fall of several feet in 4-5 seconds a balletic guise 47˚16’00” N coordinates once negating the placement of this perfect mechanism over a narrow but deep pathology (first)
FROM THE COLLECTION NO IRON RING (FIRST)
This poem (and two others to be published in the coming days) are part of a growing sequence that is titled “No Iron Ring” and is making an analogous object out of the construction, edifice and ultimate destruction of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. The ring functions as a symbol of engineering pride, fellowship and a constant reminder of the implications that engineers must encase human concerns into each of their designs. “No Iron Ring” is indicative of the author’s failure as an engineer, and henceforth my move into literature as a field of study. This poem along with others consists…
WHAT KIND OF ENGINEER IS GOD? (A NEW SPIN OF AN OLD JOKE)
One very fine day, a group of professorial-types of differing backgrounds happened at random to collude at the same table in the University cafeteria. Their conversation evolved from small talk into more substantive topics, and eventually the Professor of Civil Engineering, with a mischievous grin, posed the question, “What kind of a Scientist is god?” “God,” in this case, being a reference to the natural world, similar to Einstein’s use of the word, synonymous with nature and cosmos, and although such a conversation might seem highly unlikely for a bunch of secularists, the law of really big numbers dictates that…
SCIENCE IS GOING TO KILL US ALL
The world is going to end on December 21st 2012. How do I know this? Because the Mayans said so and the Mayans pretty much knew it all; these are people that calculated the length of a year to a thousandth decimal place, predicted all future lunar and solar eclipses and invented gravity*. They were also a people that took their calendars very very seriously; calendars which end abruptly on the aforementioned date. Worrisome. The Mayans, probably because they didn’t think we would be able to handle our own demise in a mature fashion, were silent on how, exactly, time…
ATMOSPHERIC STUDIES
I am on the side of humanity and truth. I agree to be accountable to you Because I am a sucker for a grown-up: I forget adults do not exist. I have a safety deposit box where I confess my pretexts. Among them: I have known monsters without becoming monstrous. I have longed for peace and justice at all times. I have only nine lives. I am with the firm of Yours & Mine, and in the process of conducting a routine check, I’d like you to confirm – don’t give it all away? But how will the young Know…
LIKELY AND UNLIKELY THINGS THAT SIR ISAAC NEWTON STOOD ON DURING HIS LIFETIME.
Likely: Grass. A stage of some sort. Guard. Tippy toes. Unlikely Astroturf. Olympic podium. Someone’s throat. Shoulders of (Real) Giants.
THINGS TO AVOID WHEN SPEAKING PUBLICLY (VIDEO VERSION)
The SCQ will recommence as of Wednesday, September the 3rd with our regular programming, but in the meantime, please let us introduce Terry talks – a student conference hosted by our sister site at terry.ubc.ca. “Imagine UBC’s most fascinating and engaging students coming together for a day, giving ‘the talk of their lives,’ sharing their ideas and discussing their visions for UBC and the world. Now imagine being there, with students, alumni, faculty, administration, and members of the general public watching this unfold and partaking in the various discussions, and think of all the possibilities that this idea-share holds.” Sounds…