News | Tyson Williams

News

Jan22

‘Revolution Number 99′ or birth of Occupy Walls St.

Posted in: News

February issue of Vanity Fair has a good article called ‘Revolution Number 99′; it is chronological development of Occupy Walls Street movement in USA last year. What I really liked about it is that is being told by number of different people involved in the birth of the movement from their own perspective. It is a good read if you want to learn a bit modern day history as told by those involved in it.

If you don’t have paper or an iPad version of Vanity Fair, this article is available in a digital edition online for free.
Dec30

Samoa a tiny South Pacific nation jumped forward in time

Posted in: News

Here is something you don’t read about everyday: Samoa, a tiny South Pacific nation jumped forward in time today, basically skipping a whole day of Friday 30th, 2011. They have move across the international dateline, effectively putting them as first in the world to ring in the new year, rather than the last like they did in the past. Pretty neat:

Sirens wailed and fireworks exploded in the skies over Samoa as the tiny South Pacific nation jumped forward in time, crossing westward over the international date line and effectively erasing Friday, Dec. 30, 2011, from the country’s calendar.

Samoans who had gathered around the main clock tower in the capital Apia cheered and clapped as the clock struck midnight on Thursday, Dec. 29, instantly transporting the country 24 hours ahead to Saturday, Dec. 31. The switch, also being observed by neighboring Tokelau, is meant to align the islands’ time with key trading partners in the Asia-Pacific region.

The time jump means that Samoa’s 186,000 citizens, and the 1,500 in the three-atoll United Nations dependency of Tokelau, will now be the first in the world to ring in the new year, rather than the last. (source: washingtonpost.com)
Dec20

San Francisco: Miniature Occupy protest encampments

Posted in: News

This is brilliant idea… Occupy Everywhere, a tiny protest camps in San Francisco:

Last night a group of prankster-activists installed miniature Occupy protest encampments around San Francisco. The encampments were made up of soft camping tent stress toys imprinted with the words “Support Your 99%,” and tiny cartoon protesters carryingminiature placards. Thanks to Burstein! for the tip. Photos 1, 3, and 6 by Burstein!, photos 2, 4, and 5 by Colinaut

(Via Laughing Squid.)
Dec19

Occupy Wall Street hand signals by Ape Lad

Posted in: News

Link. Context. A related video. A NY Mag article. A Boston Globe article. I give Ape Lad’s illustration massive uptwinkles.

(Via Boing Boing.)
Dec15

2011 Person of the Year: The Protester

Posted in: News

I am not sure if I agree with this… surely protesters took the streets around the world this year, yet I still think that Steve Jobs should have been the person of the year.

TIME’s Person of the Year for 2011 is “The Protester.” The magazine’s cover illustration is by Shepard Fairey—the artist talks about the image in this interview with TIME.

(Via Laughing Squid.)
Nov22

Art: Tiger and Turtle by Heike Mutter and Ulrich Genth

Posted in: News

This is very cool… I like roller coasters, I am not sure how much fun would be talk on one:

“Tiger and Turtle–Magic Mountain” by German art duo Heike Mutter and Ulrich Genth is a walkable sculpture shaped like a roller coaster. Visitors can stroll along the track (except for the loop sections). The 69 foot tall sculpture is located in Wanheim Duisburg, Germany. via The Awesomer photos 1 and 2 by Michael, photos 3 and 4 via Heike Mutter and Ulrich Genth

(Via Laughing Squid.)
Nov20

Maple Leaf Gardens building now has Loblaws sign

Posted in: News

When I walked home today after doing some shopping, I noticed that the Maple Leaf Gardens Building looks different today, it has a new Loblaws sign on the facade. For years those of us who live in the neighbourhood knew it was coming, as matter of fact construction on the inside of the building to retrofit it has been in progress for number of years. But for some reason I was not really excited about it, until today… now when I saw the actual grocery chain sign on the building I must say I am looking forward to having it just steps from home. For decades I have been a big fan of Costco where I do most of my shopping simply because there was nothing really in the area I liked to shop for groceries, but things may change having Loblaws on the corner.

When I lived back in the 90′s at the Harbourfront, I shopped at Loblaws very often. They have a huge store down there, making it easy to find everything I needed. I hoping that the new Loblaws in the former Maple Leaf Gardens Building will be equally large; having it so close to home it may actually make ditch Costco forever. Time will tell… but I must say I am finally excited about the fact that it is opening in the near future and I am sure the rest of the neighbourhood is looking forward to have a new grocery store as well. Plus the building will also have an LCBO store, a Joe Fresh, Loblaws grocery store will be on the ground and second levels, while Ryerson University will use the upper levels of the bulding for its new athletics centre.
Oct6

The day after… beautiful tributes continue to flow

Posted in: News
Oct5

Steve Jobs dead… RIP

Posted in: News

From Apple.com:

Apple CEO Tim Cook today sent the following email to all Apple employees:

Team,

I have some very sad news to share with all of you. Steve passed away earlier today.

Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing
human being. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Steve have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor. Steve leaves behind a company that only he could have built, and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple.

We are planning a celebration of Steve’s extraordinary life for Apple employees that will take place soon. If you would like to share your thoughts, memories and condolences in the interim, you can simply email rememberingsteve@apple.com.

No words can adequately express our sadness at Steve’s death or our gratitude for the opportunity to work with him. We will honor his memory by dedicating ourselves to continuing the work he loved so much.

Tim
Jun17

Secret Features of Apple’s new Headquarters

Posted in: News

Cute… and funny!

The Joy of Tech takes a look at the secret features that will be part of the new Apple headquarters in Cupertino.

(Via Laughing Squid.)
Jun16

A homemade Iron Man suit

Posted in: News

Shanghai Man Wears Homemade Iron Man Suit To Work:

Wang Kang startled his co-workers in Shanghai when he arrived at work wearing his homemade Iron Man suit. via Daily Mail

(Via Laughing Squid.)
May29

43,000 Galaxies: 3D Map of Local Universe

Posted in: News

Stunning work, largest 3D Map yet of the our local universe:

Astronomers at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics have unveiled the largest 3D map yet of the local universe, spanning some 43,000 galaxies within 380 million miles of Earth. The project is the result of a 10 year survey of the stars, the 2MASS Redshift Survey (2MRS).

The 2MRS mapped in detail areas previously hidden behind our Milky Way to better understand the impact they have on our motion. The motion of the Milky Way with respect to the rest of the universe has been a puzzle ever since astronomers were first able to measure it and found it couldn’t be explained by the gravitational attraction from any visible matter. Massive local structures, like the Hydra-Centaurus region (the “Great Attractor”) were previously hidden almost behind the Milky Way but are now shown in great detail by 2MRS.

The number of galaxies found in the 2MRS map greatly exceeds early estimates by resident Laughing Squid astronomer, Frank Chu. via Wired UK

(Via Laughing Squid.)
May23

Harold Camping ‘flabbergasted’; rapture a no-show

Posted in: News

Here are a few quotes from the article “Harold Camping ‘flabbergasted’; rapture a no-show“ in SFGate, I couldn’t agree more with:

(…) “The issue is the Bible is mythology,” said Larry Hicok, state director of the American Atheists. (…) “Every ruler needs a religion,” Hicok said. (…) “Everybody knows that’s the way you get power.” (…)
Apr11

Saudi Arabia to build a mile high skyscraper

Posted in: News

I am sure they can pay for it with gas prices we are paying today…

Saudi Arabia is planning on building the ‘Kingdom Tower’ in Jeddah which will be 5280 feet high when completed. via The Daily

(Via Laughing Squid.)
Jan30

Photos: Rally in support of Egypt’s pro-democracy

Posted in: News

Yesterday I walked over to Yonge-Dundas Square here in Toronto for a rally in support of Egypt’s pro-democracy movement. I have traveled in Egypt extensively in the past so I can relate to the Egyptians struggles against poverty, corruption and unemployment. It is beautiful place with wonderful people who have been under Mubarak rule for some thirty years, the change is needed and it is finally happening. I was happy to see also others at rally showing support to the people of Tunisia and even Iran as those countries currently fighting their battles for freedom from the ruling regimes.

Photos from Rally in support of Egypt’s pro-democracy movement
Date / Time: Saturday, January 29 · 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Location: Yonge-Dundas Square; Toronto, ON.
Jan28

Graphic: Egypt Blocks Access To The Internet

Posted in: News

It is pretty scary that a government can simply shut down Internet access at will when the country stability is being threatened in anyway.

Yesterday Egypt blocked access to and from the Internet across 80 providers in order to limit communication during the mass protests. Danny O’Brien created an image that visualizes what Egypt’s Internet blackout looks like. via Huffington Post

(Via Laughing Squid.)
Jan22

Meditation changes brain structure in 8 weeks

Posted in: News

Another study proof that mindfulness meditation is good for you because it changes brain structure in 8 weeks, for better:

“Participating in an 8-week mindfulness meditation program appears to make measurable changes in brain regions associated with memory, sense of self, empathy and stress. A study from a team led by Massachusetts General Hospital researchers is the first to document meditation-produced changes over time in the brain’s grey matter.”

(Via EurekAlert! )
Jan17

Steve Jobs takes medical leave of absence

Posted in: News

Apple CEO Steve Jobs today sent the following email to all Apple employees:

Team,

At my request, the board of directors has granted me a medical leave of absence so I can focus on my health. I will continue as CEO and be involved in major strategic decisions for the company.

I have asked Tim Cook to be responsible for all of Apple’s day to day operations. I have great confidence that Tim and the rest of the executive management team will do a terrific job executing the exciting plans we have in place for 2011.

I love Apple so much and hope to be back as soon as I can. In the meantime, my family and I would deeply appreciate respect for our privacy.

Steve

Take care of your health Steve and get well soon! You are brilliant man and we the Apple users need you back as soon as possible.
Jan3

How the World has changed: 2000 vs. 2010

Posted in: News

Spoiler alert: Our world is not doing much better on some levels a decade later…

io9 has created an interesting infographic showing how much the world has changed between 2000 and 2010.

(Via Laughing Squid.)
Dec28

BlogTO features my time-lapse video today

Posted in: News

It looks like the BlogTO (one of my favourite “local” blogs) is featuring my time-lapse Boxing Day Madness video today in one of their posts:

Thanks BlogTO, you can watch the video here as well.
Dec16

What If WikiLeaks Leaked Anonymous?

Posted in: News

LOL – Funny…

xkcd takes a look at what might happen if WikiLeaks leaked Anonymous.

(Via Laughing Squid.)
Dec8

30th anniversary of the death of John Lennon

Posted in: News

Today is the 30th anniversary of the death of John Lennon on December 8th, 1980 when he was killed as he was leaving his apartment at The Dakota on Central Park West in New York. If you are a fan of John Lennon you may be interested in picking up the Rolling Stone magazine where you can read a full-length interview conducted three days before Lennon’s death.

Photograph by Tyson Williams
Dec7

Julian Assange will be TIME ‘Person of the Year’

Posted in: News

Reports are starting to confirm that Julian Assange will be TIME ‘Person of the Year’:

TIME magazine will name WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange the 2010 ‘Person of the Year’ according to the Drudge Report, citing unnamed sources. Assange ,who was arrested Tuesday morning in England for sex crimes, was leading TIME’s online poll. A spokesperson from TIME magazine tells WireUpdate,”Trying to guess TIME’s Person of the Year is an annual tradition and one of the great parlor games in journalism; we certainly welcome people guessing, but we never confirm or deny rumors until we reveal TIME’s choice.” The final decision by TIME magazine editors will be announced next Wednesday. (Source: WireUpdate)

The whole thing is a mess, hopefully the US Government will learn something from it. Free speech and freedom of press is at stake here. Frankly if the US will try to prosecute Julian Assange than they must look into NYT as they might have committed a crime by publishing the contents as well. Ironically the US has just announced that they will host Unesco’s World Press Freedom Day event… funny!
Nov30

Boing Boing’s Wikileaks “Cablegate” coverage

Posted in: News

Here is complete Boing Boing link dump of the coverage… the best part is the poster below!

(Illustration by Rob Beschizza)

Rob Beschizza covered the massive Wikileaks release yesterday of hundreds of thousands of US State Department diplomatic cables—including, as one might expect on Boing Boing, a focus on the weird stuff. In case you missed it:

• US foreign policy gets enhanced patdown: oddities from the leaks

• More from the cables: ’9/11 of diplomacy’ identifies Putin as Batman and Medvedev as Robin

• Colonel Gaddafi uses Botox to maintain own youth, beauty
• ‘Global diplomatic crisis’ sparked by cables: U.N. spied on; Saudis want US to attack Iran; British royalty misbehaves; military incompetence

Noah Shachtman and the reporters over at Wired Danger Room have a few posts up this morning, the most utterly WTF of which being ‘U.S. Chases Foreign Leaders’ DNA, WikiLeaks Shows.’

Also at Danger Room, ‘WikiLeaks Reveals Iran’s Secret, Worldwide Arms Hunt ‘ and ‘‘Chipped’ Detainees, Iran Mega-Missiles And More in Latest WikiLeaks .’

And, related posts by Xeni:

• Wikileaks under legal assault
• Wikileaks’ massive cable leak expected today: Wikileaks.org ‘under attack,’ Der Spiegel out early

(Via Boing Boing.)
Nov3

Gross but interesting: Used condoms

Posted in: News

Simply fascinating… and they are for sale on auction!

Think of this as an anti-unicorn chaser for the cute baby animals.

This set of 110-year-old condoms, made from the swim bladders* of fish, are up for auction in Vienna. Delightfully, they seem to have been meant to be reusable, as evidenced by the former owner’s careful tally of how many times each condom had been used. It looks as though you were only supposed to reuse 10 times.

*Not a ‘bladder’ like what fills up with urine, but, rather, a gas-filled internal balloon that helps fish control their own buoyancy. The other bladder usually is much less condom-shaped.

Via Dinosaurs and Robots, with assistance from hectocotyli.

(Via Boing Boing.)
Sep3

Photo of Hurricane Earl from taken space

Posted in: News

I love images taken from space… yup I am a bit of space junkie as well (and everything NASA period). Here is an increadible shot of Hurricane Earl taken space:

Hurricane Earl, image acquired by NASA two days ago:

The relatively placid view from the International Space Station belied the potent forces at work in Hurricane Earl as it hovered over the tropical Atlantic Ocean on August 30. With maximum sustained winds of 135 miles (215 kilometers) per hour, the storm was classified as a category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale as it passed north of the Virgin Islands.

(Via Boing Boing.)
Aug31

Out of Time by Ferdi Rizkiyanto

Posted in: News

We are in a middle of a major heatwave in Toronto with 32C (with humidity, it feels like 40C right now) which will be record breaking for the city. Normally we do not get these type of high temperatures that late in the summer (last day of August). So it is just appropriate to showcase this public service announcement called “We Are Running Out of Time” by Ferdi Rizkiyanto…

Global Warming Hourglasses is Ferdi Rizkiyanto print campaign, which warns us that we’re almost out of time. It features tiny worlds to indicate the precious resources we must preserve. There is the metropolis, with birds soaring among the skyscrapers, a series of tree stumps, traffic-clogged streets, and a gas station. Right above that there is a series of melting glaciers, with a penguin and a polar bear each stranded on their own iceberg. It is not a secret when you flip through the pages of the newspapers in recent months that we have had a lot more unusual weather this year alone around the world. Today, here in Toronto, it is another perfect example of something weird happening with our climate.
Aug29

Sun may affect radioactive decay rates

Posted in: News

Fascinating reading: Sun may affect radioactive decay rates.

During a search for a radioactive isotope-based random number generator, researchers discovered that radioactive decay rates, previously thought to be constant, appear to be influenced by the activity of the Sun.

On Dec 13, 2006, the sun itself provided a crucial clue, when a solar flare sent a stream of particles and radiation toward Earth. Purdue nuclear engineer Jere Jenkins, while measuring the decay rate of manganese-54, a short-lived isotope used in medical diagnostics, noticed that the rate dropped slightly during the flare, a decrease that started about a day and a half before the flare.

If this apparent relationship between flares and decay rates proves true, it could lead to a method of predicting solar flares prior to their occurrence, which could help prevent damage to satellites and electric grids, as well as save the lives of astronauts in space.

The decay-rate aberrations that Jenkins noticed occurred during the middle of the night in Indiana — meaning that something produced by the sun had traveled all the way through the Earth to reach Jenkins’ detectors. What could the flare send forth that could have such an effect?

Jenkins and Fischbach guessed that the culprits in this bit of decay-rate mischief were probably solar neutrinos, the almost massless particles famous for flying at nearly the speed of light through the physical world — humans, rocks, oceans or planets — with virtually no interaction with anything.

Maybe the science part of 2012 wasn’t so far-fetched after all. (No, not really.)

(Via kottke.org.)
Jul25

Free Wi-Fi at Second Cup in Canada

Posted in: News

You have to love competition: Right after Starbucks announced earlier this month that they will be offering a free Wi-Fi across Canada, Canadian chain of coffee shops called Second Cup is following the suit with free Wi-Fi across all of their locations in Canada as well. There’s over 340 Second Cups in Canada across 9 provinces.This is a fantastic news for all of us that love working at coffee shops when we feel like. Welcome onboard!
Jul25

Alberto Contador wins Tour de France

Posted in: News

It has been a great year so far for Spain when it comes sports! Congratulations to the winner: Alberto Contador and congratulation to Spain for outstanding over all performance.

“Spanish rider Alberto Contador has claimed his third Tour de France win after securing the victory yesterday in a 32.3 mile long individual time trial that ran across the French countryside from Bordeaux to Pauillac. Despite being pushed to the limit by his rival, Luxembourg’s Andy Schleck, Contador extended his lead in the race, winning by 39 seconds. Today, he’ll finish off the 2010 Tour by taking the ceremonial ride into Paris wearing the leader’s Yellow Jersey, while the top sprinters vie for one last stage win on the Champs Elysees. “

(Via Gadling.)