nerd is the new black

Explanation of Time

jghanks — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:46:52 +0000

originally published by Gary Wallace on February 10, 2009 and titled:
Why Are There 60 Minutes In An Hour?

We are all familiar with dividing our days into 24 hours and our hours into 60 minutes. But why do we use these particular units for measuring time?

To understand the units of time we need to investigate the number systems of ancient civilizations. How did the Sumerians count to 12 on one hand and to 60 on two? What advances did the Babylonians make and how did they use this number system for measurement? And what refinements did the Egyptians make to time measurement to give us the system we still use today?

Sumerian Counting

It is easy to see the origins of a decimal (base 10) number system. Our hands have 10 digits to count on, so a decimal system follows naturally. With the addition of the toes on our feet a vigesimal (base 20) number system, like that of the Maya, also makes sense. But understanding a sexagesimal (base 60) number system, as used by the Sumerians, takes a little more thought. A quick glance at a hand shows us four fingers and a thumb that can be used for counting. But the human hand is a complex machine consisting of 27 bones, as shown in the diagram below.

Some of these features are evident externally, especially in the fingers. By using the thumb as a pointer, and marking off the distal phalanx, middle phalanx and proximal phalanx of each finger, we can count up to 12 on one hand, as shown below.

Furthermore, by using the other hand to mark five multiples of 12 we can extend the count up to 60. For instance, 32 (= 2 x 12 + 8 ) would appear as follows.

Babylonian Mathematics

The Sumerian number system was passed on to the Babylonians. Sexagesimal was a useful system as 60 has a large number of factors. Each collection of 60 objects could be divided into whole groups of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 12, 15, 20 or 30. The Babylonians used just two symbols for their mathematical notation.

There was a for 1 and a for 10. All the numbers from 1 to 59 were written as combinations of these marks. For instance, 32 appeared as

A significant advance from earlier notation was the use by the Babylonians of a positional system. In our decimal notation we represent 10 as a column containing a 1 followed by a column containing a 0. In a similar way the Babylonians represented numbers over 59 in multiple columns. For instance, 64 was 1 x 60 + 4 or

Although there was no symbol for a zero it was shown as a larger gap between the columns.

Measurement and Time

The number 60 and its factors were used in the measurement of many things, several of which are still in use today. In length there are 12 inches to a foot. In angular measurement there are 6 x 60 = 360 degrees in a circle. In pre-decimalised currency in the UK there were 12 pence in a shilling.

But let us bring our attention back to time and the division of a day. The Babylonians divided each hour of the day into 60 minutes. Each minute they divided into 60 seconds. These are not, however, the minutes and seconds we would recognise today.

Each day was divided into a daylight portion and a night portion. These portions were then divided into 12 hours each. As the length of day and night varied throughout the year, so the length of the Babylonian hours, minutes and seconds varied too.

Egyptian Refinements

The Egyptians refined the measurement of time to remove these variations. They ignored the distinction between daylight hours and night hours but kept the total of 24. The whole day was then divided into 24 equal periods creating the hour that we still use today.

Despite occasional suggestions that we should adopt decimal time, this ancient system of measurement has survived for thousands of years. And so, the reason there are 60 minutes in an hour is due to the mathematics of the Sumerians, Babylonians and Egyptians and the structure of the human hand.

NCAA Football: The Boy vs. Dad – Game 4

jghanks — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 20:49:09 +0000

MICH 26 – OSU 45

This game was a rout from the first kickoff. The Boy didn’t realize how potent this offense was (at least in a video game) until his WR #4 returned the opening kickoff all the way back for a touchdown. From that point until the end of the game, he referred to him as ‘Grease Lightning’. I was already annoyed. Coupled with the fact we were in the horseshoe, it was 30 degrees and snowing heavy and none of my receivers could hold on to the ball. Oh wait, this was Michigan. I forgot how sorry they were last year. However, it was a rivalry game, and anything could happen. Right? Then I found myself down 17-0, but I didn’t give up hope. To my son’s chagrin, I just stopped kicking to #4 and took my chances on defense while playing safe on offense. Didn’t matter, WR #4 touched the ball like seven times and scored eight, a mathematical impossibility, but it happened. To insure there would be no comeback, he injured my starting quarterback…and running back. Game over. I was blown out. Thanks Rich Rodriguez. Coach Dad gets demolished.

This game puts the score overall at Boy 2 – Dad 2.

Team Ratings:
Michigan – Overall 84, Offense 81, Defense 89
Ohio State – Overall 99, Offense 99, Defense 99

NCAA Football: The Boy vs. Dad – Game 3

jghanks — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 19:41:34 +0000

CIN 13 – KENT 25

The Boy tried to use some reverse psychology on me, picking the team I used to just beat him with the other day. Problem was, his corners didn’t show up like mine did. At least not until the second half. The switch from Varsity to All-American level took some getting used to for the boy, but he finally made the adjustment.The Golden Flashes surprised me. I had never used them before and was afraid I was going to get blown away, but the combination of the new skill level and the boy refusing to not throw a 30 yard pass almost every play did him in. If he would have settled in much sooner, I would have lost.

This game puts the score overall at Boy 1 – Dad 2.

Team Ratings:
Cincinnati – Overall 84, Offense 81, Defense 89
Kent State – Overall 72, Offense 77, Defense 71

Trailer: Left For Dead 2

jghanks — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 22:04:06 +0000

Reeeeeeeally graphic. Not for kids. You have been warned.

Ashes To Ashes: A Batman Fan Film

jghanks — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 21:19:44 +0000

1938
Driven by different, but nevertheless essential reasons, Eddy, Charles and Sergio decide to break into the huge manor that overhangs the city. Their enterprise soon starts to derail as the butler intercepts them.

Blood is split

The three improvised murderers are on the run, their hands covered with blood but at least they have the loot. For three weeks, intense ans unreal sobs echo amongst the city’s roofs. In this big town, devasted by violence and prohibition, three novice gangsters start their ascent in the crime world.

Meanwhile, a vengeful shadow goes on the hunt for them.

I found this fan film completely by accident. I go online randomly throughout the day, reading the news, looking for things to post, etc. and one of my searches lead me to this film. I read the synopsis and it sounded interesting (especially the 10,000 euros price tag and the fact all the actors were volunteers), but it was in French AND it was over 15 minutes long. Not exactly something I could sit and watch at work. So I bookmarked the page and decided to check back on it at lunch time when I had some free time to watch.

The description on Dailymotion was pretty accurate ‘This fan film is based on the Batman character created by Bob Kane and on the graphical universe of Frank Miller’s Sin City.’ The filmakers definitely watched Sin City a few times before making this. Not sure how many comics they read though. Their version of Batman seems more vampiric and almost ghost like with no discernable features other than the beard and long pointy ears. His shape is not fluid and he has movements like a ghost. Although this sounds like a complaint, it isn’t at all. The visuals were outstanding.These guys really knew what they were doing with a camera, and if not, they hired some people that did.

A lot of what I read in the comments section about fans reaction to the film was very mixed. Some people loved it and some people thought it strayed way too far from the source material. This is laughable because, seriously Frank Miller?! was their inspiration. But to be fair, this definitely wouldn’t have been made by a studio. Especially for the baby scene. I urge each of you to take some time and watch the film yourself and see what you think. I’m sure these film making fanboys would love for you to see their hardwork.

Original screenplay by Samuel Bodin and directed by Julien Mokrani & Samuel Bodin.

website Go there and look under casting. There are look-a-likes for Clive Owen and Adrien Brody. Good casting!

Watch the film after the break.

NCAA Football: The Boy vs. Dad – Game 2

jghanks — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 19:10:48 +0000

CIN 98 – UGA 63

The second game in this family rivalry almost ended in fisticuffs. Verbal fisticuffs that is. The boy was rattled early on and threw 8 interceptions before dad stopped counting. Threats of quitting and going to bed early were bantered about but the game finished as planned. Dad felt better about his skills, after losing so badly the first game, and the next match up in this ever growing rivalry should be good. Team selection will play an important role from here on out. The Boy can’t be UGA every game, can he? One thing we did learn, no more playing on Varsity level, it’s ridiculous.

This game puts the score overall at Boy 1 – Dad 1.

Team Ratings:
Cincinnati – Overall 84, Offense 81, Defense 89
Georgia – Overall 99, Offense 99, Defense 99

Trailer: Assassin’s Creed 2

jghanks — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 15:52:29 +0000

My son will want this and I will have to hear about how frustrating it is for months. Oh, the struggles of being a gamer parent with a gamer child.

NCAA Football: The Boy vs. Dad – Game 1

jghanks — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 19:00:27 +0000

UNC 41 – UGA 51

The inaugural match up pitting father versus son was not as close as the score shows. UNC was a terrible choice for dad as the Georgia Bulldogs dominated the much slower and shorter Tarheel cornerbacks. Not until Coach Dad could finally figure out a way to stop Boy’s aerial dominance (blitz, blitz, blitz) did the game become close. By that time, it was just too late. This game puts the score overall at Boy 1 – Dad 0.

Game on!

Team ratings:
UNC – Overall 79, Offense 79, Defense 80
Georgia – Overall 99, Offense 99, Defense 99

Project Natal: A Good Thing?

jghanks — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 20:48:08 +0000

Maybe this is Microsoft’s version of Wii Fit? It looks the family is having fun. I am going to read more about this since I have only seen the video and missed the coverage at E3.

Here is Felicia Day looking like she was having a blast.

Video Game Dreams: The Eagle Has Landed

jghanks — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 20:45:09 +0000

Imagine this. It was myself, Ernie Els and Tiger Woods – all tied up at the end of regulation at TPC Sawgrass each at -15 for the tournament. I got there by sinking a 39 foot putt on 18 from the edge of the green forcing the Sudden Death Playoff. Figured it would push left but it squeaked in while I was walking off pissed. The crowd scared the shit out of me when they roared. I played it off though.

So we head on over to the 1st hole, getting ready for the playoff, and Tiger is cracking jokes like always and Els is trying to, but no one can understand him. He sounds like mushmouth from Fat Albert with a South African accent (whatever that is). You would think he would be funny because he looks so much like Conan O’Brien. He is like 7 feet tall or something. Anyways, Tiger tees off first, which pisses him off, you know because he likes those dramatic come from behind, fist pumping, piss me off dramatic wins. He hits a beautiful drive right down the middle of the fairway and then turns and looks at me and Els – with his eyes closed. That MFer just hit a 300+ yard drive without looking. Bastard show off.

Els is up next and swings, all ten foot eight of him, and blasts one just behind Tiger’s ball on the fairway. He doesn’t do anything flashy like Eldrick, but I know I am looking at a hard tee shot if I want to keep pace with these guys. So the pressure is on me.

I rev back and swing as hard as I can, even kicking my front foot up a little, and nail the ball perfectly. The ball soars and lands with a thud past Els’ and rolls just inches past Tiger’s on the fairway. I am ecstatic and the crowd erupts. I just look at them both and shrug. This is going to be fun.

Els is up first and lofts a beautiful shot just past the pin and to the left, about eight yards from the cup. So much for them letting up right? Next is Tiger. Let’s see if he closes his eyes this time. Nope. As soon as he hits it, he slams down his club. We all look up and see why. Hello trees. Tiger pushes his shot to the right, directly into the rough. Uh oh, all of us in the clubhouse will have to hear about why that happened later today. He will blame either the sun or his grip. I put $5 on the sun this time.

So, I follow the best golfer in the world and a former number one player in the world with my second shot. No pressure right? As I step up to my ball, I can feel my heartbeat in my knees. What’s all that noise? The crowd? The bugs? The sun? My head is spinning. The caddy hands me my club and then…silence. The course fades away to just the flag. You know like those cool shots in Bagger Vance? I take a deep breath and exhale. Then I swing. The ball looks beautiful in the air on its way to the green. The crowd starts building up to a dull roar, anticipating where the ball will land. It finally makes its descent, softly landing about eight feet behind the cup and starts rolling back. It backspins right into the hole and the crowd explodes. Tiger starts laughing and Els actually jumps up and down. Girl. Then it hits me. I just won TPC Sawgrass with an eagle on 1 in sudden death against Tiger Woods and Ernie Els. Holy crap.

I love this game.