The Turboencubulator
July 6th, 2008 by Stephen R. Schaffter | Engineering, Humor | | 0 Comments
Regardless of the new technology, sometimes the old “mechanical” approach to things are the best:
Romans had nerds, too!
June 17th, 2008 by Stephen R. Schaffter | Games, Personal | | 0 Comments
I ran across this on the website of Christies, the international auction house. Here is an example of a “Roman glass gaming die”:
It sold for $17,925, and according to Christies, “Modern scholarship has not yet established the game for which these dice were used.”
It’s a D20, used for games like Carcere et Chimaerae!
Valediction, 2008
June 16th, 2008 by Stephen R. Schaffter | General, Personal | | 0 Comments
This is the speech I give as a farewell to each of my classes.
This is the last time that we will ever meet together as a class. Nine months ago, we were strangers to one another. Today, we are a class. In the time that we have been together, I hope that I have made your lives richer and fuller, as you surely have done for my life.
For one, brief moment, we are still a class.
For one last time, I am your teacher. This is, for most of you, the last time that I speak to you from a position of authority.
All of us wonder from time to time whether our lives have meaning, and whether or not we make a difference. All of us would like to think that we matter, and that what we do affects others in a lasting way.
Over the years, I have realized that all of us can make a difference, and all of our lives can have meaning, if we give our time and our efforts to others.
The way that I see myself is as a little man that stands at the edge of a pond. Every once in awhile, I throw a pebble into that pond, and watch as the little waves ripple across the surface. Sometimes they combine with other little waves to form great waves, and sometimes they form areas of peace and calm. Together, these waves make a pattern as infinitely complex and beautiful as will be found anywhere in this vast cosmos.
My words to you, my students, are my little pebbles, and together, we make something more powerful and wonderful than any one of us can ever imagine.
As I become older, I find that it is important to me that I pass on what little collection of advice that I have. Whether this advice is any good, I don’t know, but I am going to give it to you anyhow, since you are still my students.
This is the best profession for me that I can imagine. I have said that many, many times. Each day brings me new joy and new insights into my life. I am a truly happy man, and I want for you the happiness, the contentment, and the genuine feeling of accomplishment that I feel every day.
Life is not always easy or pleasant. All of us are discouraged, disappointed, disheartened, or disillusioned at some times in our lives. All of us have hard times, and we are sad, scared, and alone at many times in our lives. This is normal, and natural, and you should neither worry about it nor fear it. These hard times will end through your actions, your hopes, and your confidence in your ability to make a good, good life.
Live your lives well. Do not demand that the world reward you with riches or recognition for what you do. Do the best that you can every day, in whatever you do. Respect and love yourself for who you are and what you do for others. With this, all other things, including fame and material wealth, become unimportant.
Believe in yourselves, and believe those who see your greatness. Be quick to see and acknowledge greatness in others as well. Mark Twain once said, “Keep away from those who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you believe that you too can become great.”
He also said, “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do… Explore. Dream. Discover.” I cannot think of better advice, especially for young, talented people like you.
Remember your families, and remember from where you came. You are the culmination of all of the blood, sweat, tears, and love of your parents and all the generations of your ancestors. All of them are alive in you at this moment. Each is present in your body. You are the continuation of all of these people. Celebrate and cherish this heritage. Honor those who came before you by making your life the best it can be.
You will find that there are two families that you have in this life: the one that you are born with, and the one that you make. The first is a matter of accident; the other is by choice. Make a good family. Fill it with people who love you for who you are, and love them for who they are. Spend time with your loved ones, and make time if none exists.
Remember your friends. Remember that true friendship isn’t about being there when it’s convenient; it’s about being there when it’s not. Know who your friends are, and let them know how much they mean to you by words and deeds as often as possible. They will appreciate this more than you will ever know.
Through distance and time, you will lose track of many of your friends. This is a part of all of our lives, and something that happens all too often. Rather than being saddened by this, rejoice in the impact that your friends have had on you, and what you have done to change their lives. Celebrate your friendships now, for it will be too late when you move on to another part of your life.
And remember, in all things, that your happiness must be shared.
Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened nor its brightness diminished. Happiness never decreases by being shared.
Good bye, my dear, dear students.
Good bye, good luck, and have a good, good life.
Mr. Schaffter - Do Not Write on This Exam
Summer is coming…
June 16th, 2008 by Stephen R. Schaffter | Physics, Science | | 0 Comments
… and there are some great physics to come!
I love the whole world — and I like this commercial.
May 3rd, 2008 by Stephen R. Schaffter | General, Opinion | | 0 Comments
This a really cute commercial — simple, to the point, and very optimistic.
Life is good.
But wait! There’s more! Mythbusters on CSI!
Life is really good!
Anti-grav Helicopter?
April 14th, 2008 by Stephen R. Schaffter | Aviation, Physics, Science | | 0 Comments
This is a nice example of what happens when the frame rate of the camera matches the speed of the rotors. The rotors seem to “freeze”, and the helicopter moves by a mysterious antigravity unit!
Same thing here:
Circular motion
April 13th, 2008 by Stephen R. Schaffter | General | | 0 Comments
What was the dog’s average angular speed during the time that it was in circular motion? Assuming the pool to be 4 ft in diameter, what is its tangential speed, and centripetal acceleration?
STOL, not stall
April 3rd, 2008 by Stephen R. Schaffter | Aviation, Engineering, Physics, Science | | 0 Comments
STOL (Short Take Off and Landing): Short Take-Off and Landing (décollage et atterrissage courts) is the ability of an aircraft to clear a 15 m (50 ft) obstacle within 450 m (1,500 ft) of commencing take-off or, in landing, to stop within 450 m (1,500 ft) after passing over a 15 m obstacle
These things are amazing; they have to be engineered for a specific landing and takeoff length, as well as fly well.
Isn’t technology grand? Of course, nit everything works the first time out:
Planes and automobiles (no trains)
March 19th, 2008 by Stephen R. Schaffter | General, Physics, Science | | 0 Comments
My friend Randy sent this to me. This is a marvelous example of average speed not being the same as instantaneous speed.
What is the average velocity of both vehicles? Zero, since they start and end at the same spot.
Everything old is new again
March 18th, 2008 by Stephen R. Schaffter | General, Personal | | 0 Comments
Back when I was a much smaller child than I am now, I had an Agent Zero-M Radio Gun, such as seen here:
It was great piece of 60’s spy toy technology, worthy of “Q”.
It seems that someone thought that this toy was a good idea:
What next? A real Supercar?
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