Formula One 2009 - New Rules (again)

Formula One racing is rocket science.

And not only so because of the technological level of the cars, but also because fully understanding the ever-changing regulations has been basically impossible for the average fan. The rules seem to be fairly well understood by the teams, though. They tend to quickly maximize what is allowed for the engine, tire and aerodynamic package.

Improving the team's performance costs a lot of money for very little gain. For example, at Interlagos, Brazil in 2008, Felipe Massa (Ferrari: approx annual budget $415M) qualified only 1,14 s faster than the slowest of the pack, Adrian Sutil (Force India: approx annual budget $122M) over a 4,31 km circuit. However, after 71 laps, that makes a big difference. Or, at least, it makes a difference that the fans can see.

In 2009, the rules have changed again and Red Bull Racing have prepared a short animation movie explaining the main impacts on the cars.



The 2009 season starts in just a month.

Loading

For those of us who always use machines that are already too old and too slow to keep up, loading animation can be some sort of relief. Especially when it is very well done.

At Pretty Loaded, a bunch of wise people have created a museum to save the memory of what they consider to be a disappearing practice.

Just visit the site and let it roll. This is definitely worth the wait.

A Whole New Space Fleet

Why buy your kids some ordinary plastic figurines to play with when you can get them to learn to read a tridimensional plan, to improvise and then to play with figurines?

With close to seventy years of expertise, Lego makes amazing bricks that are virtually indestructible and that fit extremely well together.

The web is full of pictures and movies posted by hardcore fans such as legoloverman who, among other projects, developed a whole new space fleet,including this amazing LL-142, based on the classic design of the '70s series, but with a contemporary sci-fi edge.

Because they make you smarter, Lego bricks are simply the best toy in the world.

Where are the limits to your imagination?

Bookstore Conversation

Every time I'm at Edmonton International Airport, I spend some time at the Indigo bookstore.

Bookstores are fantastic. Not only do I always find books on topics I previously knew nothing about, but I also have an opportunity to meet readers, a rare human subspecies. And since I had interesting discussions with strangers the last couple of times I was there, I expected something to happen when I entered the store this morning.

This time, nobody approached me until I arrived at the cashier with a couple of odd books in my hands. Then the lady, who was reading Lords of Chaos, started talking to me about Death Metal and the cult of ancient viking gods.

Since I was introduced to the topic by Nic the Viking some years ago, I was able to entertain the conversation during the two-minute paying procedures. And when I left she concluded by saying "Now I understand why some people worship Satan."

On that note, she and I cracked laughing, leaving the other clients somewhat puzzled.

Always make sure you visit the bookstore when you are waiting at the airport. Especially in Edmonton.

A Nice Torch

The torch for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada was presented to the public this week and can be seen in an interactive animation.

What is particularly interesting with the selected design is the departure from the excessive spread of red and white that had become a trademark for Canada in international sports. China probably saved the day unintentionally by using a red and white design for their own torch last summer.

Supply and Demand

Shepard Fairey is one of the most visible American artists these days. This has been particularly true during the recent presidential campaign with his ubiquitous image now known as the "iconic Obama poster". This piece and a couple of hundred others can be seen until August 16, 2009 at the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston.



Obey.