blivet radio
The Radio weblog of Hal Rager

Tuesday, December 3, 2002

Quotes of the Day "When we remember we are all mad, the mysteries disappear and life stands explained." [Mark Twain] 10:30:48 PM    comment   trackback []

Woman Uses Baby's Stomach to Start Car "The first weird emergent effects of pervasive computing have begun to emerge, even in these earliest stages. Marc A. Smith, my consulting cybersociologist buddy, described the era when wirelessly internetworked sensor chips will be embedded in everything as 'nothing works the way it should, and nobody knows why.' However, here's a case of things suddenly working that never would have worked before, like using your baby to start your car. 'A woman whose baby swallowed the transponder of a car key managed to start the car by holding him close to the steering wheel, according to a report in the Daily Telegraph. Amanda Webster's one-year-old son Oscar swallowed the pill-sized security device while fiddling with the keys. Ms Webster, who was out shopping in west London could not start her car and called the Royal Automobile Club. Keith Scott, the patrol man who went out to help her noticed that part of the key was missing and cottoned on to the possibility that the baby had swallowed the transponder. Scott then suggested that Ms Webster hold Oscar as close to the steering column as possible and try to start the car with the key. The vehicle responded and when the transponder made its appearance again, having made the route that Nature devised, it was none the worse for wear.'" [Smart Mobs] [The Shifted Librarian] 10:27:30 PM    comment   trackback []

Back We were delivered safely home late yesterday afternoon after almost six days away. Ian and my Mom had a great time together, I did a few tasks around the house and Audrey found a fantastic new park and playground that the city built just a couple of blocks away. Now we're back and it all seems like a dream... I have not had the chance to check with everyone, but I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving. Those of you that celebrate it that is. 10:19:17 PM    comment   trackback []