In one day I have come across two images from completely different sources that both demonstrate a wonderful fact about nature: natural, autonomous processes can create some fantastic structures [Corpse Divine][Aftenposten]. So, I decided to compile a few images together that exemplify this phenomenon [here].

If you take all of the structures that non-biological processes have created, you will come up with a set ranging from the simplist to the most complex and everything else in between. Upon reflection, then, it isn't so hard to accept that among these complex processes exists one that was able to start the chemical chain reaction that we call life. Once started, life was able to add complexity to itself that was beneficial for it through another autonomous process that we call "Natural Selection." As we continue to explore the nature of complexity, I think we are going to learn that all of these processes are closely related and not as unique or rare as we may believe. 12:28:28 PM      

If you've seen the movie X-Men, you may remember that the main conflict of the movie was between the human and mutant populations. The humans were afraid of the mutants, the good mutants were struggling to be accepted by the humans and the bad mutants wanted to end the human race and take over the world. Of course, the mutants were all born from human parents, so, were they human?

In an ironic twist, a U.S. Judge has ruled that the X-Men are not human [Slashdot]. So the conflict leaves the world of fantasy and becomes reality. 12:16:46 PM      

Gary Kasparov will once again be facing a computer chess opponent [New York Times]. Since his defeat in 1997 against Deep Blue, I've been wanting to see a rematch. On Sunday, he will face the "three-time world chess champion," Deep Junior. Back in August, there was a report that he would be facing Deep Junior in October [Aug 08], but there have been a couple of postponements since that time. It looks like it will really happen on Sunday. Stay tuned! 9:37:55 AM