Life in Pixels

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  • We’ve Looked, But Haven’t Seen

    Heard of Australopithecus sediba? No? What about Karabo? Nope?

    It’s the scientific and general name for an amazing find just outside the city limits of Johannesburg, by legendary palaeo-anthropologist Professor Lee Berger. In fact, this great find that fills a critical void in our transition through the various Hominid forms to the Homo-sapien was discovered by his nine-year-old son, Matthew, after countless professional scientists, some of whom had even done their PhD degrees on fossil finds in the area known as the Cradle of Humankind, had seemed to miss this particular area where Karabo was lying. What’s even more incredible about the find is that the scientists haven’t even begun to excavate the land – the two fossil finds of the male and female Australopithecus sediba were lying on the surface, amongst hundreds of other well-preserved remains.

    The Professor gave us an incredible lecture at school today on his adventure over the past two years in being a part of this amazing discovery. Below is the gist of what he spoke about (it’s a video of the media unveiling of the find at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg).

    Professor Berger’s discovery was made possible by the great advances in technology that are currently aiding in our immense progress into understanding more about the world we inhabit. For example, he used Google Earth to discover that the area where he’d been working for a number of years, an area that he subsequently knew so well, hadn’t actually been explored to its capacity. GPS restrictions on early positioning devices offset readings for security purposes, and Google Earth led to him discovering a myriad number of new cave sites, around where this great discovery was made.

    A lesson I have taken to heart from Professor Berger’s lecture, and what truly inspired me about this incredible individual, is his belief in the future generation of science. Technology is advancing to such an extent that more of these kinds of finds are certainly possible in the near-future. We just have to harness that power that technology provides us in order to steer in the right direction of discovery.

    Berger went on to explain that, yes, in the past few hundred years we have certainly managed to navigate most of our planet. But the critical point is, have we really seen the planet? Have we understood it? Australopithecus sediba lay unnoticed in the dry South African sand for hundreds of years, and nobody found it. Perhaps it was because the scientists working the area became so familiar with the it that they didn’t really think to explore the area further – look properly again and again. Because Planet Earth has many hidden treasures, many hidden surprises just waiting behind the next unturned rock.

    Prime examples of the development in technology is social networking. The propounding of a free, shared environment where information can thrive is set to bring up a whole generation of scientists and inquisitive thinkers who will not be afraid to collaborate across wide distances, and utilize advanced and connected tools in order to speed-up the process of discovery, whilst at the same time having a better, more well-rounded and holistic insight into future breakthroughs.

    The future of science is certainly looking bright. I’m extremely excited about what the next 10 years bring in advancements; inroads into string theory, coupled with these kinds of paleo-anthropological findings will be able to answer thousands of our philosophical questions on the existence of our race. The way forward is certainly to see and understand our world; then only can we begin to make major advancements into critical scientific fields.

    Oh, and by the way, according to Professor Berger, a 2011 issue of National Geographic magazine might just publish artist renditions of what the hominids looked like, complete with skin texture and muscle fibre reconstruction. Look out for it – I know I certainly will!

  • iPod Classic: So Long, and Thanks for All the Tunes

    Apple’s iPod-focussed media event, an annual gathering hosted by the iPod-maker, will be held this Wednesday, September 1st.

    While the rumour-mill is churning out reports of a smaller iPod nano, a 3G iPod touch with front-facing FaceTime camera and a new iLife package, the one product not mentioned in most of these blog posts is the fate of the iPod Classic.

    Now, while many people across the globe have fallen to the charms and gadgetry of the iPod touch, or the so-called convenience and “cuteness” factor of the Nano, I have remained a devout Classic fan. In fact, my first (and only) iPod, and introduction to the Apple family, was a 5th generation iPod video.

    There’s just something about the iPod Classic that resonates with me. Perhaps it’s the media powerhouse’s distinct design that just says “iPod” – an iconic landmark of the 21st-century, it’s amazing capacity (even though it’s a physical hard disk, and not solid-state), or that famous click wheel. The iPod Classic has always been the iPod for me.

    And now, I fear, its time has come. Ever-decreasing iPod sales, Apple’s continuous focus and push of the iOS platform, the release of the iPad and the success of the AppStore all point to one thing: a discontinuation of the iPod Classic line. It’s a sad prospect, really. It marks the end of an era in digital music.

    And I sincerely hope that the void created by this move will be filled by something that truly honours the legendary greatness of the Classic – and not some wannabe gadget like the Touch. Sorry, but that’s just the way I see it: the Touch cannot live up to the iconic feel and solidness that is the iPod Classic.

    Yes, the Touch may have fancy bragging facilities like a multi-touch interface, humorous apps, and iBooks, but the Classic does what an iPod was originally meant to do, and it does it exceptionally well: allow you to carry your entire media collection with you, and access it with stylish ease.

    So, that’s my take on what this all means if the iPod Classic were to be cancelled on Wednesday. What’s your opinion of it? Share your ideas in the comments section below!

  • A Refreshed Look

    I’ve been meaning to work on a refreshed look for Life in Pixels. Seeing as I’m going to be spending more time here soon (more on this a little into the future – bit too early to talk about now!), I’ve decided that I need a good space to work in.

    I’m a great admirer of minimalist design. I always enjoy visiting a uncluttered, clean yet stylish-looking blog or website, and while my old theme (a desk-style theme) was awesome, I’ve decided that its time to go for a more professional look.

    The theme I’m currently using is called Handgloves. It’s by George Wiscombe. It really makes a blog, especially one of this nature, look very stylish.

    However, there were some uphill battles to be fought when configuring the theme for my site. The sidebar is of particular frustration, as it doesn’t allow for drag-and-drop widget implementation via the WordPress interface. So I had to dig through the theme’s PHP code to edit everything to my liking. I’ve also had to cut some elements from the sidebar such as the Goodreads box of my “read” books. But in the end, it all goes down to simplifying and de-cluttering the site so that content becomes paramount.

    I’ll be monitoring the development of the Handgloves theme to see when a newer version that allows for better widget support is available.

    For the meantime, though, I’m very happy with this theme.

    What are your thoughts on the new look? Share them in the comments below!

  • Is This The Way to Educate a Nation?

    Tomorrow I’ll be off from school due to the current public servants’ strike going on across South Africa. Whilst my school isn’t affected by the strike, security has been threatened by the enraged strikers who could, at any time, picket outside our gates. Not the best image to project to the city of a prominent school in the province, having those pesky strikers toi-toying outside.

    But what has really struck me with this recent strike (because, you see, South Africa is vunerable to strikes, and even has a so-called “strike season”), is the manner in which union members are protesting.

    Now whilst the act of striking is condoned in our Constitution, it is only accepted as a peaceful manner of protest. Not the brutal, uncivilised way in which citizens of this nation are acting because our government can’t come to a simple conclusion.

    You see, these people who are protesting in a way so embarrassing it makes me wonder what the world must be thinking of us mere months after the World Cup, are the very same people who, during the rest of the year, are meant to educate the future of this country – teach them how to improve the nation and step forward as a united people. Yet here they are, running into schools, vandalising and threatening non-striking teachers and students with violent acts if they don’t follow in their lead and down tools.

    And I ask you, is this democratic in any way?

    It’s barbaric. Simply put: Disgraceful.

    South Africa already has an education system that has let-down a large portion of the population. And now a strike that hits like a knife into the very sector aimed at moving us forward is crippling the entire nation. Without proper education, a nation is nothing. And yet, every year, there has to be a situation with this particular sector and the government. Can’t the guys who we supposedly voted into power realise that, instead of spending exorbitantly at hotels in Cape Town for unreasonably long stays, channel that portion of tax payer’s money into actually doing what it’s meant to do: fund public services like education and health care?

    By striking so frequently, and whenever there is a minor dispute, we are showing the next generation of South Africans that yes, whenever you can’t settle an agreement with your boss, just down tools and start picketing – and oh yes, don’t forget to resort to threats, no matter how violent they may be, to get everyone involved in your cause, even if they aren’t interested in joining you.

    Is this the way to educate a nation?

    No.

    Whatever happened to civil, professional debate between the concerned parties, and civil, professional agreements that honour the needs of both sides being reached? The first step to educating a nation is to set the example for those who will be next in line to follow. And unfortunately, at this rate, we’re far-off from doing so.

  • The Genius of Tolkien

    I’m currently reading J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. I actually bought the box set of the famous definitive trilogy and The Hobbit about eight years ago, but was far too young to make strong headway into such elaborate prose.

    I’ve finally got round to pursuing The Fellowship of the Ring, and am captivated and amazed by what one man could achieve through such a simple yet abstract medium. Like a praise on the back cover of my edition of the novel says,

    The English-speaking world is divided into those who have read The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings and those who are going to read them. (– Sunday Times)

    That a novel of this nature – a fantasy/sci-fi one at that – has become such a defining point in the broad-culture of the English-speaking world really struck a chord with me. But looking deeper into what I’ve previously read and loved in the genre, and comparing it in the larger perspective of what Tolkien has created, I’m beginning to see just how important the trilogy has become.

    As I make may way though the tomes of fantastic text, I will certainly be posting my thoughts on the blog. Stay tuned.