DNA Data Storage, Having too much fun, and Some Music

DNA Data Storage

Researchers have released their findings on being able to store data within DNA and retrieving it with 100% accuracy. So we, of course, thought about how we could make organisms with artificial DNA containing computer code, an obvious movie idea. Furthermore, there's a great conspiracy theory here.

"What's that CKSW? What conspiracy? I like conspiracies."

I'm glad you asked. Allow me to elaborate. So if you studied biology intermittently the last 30 or so years, you might believe that nearly 98% of the human genome is non-coding DNA. If you are more up-to-date and not crazy, you probably can justify this running with current hypothesis and say that the ncDNA probably came from past viruses and helps us to fight disease, or probably has an unknown, biological, non-strange purpose. That would be well and good. You could probably sleep pretty soundly at night believe that. I know I will.

Or... The 98% non-coding DNA is data that was implanted in humans thousands of years ago by an advanced society. There is a computer program of sometime hidden in these unused DNA strands probably with plans on intergalactic travel or how to perfectly cook a grilled cheese without burning either side yet perfectly melting the cheese. It is right there! Wake up SHEEPLE!

So there's that.

Having Too Much Fun

So CK and I were wondering about this after a great evening and night among friends and generally good company, "Did I just run out of happy?"

Here's some context. We began the Friday evening with some Anti-jokes. We laughed a lot for a good 1-2 hours. We made really bad beat mixes and blasted them in the living with reckless abandon. We played with a soccer ball around the kitchen. My flatmate joined us among these things, adding to the good times and enjoyable company. We then went to a bar and ended up meeting some decent blokes. Totally cool science-career people. So we had good laughs and conversations about batmans movies and what the longest rivers in the world are and who can draw the best Africa (apparently, SW is the best. Ain't bragging if it is true). Then today (the next day) we hung out with more friends, getting delicious pizza and going to the Yazoo brewery.

Just so many hours of delight!

So around the time we start watching napping around the living room, watching Return of the King, it hits me. I'm out of happy. That was it. I'm tuckered out of fun.

Some Music  (sidenote: Everyone should have spotify)

Alt-J are an up-and-coming band. I have no idea how to describe them. Electronic? Rock? Somewhere in between? Here's my favorite of their album, An Awesome Wave.

I was just introduced to Lianna La Havas recently. She comes with full vocals but backed by an extremely capable band. Shit rocks. 

This wreck is all amiss interpreted; It was a vision fair and fortunate

Welcome back

So here at The Blog, we seek to use this as a creative outlet. I, Senator Wayne, will probably try incorporating music, social commentary, and conversations with Captain Kirk. This likely means a bunch of non-sense, and, quite frankly, I wouldn't be at all surprised if no one bothered reading any of it. I probably won't reread it. Those errors I made below? They're permanent, left to smolder. Like an infection you haven't taken the time to check out.

A Story about new beginnings.

Yesterday Captain Kirk called me. "Senator, you know how I started last semester rear ending someone on my first day of school? Well, you'll never guess what happened." He said, as if I knew nothing in the world and couldn't possibly guess the events of his life despite knowing him well. He continued in this demeaning manner, "I was rear ended coming home! Could you imagine that terrible luck?"

"No, but that isn't nearly as bad of luck! In fact, it might serve as a turn of fortunes!" I replied to no one because he had left a voicemail, leaving me speaking to an empty room.

Wait, you can't hear my replies to your voicemail?
No one can actually hear what I'm saying?
Oopsy daisy.

I then called him up, "Captain! I got your voicemail, but you are looking at this situation all topsy-turvy! You aren't the stumbling bimbo of last semester, following people closely and tarnishing their bumpers with utter disregard! You'd grown and superseded your peers, allowing you to be closely followed, dangling your bumper like a tasty bait!" He was generally unimpressed by this symbolic explanation of his favorable position. I do admit my role might closely resemble Decius Brutus to the Captain's Caesar.

Captain, there is absolutely nothing to worry about!

Have a good week, readers. We'll love you no matter what.

Text Conversations During Work.

Kirk: You think you could make a tube so long that you could siphon the oceans into space?
Wayne: Personally, no. Generally, yes.
Kirk: We should build one. Hold the world hostage.
Wayne: What do we need from the world? A bigger garden?
Kirk: Mo Money.
Wayne: Bah! Mo money, mo problems.
Kirk: How about this for a plot device. Alchemist discovers the stuff of life, and the solvent for it.
Wayne: Mmmmm. Now we are talking my language.
Kirk: Our heroes hear a rumor like these coming from traders to an out of the way city.
Wayne: The alchemist is the hero?
Kirk: Maybe. He and his colleagues must decide what to do with this new found power. But for all intents and purposes have acquired immortality.
Oh, our story takes place in the roaring 20s. Alchemy is only practiced by quacks except for a few who can see other shades of reality.
Wayne: Go on.
Kirk: Most people dismiss the claims as a hoax and bland rumor. Science has moved forward into the pre-atomic age. Our hero is a French alchemist gifted with this second sight.
He is known simply as monsieur le marc.
His colleagues include a James Beckworth, Bradford von Helmstead, Marie de la Bourbon, and their mysterious benefactor, Countess Anna Borisovana Chelya.
This second sight allows the see to glimpse into other shares of reality and with meditation and practice to grasp the true nature of a substance.
Wayne: Name of substance?
Kirk: It is known by many names. The philosopher's stone, grand panacea, the tree of life, phlogesten, midichlorians. Le Marc has named his discovery "the net."
Wayne: "The net"?
Kirk: It binds all life together. It is basis for it and as such is a net of sorts. Simply called "net" in usage.
Wayne: Are you making some sort of internet metaphor here?
Kirk: No. I'm looking through wiki for good alternative names. Help me out.
Wayne: Le Marc's Miracle whip!
Brings life to every recipe and death to your enemies!
Kirk: No, the anathema to life is know as azoth. The great colvent.
Wayne: That's not very science-y.
Kirk: It's alchemy. It's mystical!
There is no scientific formula for the miracle whip.
To try and creat eone would cause blindness at best and maddening at worst. Brain bits would trickle from your ears like stew from a kettle reading the thing. It is forbidden knowledge.
Wayne: Yet someone figured it out.
Kirk: He has the gift!
And who is to say that he isn't mad already?
Wayne: So there is a forumla, it isn't mystical, but you may have to go mad to figure it out.
Kirk: I should say that to tread the path to enlightenment risks one's sanity and life.