science is fun

This is the kind of stuff that I think can get other people to realize that science (and scientists and learning) can be fun!

I don't have my full game of Spore. That won't be released until September. I still don't even have my full version of the Creature Editor. *grrrrr* But already I'm having a blast. I think that this game will eventually prove a fascinating exploration in evolution. But to add to its educational value, Spore has announced a video dance contest and the prizes include telescopes! I've already worked for the last hour or more to produce my own creature for this contest. The creature is shared on my Spore page, and here's the video.

The creature editor is well integrated. There's a single button to turn on video capture. When you end the video capture, the editor immediately prompts you to ask if you want to load it onto YouTube right away. It's as easy as that.

I'm very impressed, and it's still 3 months until the game is released.

locals: volunteers needed for search

Keith Kennedy, a 25-year-old autistic man, wandered off from Trade Lake Camp on Sunday. So far, 300 volunteers have been unsuccessful in finding him. They're needing more people to come help the search. This Star Tribune article has details including the phone number (715-488-2690) of the camp near Grantsburg, Wisconsin, that is about 90 minutes from the Twin Cities. The news story says to call first before heading out. My email from AuSM says the area is dense woods and swamp, so wear long pants, long shirt, boots. Bring water and bug spray.

I hope to wander off into the forest someday too, but it sounds like his disappearance wasn't planned and that he needs to receive some kind of medication that he takes.