Author: karlschmieder

Book Review: The Dog Stars

Post author By karlschmieder
Post date August 21, 2015
Categories In 100 Days of Writing, 50-Word Epics, book notes, Book Reviews, Writing
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I’m not a fan of post-apocalyptic fiction though I’ve read more than a lifetime’s worth and I get why it is popular: We live in a world of uncertainty and great post-apocalyptic stories give us the hope that we can survive the worse of times. Peter Heller’s brilliant The Dog Stars gives us the story of loss, survival, and […]

Regret? Is It Even Worth It? | Observation

Post author By karlschmieder
Post date August 20, 2015
Categories In 100 Days of Writing, 50-Word Epics, Observations

Is it productive to regret the hours, days, months, even years you spent stressed out of your mind? The days you were worried about world events that you had no influence on? That you could never even hope to influence? The days when you were anxious over your career’s trajectory? Nervous about your finances and the […]

Minecraft for Teaching Biotech | Minecraft Biotech

Post author By karlschmieder
Post date August 19, 2015
Categories In 100 Days of Writing, 50-Word Epics, biotech in kids books, biotechnology, Influences, Observations, synthetic biology
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Minecraft could be the ultimate biotech learning tool. Kids that play the game are already used to crafting – taking blocks of stone, wood, ore and creating novel tools and materials on a crafting table – and brewing – creating potions by adding ingredients to water bottles in a brewing stand. It would only take a […]

How To Clone a Dragon 1 | Can We Ever Bioengineer Dragons?

Post author By karlschmieder
Post date August 18, 2015
Categories In 100 Days of Writing, 50-Word Epics, biotech in kids books, biotechnology
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So you want to clone a dragon? Before you can clone anything you have to have a copy to work from and because dragons do not yet exist, you’re going to have to bio-engineer one first. But before you start the biological design process that will result in your dragon, you need to remember this […]

Head-Mounted Display DNA Synthesis

Post author By karlschmieder
Post date August 17, 2015
Categories In 100 Days of Writing, 50-Word Epics, biotech in kids books, biotechnology, Influences, synthetic biology, Writing

How will virtual reality change our view into DNA synthesis? With a head-mounted display interface to mixed reality, you will not only hold DNA in your hand, you will watch the way your modifications are translated into proteins. As amino acids are added to your protein, separate algorithms will tell you whether your product folds correctly […]

Afraid of the Future?

Post author By karlschmieder
Post date August 15, 2015
Categories In 100 Days of Writing, 50-Word Epics, Observations, Writing

Afraid of the future? Wonder why? Probably because you don’t know what’s ahead and you can’t control what you don’t know. That lack of knowledge fuels your fear and anxiety. The antidote? Focus on the present and embrace the unknown. What makes you uncomfortable makes you stronger. (12.100)

Stop. Listen. Learn. What To Do When You Need Inspiration.

Post author By karlschmieder
Post date August 14, 2015
Categories In 100 Days of Writing, 50-Word Epics, Observations
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It is so much easier to consume, accumulate, and continue distracted than it is to stop, create and take action. So, then, the first step is to turn off, disconnect and take a few deep breaths. Then wait. Feel uncomfortable and listen. The next action will be clear. (11.100)

NSA Art Project

Post author By karlschmieder
Post date August 13, 2015
Categories In 100 Days of Writing, biotechnology, NYC, Observations, synthetic biology, Writing

With the National Security Agency’s new open source face recognition API, take a selfie, upload it to their database and begin searching for your twin(s). Armed with a series of matches, create photographs and profiles based on available online data and post to your heart’s content. Bonus points for using genomic information to find your twin(s). […]

Dub: Best Dressed Chicken in Town

Post author By karlschmieder
Post date August 12, 2015
Categories In 100 Days of Writing, 50-Word Epics, Influences, Music, NYC, Observations, Skateboarding
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In my world, Dr. Alimantado (born Winston Thompson, AKA The Ital Surgeon) and his Best Dressed Chicken in Town was my introduction to reggae long before I realized the power of Catch-A-Fire-Bob-Marley, Legalize-It Peter Tosh and Roast Fish Collie Weed & Corn Bread Lee “Scratch” Perry. Public Image Limited’s Jah Wobble’s reggae-influenced thunk-punk bass, morphed into dancehall and reggaeton drilled into […]

Memory

Post author By karlschmieder
Post date August 11, 2015
Categories In 100 Days of Writing, 50-Word Epics, Influences, Writing

Memory of citrus blossoms scattered by the dry Santa Anas. Scent of eucalyptus trees planted as wind breaks. Skeletal lemon and avocado trees reaching thirsty to the sun that shriveled them dry. (8.100)