“We’re going to get more and more of this content and it’s probably going to get of better quality,” says Sam Gregory of the human-rights nonprofit Witness.
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Sunday, October 6, 2019
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Saturday, October 5, 2019
Oobleck’s weird behavior is now predictable
It’s a phenomenon many preschoolers know well: When you mix cornstarch and water, weird things happen. Swish it gently in a bowl, and the mixture sloshes around like a liquid. Squeeze it, and it starts to feel like paste. Roll it between your hands, and it solidifies into a rubbery ball. Try to hold that ball in the palm of your hand, and it will dribble away as a liquid.
Most of us who have played with this stuff know it as “oobleck,” named after a sticky green goo in Dr. Seuss’ “Bartholomew and the Oobleck.” Scientists, on the other hand, refer to cornstarch and water as a “non-Newtonian fluid” — a material that appears thicker or thinner depending on how it is physically manipulated.
Now MIT engineers have developed a mathematical model that predicts oobleck’s weird behavior. Using their model, the researchers accurately simulated how oobleck turns from a liquid to a solid and back again, under various conditions.
Aside from predicting what the stuff might do in the hands of toddlers, the new model can be useful in predicting how oobleck and other solutions of ultrafine particles might behave for military and industrial applications. Could an oobleck-like substance fill highway potholes and temporarily harden as a car drives over it? Or perhaps the slurry could pad the lining of bulletproof vests, morphing briefly into an added shield against sudden impacts. With the team’s new oobleck model, designers and engineers can start to explore such possibilities.
“It’s a simple material to make — you go to the grocery store, buy cornstarch, then turn on your faucet,” says Ken Kamrin, associate professor of mechanical engineering at MIT. “But it turns out the rules that govern how this material flows are very nuanced.”
Kamrin, along with graduate student Aaron Baumgarten, have published their results today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
A clumpy model
Kamrin’s primary work focuses on characterizing the flow of granular material such as sand. Over the years, he’s developed a mathematical model that accurately predicts the flow of dry grains under a number of different conditions and environments. When Baumgarten joined the group, the researchers started work on a model to describe how saturated wet sand moves. It was around this time that Kamrin and Baumgarten saw a scientific talk on oobleck.
“We’d seen this talk, and we had a lengthy debate over what is oobleck, and how is it different from wet sand,” Kamrin says. “After some vigorous back and forth with Aaron, he decided to see if we could turn this wet sand model into one for oobleck.”
Granular material in oobleck is much finer than sand: A single particle of cornstarch is about 1 to 10 microns wide and about one-hundredth the size of a grain of sand. Kamrin says particles at such a small scale experience effects that larger particles such as sand do not. For instance, because cornstarch particles are so small, they can be influenced by temperature, and by electric charges that build up between particles, causing them to slightly repel against each other.
“As long as you squish slowly, the grains will repel, keeping a layer of fluid between them, and just slide past each other, like a fluid,” Kamrin says. “But if you do anything too fast, you’ll overcome that little repulsion, the particles will touch, there will be friction, and it’ll act as a solid.”
This repulsion happening at the small scale brings out a key difference between large and ultrafine grain mixtures at the lab scale: The viscosity, or consistency of wet sand at a given packing density remains the same, whether you stir it gently or slam a fist into it. In contrast, oobleck has a low, liquid-like viscosity when slowly stirred. But if its surface is punched, a rapidly growing zone of the slurry adjacent to the contact point becomes more viscous, causing oobleck’s surface to bounce back and resist the impact, like a solid trampoline.
They found that stress was the main factor in determining whether a material was more or less viscous. For instance, the faster and more forcefully oobleck is disturbed, the “clumpier” it is — that is, the more the underlying particles make frictional, as opposed to lubricated, contact. If it is slowly and gently deformed, oobleck is less viscous, with particles that are more evenly distributed and that repel against each other, like a liquid.
The team looked to model the effect of repulsion of fine particles, with the idea that perhaps a new “clumpiness variable” could be added to their model of wet sand to make an accurate model of oobleck. In their model, they included mathematical terms to describe how this variable would grow and shrink under a certain stress or force.
“Now we have a robust way of modeling how clumpy any chunk of the material in the body will be as you deform it in an arbitrary way,” Baumgarten says.
Wheels spinning
The researchers incorporated this new variable into their more general model for wet sand, and looked to see whether it would predict oobleck’s behavior. They used their model to simulate previous experiments by others, including a simple setup of oobleck being squeezed and sheared between two plates, and a set of experiments in which a small projectile is shot into a tank of oobleck at different speeds.
In all scenarios, the simulations matched the experimental data and reproduced the motion of the oobleck, replicating the regions where it morphed from liquid to solid, and back again.
To see how their model could predict oobleck’s behavior in more complex conditions, the team simulated a pronged wheel driving at different speeds over a deep bed of the slurry. They found the faster the wheel spun, the more the mixture formed what Baumgarten calls a “solidification front” in the oobleck, that momentarily supports the wheel so that it can roll across without sinking.
Kamrin and Baumgarten say the new model can be used to explore how various ultrafine-particle solutions such as oobleck behave when put to use as, for instance, fillings for potholes, or bulletproof vests. They say the model could also help to identify ways to redirect slurries through systems such as industrial plants.
“With industrial waste products, you could get fine particle suspensions that don’t flow the way you expect, and you have to move them from this vat to that vat, and there may be best practices that people don’t know yet, because there’s no model for it,” Kamrin says. “Maybe now there is.”
This research was supported, in part, by the Army Research Office and the National Science Foundation.
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True Black western centered on Boley, Oklahoma in the works at Universal Television
The true story of how Black people armed themselves to protect their homeland of Boley, Oklahoma will soon become a television series.
Boley, in development at Universal Television, was written by Dianne Houston, who has written episodes for Empire and When We Rise, and producer Rudy Langlais, who has worked on The Hurricane and Sugar Hill, according to Deadline.
READ MORE: Meghan Markle, Prince Harry authorize their own official documentary
Already being hailed as “television’s first premium Black western,” Boley takes its inspiration from the true story of Boley, Okla., established in 1904 as one of the largest and most prosperous Black towns in the United States. It was in Boley in the 1930s when a group of Black residents took on notorious gangster Pretty Boy Floyd and his gang of outlaws to successfully defend their town.
Booker T. Washington once described Boley as “the finest Black town in the world.”
All of this was threatened on November 23, 1932, when three members of Charles “Pretty Boy” Floyd’s gang attempted to rob the town’s Farmers and Merchants Bank, the first nationally chartered black-owned bank in Oklahoma. In the melee, the bank’s president and two of Pretty Boy Floyd’s gangsters were killed, one by a bank bookkeeper and the other by townspeople who took up arms and shot at the robbers when they tried to flee. All the money was recovered.
The legacy of the town of Boley and its inhabitants form the backdrop of this limited series, which has been a passion project for Langlais and Universal TV President Pearlena Igbokwe for two decades, according to Deadline.
READ MORE: Diahann Carroll, Oscar-nominated, pioneering actress, dies
“Boley was one of those mythic places, like Camelot, that I heard fleeting but exciting tales about,” Langlais told Deadline. “They described a place impossible to believe was real…in the middle of Oklahoma…mentioned Nikolai Tesla…and Pretty Boy Floyd…and a shoot-out during a bank robbery…all in the same breath. So when Pearlena called 20 years ago and asked if I was interested in telling this story, I was ready to jump on a train to find this mythic place. However long it took.”
“Rudy Langlais and I have been trying to tell this story for a long time,” Igbokwe added to the Deadline interview. “It is yet another piece of American history that has been overlooked. The showdown in Boley, Oklahoma is incredibly emotional and incredibly cinematic.”
We can’t wait!
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Jacksonville Jaguars owner buys majority stake in Black News Channel
The Black News Channel, a new Tallahassee-based cable news network launching on November 15, is being backed by Pakistani-American billionaire Shahid “Shad” Khan, who owns the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The channel will launch in 33 million U.S. households and will target an African-American audience, according to WJCT News. The network is news gathered, written and reported by Black people for Black people, reported The New York Post.
READ MORE: Jaguars owner open to signing Kaepernick amid NFL protests
Khan has not disclosed the amount of his investment, but a source told The New York Post that it exceeded $25 million. Another source referred to the deal as “open-ended,” explaining that “whatever Khan gets involved in, he’s in all the way.”
“My decision to invest was an easy one,” Khan said, according to The New York Post.
In addition to the Jaguars, Khan also owns England’s Fulham FC soccer team. He is also the lead investor, with his son Tony, in the All Elite Wrestling.
The timing is ripe for the channel, according to the channel’s website.
“The number of cable news networks dedicated to serving the nation’s African American communities remains at ZERO! Black News Channel will be the nation’s first channel to fill this significant void,” the site reads.
BNC’s founder is J.C. Watts, Jr., a former congressman from Oklahoma who also played football in the Canadian Football League. The co-founder is Bob Brillante, who is a veteran of Florida television and helped to launch the Sunshine Network, which has since become Fox Sports Sun. Brillante also launched Florida’s News Channel, a 24-hour regional cable news network which is now defunct.
Khan said he is backing the Black News Channel’s mission to give voices to issues in the Black community – something he is committed to himself.
“This is a chance for me to make an impact on how African Americans report and consume news and related programming, how their voices are amplified and heard, and how all of us can better connect socially, culturally, economically and more,” Khan said in a news release, according to WJCT News. “I am truly proud to be part of such an ambitious but worthy effort.”
Watts said he’s excited to have Khan’s support.
“Obviously, he’s a successful business person, not just in the Jacksonville area with the Jaguars and the things that he has going on there, but I think nationally and internationally. He’s got a brand that we’re excited and thrilled that he chose to join his brand to our efforts,” said Watts, according to WJCT News.
The Black News Channel will initially be available to 23 million satellite TV households and 10 million cable TV households. Watts told WJCT News that more distribution agreements would be forthcoming.
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Were Black homeless people in Atlanta targeted to improve Google’s facial-recognition software?
Atlanta officials have questions for Google. Mainly, did the technology giant target Black homeless people in the city to improve their facial-recognition software?
On Wednesday, The New York Daily News reported that a staffing agency hired by Google sent contractors to Atlanta and other cities to target Black people for facial scans. In Atlanta, according to one anonymous ex-worker, contractors gathered up homeless people figuring they would be less apt to report them to the media.
READ MORE: Former Google employee says company made him feel ‘the burden of being Black’
Still, word got out and on Friday, Nina Hickson, Atlanta’s city attorney, sent a letter to Google looking for answers.
“The possibility that members of our most vulnerable populations are being exploited to advance your company’s commercial interest is profoundly alarming for numerous reasons,” Hickson said in a letter to Kent Walker, Google’s legal and policy chief, according to The New York Times. “If some or all of the reporting was accurate, we would welcome your response as what corrective action has been and will be taken.”
Google maintains it hired contractors from Randstad to scan the faces of volunteers to improve its facial-recognition software, designed to allow users to unlock Google’s new phone just by looking at it. The idea was to capture a diverse sampling of faces to ensure the software worked with a variety of different skin tones, two Google executives said in an email to colleagues which was shared with The New York Times.
“Our goal in this case has been to ensure we have a fair and secure feature that works across different skin tones and face shapes,” the Google executives said in the email.
READ MORE: Google offers job to artist behind viral Juneteenth homepage sketch
However, Google representatives say they suspended the research and began an investigation into the allegations, a Google spokesman said.
“We’re taking these claims seriously,” the spokesman said in a statement, according to The New York Times.
The unnamed ex-employee told The New York Daily News that Randstad sent contractors to Atlanta to focus on Black homeless people instead. The worker added that a Google manager was not present when that order was made. A second unnamed contractor added in the interview that employees were told by Randstad to find homeless people and university students in California, because they would be most receptive to the $5 gift cards volunteers received in exchange for their facial scans.
Chile.
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Judge keeps special prosecutor in Jussie Smollett investigation
A Chicago judge on Friday ruled that he would keep in place a special prosecutor, who is investigating the handling of the Jussie Smollett case, despite a campaign contribution he made in 2016 to the state’s attorney, who dropped charges against the actor.
The Cook County Circuit Court Judge’s decision was delivered in a hearing after the special prosecutor, former U.S. Attorney Dan Webb, disclosed in a court filing that he co-hosted a 2016 fundraiser for Kim Foxx and gave $1,000 to her campaign for Cook County state’s attorney, reported ABC News. Foxx is Cook County’s first Black female state’s attorney.
READ MORE: Jussie Smollett hits back at critic who claims he lied about racist attack
Judge Michael Toomin said “there is no indication” that Webb’s disclosure would influence his decision on whether to ultimately reinstate charges against Smollett, and it is common practice for lawyers to contribute money to candidate campaigns.
“There’s no indication that (Webb) harbors any bias … to any party,” Toomin said, according to ABC News.
In March, Foxx dropped charges against Smollett, a former actor in the hit TV show Empire, for allegedly staging a racist, homophobic attack against himself. Smollett still says he was telling the truth and the attack was real.
The Osundairo brothers, Abel and Ola Osundairo, who are said to have perpetrated the attack, met with special prosecutor Webb this week to tell their side of the story, according to TMZ. Each brothers spent a few hours with the Webb’s team.
Before Toomin’s ruling, Webb told the judge that he didn’t even remember attending the fundraiser or writing out the check until someone recently told him.
“I don’t know Ms. Foxx …. and have never met her, as far as I know,” he said. “This is not even remotely a case that involves a conflict of interest.”
Webb, a former prosecutor who is now a sought after and highly respected private attorney, is investigating whether Foxx’s calls with a relative of Smollett and former aide to first lady Michelle Obama unduly influenced her decision to drop charges.
READ MORE: Terrence Howard on ‘Empire’ without Jussie Smollett: “The heart of our show is gone”
Prosecutor Cathy McNeil Stein, a Foxx representative during Friday’s hearing, told the judge that Foxx initially had no issues with Webb serving as special investigator, but now she worries about the perception of a conflict.
Retired Judge Sheila O’Brien, who initiated legal action leading to a special prosecutor, agreed. She told Toomin: “The concern I have is … what does the average person on the street think?” according to ABC News.
Smollett‘s attorneys didn’t oppose or back Webb. Initially, they were against the appointment of any special prosecutor, arguing that the charges were dropped and the case should have remained closed.
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Summer Walker drops highly anticipated debut album ‘Over It’
Summer Walker dropped her debut album, Over It, on Friday, and her fans were here for it.
Almost instantly after the album dropped, Walker started trending on Twitter, according to Newsweek. The Atlanta R&B singer’s album covers 18 tracks, including songs about secret love affairs, losing feelings for a love interest and the challenge of avoiding temptation.
Fans want Walker to know her music is already sending them on an emotional ride.
READ MORE: Lil Baby says Young Thug paid him to leave the hood to become a rapper
“Summer Walker about to leave us in our feelings for the rest of the year,” wrote Twitter user @Miss_Woods on Friday.
“This new Summer Walker is really nice,” added @joekay, who hosts and created Soulection Radio, a Beats 1 radio show. “So ill to hear her on tracks with Bryson, party and Usher especially.”
this new summer walker is really nice.
so ill to hear her on tracks with bryson, party, & usher especially.
— JOE KAY (@joekay) October 4, 2019
Others agree that the collaborations featured on the album are so dope. Walker features A Boogie wit da Hoodie, PARTYNEXTDOOR, 6lack, Bryson Tiller, Usher and Jhené Aiko, whom Walker had accompanied on the “Triggered (Freestyle)” remix that was released on Wednesday, according to Newsweek.
Over It also includes some lines from Drake on the “Girls Need Love Too” remix. Walker included the original version of the song on her 2018 EP, Last Day of Summer. Drake, who loved the track, reached out to her on Instagram to tell her as much, according to Walker in an interview with Billboard.
“I think [Drake] slid into the DMs and was like, ‘I saw your video on a bowling alley monitor—thought it was cool,” Walker told Billboard. “And then Justice [Daiden, co-founder of the LVRN record label to which Walker is signed] made me ask him to [jump on the song] and he said yes.”
READ MORE: Lil Nas X cancels shows and announces a break from music days after singer Fiona Apple calls him out
Walker is now tour-ready. She is teaming up with New York rapper Melii on The First & Last Tour, which is expected to hit North American cities including Los Angeles, Vancouver, New York City, Dallas, Memphis and many more.
Over It is now available on all streaming platforms including iTunes.
LISTEN TO THE ALBUM HERE:
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Here’s One Solution to Help You Reduce Workplace Burnout
Are you experiencing burnout at work? You’re not alone. According to Deloitte’s 2018 Workplace Burnout Study, 77% of respondents say they have experienced employee burnout at their current job.
What’s the solution? Travel more!
You don’t have to go outside the country to experience the mental cleansing you need to reinvigorate your life. The United States offers over 400 National Parks and thousands of recreational and historic sites to help you disconnect from work and reconnect to life’s most beautiful features. Through the Find Your Park initiative, you can explore the wealth of history and nature around you. This was made possible through the National Park Foundation partnership with the National Park Service.
If you’re looking for one of the most environmentally sustainable National Parks, you should explore Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. Subaru’s sponsorship of Don’t Feed The Landfills Initiative has helped the National Park Service eliminate over 6 million pounds of waste, ensuring that the parks remain healthy and vibrant.
Are you ready to inhale the beauty of the National Parks and conquer workplace burnout once and for all? Here’s how to get started on your journey to Grand Teton National Park.
Head To The Visitors Center
Before you get started on an adventure in Grand Teton National Park, stop by the visitor center to learn more about the best sites to explore. Opened in 2007, this visitor center is not like any other you’ve probably seen. You’ll notice videos coming out of the floor to mimic the iconic Snake Rivers and Bear country and walls filled with educational information that will connect you with the town in a new way.
Take a Hike at Jenny Lake
If you’re looking for a rugged workout that will spoil you with breathtaking views, head on over to Jenny Lake. Jenny Lake is a starting point for many day and overnight hiking trips. This area grants you access to gorgeous district trails that meet all hiking levels. You’ll be able to walk trails along the lake to capture the most photogenic features of the outdoors. Be prepared for high elevation, steep trails, and possible signs of wildlife.
Go Rafting on the Snake River
Have you ever been river rafting before? A few hours on the river will definitely wipe away any stressful distractions that may be holding you back. The Grand Teton Lodge Company takes you on a 10-mile rafting tour on the Snake River. You’ll also receive a meal on the river before you dive into the water.
Test Your Dude Ranch Knowledge
Work is less stressful when you can share fun facts with your colleagues. Check out the Bar BC Dude Ranch. You’ll learn about the entrepreneurial history of the old west and gain creative inspiration that will fuel your business ideas.
Walk Around the Art Gallery in Colter Bay
The Colter Bay Visitors Center is home to scenic views by Jackson Lake. You’ll be able to walk around an art gallery that features work from Native American tribes from different reservations across the U.S. Art is very therapeutic and has a way of relaxing the mind.
Find Meaning on Shadow Mountain
When was the last time you had a chance to reflect on your life and think about your goals and aspirations? Shadow Mountain offers the perfect opportunity to do this. Just rent a powerful Subaru and you’re on your way to the top of the mountain to soak in all of the scenic views while you camp and take a break from everything going on around you.
Enjoy the Views and Activities at Spring Creek Ranch
Stay at Spring Creek Ranch and you’ll have the opportunity to go horseback riding, enjoy the 24-hour hot tub, and eat at top restaurants such as The Granary and Amangani. You will also get a chance to stay at a modern-day townhouse ranch boasting spectacular views of the valley. The ranch also offers complimentary shuttle services to the center of the city.
Workplace burnout is impacting a lot of black professionals. If you’re experiencing workplace burnout, the most important action you can take is to take care of you. Grand Teton National Park is a perfect place to unplug and tap into the inspiration you need to balance your work-life commitments.
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