Extreme engineering

Some Japanese architects have come up with a way to help solve urban overcrowding problems: build up and not out. They want to build a vertical city in Tokyo; this ambitious project is called Sky City, and you can view an interactive model here.

Spatial sound technology

I recently saw an article about Iosono, a new technique for the projection of recorded or amplified sound. In a nutshell, this technology allows sound sources to be placed anywhere within a listening area, enabling, for example, a realistic reproduction of a helicopter flying directly overhead. Coming soon (maybe) to a theater near you!

New automotive suspension system

It appears that Bose has designed a neat-o mosquito automotive suspension system that promises to significantly improve car stability and handling. Be sure to check out the videos. It's really something.

The first post

Welcome to my weblog. This is my very first post.

You might be wondering why I've chosen to call this blog The Emotional Pumpkin. It's kind of a long story, but it all started when I was doing a study abroad program in Japan a few years ago. I was sitting in the lounge of our building expounding on my philosophy regarding intra-circle-of-friends soap operas to a couple of Americans and a Japanese student. Before I begin, let me define some terms: I use the term "Republican" to mean "preserver of the status quo" (yes, my political view was a bit limited at the time).

Anyway, at one point I said: "I'm an emotional Republican; I don't like change." To which the Japanese listener (evidently not being familiar with American politics) looked completely baffled and said: "You're an emotional pumpkin?!" I think I was laughing too hard to try and explain. In accordance with the universal laws of humor, the name stuck, and one of my many nicknames is now "the emotional pumpkin".