segmentation fault

infoneer-pulse:

The Fractal Dimension of ZIP Codes

One quick way to look at ZIP codes is by seeing how each part of a ZIP code defines a part of our country. Ben Fry, of Fathom, created a simple visualization called zipdecode to do just this. As you type each successive digit of a ZIP code and see what regions of the United States it describes. For example, if you’re typing in 64110 (Kansas City), you can see what parts of the United States begin with ‘6’.

But let’s think about ZIP codes a bit more abstractly. ZIP codes must serve every resident of the United States in an efficient manner, much like how the circulatory system serves every cell within an animal. Circulatory systems, however, all have a certain shape: they are self-similar. Parts of these branching circulatory systems look like the whole.

And it turns out that branching structures, whether circulatory systems or not, are fractals. Essentially, that means that that they have fractal (or fractional) dimensions, since they fill space or a surface, but are built up using lines. The circulatory system fills a three-dimensional space using tubes (which are essentially two-dimensional), and the Peano Curve fills a plane while only being a long and snaking one-dimensional line. These objects, that don’t quite obey regular shapes, all have fractal dimensions.

» via Wired

(via heroicdestinysquad)

stuffaboutminneapolis:

Logo unveiled for new submarine named for Minnesota

ROSEVILLE, Minn. - Seventeen-year-old Jakob Bartels was already feeling good about his drawing hobby. After all, earlier this year he won first place in a logo contest sponsored by a local restaurant.

Getting his design on a beer stein was one thing. But a nuclear powered submarine is something else altogether.

On Friday, another of Bartels’ designs was unveiled as the crest for the USS Minnesota, a Navy submarine now being built at a shipyard in Virginia and scheduled for commissioning in late 2013.

Bartel’s design incorporates a seafaring Viking, the North Star, a blue background to represent Minnesota’s lakes, a band of maroon to represent the University of Minnesota and a Latin inscription that translates to “From the North, Power.”

Also featured on the crest is a walleye mean enough to scare a Mille Lacs fisherman right out of his boat.

For his efforts Bartels was awarded a $1,500 scholarship and a free trip to the Minnesota’s commissioning.

The USS Minnesota will be the third navy vessel named for the state, and the first since 1907.

tastefullyoffensive:

via

(via spareunderthemat)

myheadandmyhearttoday:

nyclust:

Yes.

sweetvirginiabreeze:

I wish John Candy was still alive

argue all you want people but uncle buck by far is his best film—a 1980’s masterpiece if you ask me! my dad and i just rewatched it recently while decorating the christmas tree. my college roomie and i quote it back and forth. go watch it this very second if you haven’t ever before.

This.