NASA is still producing some very impressive images from Curiosity’s impressive stockpile of footage. The latest is this short, but high-resolution clip, of Curiosity’s landing. Composed of stills taken by the Mars Descent Imager (MARDI), a camera pointing down that took shots as the rover was lowered to the ground by the sky crane, the good people at Spaceflight101 made this compilation, time-lapse video from them.
Of particular coolness is the small cloud of dust kicked up as the sky cranes rocket thrusters as it nears the ground. And then there’s the closing frames where you can see when one of the rover’s wheels snap down into place. It’s a fantastic age when we not only get footage of rovers and other craft landing on other planets, but in high-resolution and color too. Remember the grainy black and white footage of the Moon Landing? Yeah, Neil Armstrong must be watching overhead, thinking we’re all pretty spoiled!
My thanks to all Revengers who reported in to take part in our first round of missions. My favorite response was the following report, as filed by Atrum Auditor (aka. v1rgilmdm of the 8bitbeerblog). The following is his account of the Harlan/Keithly surveillance. The following transcript has been edited for content, but appears here otherwise unabridged:
After hearing about the meeting between Councilman Jeff Harlan and Syndicate Boss Joe “The Stare” Keithly, Atrum Auditor put together his team to expose the truth. After first recruiting Erotica Girl a kick-ass heroine with enhanced strength and the ability to go invisible, Justyka was also recruited for this sensitive mission. As a fellow telepath that can fly and also render herself invisible, she would prove to be indispensable.
This team is optimized for covert, undetectable operations. The team meets at the docks as the sun sets, to survey the area and set up camera and bugs before the illicit meeting starts. Erotica Girl goes invisible to keep watch as Atrum Auditor teleports from shadow to shadow, planting listening devices and video cameras. Meanwhile Justyka plants cameras with night vision and infrared up high on burnt-out lamp posts, a building corner and a crane.
“Ok, this is eyes and ears only. We stay for the meet, record everything and then waylay Keithly until the police can pick up Councilman Harlan,” Atrum reminded the group.
“I still don’t understand why we don’t just take out Keithly and his scumbags out now,” Erotica Girl complained.
“It’s not our place to act as judge and jury,” Justyka replied.
“A win for the police will look good for all of us,” added Atrum. “Just think of it as community block watch or whatever. We set ‘em up, the police knock ‘em down, we all look good”.
“Fine. Whatever,” Erotica Girl rolled her eyes. “What time did your guy say this meet was happening?”
“Twenty-three hundred hours sharp. Keithly can’t abide people who aren’t punctual,” Atrum supplied.
“Great. Just three more hours to kill. What’s the plan to distract Keithly until Harlan get’s arrested?” asked Justyka.
“Well, I -uh… I was thinking Keithly owns this warehouse by the dock here, we could start a small fire and that should cause a distraction. Keithly will probably send his goons to save anything important, leaving him free to have an intimate talk with us. But I’m open to suggestions,” Atrum said, revealing the limit of his ability to organize.
“I say we knock the mob meatheads out and take Keithly on a cruise out in the bay. Maybe with a free pair of cement shoes,” Erotica said with a wicked grin.
“Why don’t we call that plan B?” Justyka mediated.
After testing the video recorders’ night vision and infrared feeds and the audio recording levels, the heroes settled in for their stake-out. Erotica Girl posted herself at a neighboring warehouse, invisible, so that she could be close at hand in case any surprises popped up. Atrum found a spot underneath the dock amidst some ropes and old lumber where he could watch the feeds on his hand-held, but still be within easy teleportation range. Justyka flew up to the crow’s nest of a nearby boat so she could see any traffic by land or sea for miles.
I see a black town car approaching the docks from the East, Justyka broadcasted over the trio’s telepathic link.
Copy that. I have lights, Erotica Girl confirmed mentally.
Stay sharp, and give me descriptions of any unknown parties, Atrum Auditor responded.
Another vehicle approaching. A yellow taxi looks like, Justyka reported.
Yeah, what’s the Councilman thinking? Bringing a civilian? asked Erotica.
They are exiting the car now. I have 5 thermal signatures on camera. Atrum broadcasted visually.
Looks like Keithly brought a couple of heavies. I recognize them from files that have come across my desk. Ex-military enhancement project: codenames Hammer and Spike. Enhanced strength, with Psychokinetic powers and Black Ops trained, Atrum added, as the information flashed on his hand-held.
I feel… A mind above us… Searching. Crap! Erotica! What’s your position? Justyka asked, panicked.
Uh..guys? We might want to call the Captain for back-up. Erotica Girl suggested.
Indeed. Came an amused unfamiliar thought-voice.
* * *
Not bad, huh? As you can plainly see, tension is mounting and it seems the mission has taken on a sinister edge. Well, more sinister, since it already involved mob bosses and corrupt councilmen. And it seems some additional forces are being called for. As such, I, Captain Smackdown, am pledging to arrive on scene with backup! Panacea, Dark Angel, are you with me? Looks like our take down of Billy Bob will have to wait another night! Inferno, rendezvous with us there! And dammit, answer your phone!
Thank you Revengers for getting back to me in a timely fashion. It seems the city has many problems that are just crying out to be dealt with. And as I said before, it’s hard to know where to start. But it seems our members and their sources have provided several possible suggestions, three to be exact. Ordinarily, I might be inclined to ask that we decide together which one merits the most immediate response.
However, since they are all worthy, and no single one would require the full weight of our numbers, we can afford to divide our resources this time and take them down simultaneously. And as it happens, the timetable on these missions appears to provide a little flexibility, since some need to be dealt with sooner than others.
Behold our first three missions, numbered based on their immediacy, but not order of importance. Within each, you will find a mission profile and assignments, which will be given out based on abilities but largely open to volunteers. Those who have brought the assignment to our attention will usually get first crack, but priority must be given to who can be most affective in any given situation. And if you’re not picked the first time around, don’t worry. We are all on the roster and shall be given the chance to show the world of crime and corruption what we got!
Mission 1: Corruption at City Hall Source: Atrum Auditor
Profile: It seems that a certain city councilman named Jeff Harlan has a reputation for corruption. However, after multiple investigations, nothing has ever stuck to him. Witnesses and evidence against him have a way of disappearing, and it’s widely believed their is a mob connection in that respect.
But we may have finally found a break. Tonight, a meeting with syndicate crime boss Joe “The Stare” Keithly is scheduled to go down at the docks, with the intent of discussing a new building project on the East Side. Atrum believes that Keithly is looking for more real estate to expand his methamphetine operations, since most of the hard drugs in the city come from the outside. If he can build his own network of labs, he will be in a position to control meth production and distribution, making him all the more powerful and the people of the city helpless in his hands!
Aims: The meeting needs to go down, and evidence collected on the Councilman. That evidence needs to finds its way into the hands of someone honest at the DA’s office. Then, we need to take down Joe Keithly and make sure he understands that his policy of intimidation and disappearances is at an end. I was thinking something dramatic, like his own methods which often involve feeding people to the fish. Let him dangle above a shark tank up to and until the point where Councilman Harlan is safely behind bars, and maybe, just maybe we’ll let him walk out on his own two feet. But of course, be creative, just know that no one dies…
Assignments: Atrum, since this is your show, you will be responsible for watching over the meeting and making sure we got audio/video on the whole thing. We’ll need at least two people to join him and make sure the take down goes smoothly. Keithly doesn’t travel alone and can be expected to have two or three armed men with him. Remember, we only need to scare the bejeezus out of him and make sure he’s sidelined until the Councilman is arrested. Volunteers?
Profile: It seems this mission presents the opportunity to not only avenge some deaths, but prevent many more. Panacea recently discovered two young girls left in an alley to die, strung out on drugs, and willing to provide some rather interesting information. It seems that Gus Darby, a respectable businessmen, just opened a new high-class restaurant on the waterfront. It’s the kind of place there the rich go to network in person. Deals are made over some of the best food and drink in town.
However, it is also rumored that Gus himself is doing some business in here, with notorious pimp Billy Bob! And it would seem that the two of them have a good racket going, using prostitutes to gain leverage over the powerful and influential. Unfortunately, Billy Bob’s competition seems to think that he’s got an unfair edge and needs to be taken down. A turf war could be in the winds…
Aims: Scum and villainy do not do our jobs for us! That’s why it’s up to us to take down Billy Bob and his crooked pimping empire. I suggest we find him in his den and enter full force, taking out his body guards and hired muscle in the process. Once we’re done that, we’ll make sure he understands that his days of doing business with Darby are over, but not before he hands over all the information he has on the city’s powerful elite. You never know, might come in handy…
Assignements: Panacea, I think you’ll definitely want to run point on this one, as we’re likely to find several girls in need of help once we bust up Bob’s operation. Call me crazy, but I also imagine you’re itching for a shot at him and his henchmen. I will back you up with Inferno, who’s skill will come in handy so we can set his place ablaze when we’re done clearing it. Perhaps we’ll stop by Gus’s restaurant and put a little show for him too after. Two more volunteers for some added muscle and showmanship ought to do it. Any takers? Take down a vicious pimp people…?
Mission 3: Attorney’s Office For Sale? Source:Judgement
Profile: It seems we have a wealthy business tycoon who’s been getting cozy with a certain woman in the DA’s office. Were not entirely sure what the nature of this relationship is, but odds are good they aren’t exactly dating! Then again, perhaps they are, and this is said businessman’s way of finding out what’s going on within. Either way, it almost surely points towards manipulation, coercion, bribery, and/or blackmail.
Aims: This city and its justice system are not for sale! I want surveillance and some answers, so feel free to find this young woman and lean on her a little. We need to know what this corporate bigwig has been asking of her so we can know what to do with him. If there’s a relationship between his office and the DA’s, we need to sever it immediately.
Assignments: Judgement, I can think of no one better to head this one up. And since Veiled Tsunami shares your passion for justice and anti-corruption, I would like her to accompany you. Let these people know that we’re watching, and we won’t tolerate conspiracies of silence or
Alright! We’ve got our assignments, now let’s get it done. And remember people, be careful out there 😉
It is time to make our presence felt! The inner city calls out for justice, its people cocooning in their homes, afraid to walk the streets, the schools libraries and halfway houses rotting from neglect. The police are corrupt, indifferent and ineffective, and so it is up to us to restore hope. This we can do, but it will take time, commitment, and plenty of dedication from each and every one of us. We need to start somewhere, but no single target exists.
Therefore, as your leader, Captain Smackdown, I am calling on all Revengers to take up the challenge and help reign in the evildoers who are out there! Find a pusher, a dealer, a pimp, or a cop on the take. Squeeze them for information, and don’t be afraid to lean on them hard. Threaten their very existence, if necessary. Beat them to within an inch of their life if need be. Just let them know that we are out there and we are taking no prisoners!
But at the same time, be sure to leave no stone unturned. There are plenty of sources in the inner city who are ready to talk. People see things, people hear things; all kinds of things. Men, women and children, prostitutes, users, and even honest cops know things. Things they would like to share, but might be too afraid to do so publicly. But they will talk to us. Between them and the evildoers who speak to save their wretched lives, we ought to learn plenty on how criminal networks work and who is up to what.
When you’ve learned something, report back so we can pool our information and find out just who’s in charge. We need to know just how deep the infection goes, and which people need to be excised so things can start to get better.
A storm is coming! It’s name… Revenge! Join me in making it happen!
Alright! At long last, the Revengers are complete. All thirteen members are registered and accounted for, and so we area ready to start battling crime and corruption in the big city! Yes, I know… twelve isn’t exactly a round number, but unless the makers of Craps have lied to me, its lucky! So without further delay, here is the remainder of the Revengers starting lineup. Behold!
Dark Angel: Alter Ego: Nina Dee – Publisher, attempting to claw her way to the top. (plus part-time barista at the local Cuppa’ coffee house) Abilities: Mad Fighting Skills; Ability to Fly; Regeneration Appearance: Black wings, bustier, skin-tight pants, elbow-long gloves, long blonde hair, clawed fingers and feet, and a bamboo staff Backstory: Nina was living abroad in Tokyo when she became involved with a Yakuza arms dealer. Unaware of the deeds committed by this man, she was blinded to the wrong doing taking place around her. Until one day, when she realized a mass killing had been carried out using weapons he was shipping. When she confronted him about it, he shot her and left her in a shallow grave. While lying there, she experienced an overwhelming sense of rage, and the souls of the children reaching out to her. A horrific metamorphosis took place that not only saved her life, but transformed her mind, her body, and her soul for a single purpose – Revenge. Rising from her grave a new and malformed creature, Nina vowed to never allow the innocent to suffer at the hands of the greedy and uncaring again, and to never touch a weapon forged by the hand of man. Catchphrase: “You’ll pray to this Angel, but the only thing I’ll save you from is your next breath!”
Freedom Fighter: Alter ego: Carolyn Page, lover of man, beast and the epic discovery of joy. Appearance: Blue, red and gunmetal grey ensemble with a hint of feathers, ribbons, brooch insignia, powder gray ankle flight controls, fiery sword. Abilities:Ability to Fly, Mad Fighting Skills, Super Strength Backstory: Page emerged from the wilderness back in June 1765 and has remained a force for joy and justice ever since. Her immortality is as mysterious as she is, as is the origin of her signature move, the high kick. To those seeking to know her past and why she fights injustice and hate with as much verve and dedication as she does, there remains only her bright smile and her enduring motto… Catchphrase: “Freedom Fighter Flies for Freedom..!”
Pax: Alter Ego: Lance Schubert, non-violent activist, writer Appearance: High-tech suit, form fitting and temperature sensitive. In extreme heat, turns white, in cold, black. Abilities: Teleportation, Healing, Elasticity Backstory: Lance woke up one day in the hospital, the sole survivor of a collapsed California high-rise. Everyone he knew or cared for died in the fall, but his new abilities gave him a sense of purpose. And so he headed east and things started happening to his body. In addition to being able to go from one place to the next without moving, he could bend his body in ways that no human body could, and heal instantly when hurt. With his newfound abilities, his non-violent activism found new expression, as a means of stopping evil-doers without inflicting harm. Catchphrase: “I will ease the pain.”
Hello to all members and all applicants! As I’m sure you’re all aware by now, the Revengers have come together and been declared an official force for justice and crime fighting. However, we still await the paperwork of a few standouts, people who have yet to fill out their bio work, submit photos, and provide other details. I hate to name names, but we’re all anxious to begin fighting crime and doing good in the community. And we’d hate to do it without a full compliment.
So, the following people need to submit the following info to HR forthwith:
Typos (aka. Greentree) – Alter ego, backstory, appearance, catchphrase
And please note that pictures are not a problem. Just let me know what you’re costume is and I can design a profile pic for you. Or, if you want to do it yourself, just follow this link and tinker til you like what you see: http://marvel.com/games/play/31/create_your_own_superhero
Looking forward to hearing from you and completing our justice team! Soon, we should choose our first mission. My colleague, Veiled Tsunami and I were talking, and we figured our first mission should be to take down this cities drug peddlers. However, the floor is open to suggestions. We could always do something socially conscious, like clamp down on polluters, political corruption, or even take down a mass murderer! We’re the Revengers, we can do anything so long as its (technically) within the law and reason… sort of.
Arcology: noun (plural arcologies) an ideal integrated city contained within a massive vertical structure, allowing maximum conservation of the surrounding environment. Origin: 1969: blend of architecture and ecology.
The question of what to do about Earth’s growing population – 7 billion and counting – and the environmental impact it is having has been on the minds of city planners, environmentalists, and global leaders for qu9ite some time. Far from it being a simple matter of determining how we are going to feed new every mouth we create, there’s also the question of how to provide for their other basic needs.
In the 20th century alone, humanity grew by multiplication factor of six. Cities expanded, suburban developments went up, and inner cities were “rezoned” and redeveloped in order to make room for them. When horizontal space became an issue, vertical structure were adapted, incorporating sky scrapers and massive high-rises. In addition, cities, counties and entire nations needed to find more sources of fresh water to address their health and sanitation needs, more landfills to accommodate waste, and more green spaces to grow food. In time, it soon became clear that this increased output of human beings and their various wastes was causing irreparable harm to the planet.
By the turn of the century, the projections only became worse, thanks in large part to the ongoing industrialization of developing nations. In these parts of the world, where a full third of the human race resides, the impact of so many new power plants, urban developments, superhighways, and fossil-fuel burning cars could not be underestimated. The problem of providing space for our people and seeing to their needs in a way that is sustainable in the long term has only become more pressing as a result.
As it turns out, the answer may lie in a concept developed in the 1960’s by a man named Paolo Soleri. An architect of Italian descent who studied at the feet of architect Frank Lloyd Wright, he is credited with coining the term “arcology”, a new form of architecture that plotted the creation of three-dimensional hyperstructures that would be self-sufficient, and in some cases, self-contained. Primarily proposed as a means to combat two-dimensional urban sprawl, arcologies were also meant to economize on transportation, energy use, commerce and agriculture. All needs, which included the need to reduce waste and impact on the environment, were incorporated in his new designs. And on top of that, they would be beautiful as well as very, very big.
One of his first designs was for a city-structure named Babel(or IID as it’s officially designated). This design called for a flared cylinder of apartments sitting in a saucer-shaped base, complete with commercial, civil spaces, and public areas. The estimated population for this monster design was 550,000 people – the population of a major city – but placed in an edifice 1900 meters high and 3000 meters at its widest point.
Close-ups of the design show the immense attention to detail that Soleri’s featured in his drawings. From housing, to production centers to water treatment and waste disposal, nothing was overlooked. And just in case you’re having problems imagining the scale, he features a picture of the Empire State building for a size comparison.
And then there was Hexadredon, an incredible geometric mountain resting on three immense supports. Accommodating over 170,000 people, it measured a mere 800 meters by 800 meters (640 square km). On top of all that, it looks immensely artistic, incorporating such design features as massive pyramids, support columns, and rotundas. In reality, it looks more like an ancient temple than a three-dimensional city.
His many other concepts involved cities adrift on water, built into canyons, or on the side of cliffs. As far as Soleri was concerned, nothing was off limits. Any and all geographic features and landscapes, including the ocean itself, could be built into human habitats. Though it remained somewhat speculative for its time, Soleri’s ideas formed the basis for a great deal of speculative writing and urban planning.
For instance, in Japan, urban planners have proposed a future city development to deal with urban sprawl in Tokyo – known as the Shimizu Mega-City Pyramid. As it stands, much of Tokyo Harbor is artificial, composed of fill in order to accommodate Japan’s growing population and industrial centers. This further expansion calls for the creation of a massive pyramid measuring 730 meters high, 8 square kilometers at the base, and capable of housing 750,000 people. All told, it would be roughly 14 times the size of the pyramid of Giza.
In addition, there is the proposed building project in Moscow known as “Crystal Island”. Measuring in at a whopping 2500 square kilometers at its base and 450 meters high, it will be the single largest structure on Earth, if and when it is completed. Shaped like a massive tent, the superstructure of the proposed design acts as a sort of second skin to the main building, creating a thermal buffer and shielding the interior from Moscow’s harsh weather.
In addition, this second skin will adjust with the seasons and sealed in winter to minimise heat loss, while opened again in summer to naturally cool the interior. Power would also be provided by built-in wind turbines and solar panel, as well as a series of renewable energy solutions. On top of all that, the design incorporates an existing park, which provides a range of activities, including cross-country skiing and skating. Construction was officially postponed in 2009 due to the economic crisis, but is expected to resume in the coming years.
Last, but not least, there is the planned community of Masdar City, which I wrote about in a previous article. Though not technically an arcology in the sense of a three-dimensional colossal environment, the design nevertheless incorporates all other aspects of Soleri’s concept. These include renewable energy sources, sustainable resource management, mass-transit, recycled water, and a range of other green technologies.
Today, the planned city of Arcosanti, which Soleri himself began construction on in 1970, remains an unfinished testament to his work and his genius. Located in central Arizona, just 110 km north of Phoenix, this work-in-progress incorporates Soleri’s unusual design features and, though uncompleted, remains a testament to his vision.
Check out this video from Arcosanti website, which featured Solari’s design for the mega-city Nudging Space:
Hey all. It seems my bud, David Lim, over at Ellipsis Media has come out with a review for the new Judge Dredd movie. Overall, he was pretty impressed with the result, likening it to the Batman franchise in that this new look has updated the look and feel and made it a hell of a lot darker and grittier than the original. Ah, listen to me prattle on! Click the video below for his full review.
NASA is still producing some very impressive images from Curiosity’s impressive stockpile of footage. The latest is this short, but high-resolution clip, of Curiosity’s landing. Composed of stills taken by the Mars Descent Imager (MARDI), a camera pointing down that took shots as the rover was lowered to the ground by the sky crane, the good people at Spaceflight101 made this compilation, time-lapse video from them.
