Wu-Tang and Science Are For The Children

Courtesy of I Love Hip Hop

I love science. I love rap. The Science Genius B.A.T.T.L.E.S. (Bring Attention to Transforming Teaching, Learning and Engagement in Science) competition combines both science and rap gracefully.  Teams write raps about science topics such as DNA structure. Kids learn science within the competitive spirit and creativity of hip hop culture.  

Best of all, the Wu-Tang's GZA is one of the judges. He's been involved with other science initiatives with astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, which I blogged about earlier.

Many of songs are are included on RapGenius which you can find here.

NPR's Code Switch blog has a great quote which sums up my feelings about STEM education.

"Not every student is going to be a straight-A student, and go on to college and declare a science major and be the next Einstein," he says. "But through this project we definitely are going to have more scientifically literate young people."

Check out a 7 minute documentary from NPR's Science Desk. 

Reefcasting The Google Chromecast

If you want to watch Netflix and YouTube on your television, you have a few options -  video game console, Blu ray player, smart TV, Apple TV, or Roku Box. Google has developed an alternative that is both more affordable and easier to set up  The Google Chromecast lets any iOS or Android device, as well as any computer running the Google Chrome browser, control video streaming on your television. For $35, it's a steal. Check out my video review below!

Neil DeGrasse Tyson & the GZA

I grew up on hip hop and science, so I was thrilled to see The GZA appear on an episode of Neil deGrasse Tyson's Star Talk. It's fun to watch because they are both fans of each other.  The genuine interest and respect for one another's work is incredibly apparent. My favorite part is around 16 minutes, when they talk about how current hip hop isn't "literate" and how many artists nowadays don't have a muse. A little later, during a great conversation about violence in hip hop , Tyson compares the artful use of lyrics to one of the film masters, as "Hitchcock forces you to fill in the blanks". Check it out below! 

If you can't see the video below, click here.

More Tapes, More Problems: The YTSW3 Aftermath

Thanks to everyone for the feedback on my latest Yeah They Still Work (YTSW) video on cassette tapes. Many people asked to see my collection, so here are some pics!

The motherload.  Not as organized as usual, but the tapes go two levels deep.

i always labeled my mixtapes with a number.  I added the date for later ones.  Here's close to the end of my mixtape era in 1999.

I also labeled the backs with Title and Artist. if I didn't know, I just guessed

I also had plenty of store bought tapes ... Don't Be Cruuuueeelll

I always loved the font choices for album covers. This one is particularly fancy, especially given Bobby Brown's content

I'm a huge fan of liner notes, and I miss them from most digital downloads.

And of course, you get amazing album art!

Technology Inspirations: My Dad

Everyone has someone in their life that has inspired them towards their passion. My dad has always been an ear for my constantly pestering questions about how things work - tech, music, life, anything. He's a professional DJ so is definitely an audio geek, and I always saw him adding to his repertoire. I carried his crates like a true roadie when he was vinyl only, and saw him transition to CDs and now his experiments with electronic media. He's served as an example of following what you love and not be ashamed to geek out over technology.

Check out this recent interview that he's posted online. He still loves what he does. Props to you dad. Love you.