View allAll Photos Tagged technologically
Aside from being perhaps the most technologically advanced flyswatter to date, the Integrated Laser Interceptor and Area Denial System (ILIADS; sometimes ILIAD system) developed by Boeing is also on the cutting edge of NATO's quest to harness the versatility of direct energy weapons. With conceptual R&D beginning in the mid-90s, the ILIADS is the product of decades of interest in making an affordable, reliable chemical-laser defense system capable of creating a not-so-fictional forcefield around allied forces deployed in heavily contested areas. Indeed, this nerdy fantasy has proven to be a tenacious fuel for the labs at Boeing as years of waxing and waning attraction from the US Department of Defense (DOD) has at times left the program with barebones funding during critical benchmark tests. Ultimately, however, the persistence and dedication from Boeing's crews have created one of the most compact, economical high-energy lasers known to the world.
Deployed to the conflict-ridden region of Al Dabir in the early 2020s, the ILIADS has proven itself as a vigilant guardian time and time again. Incoming rockets, artillery shells, UAVs, ballistic missiles, VBIEDs, and other such devices intended to harm coalition forces in Al Dabir have all been successfully intercepted by the ILIAD system at one point or another. Indeed, despite being an experimental technology still under evaluation by the DOD, the ILIADS is often considered by theater forces to be a fully-adopted, mainstay defense system due to its unmatched range and accuracy. Able to outpace and out-shoot its Phalanx-based C-RAM counterpart, as well as forward-deployed Medium Extended Air Defense Systems, the ILIADS' potent efficiency is the pinnacle of American defense research.
That being said, the ILIADS in its current iteration suffers from two detracting factors: A perceived underdeveloped economy of scale and few technical redundancies. The former detractor concerns not only the overall cost-per-unit, but also the cost-per-shot. Currently, a single round in a C-RAM costs approximately $3.22 USD; per contra, the ILIADS-equivalent is between $11 and $15 USD (depending on where supplementary chemicals are delivered from). This is a bit of a red herring, however, as it costs the C-RAM $241.50 to sustain fire for one second. The ILIADS per-second cost is still between $11 and $15. Hammering this into the minds of the bean counters in the Department of Defense is currently the biggest undertaking by Boeing. A resilient mindset surrounding kinetic weapons and their economies of scale has hindered early adoption of direct energy weapons. What's more, the ILIADS unequivocally suffers from growing pains and the longevity of individual laser modules has yet to be proven. Hence, there are few manufacturing, support, and operational redundancies built into the system writ large, leading to a great degree of skepticism by the old heads in the DOD. Nevertheless, Boeing--and other defense contractors working on energy weapons--are banking on the flashiness of the ILIADS to engender a positive attitude with the public, ergo policymakers that pull the purse strings. Perhaps someday soon bullets will be as outmoded as stones in a slingshot.
Thanks to Evan for the decals and HEMTT!
The Nuva archer is a skilled warrior and technological wonder. The concept was brought about by General Taka's imagination and executed by the hands of the most skilled matoran. This archer differs from traditional archer units in that he does not need to carry his ammunition on his body during battle. His "arrows" or bolts are stored, generated, and replinished within his technologically advanced left arm which coordinates with the "crossbow" or bolt thrower that he wields. The bolt thrower is one of a kind and is viewed as a breakthrough in modern weaponry. Though quite bulky, the bolt thrower allows the archer to fire single highly charged energy bolts, which have the power to penetrate light/medium armor, at a rate of 1.5 seconds. After firing 10 bolts the archer's arm requires a cool down period which lasts approximately 8 to 10 seconds. Once completed, the archer may continue raining destruction down upon the enemy. The archer's built-in optical system allows the archer to target enemy's from a greater distance than the typical archer. The Nuva archer's advanced weaponry and overal engineering give the Nuva army a great advantage on the battlefied when facing overwhelming numbers.
I hope you guys enjoy this one! Building him really inspired me to go back and revamp General Taka and the Nuva Infantry, so stay tuned for those guys in the future! Thanks for all of your support this past year! Looking forward to the next year!
Withal did Love call unto him the Wind
Called Zephyrus, who most was to his mind,
And said, "O rainy wooer of the spring,
I pray thee, do for me an easy thing;
To such a hill-top go, O gentle wind,
And there a sleeping maiden shalt thou find;
Her perfect body in thy arms with care
Take up, and unto the green valley bear
That lies before my noble house of gold;
There leave her lying on the daisies cold."
Humanity is gone. They went far with technological advancements and they reached their peak. With humans gone, their inventions were littered across the globe. Among those left behind was EX-S33D. EX-S33D was left to roam the forests and harsh terrains of Earth with no purpose, it’s time having passed… until one day, reflected in a pool of water, it saw a flower growing within its slowly rusting body. Over time, with EX-S33D’s help, the flower started to grow. Its roots & other shoots wrapped around its cold limbs & tangled wiring, until it grew so large that it burst through EX-S33D’s chest plates, exposing its artificial ribcage. Against all odds, this old and abandoned robot was able to sustain new life, and nature adapted and thrived, within & all around it. Together, this robot and nature were able to surpass what humanity was able to achieve.
EX-S33D was made for the Preliminary Round of Bio Cup 2020.
I wanted to take the theme of ‘Future’ in a slightly different direction. What if it is so far in the future that Nature has returned to its original state after humanity has run its course. I wanted this build to convey a story of hope, rather than despair.
More photos from different angles, including close ups, can be found here: flic.kr/s/aHsmNrr9sM
Quelque part entre la singularité technologique et la singularité écologique
francois-quevillon.com/w/?p=5231
Somewhere between technological singularity and ecological singularity
Zakaz was once a thriving hub of technological research and development, but a horrible accident caused a massive explosion which wiped out nearly the entire Skakdi race. With so many individuals dying at once, one of Karzahni's devices was overloaded, and the memory wiping process was faulty, giving all the Skakdi affected what is now know as the Mind Virus.
With this disorder, a Skakdi experiences frequent visions of their past lives, causing them to have great difficulty distinguishing them from reality. While Karzahni was able to fix the machine, the Mind Virus persists, the condition worsening with each re-incarnation.
Since Karzahni likes to "Improve" the body with each incarnation, this has led to Zakaz becoming a horrifying war-zone, where delusional Skakdi, with no way to distinguish friend and foe, endlessly kill each other, becoming more powerful and violent with each death.
Irnakk is possibly the most feared of all the afflicted Skakdi. This hulking brute is a bit more sane than most Skakdi owing to his latent element of Psionics. He uses this modicum of rational thought to be an ever more efficient killing machine. His gaze instills raw fear in all who look upon him, and he uses a simple blaster to channel his power of paralysis, after which he tears the helpless victim apart with his bare claws.
In a survey of girls 9 and 10 years old, 40% have tried to lose weight, according to an ongoing study funded by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (USA Today, 1996).
One author reports that at age thirteen, 53% of American girls are "unhappy with their bodies." This grows to 78% by the time girls reach seventeen (Brumberg, 1997).
It's just plain sad.
On a lighter note, I went to the bins yesterday with Lillie and her stepmom Jenny and I bought a whole bag of 80'sness. Though, that swimsuit is actually from a different thrift store. Haha.
But anyway yeah, lots of new clothes for me and the LABYRINTH SOUNDTRACK. (On vinyl of course.) Yeahyeahyeah.
Oh and yesterday I beat my record for views and got 4002 in one day, and like, 203 of both comments and favorites. Thankyouthankyouthankyou! :)
Explored #26.
I love this shot. I wish I had done more detailing on it, but it came out so smooth, and clean. And I love the way the flame effects come up in the background. A combination of the fallen angel character and some of my old tech pieces.
Raving Cyclist (me) in Atlanta with Jasper Verkuijl who is from Holland riding up Box Hill in London while Jasper live-streams from Paramaribo! How cool is that!
Pan Asian troops have been inserted to observe the city of Osaka, Japan. Rumours have spread about the possibility of American Activity in this city. This is the main reason why the troops have been inserted, along with the fact that Osaka has good working relations with the Americans. The mayor of the city has been suspected of allowing American politicians into his city to speak with them. This helps proves the suggestion the politics do not stop for war, nor anything else.
__________________
For the Purge, enjoy
Betty said she prayed today
For the sky to blow away
Or maybe stay
She wasn't sure.
For when she thought of summer rain
Calling for her mind again
She lost the pain
And stayed for more.
Going to see the river man
Going to tell him all I can
About the ban
On feeling free.
If he tells me all he knows
About the way his river flows
I don't suppose
It's meant for me.
Oh, how they come and go
Oh, how they come and go.
Press "L".
Pentax 67ii, SMC 45mm F4, Fujifilm Acros 100 developed in Kodak T-Max 1+4 5,5 min, wet-mounted drumscan.
.....the quickening pace of technological change, two types of phones.
#43 Technological, 52 in 2022 challenge
The increase of population spurs technological progress and creates that anxiety which sets us against our environment as an enemy; while technology both facilitates increase of population and reinforces our arrogance, or "hubris," vis-à-vis the natural environment.
The attached diagram illustrates the interconnections. It will be noted that in this diagram each corner is clockwise, denoting that each is by itself a self-promoting (or, as the scientists say,"auto catalytic") phenomenon: the bigger the population, the faster it grows; the more technology we have, the faster the rate of new invention; and the more we believe in our "power" over an enemy environment, the more "power" we seem to have and the more spiteful the environment seems to be.
(for the diagram see: www.colorado.edu/AmStudies/lewis/ecology/sick.htm )
... The ideas which dominate our civilization at the present time date in their most virulent form from the
Industrial Revolution. They may be summarized as:
(a) It's us against the environment.
(b) It's us against other men.
(c) It's the 'individual (or the individual company, or the individual nation) that matters.
(d) We can have unilateral control over the environment and must strive for that control.
(e) We live within an infinitely expanding "frontier."
(f) Economic determinism is common sense.
(g) Technology will do it for us.
We submit that these ideas are simply proved false by the great but ultimately destructive achievements of our technology in the last 150 years. Likewise they appear to be false under modern ecological theory. The creature that wins against its environment destroys itself.
Gregory Bateson, "The Roots of Ecological Crisis" (1972)..YES 1972 !!!!!
Visvesvaraya Industrial & technological Museum, Kasturba Road, Bengaluru.
The Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum, Bangalore, India, a constituent unit of the National Council of Science Museums, Ministry of Culture, Government of India, was established in memory of Bharat Ratna Sir M. Visvesvaraya. Wikipedia
Scientific and Technological Advanced Research Laboratories (S.T.A.R. Labs) is a fictional scientific research facility and organization.
S.T.A.R. was founded by scientist Garrison Slate, who wanted a nationwide chain of research laboratories unconnected to the government or any business interests.
He succeeded not only on a national scale, but an international one as well: S.T.A.R. Labs currently maintains facilities in Canada, Europe, Australia, and Japan as well as in the United States, with the total number of facilities numbering between twenty and thirty at last recorded count.
S.T.A.R. Labs is one of the companies providing sponsorship to the superhero team The Conglomerate, a firm of superheroes set up by Claire Montgomery, Maxwell Lord's ex as a rival to Justice League International.
Other sponsors include, among others, American Steel, Dante Foods, Dupree Chemical, Ferris Aircraft, LexCorp, Ovel Oil, Pax Entertainment, and Stagg Enterprises.
S.T.A.R.'s Detroit location assisted in evacuation efforts of the world's coasts during an alien invasion. The same location is the workplace of Silas Stone, the father of Justice League's Cyborg.
The organization set up shop in Oregon to assist with the rookie superhero Naomi.
Star Labs has currently lost some credibility with the Justice League.
History
Discovery of the Mother Box
Scientists at S.T.A.R. Labs uncovered a Mother Box that was hidden after the invasion of Steppenwolf and his forces millennia ago. It would remain inactive for decades.
Infecting Abner Krill
At some point when Abner Krill was a child, his mother was obsessed with the notion of turning her children into superheroes. One of these children was Krill, upon whom she experimented on. Krill was infected with an inter-dimensional virus, causing glowing polka dots and lumps to form on and under his skin. Krill was the only one who survived these experiments and later went on to kill his mother.
Black Zero Event
During their final battle, Superman and General Dru-Zod flew past the S.T.A.R. Labs building. S.T.A.R. Labs was later put in charge of the scout ship, Scout Ship 0344 to analyze and research its alien properties.
Ko'erst Invasion
Some time later, a group of students visited S.T.A.R. Labs on a field trip. The Ko'erst made a sudden appearance through a wormhole, attempting to invade the planet, but they were stopped by Superman.
Victor's cybernetics
Silas Stone, the head of S.T.A.R. Labs, attempted to repair his son Victor Stone's body after an accident using a mysterious Mother Box S.T.A.R. Labs uncovered in 1982. Although initially doing nothing, the box eventually began pulsing and proceeded to repair Victor's body with cybernetics out of nothing. The footage of this was later stolen by Lex Luthor for his research on metahumans.
Discovering another universe
At some point S.T.A.R. Labs announced that they may have discovered an alternate universe. Eventually, this would cause S.T.A.R. Labs from an alternate land are able to create a portal of realities, causing the retrobots to be able to invade and attack Earth-1 during a Serena Williams tennis match.
During the attack, a heroine from said universe called Wonderous Serena would arrive on Earth-1 in an attempt to defend the population being helped by Wonder Woman. The heroines decided to infiltrate S.T.A.R. Labs in search of some similar portal technology that would allow them to travel to Wonderous Serena's universe in an attempt to detain the retrobots advance, with made them temporarily travel to an alternate version of S.T.A.R. Labs where they would manage to stop the invasion.
A partial list of some known locations of S.T.A.R. Labs facilities and their research focuses, where either is known, includes:
Central City, Missouri, home of the Flash
Chicago, Illinois, home of the second Blue Beetle
Fawcett City: specializing in extraterrestrial research
Gotham City: specializing in weaponry
Keystone City, Kansas
Metropolis (Queensland Park Borough, near Metropolis Harbor): specializing in marine biology
Metropolis (central branch, New Troy Island): catch-all facility
Star City branch specialized in dimensional travel
⚡ Happy 🎯 Heroclix 💫 Friday! 👽
_____________________________
A year of the shows and performers of the Bijou Planks Theater.
Secret Identity: N/A
Publisher: DC Comics
First appearance: Superman #246 (December 1971)
Created by Len Wein (writer)
Curt Swan (artist)
Snowdrops: The First Whisper of Spring - As a nature photography enthusiast in Britain, the weather becomes a crucial factor—when the sky is covered in gray clouds and rain, nature photographers are often forced to stay indoors. On cloudy and overcast days, light is more diffused than direct sunlight, which affects shutter speed—a key concern for us. However, modern technological advancements allow mirrorless cameras to capture grain-free images even at high ISO settings without adequate sunlight.
Rain is best captured when shot against the light and a dark background. Despite the challenges, shooting in bad weather—whether on a rainy or windy day—can create striking photographic opportunities. The emergence of pure white snowdrops after a long spell of harsh winter weather in early February is sure to bring joy to all of us. Sometimes, no matter the conditions, there is nothing better than being out in the field with your camera. You never know what opportunities nature might present. Just remember: extreme weather often results in extraordinary photos.
To summarize in a single sentence—what I love most about winter conditions in photography is the unique angles we can achieve with backlit morning and evening sunlight reflections. Meanwhile, photographs from around the world remind us that global warming is not a distant threat. Wildlife photographers, in particular, face increasing challenges due to environmental changes. The loss of natural habitats has become more apparent in recent years. We simply observe, document, and try to showcase what we see.
Despite witnessing the negative effects of the climate crisis, we eagerly anticipate the arrival of spring and the blooming beauty in gardens. The first signs of spring are snowdrops, followed by colorful crocuses. These are not rare or difficult subjects for photographers to find. If you don’t grow them in your own small backyard, check roadside areas, local parks, or woodland paths—you are bound to find some.
Flower photography requires getting close to the subject. Given that the ground is still cold and muddy, I always carry knee pads and a small yoga mat to get lower to the ground. For macro photography, I rely on my Nikon 105mm f/2.8 lens, which I upgraded last year. However, I always insist on bringing my long-time favorite, the Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8 AF-D ED lens, which produces stunning bokeh and colors. Older, heavy glass lenses come with their own challenges, but the effort is always worth it. A short minimum focusing distance of about six inches provides the ideal depth of field I seek. Every lens reflects and refracts light uniquely, and I strategically use this effect to create artistic bokeh compositions in my flower photography. For capturing snowdrops and crocuses, the best approach is to get as low as possible, which is why my tripod makes the job much easier.
This morning, when I saw the sky turning blue during breakfast, my wife and I quickly finished our meal and headed to Leicester Abbey Park. Compared to last year, snowdrops and crocuses seem to be blooming a few weeks earlier. I noticed the same trend last week near Bradgate Park. However, since the snowdrops were not fully open and the sun was absent, I had to settle for just a few shots. By the end of the month, if daffodils start blooming as well, I may need to make another round.
As I briefly outlined above, sunlight transforms a photograph in unique ways. I am sharing a small selection of my images—hope you like them! Wishing you all a great evening.
Snowdrops and Climate Change
Over the past few decades, snowdrops in the UK have been blooming earlier due to warmer winters, disrupting their traditional flowering cycle. However, this year, many areas have seen a slight delay in their appearance, possibly due to fluctuating temperatures and unpredictable weather patterns. These subtle changes in nature reflect the ongoing impact of climate change on seasonal cycles.
Whether found in ancient woodlands, historic gardens, or even roadside verges, snowdrops remain a cherished symbol of resilience and renewal in the UK’s natural landscape.
"Snowdrops and Climate Change: A Silent Warning of Shifting Seasons"
Snowdrops, typically the first herald of spring, have started blooming earlier in recent years, but this year, they seem to be delayed by about two to three weeks. This delay is a subtle indicator of the shifts in our environment caused by climate change. While these delicate flowers have always been associated with the end of winter, their appearance is now being influenced by increasingly unpredictable weather patterns and warmer-than-usual winters.
In the past, snowdrops would typically bloom by the end of February or the beginning of March, but now they’re emerging as early as mid-January. The milder winters, fluctuating rainfall patterns, and shifting seasonal cycles disrupt natural rhythms. This isn’t just affecting flowers—it’s impacting everything from pollinators to migratory birds, as ecosystems struggle to adapt.
The early blooms of snowdrops may seem like a beautiful sign of spring, but they are, in fact, a silent reminder that something is amiss. Climate change is affecting our natural world in ways that we may not fully comprehend yet. Snowdrops, with their delayed appearance, may be showing us how the natural world is responding to the dramatic changes happening around us. Nature is speaking. Are we listening!
Snowdrops in the UK: A Brief Guide
Snowdrops (Galanthus) are among the first flowers to bloom in late winter and early spring, often pushing through frost and snow to signal the changing seasons. The UK is home to several species and cultivated varieties of snowdrops, each with its own unique characteristics.
Common Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis)
The most widespread species in the UK, Galanthus nivalis is a small, delicate flower with pure white, nodding petals and a distinctive green marking on the inner tepals. It thrives in woodlands, gardens, and along riverbanks, often forming beautiful white carpets in early spring.
Giant Snowdrop (Galanthus elwesii)
Larger than the common snowdrop, Galanthus elwesii has broader leaves and bigger flowers with more prominent green markings. It is known for its ability to bloom slightly earlier in the season, sometimes as early as late December.
Double Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis 'Flore Pleno')
This cultivated variety of Galanthus nivalis has multiple layers of petals, giving it a fuller, more intricate appearance. It is popular in gardens due to its striking look and resilience in cold weather.
I've captured some unforgettable moments with my camera, and I hope you feel the same joy viewing these images as I did while shooting them.
Thank you so much for visiting my gallery, whether you leave a comment, add it to your favorites, or simply take a moment to look around. Your support means a lot to me, and I wish you good luck and beautiful light in all your endeavors.
© All rights belong to R.Ertuğ. Please refrain from using these images without my express written permission. If you are interested in purchasing or using them, feel free to contact me via Flickr mail.
Your comments and criticism are very valuable.
Thanks for taking the time to stop by and explore :)
Technological progress has merely provided us with more efficient means for going backwards.
- Aldous Huxley
The plant was built for more than 100 years ago, but the fishes were forgotten
Olympus XA, Zuiko 35mm, f2,8, Kodak T-max 100, (50) Spur Acurol N, 20 Celsius degrees, 10 min, 30 sec.
Quelque part entre la singularité technologique et la singularité écologique
francois-quevillon.com/w/?p=5231
Somewhere between technological singularity and ecological singularity
The Nuva archer is a skilled warrior and technological wonder. The concept was brought about by General Taka's imagination and executed by the hands of the most skilled matoran. This archer differs from traditional archer units in that he does not need to carry his ammunition on his body during battle. His "arrows" or bolts are stored, generated, and replinished within his technologically advanced left arm which coordinates with the "crossbow" or bolt thrower that he wields. The bolt thrower is one of a kind and is viewed as a breakthrough in modern weaponry. Though quite bulky, the bolt thrower allows the archer to fire single highly charged energy bolts, which have the power to penetrate light/medium armor, at a rate of 1.5 seconds. After firing 10 bolts the archer's arm requires a cool down period which lasts approximately 8 to 10 seconds. Once completed, the archer may continue raining destruction down upon the enemy. The archer's built-in optical system allows the archer to target enemy's from a greater distance than the typical archer. The Nuva archer's advanced weaponry and overal engineering give the Nuva army a great advantage on the battlefied when facing overwhelming numbers.
I hope you guys enjoy this one! Building him really inspired me to go back and revamp General Taka and the Nuva Infantry, so stay tuned for those guys in the future! Thanks for all of your support this past year! Looking forward to the next year!
Somewhere between technological singularity and ecological singularity
francois-quevillon.com/w/?p=5242
Quelque part entre la singularité technologique et la singularité écologique