Gizmodo: great ideas

Australian University to Create Real Life Town of 'Eureka'

Adrian Covert — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 21:10:00 EDT

Eureka happens to be one of my favorite shows on TV, and the fact that the University of Queensland plans to build a nerd nest similar to the fictional stronghold makes me very happy. Especially since they're not tied up with that meddling Department of Defense. The "multibillion-dollar brain city" on the western outskirts of Brisbane will be dedicated to science and technology, while housing about 10,000 people—with the hopes that 4,500 of those residents will be some of the world's best scientists.

The project is still in the proposal stage, as the university is still entertaining bids, and they expect the project to take up to 15 years to complete. And speaking of residents, while he may not be one of the brightest, I'd like to endorse Jack Carter for town sheriff. [Courier Mail via Slashdot]

Lyle Lanley Sells Futuristic Rail System to Ann Arbor, Detroit

Adam Frucci — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 11:15:00 EST

Update: Unsurprisingly, this is bunk, as confirmed by Ann Arbor officials. But hey, the concept is still… interesting.
Everybody knows that the biggest, most bustling cities in America are Ann Arbor and Detroit, Michigan. You know what they say: "If you can make it in Ann Arbor, you can make it anywhere!" That's why it makes perfect sense that there are plans underway to build an insane futuristic transport system between the two cities.

Dubbed the Interstate Traveler Hydrogen Highway, it's a rail system that combines Maglev, Hydrogen and Solar power to create a zero-emission mode of transportation. In addition to carrying people and vehicles between the cities, it can also distribute "electricity, water, liquid waste, fiber optics, hydrogen, oxygen and other fuels in its course."

And while those circa-1996-quality concept graphics might make you think that this is nothing more than a pipe dream of some grad student with Maya, it's actually going to start being built later this year. Maybe. The website also looks straight out of the 90's, so it's tough to tell if this is a real project or something that's been whipped into "reality" by blogs, but I'm an optimist, so I'm going to go ahead and say that yes, Detroit and Ann Arbor will soon be linked by a futuristic, eco-friendly railway system.

The future is now! [Project Page via New Launches]

Tale of Two Theaters Wrapped Up Into One

Charlie White — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 12:08:58 EDT

It was the best of theaters and it was the worst of theaters, when two worlds collided—but literary references aside, it's all good. In the front of the room you'll see a 140-inch screen for a projector, and in the back of the room? There sits a 42-inch plasma display. Why?

It points out the advantages of a front projector vs. plasma. When this theater's occupants want to immerse themselves in a movie, they darken the room, fire up the projector and have an experience that's almost like sitting in a commercial cinema, and maybe even better.

But when they want to hang around the bar, play cards while watching a baseball game, engage in lively conversation and have a few brewskis, what could be better than watching the game on a plasma or LCD display hanging on the wall next to a poker table and chairs and a few barstools?

This is a great idea for a home theater, turning what would normally be a single-use room into a multipurpose sports bar/home theater. With apologies to Dickens, it's a far, far better theater than I've ever seen before. – Charlie White

Home Theater From Two Sides [Electronic House]