The CIA is trying to dispel a few myths about the agency and trying to recruit more would-be agents at the same time.

They have a new personality test on their public site, as you take the quiz they dispel some of the typical misunderstandings people have about the agency. If you’ve ever worked with spooks before you know that they’re just regular ‘joes’ for the most part.

I took the quiz, the site analyzed my answers and told me my personaliy trait was more of a “Thoughtful Observer”. Some potential results included “Daring Thrill-Seeker”, “Innovative Pioneer” among others.

If you’re interested in looking at the job openings, go here and find the area of interest to you near the bottom of the page, or you can view all open positions.

 

 

I’ll be the first to admit a good snooze is a most excellent activity.  But - drugs like Modafinil, CX717 and Rozerem all but remove the need to sleep, allowing for nearly a full 24 hour waking period without any sleep deprivation effects.  Studies submitted by many pretigious research facilities mark these drugs as a building wave of the future.

What I find strange is why anyone would want to fight off a natural function like sleep.  I know what you’re thinking too - “If I can shorten my time in bed, I can produce/work more!”, which is a classic way of trying to get that promotion or raise you want, right?  In my opinion…sleep performs a much deeper fuction than just resting the mind and body.  It provides you with a creative outlet though your thoughts and dreams.  Michealangelo and Albert Einstein are both classic examples of genius that proclaimed that some of their most brilliant ideas were born from dreams.

In essense, I suppose the promotion or pay raise might be worth popping a few pills.  Alas, I shall stick with my good old night time ritual of sleeping a good eight or so hours and let my mind wander freely.

[Found via New Scientist]

TokyoFlash.com (Home of Unique Japanese Watches) is really pushing the retro look with this one.

Straight off the wrist of a Moon Base Commander from a 1960’s Sci-Fi classic, this watch features all the things that you’d expect. Flat metal panel, cryptic flashing lights, carbon fibre style strap and display that looks like it’s gauging your oxygen level.

For an LED watch it’s not short on features either. It has time with AM & PM modes, Month, date and day-of-the-week. Plus an auto light up function every 15 mins between 6PM & Midnight (which can be activated/deactivated as required). There are a range of suitably Sci-fi light patterns using the 3 LED colors.

The best part? It’s only 9,000 Yen, with today’s currency rate that comes to US$76. How can you pass this up as a geek gift for Christmas?

 

Now I’m no avid scientist myself, but I find it incredible that a 17 year old High School student can build a nuclear fusion reactor in his basement.  And amazingly enough, the thing actually works.

 

After 2 years of scrounging parts and over a 1000 hours in research, Thiago Olsen finished construction of what he calls “The Fusor” (pictured above).  While this is not a scientific breakthrough, it does show the dedication and spirit of a young scientist in the making.  With this accomplishment out of the way at such a young age, who knows what he will be able to accomplish in the future?  Keep an eye on this one, folks.  I can almost guarantee we’ll be hearing more about this young man in the future.

[Found via Detroit Free Press]

Yanko Design has some interesting concept gadgets, like the “Information Ring”.

The idea is that you wear this ring on a finger, the ring operates something on the order of an RFID type device which contains some information about you, let’s say an equivalent of your business card.

When you shake hands with someone else that is wearing an Information Ring, the two rings sense each other’s proximity and exchange information about each user then store this other user’s data in its own ring. This is a great idea for people that travel a lot and make many business contacts or social aquaintences.

There is a card associated with each ring as well, this card is about the size and shape of an identification card. It downloads information from your ring allowing you to sift or browse through the contacts you’ve made.

The power source for the ring is provided by the wearer’s body temperature, so it doesn’t need any external interfaces.

     

I didn’t see any way to purchase these rings so I’m assuming for now it’s a concept device. Please holler if you glean any more information than above.