Hi, I'm Molly Wood, and welcome to the Buzz Report ? the show about the tech news that
everybody?s talking about. Like the Large Hadron Collider, e-Books, and the Oscars. But first,
let?s get started with the Gadget of the Week ? UPDATE.
As we expected, the Amazon Kindle 2 was released this week.
It's better-designed than the last version, supposedly a little faster at
turning pages, and has higher capacity for storing books. It still costs
359 dollars, which no one's super happy about. But you know what? It
doesn't matter what it costs -- it's a luxury thing right now, but trust me,
the Kindle is blazing the trail for e-readers. Like, you never wanted one
before, but admit it. You kinda do, now, don't you? You do! You want
one. Ok, let?s do some headlines.
Scientists say the Large Hadron Collider probably won?t come back online until September ? a
YEAR after it was shut down due to malfunction. Or due to that new research about how the
black holes it creates MIGHT last a little longer than expected. Delay all you want, boffins.
It was announced this week that Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak will appear on ?Dancing With
the Stars.?
(music)
Microsoft has a new ad out, called ?Rookies? ? it debuted at the Grammys this year, and they are
taking a DANGEROUS new approach.
?My name is Kylie I took a picture of my fish Dorothy and I am going to send it to my family. I
plug this thingie in here. I?m a PC and I?m four and a half.?
She?s not selling Windows. She?s sellin? cute. And I?m buying.
Now for an editorial comment. Christian Bale freakout spoofs: not funny. I know you think they
are, but they?re not. Michael Cera, I?m talking to you. If you?re thinking about making one, I beg
you. Do not. Instead, record video of a fox jumping on your trampoline.
See? Way funnier.
Ok, on to the big buzz of the week. The Oscars are coming! And since they don?t allow actual
geeks AT the Oscars, the Academy gave out its Scientific and Technical Awards this PAST
weekend, in a smaller, more private black-tie event. Buzz Report ? was there.
?Well when I was first asked to host a show about science and technology to technically minded
audience I thought ? wow, who was the head of that selection committee? As if actresses, OK,
or maybe just me, don?t feel technically challenged enough already.
Oh, come on, that is just embarrassing. Throw the geeks a bone, right? At least give someone
who can tell a Centurion from C3PO, am I right?
What? Oh, you?re listening? Sorry ? no, yeah, you?re right, she looks great. Blade Trinity ? woo!
:?it?s an honor for me to be asked here tonight to help honor you.?
Oh, ok, the awards. I mean, how geeky can they be?
?The system uses two telecentric lens groups, one creates an intermediate plain of focus?.?
Ooh, wow, this is legit. Cool.
?The John Bonner award, isn?t just about career success. It?s an award that is also given for
outstanding service and dedication to the academy.
Ooh, ok, this one?s exciting, this Mark Kimball guy, he?s been working on movies for almost 30
years.
?After graduating UCLA with a degree in electrical engineering??
Dude, he was like a rocket scientist. How does a a Deep Space engineer end up in Hollywood ?
Oh. Right. Duh. Well, good for him, he got a medal. For TRON!
Now, only ONE guy got an actual statuette this year, and they don?t let us see that part, because
he MIGHT get to be on the ACTUAL show. What nerd would get this honor? Ed Catmull, the co-
founder of Pixar, computer scientist, PRESIDENT of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios ?
yeah. He developed software that has been used in 45 of the last 50 films that were nominated
for Visual Effects Oscars. I think he?s roughly on the same level as the scary wacko grinning at us
from the front row every year. KINDA.
I?m just going to tell myself that the rocket scientists have to have their own little nerd awards
because they make the actors feel insecure.
Anyway, congratulations to all the winners of the Academy?s Science and Technology awards,
and that?s our show for this week everyone. ?From? the ?Oscars,? I?m Molly Wood, and thanks
for watching.
