Prof. Steve Steve Costume Contest

Posted 19 October 2005 by Reed A. Cartwright

Do you worship Prof. Steve Steve? How about showing it this Halloween? Dress up as the fuzzy professor for Halloween and send us a photo to enter the costume contest. Worthy entries will receive prizes like t-shirts or maybe a visit from the Professor himself. To submit your photo, upload it to the Internet and place a link to its location in a comment to this post. You must give us a way to contact you in your comment either an email or a link to a site with an email address. (Note that the actual prize has not been decided yet.)

44 Comments

shenda · 19 October 2005

Apparently Pandas are branching out into other fields:

http://news.yahoo.com/edcartoons/tomtoles;_ylt=AhWDVGPEtGzvUmEfV4IOzcHgzLAF;_ylu=X3oDMTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUl

Any relation to Prof Steve Steve?

Bayesian Bouffant, FCD · 19 October 2005

Ooh, ooh! What could the prize be? A Prof. Steve Steve simulacrum? A visit from the good professor himself?

Dress up as the fuzzy professor

Is that the version with Jerry Lewis or the one with Eddie Murphy?

Norman Doering · 19 October 2005

Sorry to go off topic -- but I'm trying to write a science fiction story that involves someone doing complex genetic engineering in 2006 -- an extraordinarily sophisticated bioweapon, a virus made from scratch that has never existed before, it targets brain cells (that's as far as I'm willing to go with revealing the plot) -- and I was wondering what kind of machines or devices exist now that could write out long sequences of DNA and stuff them in a virus shell.

What tools could be used to do such genetic engineering?

Could a detective reasonably track the sale of such devices to find the possible culprits?

I know that Eckard Wimmer, at the University of New York, created a polio virus from scratch back in 2002 and then someone later did it much faster. I believe they spliced together mail order DNA sequences.

This wouldn't be mail order -- this would be writing out DNA sequences that never existed before.

Tim W · 19 October 2005

Norman,

Before you get carried away, you might want to read Frank Herbert's "The White Plague" which basically addresses exactly your plot on someone bio-engineering a custom plague.

Norman Doering · 19 October 2005

Tim W "... read Frank Herbert's "The White Plague" which basically addresses exactly your plot on someone bio-engineering a custom plague."

I already know the work. I want to update and make it more current in a way -- and other than that I'm not talking about plot specifics.

Thanks for reminding me, though.

However, does anyone know about specific devices that write DNA? Who sells them today? If there are real devices I want to use them.

Frank Herbert died in 1986 and wrote "The White Plague" earlier than that. Such devices would not have existed at that time. It's a more realistic scenario today. I want to catch the new realism of it.

sir_toejam · 19 October 2005

norman - it would be far more appropriate for you to move this off topic stuff into the after the bar closes area. the link is on the links bar on the main page.

Bayesian Bouffant, FCD · 19 October 2005

This wouldn't be mail order --- this would be writing out DNA sequences that never existed before.

There are mail order (OK, web order more likely) places now that will take the sequence you give them, manufacture a batch on something called a "DNA synthesizer", and ship it to you. Really. A company that manufactures DNA synthesizers is Applied Biosystems. Alternatively, you might be able to clone your DNA sequence into a bacterium or a yeast, then grow up large quantities of that organism and extract the relevant DNA. This method would be much easier and cheaper, providing the particular DNA sequence did not kill the organism. Packaging your sequence into viral particles? I presume this could be done. You might have to include portions of real viral DNA to get it to package successfully. I'm a little shaky on the details.

Norman Doering · 19 October 2005

sir_toejam "... more appropriate for you to move this off topic stuff into the after the bar closes area. the link is on the links bar on the main page."

Will do that. Sorry.

But if anyone knows, you can email me at:
normdoering@mad.scientist.com

Bayesian Bouffant, FCD · 19 October 2005

Frank Herbert died in 1986 and wrote "The White Plague" earlier than that.

I should hope so! Hey, how do we know that you're just a science fiction writer and not a malicious terrorist?

Norman Doering · 19 October 2005

Bayesian Bouffant asked: "Hey, how do we know that you're just a science fiction writer and not a malicious terrorist?"

Because unlike a bio-terrorist I don't have an eye-patch, pirate's hat and a tinfoil hooked hand.

Bruce Thompson GQ · 19 October 2005

The Bayesian Bouffant asked: "Hey, how do we know that you're just a science fiction writer and not a malicious terrorist?" To which Norman Doering replys: "Because unlike a bio-terrorist I don't have an eye-patch, pirate's hat and a tinfoil hooked hand."

The Conspiracy theorist is adept at discerning true motives. Where is he when his expertise is needed? Delta Pi Gamma (Scientia et Fermentum)

'Rev Dr' Lenny Flank · 19 October 2005

an extraordinarily sophisticated bioweapon, a virus made from scratch that has never existed before, it targets brain cells

An aside here; about 15 years ago, while I was doing research on chemical-biological weapons for a freelance writing project, I heard some vague references to Defense Department research into an "ethnic bomb". From what I heard, this is a engineered bio-agent, perhaps a bacterial vector, that would have a gene inserted for the manufacture of some biotoxin or another that would only become active in the presence of specific genetic markers, allowing it to be tailored to attack people of particular ancestry but not others. Anyone ever hear of anything regarding such a thing? What I learned back then about bioweapons research scared the hell out of me. I imagine that, with recent advances in genetic engineering (and the recent US unilateral abrogation of the protocols to the 1972 Biological Weapons Convention), the stuff they are working on now is even scarier. The sciences of chemistry and nuclear physics have already unleashed their dark side on humanity. Biology, thankfully, hasn't. Yet. I hope and pray it never does.

Pierce R. Butler · 19 October 2005

Do you worship Prof. Steve Steve?

Sorry - while I maintain great admiration and endless respect for the good Professor's achievements and character, outright Prof. Steve Steve-olatry is a bit beyond my scope at this point. However, I remain open to persuasion - what sort of prayers is the Almighty Panda willing to answer in tangible ways, and in what form must they be offered?

sir_toejam · 19 October 2005

what sort of prayers is the Almighty Panda willing to answer in tangible ways, and in what form must they be offered?

i'm sure he will answer prayers for fertilzer to enrich your fields if offered in the form of handfulls of bamboo stalks.

Steviepinhead · 19 October 2005

Actually, incorporating appropriate obeisance (obese-ance? you're getting a little pudgy there, Doc, must be all that hotel food) toward Prof. Steve Steve doesn't require all that much from most PT'ers.

...Spaghetti Monster > noodley appendage > recent archeological discoveries in China verifying noodles/pasta originated there > doubtless in association with inspiration from the mighty Panda species...

I.e. : rAmen!

Steve S · 19 October 2005

There being no bathroom wall anymore (who came up with that idea. ) I pick a post with little action on which to place this comment. It's probably been said before, what hasn't, but I haven't seen it:

It seems to me that there's a relationship between computer chess and evolution/ID Creationism. The probability space of games is incomprehensibly vast. Human players Intelligently Design their moves. But eventually, the computers got so powerful that their mindless algorithms were able to search enough space to beat the Intelligent Designers. And as a cute detail, when Deep Blue beat Kasparov, he said the machine had "played like God".

Sir_toejam · 19 October 2005

Deus ex Machina

Henry J · 19 October 2005

Re "if offered in the form of handfulls of bamboo stalks."

Giving a new meaning to "bamboozle"?

Henry

Reed A. Cartwright · 19 October 2005

Steve S, you can post random thoughts on our forum, After the Bar Closes. It's linked to on the main side bar.

Bruce Thompson GQ · 19 October 2005

sir_toejam writes: i'm sure he will answer prayers for fertilzer to enrich your fields if offered in the form of handfulls of bamboo stalks.

The Darwinian pressure group Delta Pi Gamma would like to remind you that the magnitude of your prayer and the probability of it being answered is directly correlated with the species of bamboo offered. In their feeding behavior studies, Analysis of bamboo preferences in a pair of captive giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) L. R. Tarou et. al. observed "The fact that arrow was the preferred species was not surprising given that it had the largest leaves and shortest/smallest culms of species offered. This may make arrow bamboo easier to process than the other species." Offering bamboo that is not easily processed is not pleasing will not be rewarded. Delta Pi Gamma (Scientia et Fermentum)

Norman Doering · 19 October 2005

'Rev Dr' Lenny Flank asked "Anyone ever hear of anything regarding such a thing?"

Yes. It was a plot on "Star Trek: the Next Generation."

However, sir_toejam insists it would be far more appropriate for us to move this off topic stuff into the after the bar closes area. He apparently takes the panda's costume contest most seriously. So, goto photoshop and make a Bill Dembski mask for the panda and scare everybody.

Bayesian Bouffant wrote: "A company that manufactures DNA synthesizers is Applied Biosystems."

That's what I was looking for -- thanks!

Now I've got something I can start researching.

sir_toejam · 19 October 2005

just for there to be no mistakes when we present our offerings, the genus and species of said preferred "arrow" bamboo is:

Pseudosasa japonica

However, as with any study, Steve steve might be an outlier, wouldn't it be best to ask the almightly directly?

sir_toejam · 19 October 2005

However, sir_toejam insists it would be far more appropriate for us to move this off topic stuff into the after the bar closes area. He apparently takes the panda's costume contest most seriously.

oh indeed i do, especially since it is on topic :) (don't go all pissy on me now) you do bring up a dead-on reference of the type lenny was looking for tho. i remember that episode as well and it fits what lenny was looking for to a "T". that which can be imagined...

Steve S · 19 October 2005

Panda costume my butt. I'm going to get fangs, a cape, and bunny ears.

I'm going as Bunnicula.

"Archbishop""Dr" Hi'yall ( Most wondrous star of the east). · 19 October 2005

"Prof. Steve Steve-olatry is a bit beyond my scope at this point."

HOW DARE YOU HEATHEN, BURN HIM, BURN HIM.

ALL HAIL THE QUADRINITY ( The invisible pink unicorn, the flying spaghetti monster, the all powerful set theory and venn diagrams and of course Professor Steve Steve.)

Bruce Thompson GQ · 19 October 2005

sir_toejam questions: However, as with any study, Steve steve might be an outlier, wouldn't it be best to ask the almightly directly?

If Professor Steve Steve is the designer, N=1. How can there be an outlier? Delta Pi Gamma (Scientia et Fermentum)

sir_toejam · 19 October 2005

uh, the study you cited tested mere mortal pandas. are all pandas made in "his" image?

i still think it best to go straight to the source...

oh SS, what doest thou preferest in thy vegetative snacking, so that we may please thee with many appropriate and yummy offerings?

Conspiracy Theorist · 19 October 2005

Where is he when his expertise is needed?

Busy making a Steve Steve Halloween costume for my son. There is very little data on Norman Doering from which to make inferences, so I can't help you there. I do suggest that you look at a wide range of data on the anthrax attacks and come up with the most parsimonious explanation of the various facts; and no, I'm not Gary Novak; he's got some really twisted ideas.

Norman Doering · 20 October 2005

Conspiracy Theorist wrote: "There is very little data on Norman Doering from which to make inferences,..."

Oh, really? When I type my name into google I get stuff like this:

http://www.scifislacker.com/html/sgp255.shtml
http://www.askart.com/askart/d/norman_doering/norman_doering.aspx
http://www.heritagecomics.com/common/view_item.php?Sale_No=815&Lot_No=4048&src=pr
http://www.textfiles.com/occult/notcrst1.txt
http://www.textfiles.com/occult/notcrst2.txt
http://www.sjgames.com/gurps/books/undead/img/undead.pdf
http://www.pen-paper.net/rpgdb.php?op=showbook&bookid=821

Bruce Thompson GQ · 20 October 2005

sir_toejam points out that "the study you cited tested mere mortal pandas. are all pandas made in "his" image?"

You bring up a very important theological point, Professor Steve Steve the source of all pandaness, does vary from mortal pandas in a variety of morphological characteristics. There seems to be a simple color scheme, the mastoid bone seems reduced or absent, the sesamoid bone on each paw is missing. In fact the source of all pandaness appears to have a much simpler design when compared with mortal pandas. The lack of the sesamoid bone, an important adaptation in feeding, in the source of all pandaness suggests that this was bestowed on mortal pandas as a component of pandaness. It also suggests that leaves should be stripped from the bamboo before offering them to Professor Steve Steve. Delta Pi Gamma (Scientia et Fermentum)

sir_toejam · 20 October 2005

sesamoid bone on each paw is missing. In fact the source of all pandaness appears to have a much simpler design when compared with mortal pandas.

hmm, If SS is the primogenital version of pandaness, then current mortal pandas must be showing evolved traits that don't exist in the primal panda state. I wonder if we could track just how long ago SS created mortal pandas by examining the degree of change... er, *gulp* not that i would want to tempt fate by discussing his diviness in a purely materialistic fashion (*prostrates self*).

Henry J · 20 October 2005

Re "the all powerful set theory and venn diagrams"

Is that transfinite set theory?

Henry

Apesnake · 20 October 2005

"Do you worship Prof. Steve Steve?"

I was actually kind of shocked and disturbed (even a little offended) that there were people out there who did not worship Prof. Steve Steve. Not counting the Discovery Institute of course, since I always assumed they would be involved in some kind of perverted belief system like origami. I guess we must be tolerant of people who do not worship Prof Steve Steve, what with multiculturalism and all. I am sure that they will come around eventually.

Heck, (pardon my french) I'm an atheist/agnostic/tree-mason and even I worship the Great Prof. I will not be sending photos of me dressing up as him (those pictures are private) but I will raise a glass to his health this Halloween (greatest holiday short of Darwin Day) and may I say that the prof looks fabulous in his pirate costume and he is helping to combat global warming (see flying spaghetti monster-ism) while he celebrates the season which makes so many biblical literalist so very uncomfortable.

Chips Ahoy-Professor!

Bayesian Bouffant, FCD · 20 October 2005

tree-mason

That sounded really interesting, then I realised it was probably just a typo.

Bruce Thompson GQ · 20 October 2005

sir_toejam wrote: If SS is the primogenital version of pandaness, then current mortal pandas must be showing evolved traits that don't exist in the primal panda state. I wonder if we could track just how long ago SS created mortal pandas by examining the degree of change...

Hypothetically you would need (cringing): 1. a good panda fossil record showing an abrupt Cambrian like appearance of pandas. 2. an age estimate of each fossil containing strata. You have to ignore: 1. Any other traits that may indicate relationships to other organisms. 2. Any current data, molecular or morphological that might indicate a relationship.

er, *gulp* not that i would want to tempt fate by discussing his diviness in a purely materialistic fashion.

Agreed Delta Pi Gamma (Scientia et Fermentum)

Conspiracy Theorist · 20 October 2005

Conspiracy Theorist wrote: "There is very little data on Norman Doering from which to make inferences,..." Oh, really? When I type my name into google I get stuff like this:...
— Norman Doering

Sorry, I should have said there is very little relevant data from which to make inferences about terrorist intentions. The Norman Doerings have a wide (and uninteresting from a terrorist investigation point of view) web footprint. Some PT regulars sure are pedantic, even on the fun threads. Oh, and there's about 2,000 times more hits on the web for me.

Jeff McKee · 20 October 2005

If you "worship" Prof. Steve Steve, you do not understand the societal (not scientific) debate, and do more harm than good.

natural cynic · 20 October 2005

All hail the professor!

I see that he has assumed the guise of a pirate in order to reduce the effects of global warming. Keep the eyepatch, steve.

sir_ toejam · 20 October 2005

Oh SS, smite this thy disbeliever with... with... your tremendous, ummm... thy huge furry.. aww skip it.

Steve S · 20 October 2005

Comment #52942 Posted by Jeff McKee on October 20, 2005 06:13 PM (e) (s) If you "worship" Prof. Steve Steve, you do not understand the societal (not scientific) debate, and do more harm than good.

Hey, come on now, what's a little idolatry among friends?

Steviepinhead · 20 October 2005

After all, did not all current religions emerge from a primordial pandatheism?

You may well ask, "What's a little pandamonium among friends?" But just because you can't hack it, is no reason to pan it.

Let's not get so riled up that we create a pandemic, OK? There's simply no need to pander to the lowest common demb-nominator! Behe-lieve you me!

Hi'yall · 21 October 2005

Since we've already broken topic on this forum, once, I shall do it again. I urge everyone here, who is knowledgeable in an acadmeic field to support Wikiversity by begining to create a course on it ( or better, actually creating it.) We need wikifessors desprately.

ivy privy · 21 October 2005

Is this the Ask Prof. Steve Steve thread? OK then -

Dear Prof. Steve Steve,

I have discovered that the IDEA club at my university claims to be affiliated with the IDEA Center, but does not meet the IDEA Center's stated requirement that local club leaders must be Christian. This is a terrifying breach of protocol! To whom do I complain?

Thank you,

Apesnake · 22 October 2005

tree-mason "That sounded really interesting, then I realised it was probably just a typo"
— Bayesian Bouffant

No typo. The Freemasons would not let me in (some nonsense about having standards) so I started the Tree-masons. The hypen protects me from copyright infringement charges. You do not need to be a tree to be a Tree-mason but it helps.