Explore the Robot World of "Porkchop"

We all deal with grief in different ways.

Some ways are deeply destructive, others profoundly productive.

Artist Leonard Zimmerman Jr. (alias "Porkchop") suffered a painful loss in 2006 when his partner passed away. Instead of letting that grief take over his life, he channeled it into some of the coolest robot art I've ever seen. That's why this week's Futuristic Friday spotlight is all on him.

Zimmerman, who lives in Augusta, Georgia, loves what he does, and in a short documentary on YouTube, he encourages all artists to follow their passion: "Just get out there and do it." He also mentions how lucky he was to have parents who encouraged his abilities when he was younger, and he strongly encourages other parents to do the same.

One of the main things I admire about Porkchop is that he likes to make people smile with his work. In a world where many artists rely on the often ugly and uncomfortable shock-factor, he is a breath of fresh air. Stephen Uhles of The Augusta Chronicle describes Zimmerman's work as combining "pop-culture kitsch with hard emotion and extraordinary levels of skills and talent."

His robots have no gender, no race, and thus, no prejudice. Their existence is simple. It doesn't involve hatred or bigotry--just the kaleidescope of life's many colors.

When I imagine a better future for humanity, that type of world is just what I hope for.

Be sure to click through his gallery to see more of his delightful work.

Have a great weekend, and thanks for stopping by the Speculative Window today!

Cassini Spacecraft Captures Distant Weather Report

NASA's Cassini spacecraft has recorded some interesting activity on Saturn's biggest moon, Titan. It's raining there--methane rain, actually. And it's happening right on Titan's desert-laden equator.

Titan

The rain's are at low latitudes, which is interesting. So far this is the first time low-lat rains have been recorded there. Furthermore, the area has been dry for years, and is just now seeing rain. Scientists believe that the new weather is due to the changing of the seasons, i.e. the shifts in sunlight.

Scientists conclude from this new evidence that Titan's weather is similar to the weather over Earth's tropical oceans. They will continue to observe evidence to compare and contrast Titan's changing seasons to Earth's, in order to learn a little more about Saturn's moon.

Just think, 100 years ago humans may have not even dreamed that such study of distant worlds was even possible. Imagine what we will be capable of in another 100 years--or even 50--or even 20.

As we literally reach for the stars, anything's possible.

Happy Futuristic Friday, all!