The dictionary.com definition of faith is:

This question is important and becoming all the more so since there is a growing portion of our population that blindly believes Bronze Age myths due to the notion of “faith.” I could wax rhapsodic on this subject for hours. Rather than do that, I’d like to share an entry from Greta Christina’s blog which is a very articulate and accurate description of religious faith contrasted with secular faith.

The net of this is, secular faith is a rational trust developed over time with evidence. It is not absolute and can be reshaped, or even lost, as the situation changes. Religious faith is a different animal, it’s about being absolutely convinced of the presence of a deity and giving up one’s life, thoughts, and soul to that entity in exchange for ever-lasting life in paradise.

Go read Greta’s blog, it’s much more articulate and rich in context than this abridged version.

Just when Fox News, the show advertised as “fair and balanced,” seems to be ebbing in influence, we get two more “news” programs that the FCC has inexplicably now termed as news: Fox’s TMZ and the Christian Broadcast Network’s 700 Club.

Ever since the 1988 ruling by the FCC that Entertainment Tonight was news things have gone downhill. It’s no longer news we’re seeing, it’s entertainment and opinions (largely ignorant and tuned to create controversy.) At least The Daily Show has humor with it’s opinions – my guess is that will be ruled news before you know it.

If you haven’t seen the movie Idiocracy yet, go rent it. I stipulate, it’s a stupid, over-the-top parody of our (future) world, but somehow it seems less over-the-top with each passing day. I can’t help but wonder when the reality show “Ow, My Balls!” will appear on prime time…

Meanwhile, brace yourself for more Brittany Spears coverage (pun intended) from TMZ and breaking news on the “scientific breakthroughs” on intelligent design uncovered by cracking the bible codes reported live on the 700 Club. It’s true, there is a silver lining in every cloud, at least I’ll have more blog fodder!

Yesterday Microsoft walked away from the deal that would have combined the companies at a price tag of around $46B. I love Yahoo, I use My Yahoo as my start page (and have for years and years.) I think Yahoo does some great stuff, but $46B was a big premium over intrinsic value for the company.

If you’re a Microsoft share holder, you should breathe a sigh of relief that management did exactly the right thing in this instance: walk away. If Microsoft waits on this one, they’re still going to be able to buy Yahoo, but at a lower price (this is making a bet that Yahoo will not execute their business plan and grow profitably.)

If you’re a Yahoo shareholder, you’d best hope the company executes. It can be worth what Microsoft bid, but it’s not today and that’s the simple truth. For now, shareholders should be prepared for a ride back toward what the intrinsic value of the issue rather than the bid inflated price. Hope you cashed in whilst you could.

I do not own shares of either Microsoft or Yahoo.

Yesterday was a very full day, the family went to the Moonside Bakery, as is our Saturday tradition, carted the kid off to soccer practice, the humped over the hill to the Maker Faire (still on today – two hot tips: buy your tickets online and pick them up at will-call, park in the Hayward Park CalTrain Station and take the free shuttle to the event. It has been “discovered” meaning it’s now like Pumpkin Festival in Half Moon Bay…) After that, a quick dinner out and on to the HMB Library for a Puppet Show (which we missed due to being given the wrong start time) and finally home for some cards and bedtime. Whew, no wonder I’m tired.

The Maker Faire is bigger and in some ways, better, than ever. What a diverse crowd, from Granny’s teaching folks how to knit, to hackers showing off their latest iPhone feats, to Steampunks doing Steampunk things, of course Cyclecide bike rodeo, to Goths with body mods, all sprinkled with a large helping of geeks (and their families.) In short, there’s something there sure to interest anyone. The emphasis is on stuff you can make. Think of it as a large, geeky, freaky, hands-on arts and crafts show and you’ve got the picture.

The robots (below) are getting bigger and badder, my daughter loves to watch them bash each other to pieces. It takes me back to 1995 at Fort Mason when the first (and original) Robot Wars took place. When you entered, you were handed safety goggles and ear plugs…but I digress.

Sample Heavyweight Robot

Attribution: Mike Harding
I’m enamored of the power tool drag races, a competition held on a 75 foot long track made of wood. The idea is to modify powertools however you’d like, then put them on the track to see which vehicle is fastest. Perhaps I’ll add an entry next year… Check out this former circular saw:
Excellent Power Tool Drag Racer

Attribution: Mike Harding
The mobile blacksmith shop/show was a real hit. A “princess” gave my daughter a “dragon tear” (a pretty piece of plastic that looks like a lemon drop candy) and was selling unicorn shoes…needless to say, we left with our very own…
Unicorn Shoe

Attribution: Mike Harding
Another really cool, understated project was the magnetic sand table. It was a large (~2m square) table with a layer of fine sand. A largish ball bearing could then be directed via magnetic field around the table tracing images. We must have watch that for 15 minutes. It was very creative and led to some beautiful images.
Large magnetic sand table

Attribution: Mike Harding
We did see the Electric Giraffe (Rave ‘Raffe) again this year, but for some reason, it wasn’t as compelling to the wonder girl. Last year, that’s all she could talk about; the electric giraffe! We made about 5 visits back to see him during the course of the event. This year, it was a scratch, a tickle, a pet, and a giggle and we were off.

Without a doubt, the highlight of the visit for the munchkin was a trip to emiko-o reware, a do-it-yourself booth hosting jewelry construction. Both Emiko and Shana staffed the booth and were fantastically friendly and helpful as the little one constructed a necklace of her very own design from recycled toy parts. We spent an hour there working on the masterpiece and had consistent and frequent visits and encouragement from the artists. These two ladies have my extreme gratitude for their kindness and patience. Please visit the website, blog, and buy their jewelry (Shana | Emiko.) Check out the finished masterpiece below:
Special Homemade Necklace (5 year old version)

Attribution: Mike Harding

Today is gone. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one.

If you’re local to the Bay Area or even visiting, the annual Maker Faire is this weekend at the San Mateo County Fairgrounds. My daughter and I went last year and will check out the action today:

• Giant Mousetrap
• Power tool drag racing
• Steam powered vehicles
• Robot wars (my daughter’s favorite)
• Nose picking machine
• Sensitive robotic giraffe
• And much, much more…

It’s fun for the whole family and there are things at this faire you’ll not see anywhere else. Seriously. I loved the hang gliding simulator (you actually climb into a harness and control the game as if you were really hang gliding by moving your body back and forth.)