Last week I spent a lot of time with some genome specialists who work at the Venter Institute. On Thursday I was given an update on the results coming in from Sorcerer II‘s trip to Europe and the Mediterranean as well as results from the sampling we have been doing on my boat Solutions. As you may remember, we sample once a month along the California Bight. The status of things is that a tremendous amount of data has been acquired. However, very few of the samples have been sequenced at the present time. My feeling is that the people doing the sampling are the same people who do the sequencing. I was impressed with the care that these scientists take in handling and storing the samples.

I watched the Oscars Sunday night and was surprised to see The Hurt Locker win. I thought it was an interesting movie, but one that looked pretty staged to me. I’d rather have seen one of Matt Damon’s movies win, or Avatar. I haven’t seen Avatar, but I hear it’s very good. The Academy marches to its own drummer. I’m curious what the 400 blog readers thought about the award results.

– Bob


8 Responses to “Genome Research and The Oscars”

  1. 1 bsmflm

    I thought that, generally, Hurt Locker was a good film, but not worthy of the top award. Some of the scenes were too drawn out, the opening death of Delta’s first leader predictable, the growing paranoia of adrenalin-addicted Staff Sergeant James didn’t really go anywhere (though the writers and Rainer successfully portrayed him as multi-dimensional), Sanborn’s last-minute desire for a son too contrived, and the ending weak. It was certainly not my favorite war movie (could anything ever really top the silent version of All Quiet on the Western Front or The Best Years of Our Lives?). I think because it was directed by a woman, was the first movie to come out about Iraq and had an artsy – documentary feel were key factors in its selection. From what I have seen, Avatar would have been my choice. Though the plot was simplistic, it was visually arresting and entertaining. I think the reason that it was not selected had to do with Hollywood backlash against Cameron (not one but two blockbusters!). The ending for Inglorious Basterds was ludicrous (doesn’t anyone study History or at least watch the History Channel these days?) and, as a result, helped the entire movie to self-destruct (I thought that, with the exception of Christoph Waltz, the women stole the move). Based on creativity alone, I gave my highest marks to District Nine (aliens weaker than humans a nice twist) and Up, which I though had the most interesting story line (the relationship between Carl and his wife was incredibly sweet and moving), but the plot fell apart about ¾ through.

  2. 2 Dan Bochneak

    Hi Bob,
    I found your comment very interesting about the tremendous amounts of data being generated as a result of ocean sampling being conducted. It used to be that data was sparse that represented the environment being sampled. Fidelity suffered because of sparse data, but analyzing and interpreting the data could easily be conducted. Improvements in technology and the involvement of motivated individuals like yourself have enabled generating vast amounts of data. Now the challenge though appears to be analyzing and processing the data, and building models that may help scientists to better understand how multiple variables affect our interpretation of that which we are sampling. As reported from the battlefield, our defense community also faces the challenge of analyzing and understanding what the data is indicating, within a time frame that can make a difference to the mission.

    Regarding the Academy Awards, the vociferous individuals from Hollywood’s political microcosm provide some extraordinary insights into what I find to be even more intriguing than the films that are selected for awards, or the behind-the-scenes politics that result in the awards, i.e. some of the extreme and high profile political views that exist in the Hollywood community. It is startling to observe actors like Sean Penn who are honored and even revered for their acting skills, and who enjoy the conspicuous advantages of living in the U.S. Sean Penn raged during his part in the awards ceremony about how Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez is somehow misrepresented by the U.S. free press as a militant dictator. Penn said that such representations should result in imprisonment. Remarkable. Does it ever occur to him that he should make his living in Venezuela where his revered Chavez rules?

    Penn proclaimed his indignation to a Hollywood audience that paradoxically includes many influential Jewish producers, directors, and actors, while ignoring that Chavez has aligned himself ideologically with extreme governments like Iran, that officially call for the destruction of Israel. Sean Penn, Danny Glover, and other Hollywood actors align themselves with Hugo Chavez who may have been elected, but he removed by force the freedoms that Venezuelan citizens historically enjoyed, like free access to information, and ability to assemble and peacefully protest. Radical extremists that include Che Guevara, Fidel Castro, and Hugo Chavez appear as popular cultural and maybe political icons on t-shirts and charms worn conspicuously by some very successful actors like Johnny Depp, who appears to telegraph to his audience his tacit approval for such violent and murderous politicians. I wonder if these actors understand the facts of those who they appear to revere.

    In contrast, I was intrigued to see the accuracy of the challenges that our troops face, as represented by the Hurt Locker, while I lauded the declaration of the film’s director to support America’s troops, wherever they are deployed.

    Best Regards,

    Dan

  3. 3 Paul Kouris

    Hello from Saigon Bob

    Avatar was truly a great film. I saw it in San Francisco in 3D on an IMAX screen. It set a new standard in presentation and the story itself was good although it definitely had a left leaning political theme. Go see it. I know you will enjoy it.
    Paul

  4. 4 Andre Milteer, M.A.

    Dr B.,
    I recently joined Toastmasters International (Lonestar Texas chapter). One assignment was to critically view the Oscars with attention-2-detail of Acceptance Speech(es).

    The majority of A.S. are TERRIBLE! Some, more memorable than others. Great one: Russell Crowe, ‘A Beautiful Mind.’ No need to focus upon the Awful-to-Dreadful speeches. A Great Speech should ALWAYS be memorable as well as short (The Academy allots 45 seconds).

    Oscar winner, ‘Monique’ spoke these words with her A.S…”There is a Time to Do what’s Right; in order to Forego that which is Popular.” Quite Memorable; You agree?
    ~Andre, aka Your Biggest Social Media Fan

  5. 5 Dr. Beyster

    Paul: Thanks for the advice on Avatar. I usually wait until the movie comes out on DVD before I see it. Going to the theater is too much of an ordeal for me nowadays. — Bob

  6. 6 Dr. Beyster

    Dan: Thanks for your blog entry. I think we are in agreement about what kind of guy Chavez is. SAIC had a contract with Venezuela before Chavez took over. Since then, in my opinion, the country has gone to the dogs and Chavez has been no friend of the United States. I tend to disagree with you a little bit, however, when it comes to The Hurt Locker. The movie was very coarse and crude and not as good as some of the other nominated movies. However, I do agree with you that its support of our troops and their often dangerous missions is something we should all applaud. — Bob

  7. 7 Dr. Beyster

    bsmflm: Thanks for your note. I agree that The Hurt Locker was a good film, but that others also nominated were better. I will look forward to seeing Avatar when it comes out on DVD. — Bob

  8. 8 Dr. Beyster

    Andre: I heard very few acceptance speeches during the Oscar event that were memorable. I still enjoyed it. A large amount of silliness as usual. — Bob


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