That's some futuristic stuff!

I wonder if they could do the opposite, make super friction materials with a specific surface etch.

As a surface characteristic, I wonder how impervious it is to deformation, scratches, etc.

I'm not sure about the power inefficiencies, but I doubt anyone will be able to afford to cover their entire factory/skatepark with copper (? not sure what that surface is). Could be useful as tracked pathways, maybe.

Not sure why they're wearing skiing goggles?

Finally, Tony shows the problem with a hoverboard at the end. Skateboards, snowboards, skis, rollerskates, bikes....these are all controlled by changing your balance and altering the friction between the board and the ground. If you're not touching the ground... how the hell do you steer the damn thing?

Still cool though

Without friction, you're not going to have much control.

@ChaosEngine the realitime comment was for @newtboy

@newtboy I never said they were tracking dancers. Only that it is a r-e-a-l-t-i-m-e animation not a pre-rendered video, which is 100% confirmed by the fact that they are tweaking cameras, friction, gravity and viscosity.

they are triggering events live and altering camera angles, frictions, gravity, viscosity. that is r e a l t i m e

It clearly states in the link that @ChaosEngine provided that they are triggering events live, altering camera angles, frictions, gravity, viscosity, some triggered by sound. ie. Real-time not pre-rendered.

That was absolutely fascinating -- great sift!

A few random thoughts:
-If any video has ever better demonstrated the idiom "necessity is the mother of invention", I don't know what it is.
-Castro was very very clever to anticipate the technological needs of his people and have the army print that "field guide" book that spurred on greater independent development.
-Some of the things they came up with remind me of working on my family farm. Every day is an exercise in problem solving -- how to solve problem A given a set of tools/resources B. And often the things in B don't really lend themselves towards A... So you end up hammering in a nail with a brick, or patching a friction hole in a metal pipe with a few layers of plastic from a 2 liter bottle and duct tape.
-That artist Oroza is a great combination of artist, historian, archeologist, and storyteller.
-We (the US) still have sanctions against Cuba, but I can't really say why that is warranted...

AHA ! No one in my family remembers, but I had a toy that used linear friction for welding. It was called Spinwelder and it was the awesome:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnWpcwnR2YA

Your video, linear friction welding, has made it into the Top 15 New Videos listing. Congratulations on your achievement. For your contribution you have been awarded 1 Power Point.

Friction Welding Machine has been added as a related post - related requested by oritteropo.

linear friction welding has been added as a related post - related requested by oritteropo on that post.

*related=http://videosift.com/video/Friction-Welding-Machine

linear friction welding has been added as a related post - related requested by newtboy on that post.

This is just like ultrasonic welding that they do with plastic, but way more powerful. The movement creates friction and heats both parts to liquid, then stops at the proper alignment so it becomes one part when the metal solidifies almost instantly.
Reminded me of this....
*related=http://videosift.com/video/The-explosive-welding-process-in-action

@SDGundamX

So you genuinely believe that make-up has nothing to do with sexuality? Make-up makes women look more attractive to men. That's why it exists. There is no distinction between "attractive" and "sexually attractive." They are one and the same. Society tells women that without make-up, they are unattractive. It's also a double-standard, as men are not expected to wear make-up (unless they're on TV).

And basic hygiene is not a valid analogy. Hygiene is a matter of practicality. If you didn't bathe or wear deodorant, you would stink and annoy those around you, increasing friction and reducing productivity in the workplace. Make-up, on the other hand, is purely cosmetic. It serves no purpose other than making yourself more sexually appealing. It's the same reason why women are expected to shave their legs and armpits and have slim but curvy bodies. It's the same reason why they wear high heels.

Idealized gender representations exist solely for the sake of increasing your sexual appeal. If you don't live up to these representations, society looks down upon you and makes you feel like shit. Women wear make-up because they are insecure about their appearance. They're insecure because society has created notions of beauty that are unattainable through natural means.