Rainy Day Distractions

I've been saving these for a rainy day--a game or other timesinking tidbit for each ScienceBlogs category. I originally was going to wait until a rainy weekend, but the climate hasn't favored that idea. As it is,I'm behind on other projects, so today works. Besides--it is pouring outside, leaving me in dire need of something to chase the rainy blues away. Rather than making ten separate posts, I've crammed the distractions all into one list, counting down to my favorite. I'll admit, some of the categorizations are a stretch (you try coming up with something about politics that is a fun distraction on a rainy day!) ...but all of them are worth the click:

10 Things to do on Rainy Day

#10 (Academia) Take a free online class from MIT

In order to take these "open" classes, all you need is some free time and a .pdf viewer. They aren't worth any official credit, but the knowledge gained is priceless. The image shown is from "History of Science", but the classes aren't limited to science. Subjects range from computer technology to dance, so be sure to browse the full course list.

#9 (Planet Earth) Explore the ocean and join conservation efforts with Mother Jones Magazine

This site invites you to take action in the fight to save our oceans, in a weekly multi-media experience. Once you register with your email address, you'll have access to a variety of information, from interviews, to webcams, to available conservation petitions. The first week's theme is "fish pirates": Saving endangered species of fish by reducing illegal fishing.

#8 (Philosophy of Science... ok, so, this one is the first stretch.) Question the nature of "self" by creating your own Lego mini-me

I almost used this as my profile image, before going with the floppy hat picture. This site allows you to outfit your own Lego person with a variety of costumes and accessories.* (I should note, this site isn't officially associated with the Lego corporation.)

#7 (Culture Wars) Make your own church sign

This one sort of speaks for itself. Make the church signs read anything you want.*

#6 (Brain and Behavior) Explore AI theory with the subservient chicken

Normally, I would never post any links associated with Burger King, but this is an exception. A philosophy professor pulled this up in one of my classes awhile back, and used it as an argument against AI. It wasn't too hard to confuse the chicken. (I still think AI is possible--see this paper--although I doubt Burger King will have anything to do with its development.)

#5 (Medicine) Laugh as JibJab spoofs pharmaceutical commercials

JibJab.com is well known for political satire, but here they take a stab at the pharmaceutical industry.

#4 (Chatter) Explore the Hermitage Museum

The Hermitage in St. Petersburg is filled with spectacular works, ranging from prehistoric pottery to modern art. This website offers 3-D tours of the entire museum, allowing you to browse, room-to-room, without ever getting out of your chair. My personal favorite is the famous Malachite room.

#3 (Biology) Check out the previews for Spore

This game, set for release in 2007, looks as if it will be the coolest game ever. Designed by the genius behind the whole Sims phenomena, Spore is virtual evolution--from microbes to civilizations. While the game isn't available yet, plenty of discussion about the game is, including this video of Robin Williams giving it a try.

#2 (Physical Science) Build a contraption to launch a rocket

This game emulates the simple laws of physics, along with educational descriptions, for working parts. That said, it's a chance to build your own glorified pinball machine.* You are given a ball and a target, along with a variety of blocks, bumpers and other parts. Your job is to assemble a contraption that racks up enough points to fuel a rocket launch. It's easy to get the ball to the target, but much harder to make it launch. The more the ball bounces around, the better. You have a choice of several types of balls, varying in elasticity and mass. The contraption I built (pictured) works with both the rubber and metal balls, but the wooden ball gets trapped. I'm still trying. You can save one machine in your browser, or save others by e-mailing them to yourself. This game was mentioned a few weeks ago on JayIsGames.com. Jay not only went to school with the designers of this game, but has the best game review site around. It's worth a few rainy days to check out, all by itself.

#1 (Policy and Politics... Ok, so this one is a BIG stretch... but I couldn't find anything to represent politics except for things that kept going in circles ...but this game includes some issues, like foreign relations... um... right? Just smile and nod.) Save a planet and a dog

If you've never seen Samorost, you're missing out. This delightful and artistic flash game has won awards and enraptured gamers since the first game was released in 2004. Part two came out this year, although only the first half is free. (I bought the second half right away--and never regretted it.) In order to save the little guy's planet, you have to click around and explore things. Some things happen in a certain sequence, but you shouldn't need to reset at any point--there's no way to die, or to lose. That isn't to say you won't get a bit frustrated. Help is out there... again, see Jay's site.

*: Feel free to send me your own church signs, Lego people, or rocket designs, or post them somewhere, and drop a link in the comments below, for all to see.

Each image via the link attached, except the rainy day, which I photographed.