We are a few weeks into the spring semester now. Are you feeling like you need something new to eat? If you eat on campus a lot, your favorite choices might be getting a little bland. Luckily for you, there are some events where you can have a new dish and try some foods that just might hit the spot.

On February 22^nd, check out the International Food Tasting in the Mosaic Center (2B23 on the second floor of the Commons) between 11:30am and 12:30pm. They will be providing samples of African, Afro-Caribbean, and African American cuisine. Get there on time to make sure you can try everything they are offering.

Later that night in True Grits, the chefs will be serving up some African-American entrees for dinner. Check the Dine on Campus website for the full menu at http://www.dineoncampus.com/UMBC/

On March 2^nd, True Grits will host an Indian Infusion lunch featuring delicious Indian-inspired menu items.

And finally, March 8^th marks the annual Mardi Gras Party in True Grits from 4:30-7:30pm. Be sure to stop by for some Cajun flavor and don’t forget to bring your Mardi Gras beads!

Link to Associated Press article on MSNBC

Between zombies and robots, Hollywood has the apocalypse pretty well covered.

We may have a long way to go before killer robots eradicate all human life, but IBM has taken the first step in that direction.

They have developed a thinking, reasoning, and learning 15 terabyte computer named Watson. Oh ya and it kicks tail at Jeopardy!

Jeopardy! fanatics may be aware of Ken Jennings, one of the all time super geek nerd trivia masters. He and phenom Brad Rutter went head to head with Watson on a special Man vs Machine Jeopardy! match up.

Jennings writes about out-thinking a robot:

“Watson has lots in common with a top-ranked human Jeopardy! player: It’s very smart, very fast, speaks in an uneven monotone, and has never known the touch of a woman. But unlike us, Watson cannot be intimidated. It never gets cocky or discouraged. It plays its game coldly, implacably, always offering a perfectly timed buzz when it’s confident about an answer. Jeopardy! devotees know that buzzer skill is crucial—games between humans are more often won by the fastest thumb than the fastest brain. This advantage is only magnified when one of the “thumbs” is an electromagnetic solenoid trigged by a microsecond-precise jolt of current. I knew it would take some lucky breaks to keep up with the computer, since it couldn’t be beaten on speed.”

Having been soundly beaten by the machine Jennings remarked, with tongue  partly in cheek, how he and Rutter are the first knowledge sector professionals to be put out of a job by a machine.

As people who rely on computers for our job we are not quite sure how to feel about this.

Is Watson the crown jewel of human engineering or is the program a dangerous foray into technology? Benign at first but a stepping stone to someplace darker? Reminiscent of how fusion lead to the atom bomb? Or is that just another bad Hollywood plot?

Based on requests and expressed interest in new or alternate products, the MDL has arranged trial access to the following databases. For off-campus access, please login via VPN first (http://vpn.umbc.edu). Then follow the link under "News & Events" on the library homepage. For more info on remote access, see http://aok.lib.umbc.edu/services/remoteaccess.php

URLs and log-in information, where needed, are as follows:

NEW 2/24 - Encyclopedia Britannica Image Quest
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The deadline for Undergraduate Research Award applications is Thursday, March 3. URAs provide up to $1,500 to undergraduate students to support their research or creative work with a UMBC faculty mentor on an original project. Students of all years and disciplines are invited to apply, as long as they will continue at UMBC long enough to complete the proposed work.

A student’s application requires a letter of support from the faculty mentor indicating knowledge of the student and his or her abilities as well as support of the project. The letter can further explain the importance of the work, the appropriate preparation of the student, and the feasibility of the work. The mentor’s commitment to working with the student must be included. For more information and to apply visit the URA page or contact Janet McGlynn (mcglynn at umbc.edu).

Related: Undergraduate research award applications due March 3

Joseph Nechvatal is speaking tonight in the AOK Library Gallery from 4:30 - 6pm. Nechvatal is an electronic artist using computer viruses, human anatomy, and distortion to create abstract visuals.

For more info on the event and the artist go to UMBC’s Art & Cultural Events Calendar.

Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni wins 5 more years of power… thanks to a few bribes. Above is Museveni’s rap, which was used in his campaign.

Don’t mess with Texas. No, really, don’t.

Most awesome substitute basketball coach ever? That would be President Obama.

Oh, Egypt. You’re such a trendsetter.

The successful revolution in Egypt which forced long term leader, Hosni Mubarak, out of power is now being replicated in several different countries.

We told you about the fire of revolution spreading around the Middle East a few days ago, but it’s not limited to just the desert anymore.

One of the latest countries to toss its hat into the revolutionary ring is China. After a website called for protests in 13 cities in China, the police have cracked down on political activists- before the protests even started.

The protests that were supposed to happen never did. Political analysts say it’s because of China’s immensely powerful and organized police force and censorship system. China has since erased all online discussion of revolution or protests, with President Hu Jintao calling for stricter censorship.

Thanks to Robin Davies

As the protests in Madison heat up we thought we would share this photo gallery we found on Talking Points Memo.

Though the movement has remained peaceful (seriously there has been no violence, no arrests or incident reports) some of the demonstrations have been particularly biting, see above.

Full gallery here, enjoy.