Inverted pendulum

This looks like it would make a great desk toy if it would work at a smaller scale, and if it's robust enough, it would be a hell of a cat distracter.

The music is "Mathar" by the Dave Pike Set-- energetic sitar accompanied by (rock?) drumming. I recommend the music even if you aren't interested in chaotic inverted pendula.

Link thanks to Geek Press.

Implausible Gears

Square, triangular, and pentagonal gears. Fish and squid gears. Notched gears, and I mean the frame, not the teeth. Oval gears.

The gearmaster's website.

From the FAQ:

You may determine your own personal Frustration Quotient by taking the quiz below. This scientific test will determine if you are ready to build your own wooden clockworks.

If a person's ability to endure Frustration is in the Very Low to Low Normal range, they are not good candidates and should not even contemplate making wooden clockworks.

If one’s ability to endure Frustration falls within the Normal to High Normal range a person should just talk about making a wooden clockworks.

If they can sustain the High to Very High Frustration range, a person may actually attempt to make a wooden clockworks, but should not anticipate actually hearing it tick at any point.

Being able to tolerate Frustration beyond the Very High range is a wonderful place to begin making wooden clockworks, but out of Baltic Birch Ply only.

Beyond the Very High range one begins to enter into the Masochistic realm and needs to seek professional help - especially if one is anticipating making their own solid wood wheels.

I am a professional - and I am here to help.

How to make organically shaped gears

Initial link thanks to Geek Press. the rest are the result of looking for related links.

Rappaccini's Bacteria

Bacteria that uses arsenic instead of phosphorus-- more details at 2PM.

Possibly obscure reference.

Link thanks to asim.

Update: Bacteria pretty damned cool, but not as exciting as in most reports.

I'm pleased to say that I only posted the sensible aspect.

Link thanks to Making Light.