A novel approach to encrypting images in the clear


A novel, but impractical, method of encrypting an image in clear view. Randomising the position of each pixel, and keeping a record of that position, for later decryption. The cypher-key can be a text file or another image [similar to below-left]. The ARGB integer value of each pixel corresponds to the coordinates of where the pixel, in that space, has been moved to. The image below is a RGB key, without an alpha channel. With this RGB key-image, the maximum size of image that can be encoded is 16 megapixels (256*256*256). Adding an alpha channel increases the maximum size to 4 gigapixels.


The reason that this idea, in it's current form, is impractical is because the encrypted image can not be compressed with regular image compression algorithms, like jpeg. If it is saved as a jpeg, chromatic information is lost and what results when the image is decoded, is a monochromatic image [above-right]. To stop this, images can be saved as PNG files, but file size then becomes a problem with larger images [original jpeg image = 47.6KB / encrypted PNG = 278KB]

A solution to this, is to split the image into red, green, and blue components, and save them individually as jpegs. By merging these images together and running the decoding algorithm, the original image reemerges, with just a slight amount of noise added. The problem here is that the three images together still add up to roughly the same size as a single PNG [236KB], and noise has been added, but if we accept the existence of noise, then we can take it to it's logical conclusion.


Applying heavy compression of each of the three images, such that the jpeg quantising matrices can be seen, the total filesize has been reduced to [39.5KB]. Surprisingly, even with so much distortion, a recognisable version of the original can be still created. There is excessive noise but if a secret message were written in the image, it would still be quite legible.


Original image: Igone de Jongh - Dutch ballerina. http://www.operaballet.nl/en/node/2241?destination=peopleoverview/dancers

Statistical Nonsense


Plot a trend graph for the prevalence of autism, against number of children's CGI cartoons made yearly. Then divide the result by the inverse Tan of Pi. There might be something to it.*

* No there isn't.†

† but you never know...**

** Yes I do know, because I pulled the stats right out of my arse.††

†† Fair enough.§

§ In other news, split personality disorders on the rise...

Fuck, Shit, Cunt... View the sanitising effect that the Victorian era had on English literature


It's fascinating to see how lexical vulgarity dropped during the Victorian period (1837 - 1901), but returned back with a vengeance, in less than one hundred years. The graph was generated using Google Books Ngram service, where you can plot occurrences of words found in their immense library of books.

source: https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=fuck%2Cshit%2Ccunt&year_start=1550&year_end=2008&corpus=15&smoothing=4&share=&direct_url=t1%3B%2Cfuck%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2Cshit%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2Ccunt%3B%2Cc0


Here's an example of pre-Victorian literature. It's from a book called "The School of Venus, or the ladies delight: Reduced into rules of Practice", by Michel Millot, and published in 1680.

source: http://books.google.ie/books?id=_9dNAAAAcAAJ&dq=inauthor%3A%22Michel%20Millot%22%20cunt&pg=PA16#v=onepage&q=inauthor:%22Michel%20Millot%22%20cunt&f=false

The ghost of Vincent Price




Long exposure photographs of the residual phosphorescent glow on a CRT screen after it has been turned off.

The source imagery is The Fall of the House of Usher (1960) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053925/

Enda Kenny and the Bondage of Despair


- "My god, the cat is actually crying."
- "We're all crying in Ireland..."

Russia Today host quits after suddenly discovering it was Russian...

The clue was in the name, surely? And it took you three years to figure it out? Oops.


In the full video, she explains that because her father and husband have U.S.' military connections, she felt she was unable to continue to work at a Russia television station. Fair enough. At least she's probably gotten a bit cash for her move, and a career boost now too I guess.

info:http://rt.com/usa/rt-reacts-liz-wahl-042/