The Matrix

Looking at The Matrix I was jealous at the technology with which the characters could upload new knowledge and skills into their brain. The plausibility of such an interface -"mind uploading"- is discussed on Weird Things. In short, very likely not to happen.

Then again, this article reports on some new advances in the memory department.

Dinosauroid

Ever wondered

......what the descendants of the dinosaur Troodon would look like today if the theropod had survived the end-Cretaceous mass extinction.......

Laelaps forwards us to an interesting reincarnation of this thought experiment (and the above picture):

What are the odds that intelligent, technically advanced aliens would look anything like the ones in films, with an emaciated torso and limbs, spindly fingers and a bulbous, bald head with large, almond-shaped eyes? What are the odds that they would even be humanoid?

Is answered in one of those links.