Carbon vs Silicon

Last week I wrote about my exciting new computer. The truth is, though, that I needed a new computer some time ago. However, I realized that I could either buy a computer or something else. I decided to go with the something else:

(It's not the greatest picture, but it'll do)

I'm taking a solid state physics course this semester. We spent the first to lectures discussing crystal structure. While silicon has a boring crystal structure (Face-centered cubic), diamond has a really cool crystal structure (which kinda starts as a face-centered cubic):

In related news, I found out that a guy called Marcel Tolkowsky actually calculated the best way to cut a diamond using optical principles.

And the new computer has successfully made it from Earth City, MO and now decorates our dining room.

And since I think I'm still, still within the statute of limitations for Argentina, here's one last picture from an elevator in the university in Mar del Plata:
Unfortunately, I was not in the elevator with any overly fat people, so none of the lights lit up.