Yesterday Ania and I hit The Tech in San Jose. While I've been fascinated with the billiard ball transporting, Rube Goldberg contraption installed outside the front door, I'd never been beyond it to the exhibits.

It was tremendous fun - portraits created by robotic, pen-wielding arms; an excellent genetics exhibit leading people to a basic understanding of DNA and how geneticists do what they do; a funny virtual protest exhibit on the ethical questions of using animals for human organ farming; thermograph and ultrasound stations; 3D imaging of your head with artistic tinkering (I look great as brick and aluminum!); a perfect display explaining chip fabrication plus the advancement and relentless micro-miniaturization of technology... just for starters. The museum is obviously built for kids, but grown-ups were digging it, too.

When you enter, you're given a small paper badge containing an RFID strip. Wave this over the various interactive exhibits and any photos taken or bits of data you accumulate are available to you on the Web when you return home, like the thermograph imaging exhibit... here's me as a creature of heat, courtesy of The Tech: