You've heard it before: Sit away from the draft, don't go outside with wet hair and put a hat on in cold weather. But does being cold really make you sick?
YouTube link
Wednesday 31 December 2014
The Other-Worldy Landscape Of Djibouti's Lake Abbe
image credit
Lake Abbe is a saline lake, lying on the border between Ethiopia and Djibouti. The Lake is found in the central area of the Afar Depression - a sunken landform forming as a result of the African plate splitting into the Nubian and Somalian plates.
This depressions draws water from the African heartland via the Awash River to a chain of six connected lakes, with Lake Abbe representing the final destination for the river.
Lake Abbe is a saline lake, lying on the border between Ethiopia and Djibouti. The Lake is found in the central area of the Afar Depression - a sunken landform forming as a result of the African plate splitting into the Nubian and Somalian plates.
This depressions draws water from the African heartland via the Awash River to a chain of six connected lakes, with Lake Abbe representing the final destination for the river.
Coulrophobia - Are You Afraid of Clowns?
image credit: Michael Olivier
Did you find Heath Ledger as The Joker scary? Then perhaps you suffer from coulrophobia, the abnormal fear of clowns. Why do so many people find clowns scary?
Did you find Heath Ledger as The Joker scary? Then perhaps you suffer from coulrophobia, the abnormal fear of clowns. Why do so many people find clowns scary?
Cat Won't Let Man Work
While trying do some work, this man is constantly interrupted by his cat.
YouTube link
(thanks Cora)
YouTube link
(thanks Cora)
Blackout City
In a metropolis like London light pollution makes the night sky invisible. Only a few of the brightest stars and asterisms force their celestial light through the man made glow of the city. The night sky, one of the most beautiful of natural wonders is extinguished from view.
Blackout City is an experimental timelapse film that makes the invisible, visible. It attempts to show what the night sky would look like if there were ever to be a total blackout in the South East of England on a clear, moonless, summers night.
Vimeo link
(thanks Chava)
Blackout City is an experimental timelapse film that makes the invisible, visible. It attempts to show what the night sky would look like if there were ever to be a total blackout in the South East of England on a clear, moonless, summers night.
Vimeo link
(thanks Chava)
A Look At Banned Books Through History
Throughout history, countless publications have faced censorship and banning in many countries for a variety of reasons, be they religious, political or in many cases, just plain ridiculous.
This infographic by PrinterInks.com shows the history of books that have been banned in different countries through history.
Tuesday 30 December 2014
The Chemistry Of Champagne
More bottles of Champagne are popped during the holiday season than at any other time of the year. Take a look at what chemically separates a Champagne from just another white wine. And how those bubbles are formed.
YouTube link
(thanks Elaine)
YouTube link
(thanks Elaine)
Evil On Wheels: Top 10 Villain Cars Of All Time
image credit YouTube
Every villain is defined by their appetite. It's almost always something personal with a villain, and they'll pursue that thing relentlessly no matter how hellish the consequences to civilization. And since they're not the types to deny themselves what they want, they often have fantastic cars.
Most lists like this restrict themselves solely to movie and television villainy. Fiction is, after all, light fare. But there are too many real-life villains to blithely ignore. And the real life villains are much scarier than the made-up ones.
Every villain is defined by their appetite. It's almost always something personal with a villain, and they'll pursue that thing relentlessly no matter how hellish the consequences to civilization. And since they're not the types to deny themselves what they want, they often have fantastic cars.
Most lists like this restrict themselves solely to movie and television villainy. Fiction is, after all, light fare. But there are too many real-life villains to blithely ignore. And the real life villains are much scarier than the made-up ones.
The Most Futuristic Predictions That Came True In 2014
image credit ESA/ATG medialab
As 2014 comes to a close, it's time to reflect on the most futuristic breakthroughs and developments of the past year. This year's crop features a slew of incredible technological, scientific, and social achievements, from mind-to-mind communication to self-guiding sniper bullets. Here are 15 predictions that came true in 2014.
As 2014 comes to a close, it's time to reflect on the most futuristic breakthroughs and developments of the past year. This year's crop features a slew of incredible technological, scientific, and social achievements, from mind-to-mind communication to self-guiding sniper bullets. Here are 15 predictions that came true in 2014.
Dong Wind And Rain Bridge, China
The famous Wind and Rain Bridge in Chengyang is considered to be the most beautiful and best preserved bridge and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are 108 such structures in Sanjiang County but this one is the ultimate symbol of the Dong minority people.
Built in 1916, the Wind and Rain Bridge spans the Linxi River and was constructed without nails or wood and stones. There are five tower-like kiosks on the bridge which are said to resemble the flapping wings of birds.
YouTube link
(thanks Cora)
Built in 1916, the Wind and Rain Bridge spans the Linxi River and was constructed without nails or wood and stones. There are five tower-like kiosks on the bridge which are said to resemble the flapping wings of birds.
YouTube link
(thanks Cora)
Mae Keane, The Last 'Radium Girl,' Dies At 107
image credit
The 'Radium Girls' were female factory workers who contracted radiation poisoning from painting watch dials with glow-in-the-dark paint at the United States Radium factory in Orange, New Jersey, around 1917. The women, who had been told the paint was harmless, ingested deadly amounts of radium by licking their paintbrushes to give them a fine point.
In 1924, a woman named Mae Keane was hired at a factory in Waterbury Connecticut. Her first day, she remembers she didn't like the taste of the radium paint. 'I wouldn't put the brush in my mouth,' she remembered many years later. After just a few days at the factory, the boss asked her if she'd like to quit, since she clearly didn't like the work. She gratefully agreed. That's why she was saved from radiation poisoning. Mae Keane died this year. At 107 years old, she was the last of the radium girls.
The 'Radium Girls' were female factory workers who contracted radiation poisoning from painting watch dials with glow-in-the-dark paint at the United States Radium factory in Orange, New Jersey, around 1917. The women, who had been told the paint was harmless, ingested deadly amounts of radium by licking their paintbrushes to give them a fine point.
In 1924, a woman named Mae Keane was hired at a factory in Waterbury Connecticut. Her first day, she remembers she didn't like the taste of the radium paint. 'I wouldn't put the brush in my mouth,' she remembered many years later. After just a few days at the factory, the boss asked her if she'd like to quit, since she clearly didn't like the work. She gratefully agreed. That's why she was saved from radiation poisoning. Mae Keane died this year. At 107 years old, she was the last of the radium girls.
The Most Amazing Science And Technology Images Of The Year
image credit ESA
Each week, Popular Science scours the web for the most amazing images from the realms of science and technology. They compiled their favorite visualizations, photographs, and illustrations - from the birth of planets 450 light years away to microscopic closeups from within a fruit fly's eye - into one place for your viewing pleasure.
Each week, Popular Science scours the web for the most amazing images from the realms of science and technology. They compiled their favorite visualizations, photographs, and illustrations - from the birth of planets 450 light years away to microscopic closeups from within a fruit fly's eye - into one place for your viewing pleasure.
Monday 29 December 2014
Faucaria Tigrina - In The Greenhouse, No One Can Hear You Scream
image credit: Mike Keeling
They say that life imitates art but perhaps in this case it is the other way around. This is Faucaria tigrina or the Tiger's Jaw - a succulent plant found in South Africa.
Yet caught at the right angle the plant does not resemble so much the jaw of a tiger as that of an altogether alien creature, featured in a number of movies starring Sigourney Weaver et al.
They say that life imitates art but perhaps in this case it is the other way around. This is Faucaria tigrina or the Tiger's Jaw - a succulent plant found in South Africa.
Yet caught at the right angle the plant does not resemble so much the jaw of a tiger as that of an altogether alien creature, featured in a number of movies starring Sigourney Weaver et al.
A Most Interesting Fireworks Show
A fireworks show from the Thailand Rocket Festival like you have never seen before. I'm sure this is not what you expected.
YouTube link
(via Neatorama)
YouTube link
(via Neatorama)
Cardinal Mask
The male cardinal is one of the most colorful birds in North America and is the state bird of Ohio. This full-sized, adult Cardinal Mask lets you strut your stuff with bright plumage that is sure to make you the cock of the walk. Perfect for scaring bird watchers.
(via Everlasting Blort)
Brown Bears Of Alaska
See bears in Alaska fishing, wrestling, teaching their cubs how to survive, and just existing in a way that is completely natural for them.
Vimeo link
(thanks Cora)
Vimeo link
(thanks Cora)
I Look Like Barack Obama
Hi, my name's Trevor, and I look like Barack Obama. I've had lots of people stop me on the streets, ask me about taxes and healthcare and things like that, and I thought I'd create a website to clarify that I am, in fact, not Barack Obama.
Please note: I am not Barack Obama, we just look alike. We are not in any way related. I am not the president of the United States. So please, if you see me on the street, don't come up to me asking if I'm Barack Obama. I'm not.
Top 10 Real-Life Inspirations For Famous Animated Characters
image source 1, 2
Mickey Mouse and Walt Disney. Is there a person alive today that doesn't know who they are? But did you know that the inspiration for Mickey came from Walt Disney's own pet mouse? Walt decided to give him a pair of pants and gloves before setting the mouse off to build his billion-dollar empire.
Now, Mickey Mouse isn't on this list, but can you guess who inspired cartoon legends such as Tintin, Betty Boop and Snow White?
Mickey Mouse and Walt Disney. Is there a person alive today that doesn't know who they are? But did you know that the inspiration for Mickey came from Walt Disney's own pet mouse? Walt decided to give him a pair of pants and gloves before setting the mouse off to build his billion-dollar empire.
Now, Mickey Mouse isn't on this list, but can you guess who inspired cartoon legends such as Tintin, Betty Boop and Snow White?
Sunday 28 December 2014
Carved Candle Making
An action camera is mounted on the head of a candle maker. See how she makes beautiful carved canles.
Vimeo link
(thanks Cora)
Vimeo link
(thanks Cora)
Center Pivot Irrigation: The Real Crop Circles
image credit: Kelly Wakefield-Beytia
If you have been in a plane over a large agricultural hub you may have casually glanced out of your window. And then you may have performed a very, very quick double take. What on earth are those circular shapes below?
They are not the alien crop circles of infamy that's for sure - in fact whole fields seem to be circular in shape. There are way too many of them, too, to have been done as some sort of practical joke. So, what are they? Welcome to the world of center pivot irrigation.
If you have been in a plane over a large agricultural hub you may have casually glanced out of your window. And then you may have performed a very, very quick double take. What on earth are those circular shapes below?
They are not the alien crop circles of infamy that's for sure - in fact whole fields seem to be circular in shape. There are way too many of them, too, to have been done as some sort of practical joke. So, what are they? Welcome to the world of center pivot irrigation.
15 Of The World's Most Colorful Landscapes
image credit
Mother Nature is not afraid to go technicolor for the right effect. These eye-catching landscapes are among the world's most vivid. Some are completely natural, while others have been helped along by humans. It's no easy feat to reach many of these spots, but they're all worth a closer look.
Mother Nature is not afraid to go technicolor for the right effect. These eye-catching landscapes are among the world's most vivid. Some are completely natural, while others have been helped along by humans. It's no easy feat to reach many of these spots, but they're all worth a closer look.
Humpback Whales Bubble Feeding
A large group of humpback whales feeding in the pristine waters of Alaska. Aerial drone footage from a seagulls point of view.
Vimeo link
(thanks Cora)
Vimeo link
(thanks Cora)
Thailand, Land Of Smiles
Visiting Thailand is an experience more than a trip. Take a look at this video of Thailand. Two weeks in 90 seconds.
Vimeo link
(thanks José)
Vimeo link
(thanks José)
Top 10 Weirdest Animal Stories Of 2014
image credit
This was a banner year for the bizarre, with a snake virgin birth, an extremely rare black sea devil, and a real-life unicorn making headlines. Here are 10 of Mother Nature's oddest phenomena.
This was a banner year for the bizarre, with a snake virgin birth, an extremely rare black sea devil, and a real-life unicorn making headlines. Here are 10 of Mother Nature's oddest phenomena.
Saturday 27 December 2014
Five Airbus A350 XWBs Together In Flight
The five test and development A350-900s took to the skies for a formation flight in September 2014, bringing together all of the aircraft used for Airbus' successful campaign leading to certification of this latest Airbus widebody jetliner.
YouTube link
(thanks Cora)
YouTube link
(thanks Cora)
Police Stop Ostrich Racing Through Traffic
image credit YouTube
Rush hour is hard enough to get through without having to deal with an ostrich in the way. This week drivers in Zhejiang Province in China were faced with this distraction while navigating a multi-lane highway.
The ostrich was caught on video blowing through a toll booth without paying the toll - just the first of a number of offenses committed by the bird. The ostrich was finally caught but it took a while for police to catch up with the six-foot-tall bird.
Rush hour is hard enough to get through without having to deal with an ostrich in the way. This week drivers in Zhejiang Province in China were faced with this distraction while navigating a multi-lane highway.
The ostrich was caught on video blowing through a toll booth without paying the toll - just the first of a number of offenses committed by the bird. The ostrich was finally caught but it took a while for police to catch up with the six-foot-tall bird.
10 Things About France That Shock First-Time Visitors
image credit
Before you dive head first into a trip to France, you better get to know some of the local customs or you might just be a little disappointed. Check out these 10 things that often shock first-time visitors to France.
Before you dive head first into a trip to France, you better get to know some of the local customs or you might just be a little disappointed. Check out these 10 things that often shock first-time visitors to France.
Porsche 911 Engine Plant Assembly Line
Take a look at the Porsche 911 engine plant assembly line in Zuffenhausen, Germany.
YouTube link
(thanks Chava)
YouTube link
(thanks Chava)
Understanding Moon Phases
image credit
Why does the moon seem to change its shape every night? The answer is the moon is a world in space, just as Earth is. Like Earth, it's always half illuminated by the sun. In other words, the round globe of the moon has a day side and a night side.
From our earthly vantage point, as the moon orbits around Earth, we see varying fractions of its day and night sides. These are the changing phases of the moon. As the moon orbits Earth, it changes phase in an orderly way. Understand the various phases of the moon.
Why does the moon seem to change its shape every night? The answer is the moon is a world in space, just as Earth is. Like Earth, it's always half illuminated by the sun. In other words, the round globe of the moon has a day side and a night side.
From our earthly vantage point, as the moon orbits around Earth, we see varying fractions of its day and night sides. These are the changing phases of the moon. As the moon orbits Earth, it changes phase in an orderly way. Understand the various phases of the moon.
The 8 Most Intriguing Unsolved Crimes
When a crime is never solved, it can become both maddening and tantalizing. The victims never get justice, their loved ones never get closure, and law enforcement officers can turn into haunted, True Detective-style obsessives.
Here are eight fascinating cases that remain unsolved to this day.
Friday 26 December 2014
Yes, Virginia, There Is A Santa... Or Maybe There Isn't
image credit
In 1897, Dr. Philip O'Hanlon, a coroner's assistant on Manhattan's Upper West Side, was asked by his then eight-year-old daughter, Virginia O'Hanlon, whether Santa Claus really existed.
O'Hanlon suggested she write to The Sun, a prominent New York City newspaper at the time, assuring her that 'If you see it in The Sun, it's so.' He unwittingly gave one of the paper's editors, Francis Pharcellus Church, an opportunity to rise above the simple question and address the philosophical issues behind it.
In 1897, Dr. Philip O'Hanlon, a coroner's assistant on Manhattan's Upper West Side, was asked by his then eight-year-old daughter, Virginia O'Hanlon, whether Santa Claus really existed.
O'Hanlon suggested she write to The Sun, a prominent New York City newspaper at the time, assuring her that 'If you see it in The Sun, it's so.' He unwittingly gave one of the paper's editors, Francis Pharcellus Church, an opportunity to rise above the simple question and address the philosophical issues behind it.
Where Do Recycled Electronics Go?
image credit
Starting in 2015, the 20 million residents of New York State will be forbidden to throw away electronics. The statewide ban requires residents to dispose of their unwanted TVs, printers and MP3 players at designated stores and drop-off locations to be recycled, or pay a $100 fine if these items are left curbside for sanitation workers.
To some, dragging their huge, non-functional TV down the snowy New York City streets may sound like a hassle. But to others, it means that a little less of the millions of tons of e-waste thrown away each year doesn't end up in landfills, where they are notorious contributors of toxic waste. So what happens to electronics when they're recycled?
Starting in 2015, the 20 million residents of New York State will be forbidden to throw away electronics. The statewide ban requires residents to dispose of their unwanted TVs, printers and MP3 players at designated stores and drop-off locations to be recycled, or pay a $100 fine if these items are left curbside for sanitation workers.
To some, dragging their huge, non-functional TV down the snowy New York City streets may sound like a hassle. But to others, it means that a little less of the millions of tons of e-waste thrown away each year doesn't end up in landfills, where they are notorious contributors of toxic waste. So what happens to electronics when they're recycled?
Things That Happen On Christmas That Would Be Weird Any Other Day!
What it would look like if Christmas time wasn't the only time of year we celebrated Christmas.
YouTube link
(thanks David)
YouTube link
(thanks David)
10 Wacky Kickstarter Projects Funded In 2014
image credit YouTube
Thanks to Kickstarter, a handful of wacky projects that might have otherwise never seen the light of day found their way on the market and into our hearts this year. Let's celebrate the Kickstarter visionaries who dared to be a little nutty and came out on top.
Thanks to Kickstarter, a handful of wacky projects that might have otherwise never seen the light of day found their way on the market and into our hearts this year. Let's celebrate the Kickstarter visionaries who dared to be a little nutty and came out on top.
How One NASA Satellite Has Changed How We See Earth In The 21st Century
image credit
In December 1999, NASA launched Terra, the flagship satellite of the Earth Observing System, outfitted with a whole rig of sophisticated instruments for collecting data on our planet.
Terra was meant to last six years when launched. A decade and a half later, it's still alive and kicking. In 15 years, the Earth Observing System has collected some amazing data, enabling some fascinating images and visualizations of the Earth - and how humans impact it.
In December 1999, NASA launched Terra, the flagship satellite of the Earth Observing System, outfitted with a whole rig of sophisticated instruments for collecting data on our planet.
Terra was meant to last six years when launched. A decade and a half later, it's still alive and kicking. In 15 years, the Earth Observing System has collected some amazing data, enabling some fascinating images and visualizations of the Earth - and how humans impact it.
Thursday 25 December 2014
The Scaredy Swan
An animation about overcoming fear. The story of a swan who is afraid of the water.
Vimeo link
(thanks Cora)
Vimeo link
(thanks Cora)
The Internet in Real Time
image credit
By the time you finish reading this sentence, there will have been 219,000 new Facebook posts, 22,800 new tweets, 7,000 apps downloaded, and about $9,000 worth of items sold on Amazon... depending on your reading speed, of course.
Now that the Internet is widely available, just one second of global online activity is jam-packed full of events, from communication with others to data storage to entertainment options galore.
(thanks Chava)
By the time you finish reading this sentence, there will have been 219,000 new Facebook posts, 22,800 new tweets, 7,000 apps downloaded, and about $9,000 worth of items sold on Amazon... depending on your reading speed, of course.
Now that the Internet is widely available, just one second of global online activity is jam-packed full of events, from communication with others to data storage to entertainment options galore.
(thanks Chava)
The Last Victorian Leviathan Steam Ship
image credit
The SS Great Eastern was an iron sailing steam ship designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, and built by J. Scott Russell & Co. at Millwall on the River Thames, London. She was by far the largest ship ever built at the time of her 1858 launch, and had the capacity to carry 4,000 passengers from England to Australia without refuelling.
An Iron Monster, framed in a cloud of billowing white sails, or looming through the hellish black smoke - this was the ultimate Victorian luxury Trans-Atlantic liner, affectionately called the 'great babe' by its eccentric designer.
The SS Great Eastern was an iron sailing steam ship designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, and built by J. Scott Russell & Co. at Millwall on the River Thames, London. She was by far the largest ship ever built at the time of her 1858 launch, and had the capacity to carry 4,000 passengers from England to Australia without refuelling.
An Iron Monster, framed in a cloud of billowing white sails, or looming through the hellish black smoke - this was the ultimate Victorian luxury Trans-Atlantic liner, affectionately called the 'great babe' by its eccentric designer.
The MoGuard
One large mustache and two biomedical engineers came together to create The MoGuard, a drinkware accessory to protect a man's mustache from unsightly beer foam and drippy lip.
YouTube link
(thanks Cora)
YouTube link
(thanks Cora)
The Complicated (And Contentious) Chemistry Of Christmas Cookies
image credit
It's Christmas cookie time, and everyone's got a recipe or two they swear by, whether their loyalties lie with frosted sugar cookies or gently spiced gingerbread.
In a time of togetherness and seasonal cheer, though, cookies can be contentious: Is crispy better than chewy? Is a cakelike texture something to strive for, or avoid at all costs? How do you pick the perfect recipe when cookie tastes vary so wildly?
It's Christmas cookie time, and everyone's got a recipe or two they swear by, whether their loyalties lie with frosted sugar cookies or gently spiced gingerbread.
In a time of togetherness and seasonal cheer, though, cookies can be contentious: Is crispy better than chewy? Is a cakelike texture something to strive for, or avoid at all costs? How do you pick the perfect recipe when cookie tastes vary so wildly?
Wednesday 24 December 2014
Somewhere U.S.A.
Some impressions of a road trip in the U.S.A. Filmed in August and September 2013.
Vimeo link
(thanks Cora)
Vimeo link
(thanks Cora)
The Amazing Origins Of 15 Etiquette Rules
image credit
Why do we say 'Bless You' after sneezes, why do we shake hands upon greeting, and why do the bride's parents have to pay for the wedding? Nowadays, they're just considered good manners, but some of our most familiar etiquette rules have long and surprising histories.
Why do we say 'Bless You' after sneezes, why do we shake hands upon greeting, and why do the bride's parents have to pay for the wedding? Nowadays, they're just considered good manners, but some of our most familiar etiquette rules have long and surprising histories.
The Sphinx Observatory - Science At The Top Of The World
image credit: Rob
It may look like the hideaway of a super villain from a Bond movie but this is the Sphinx Observatory, dedicated to research which must take place out at an altitude of 3000-3500 meters.
It is situated in Jungfraujoch, Switzerland. At an astonishing 3.571 meters above sea level, the Sphinx observatory in the Swiss Alps is the highest-altitude built structure in Europe.
It may look like the hideaway of a super villain from a Bond movie but this is the Sphinx Observatory, dedicated to research which must take place out at an altitude of 3000-3500 meters.
It is situated in Jungfraujoch, Switzerland. At an astonishing 3.571 meters above sea level, the Sphinx observatory in the Swiss Alps is the highest-altitude built structure in Europe.
Inspirograph
Inspirograph is a digital spirograph designed by Nathan Friend, a front-end engineer and cellist based out of Des Moines. By picking two different gauges and choosing one of their holes, you can create all kinds of weird, cool shapes. You can select from the site's preset colors and backgrounds or choose any you like using the available gradient.
(thanks Cora)
The Lord Of The Rings Mythology Explained
Before you see the final Hobbit Movie, learn about the mythology of The Lord of The Rings universe.
YouTube link
YouTube link
The Monsters Of Christmas
image credit
Many of the ancient pagan observances during midwinter have been transformed or forgotten by our modern society. If you look into the origins of traditions practiced around Christmas today, you might be surprised to discover that the Christmas pastimes you know so well are themselves teeming with the macabre and strange.
However, in some countries where people have held fast to these ancient traditions, Christmas brings with it unthinkable terrors. For some, Christmas is a season filled with supernatural goings-on, ghosts, witches, magic, and especially monsters.
(via Everlasting Blort)
Many of the ancient pagan observances during midwinter have been transformed or forgotten by our modern society. If you look into the origins of traditions practiced around Christmas today, you might be surprised to discover that the Christmas pastimes you know so well are themselves teeming with the macabre and strange.
However, in some countries where people have held fast to these ancient traditions, Christmas brings with it unthinkable terrors. For some, Christmas is a season filled with supernatural goings-on, ghosts, witches, magic, and especially monsters.
(via Everlasting Blort)
Colonial New York Was Rowdy, Filthy, Smelly
image credit
Early manuscripts newly posted online by New York City's Municipal Archives depict New Amsterdam as an intoxicated Dutch settlement and show its leader, Peter Stuyvesant, struggling to bring order.
Today, nearly four centuries later, the residents of that once lawless outpost - now known as New York - and anyone else with an Internet connection can read some of the earliest laws promulgated in North America.
Early manuscripts newly posted online by New York City's Municipal Archives depict New Amsterdam as an intoxicated Dutch settlement and show its leader, Peter Stuyvesant, struggling to bring order.
Today, nearly four centuries later, the residents of that once lawless outpost - now known as New York - and anyone else with an Internet connection can read some of the earliest laws promulgated in North America.
Tuesday 23 December 2014
Tiniest Halftime Show Ever
To promote the SuperBowl halftime show, Pepsi created the tiniest halftime showever. With creepy crawlies!
YouTube link
(thanks Casey)
YouTube link
(thanks Casey)
Booze Calculator: What's Your Drinking Nationality?
In the month of December alcohol consumption increases as many people celebrate the festive season. But how does your drinking measure up to the average from countries around the world? Find out if you are similar to a boozy Belarusian or a teetotal Kuwaiti.
Fill in how many pints of beer, glasses of wine or single measures of spirits you have drunk in the past week. Then enter your country's name and see what the average resident drinks. There are also maps of overall alcohol consumption and countries and their favourite type of alcoholic drink.
(thanks Cora)
Singer Joe Cocker Dies Aged 70
image credit
English rock and blues singer John Robert 'Joe' Cocker has died aged 70. Cocker came to popularity in the 1960s, and was known for his gritty voice, his spasmodic body movement in performance and his cover versions of popular songs, particularly those of the Beatles.
Joe Cocker's cover of the Beatles' 'With a Little Help from My Friends' reached number one in the UK in 1968, and he performed the song live at Woodstock in 1969. The Sheffield-born singer had a career lasting more than 40 years, with hits including You Are So Beautiful and Up Where We Belong.
English rock and blues singer John Robert 'Joe' Cocker has died aged 70. Cocker came to popularity in the 1960s, and was known for his gritty voice, his spasmodic body movement in performance and his cover versions of popular songs, particularly those of the Beatles.
Joe Cocker's cover of the Beatles' 'With a Little Help from My Friends' reached number one in the UK in 1968, and he performed the song live at Woodstock in 1969. The Sheffield-born singer had a career lasting more than 40 years, with hits including You Are So Beautiful and Up Where We Belong.
Do Carrots Help You See Better?
You heard it from your mom over and over again. 'Eat your carrots, they'll help you see better!' So is it true? Chemist Chad Jones cracks the carrot case wide open.
YouTube link
(via Laughing Squid)
YouTube link
(via Laughing Squid)
Animagraffs
Animagraffs is an informative website made by Jacob O'Neal that shows you how things work. You can see in detail how a jet engine works, or a car engine, how speakers make sound, how to do the moonwalk, or the technology behind a LED flat screen display.
(thanks Chava)
Top 30 Best New Movies Of 2015
Let's explore the top 30 best new movies of 2015. We'll see Tarantino, Scorsese, some huge franchises battling it out, and the return of the disaster genre in a big way.
(thanks Sheridan)
13 Blinged-Out Buildings Cut Like Stones
image credit: Matthew Paulson
Architects hoping their creations will be described as 'gems' could take the literal route and design faceted structures that call to mind diamonds, geodes and other precious stones. Made of glass or mirrored stainless steel, the geometric panels shimmer in the sunlight and give off their own glow after dark.
Architects hoping their creations will be described as 'gems' could take the literal route and design faceted structures that call to mind diamonds, geodes and other precious stones. Made of glass or mirrored stainless steel, the geometric panels shimmer in the sunlight and give off their own glow after dark.
Monday 22 December 2014
Dji. Death Fails
A truck driver falls asleep at the wheel and ends up in hospital. The Grim Reaper appears and plays with the electrocardiogram wave like a DJ.
Vimeo link
(thanks Cora)
Vimeo link
(thanks Cora)
A Pictorial History Of Santa Claus
image credit
Contrary to what many believe, Santa Claus as we know him today was not the creation of the Coca Cola Company. The name Santa Claus has his roots in the informal Dutch name for St. Nicholas, Sinterklaas (an abbreviation of Sint Nikolaas).
St. Nicholas was a historic 4th-century Greek saint (from an area now in modern day Turkey) who had a reputation for secret gift-giving, such as putting coins in the shoes left out for him. Although the east coast of America was full of Dutch settlers, it was not until the early 19th century that the figure of 'Sinterklaas' would make his way properly across the Atlantic and so give birth to the Americanised Santa Claus.
(via Neatorama)
Contrary to what many believe, Santa Claus as we know him today was not the creation of the Coca Cola Company. The name Santa Claus has his roots in the informal Dutch name for St. Nicholas, Sinterklaas (an abbreviation of Sint Nikolaas).
St. Nicholas was a historic 4th-century Greek saint (from an area now in modern day Turkey) who had a reputation for secret gift-giving, such as putting coins in the shoes left out for him. Although the east coast of America was full of Dutch settlers, it was not until the early 19th century that the figure of 'Sinterklaas' would make his way properly across the Atlantic and so give birth to the Americanised Santa Claus.
(via Neatorama)
King Penguin Crèche - The Biggest Day Care Facility On The Planet
image credit: Liam Quinn
If you have children you will no doubt have experienced the heart stopping moment when you realize the little one has wandered off and you cannot see them anywhere. You might imagine, then, how the average King Penguin parent might feel when they return to feed their chick. Yet it is all part of the King Penguin's master plan for the survival of the next generation.
In what has to be the biggest day care facility on this our ark in space, thousands upon thousands of king penguins group their offspring together in an attempt to stop them dying in the sub-zero temperatures of South Georgia. They are also better protected from predators in this huge gathering.
If you have children you will no doubt have experienced the heart stopping moment when you realize the little one has wandered off and you cannot see them anywhere. You might imagine, then, how the average King Penguin parent might feel when they return to feed their chick. Yet it is all part of the King Penguin's master plan for the survival of the next generation.
In what has to be the biggest day care facility on this our ark in space, thousands upon thousands of king penguins group their offspring together in an attempt to stop them dying in the sub-zero temperatures of South Georgia. They are also better protected from predators in this huge gathering.
Chicago Toccata & Fugue
The City of Chicago becomes a light show to the music of Johann Sebastian Bach.Toccata and fugue in D-minor.
Vimeo link
(thanks Geoff)
Vimeo link
(thanks Geoff)
What's The Difference Between Rabbits And Hares?
image credit
Hares and rabbits look similar, and some may hop to the conclusion that they're the same animal. Hares and rabbits are in the same family, Leporidae, but they're different species, like sheep and goats are different species.
A hare's pregnancy lasts 42 days, compared with rabbits' 30-31 days. Newborn hares, called leverets, are fully developed at birth - furred with open eyes - while newborn rabbits, called kittens or kits, are born undeveloped, with closed eyes, no fur, and an inability to regulate their own temperature.
Hares and rabbits look similar, and some may hop to the conclusion that they're the same animal. Hares and rabbits are in the same family, Leporidae, but they're different species, like sheep and goats are different species.
A hare's pregnancy lasts 42 days, compared with rabbits' 30-31 days. Newborn hares, called leverets, are fully developed at birth - furred with open eyes - while newborn rabbits, called kittens or kits, are born undeveloped, with closed eyes, no fur, and an inability to regulate their own temperature.
How To Celebrate Festivus
image credit
Not inspired to celebrate the holidays in the traditional style? You can resist holiday commercialism and stresses while still getting together with your loved ones by celebrating Festivus.
This 'Festivus for the rest-of-us' was popularized on the TV show Seinfeld and continues to draw fans of anything out of the ordinary. Set aside the day of December 23rd and break out the meat loaf, because Festivus is upon us.
Not inspired to celebrate the holidays in the traditional style? You can resist holiday commercialism and stresses while still getting together with your loved ones by celebrating Festivus.
This 'Festivus for the rest-of-us' was popularized on the TV show Seinfeld and continues to draw fans of anything out of the ordinary. Set aside the day of December 23rd and break out the meat loaf, because Festivus is upon us.
Sunday 21 December 2014
Amsterdam Light Festival 2014/2015
In November, freelance filmmaker Jack Fisher was invited to the Netherlands to make a time-lapse of the Amsterdam light festival. The festival shows light sculptures, projections and installations by contemporary artists. During the festival, light will play a central role in the city as museums and institutions organize light-related activities, introducing visitors to innovations in light art.
Vimeo link
(thanks Cora)
Vimeo link
(thanks Cora)
The Bristlecone Pine: Twisted Contortions Of The Ancients
image credit: Laura Camp
They have lived through millennia. Dispersed in sub-alpine groves in the Western United States, some of these ancient trees are over 5,000 years old. They contain in their ranks the oldest known individuals of any species on Earth.
Their twisted branches, formed over innumerable years stretch towards the sky, sublimely if anthropomorphically expressive. What might these immovable ancients have pondered as epochs passed?
They have lived through millennia. Dispersed in sub-alpine groves in the Western United States, some of these ancient trees are over 5,000 years old. They contain in their ranks the oldest known individuals of any species on Earth.
Their twisted branches, formed over innumerable years stretch towards the sky, sublimely if anthropomorphically expressive. What might these immovable ancients have pondered as epochs passed?
The Craziest Fast Food Creations Of 2014
image credit: Thadd F.
When it comes to food, there are some patterns you can spot amidst all the cheese: Pizza Hut continues to gleefully troll the world, KFC is way more fun outside the U.S., Jack in the Box understands that 90% of its customer base is stoners, and Taco Bell maintains an uncanny knack for formulating exactly which Franken-foods will cause Twitter to freak out the most.
Behold what humans worldwide leave in our greasy wake this year.
(via Neatorama)
When it comes to food, there are some patterns you can spot amidst all the cheese: Pizza Hut continues to gleefully troll the world, KFC is way more fun outside the U.S., Jack in the Box understands that 90% of its customer base is stoners, and Taco Bell maintains an uncanny knack for formulating exactly which Franken-foods will cause Twitter to freak out the most.
Behold what humans worldwide leave in our greasy wake this year.
(via Neatorama)
Headless - No Pets Allowed
Someone unexpected has popped around for tea again. In this brilliantly observed CG short, the guests are very much unwelcome.
Vimeo link
(thanks Cora)
Vimeo link
(thanks Cora)
Meet The Prehistoric Predecessors Of Today's Smart Technologies
image credit
Today's devices are so beautifully designed, so powerful, and so deeply and seamlessly integrated with the Internet of Things that it's easy to forget just how distinctly our everyday technology has evolved in the past few decades.
What was cutting edge less than a generation ago would now be classified as prehistoric, relegated with the dinosaurs to pages of history books. And yet almost every one of us was once delighted with the possibilities these new and evolving technologies presented.
Today's devices are so beautifully designed, so powerful, and so deeply and seamlessly integrated with the Internet of Things that it's easy to forget just how distinctly our everyday technology has evolved in the past few decades.
What was cutting edge less than a generation ago would now be classified as prehistoric, relegated with the dinosaurs to pages of history books. And yet almost every one of us was once delighted with the possibilities these new and evolving technologies presented.
10 Things Everyone Gets Wrong About Memory
image credit
Our memory is something that we rely on every day for every single thing we do. Without it, we would not be able to remember how to walk, how to eat, or even our own name. Our past would be a total mystery and, without the context of our past, we would walk through life confused with no idea what was going on.
While our memory is one of the most important things we use every day, it is also something we constantly take for granted. There are many misconceptions about the way memory works, and it often fools us in subtle ways.
Our memory is something that we rely on every day for every single thing we do. Without it, we would not be able to remember how to walk, how to eat, or even our own name. Our past would be a total mystery and, without the context of our past, we would walk through life confused with no idea what was going on.
While our memory is one of the most important things we use every day, it is also something we constantly take for granted. There are many misconceptions about the way memory works, and it often fools us in subtle ways.
Saturday 20 December 2014
World's Deepest Fish Filmed 8 kilometres (5 miles) Down In The Mariana Trench
Scientists at the University of Aberdeen have set a new record for the world's deepest fish, filming a type of snailfish at a depth of 8 kilometers in the Mariana trench in the western Pacific Ocean. The species of snailfish discovered at the record depth had never been seen before.
Krampus: Santa's Sadistic Sidekick
image credit: Traveller_40
Krampus is a beast-like creature from the folklore of Alpine countries thought to punish children during the Christmas season who had misbehaved, in contrast with Saint Nicholas, who rewards well-behaved ones with gifts.
The song lyrics have never been truer. 'Oh You better watch out, You better not cry, You better not pout, I'm telling you why.' Yet it isn't Santa Claus that you have to watch out for - it's his sinister and somewhat sadistic sidekick - Krampus. He has a whip, and he is going to use it.
Krampus is a beast-like creature from the folklore of Alpine countries thought to punish children during the Christmas season who had misbehaved, in contrast with Saint Nicholas, who rewards well-behaved ones with gifts.
The song lyrics have never been truer. 'Oh You better watch out, You better not cry, You better not pout, I'm telling you why.' Yet it isn't Santa Claus that you have to watch out for - it's his sinister and somewhat sadistic sidekick - Krampus. He has a whip, and he is going to use it.
The Origins Of 10 Popular Christmas Carols
image credit
You've sung them while clutching cups of hot cocoa, cozying up around a fire, or stomping through snowdrifts. You've heard them played in shopping malls, churches, and holiday parties. You know all their words by heart.
But do you know how some of the world's best-known Christmas carols were created?
You've sung them while clutching cups of hot cocoa, cozying up around a fire, or stomping through snowdrifts. You've heard them played in shopping malls, churches, and holiday parties. You know all their words by heart.
But do you know how some of the world's best-known Christmas carols were created?
Google Maps Adds 360-Degree Virtual Tour Inside 'The Colbert Report' Studio
Premiering in October 2005, The Colbert Report broadcast 1,447 episodes over its nine-year run, concluding last Thursday, December 18, 2014. But you can still feel like you're in the audience with a brand-new 360-degree virtual tour of the studio.
(via Laughing Squid)
9 Surprising Facts About Flatulence You May Not Know
image credit
Whether you try to hide it or not, you fart. Everybody does. But even though it's such a routine activity - the average person farts between 10 and 20 times per day - there's a lot about farting that you might not know.
As part of research into the microbiome - the rich community of bacteria that live throughout your body - scientists have learned all sorts of interesting things about the bacteria that produce gas inside your intestines. Here are 9 crucial things to know about flatulence.
(via Miss Cellania)
Whether you try to hide it or not, you fart. Everybody does. But even though it's such a routine activity - the average person farts between 10 and 20 times per day - there's a lot about farting that you might not know.
As part of research into the microbiome - the rich community of bacteria that live throughout your body - scientists have learned all sorts of interesting things about the bacteria that produce gas inside your intestines. Here are 9 crucial things to know about flatulence.
(via Miss Cellania)
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