Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech is even better when it is auto-tuned (2m 37s). ∞ via Jacob Morse

Ariana Page Russell’s “Skin Two” is a collection of photographs where she draws patterns in her skin. It looks really painful, but as she explains, it’s just because she has dermatographia, “a condition in which one’s immune system exhibits hypersensitivity, via skin, that releases excessive amounts of histamine, causing capillaries to dilate and welts to appear (lasting about thirty minutes) when the skin’s surface is lightly scratched.” Apparently, it's painless. via Chloe Rote ∞

I wish I was right handed. Several recent studies have shown that moving your eyes left and right for thirty seconds improves memory in a rote memorization test (659 words). Unfortunately, this only works for people with right-handed dominance. The hypothesis is that it increases communication between the hemispheres, which is already high in people who do not exhibit right-handed dominance. via Hacker News ∞

DeepLeap is a really addictive word game. It doesn't come with instructions (at least not yet while it's unfinished), but it's pretty easy to pick up -- just try to form a word from the letters on the screen. Hopefully it stays super fast and clean, and knowing that it was created by John Resig, it probably will. via @davemcclure ∞

At least one Southwest Airlines attendant is making flights memorable (2m 22s): ∞ via Brittany Bohnet

The podcasts and videos from SXSWi 2009 have already begun pouring in. Get 'em before they're technologically irrelevant. ∞

Pollan on politics. Pollan on business?

Monday, March 9th, 2009, 6:19 pm PDT

Michael Pollan, who recently authored “In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto” (a book I’d definitely recommend reading if you want an informational book without relying on speculative experimental findings) wrote an open letter last October to then President-Elect Obama: An Open Letter to the Next Farmer in Chief (8,253 words). It’s rich with both food and food policy information, and argues pretty convincingly that solving food problems will alleviate problems across many other political categories.

As an author, he is already doing a great job helping lots of people find healthy diets, but I’ve got to wonder what would happen if he tried opening a line of grocery stores. I’d imagine the stores would compete with Whole Foods, but probably would have even stricter selections, where all food would be local, and even more, if not all, would be organic. He could assure suppliers follow the guidelines he discusses, and hold indoors weekly farmers markets. Maybe it’s just that writing is his best way of spreading the word, hopefully inspiring people to make the right choices themselves, but damn, a Pollan grocery store would be convenient. ∞ via Chloe Rote

Louis CK knows what it’s like to be broke (4m 51s). ∞ via Chris Javadi

Safari hard-coded compliance for ACID3

Wednesday, February 25th, 2009, 10:17 pm PST

Never forget changeset 31322, the one where the Safari team committed a change to hard-code compliance for the ACID3 test. As the commit description says: "Make the Ahem font antialias correctly on Acid3." (Okay, admittedly this is an oversimplification of the issue. Investigate if you're interested in the less extreme details.) ∞

After twenty years, The Simpsons has for the first time updated its main title sequence (2m 01s), which accompanies its first episode for HDTV. ∞ via The Huffington Post

Who knew that chickens have remarkably stable heads (1m 42s)? Not me; I didn’t grow up on no farm. ∞ via legatissimo.info

The problem with many of the findings in psychology is that they are often motivated by sociocultural norms, and that psychology as a “science” is used to justify/perpetuate these norms. Such methodology starts with a conclusion and works backward to find evidence in favor of it. Done correctly, this might lead to conclusive findings, but it most often is done erroneously, overlooking the biases in choosing which parts of the story are told in coming to the conclusion. “Addicted to Love” (1,634 words) explains how the science behind addiction (sex and porn addiction, mainly, but also addiction in general) is similarly complicated. As the author points out, when an idea becomes accepted by the mainstream, it can be oversimplified and misused to justify what are actually just problems of character in individuals. via reddit ∞

YouTube's "annotations" feature adds a new element of interactivity to the videos. Much like those Choose Your Own Adventure books from your childhood, a group called Chad, Matt, & Rob have created a pretty involved adventure called The Time Machine. via UX Magazine ∞

Do you think you know the best way to stop a rumor? Would you go the “no comment” route? Psychologists studying the sociodynamics of rumors have found that acknowledging and expanding upon rumors are the best way to stop them (2,060 words) (what one calls “stealing thunder”). They also give a little insight on the necessity and practicality of rumors, which can provide useful information about superiors. Or, at least that's what I've heard on the interwebs. A favorite quote:

McAndrew's work, much of which focuses on our obsession with celebrity culture, suggests our brains aren't terribly adept at distinguishing people who are "actually" important from people who simply receive a lot of attention. ∞

The New York Times describes the psychosocial effects of the increasingly connected, mobile, digital era in “Brave New World of Digital Intimacy” (5,216 words). It’s a long, worthy read that covers the rise of social utilities and microblogging in the context of personal psychology. Danah Boyd summarizes one of the effects of having weak, digital-based relationships pretty well: “They can observe you, but it’s not the same as knowing you.” ∞

The winner of a coin design competition by the Dutch Ministry of Finance is a beautiful, thoughtful coin completely designed with free software. It concentrates on information design and typography, which in English means that it'd make a perfect gift for me some day. ;) ∞

Just like they seem to have thought of everything already in philosophy, the ancient Greeks had a joke book with much of the same style of humor as today (434 words), including Monthy Python’s dead parrot sketch (3m 25s). ∞

This might just be a designer thing, but if you think you're good at eyeballing lines and angles, try playing the eyeballing game. via Nate Koechley ∞

I have no idea what they’re saying, but Deichkind is pretty cool German hip hop/ghettotech. Recommendations to get started: Ich Betaeube Mich (3m 30s), Bon Voyage (3m 24s), Electric Super Dance Band 2m 26s), Limit (3m 03s) ∞

Reef Balls

Thursday, October 30th, 2008, 4:02 am PDT

It’s a little morbid, but whenever I die, I think it’d be pretty cool to go out with a reef ball, a mold where they combine your cremated ashes with a bit of replacement coral reef. There’s not much of a point to adding a person’s remains to it, but it’s a good way to get your family to sponsor coral reef redevelopment. The service also saves a bit of money in the process, at least compared to a burial.

Another alternative is a sky burial (really gross, graphic pictures; prepare yourself), but that’s probably a little too gross to ask of people. To put it bluntly, they feed a dissected corpse to the birds. This isn’t appalling to do in Buddhist Tibet — Buddhists believe your body is merely a vessel for your spirit, so when you die, it becomes a useless, insignificant object. It’s an agreeable position, but still a dirty way of doing things. ∞ via reddit

I feel like my wardrobe could use some more designer tees. Perhaps everybody's wardrobe could. ∞

When a hedge-fund manager recently quit after a year with 870% gains (610 words), he left an angry note for his clients with a few hilarious points: you can profit off the stupid, living for a legacy is ridiculous, the rich and powerful in America essentially form an aristocracy, our government is broken, and marijuana should be legalized. Oh how I love it when people are real (even if what they’re saying is debatable). ∞

Governor Clinton campaigned on "real hope for change," but President Bush has the "experience" we need so we don’t go to sleep without "the fear of nuclear war." Governor Clinton is going to try to make you think the economy is worse than it actually is, but President Bush knows it's just a worldwide slowdown. I wonder what will happen next. ∞

The depressing list of ways the human mind is essentially fucked reminded me of another Wikipedia gem. Although many of them have already been popularly debunked, Wikipedia’s list of common misconceptions might contain a few things you didn’t know. My personally held ones include: due to population increases, over half of humans are currently alive; Eskimos have a larger number of words for snow than other languages; and, most embarrassingly, that Muslims believe martyrs are awarded 72 virgins after death. It's okay now. I've been saved. ∞

The Oak Beams of New College, Oxford (1m 20s) give a warming anecdote for the future of society. via Legatissimo ∞

“San Francisco is to hold a vote on whether to rename one of its largest sewage treatment facilities after George W. Bush, in what supporters describe as ‘a fitting monument to the President’s work.’” (381 words) via Reddit ∞

As the economy dwindles, the wealthy are stressing over being less wealthy (1,465 words). Do I hear buying opportunity? If you’re in that troubling situation where you can’t afford your Rolex, I guess I could take it off your hands for $10 or so. via Reddit ∞

Summer can be boring, which is when the unbearably cute games from Orsinal come in handy. Another beautiful flash game is Music Catch from Reflexive. via Reddit ∞

President Bush made a guest appearance on Deal or No Deal (1m 49s) this week, but strangely enough, it matched its lowest Monday rating ever (374 words). via Reddit ∞

Instead of freaking out or getting angry, Julio Diaz gave his mugger a coat and then treated him to dinner (3m 12s). It's a nice story, but I do have to wonder how many muggers are this impressionable. ∞

Valentine's Day mixes may be great, but if you really want your heart to sink, listen to Rufus Wainwright's cover of "My Funny Valentine" (3m 24s MP3). Although it's pretty, I wouldn't suggest dedicating it to anyone -- "Your looks are laughable, unphotographable" is not the best pick-up line. Full disclosure: My Funny Valentine was written for a 1937 musical, not by Rufus. ∞

Despite the lack of a leader instructing them, much less a developed brain, ants can build incredibly complex systems underground (6m 37s). via TED ∞

I've always wondered how movie theaters profit (871 words). There are the obvious rip-offs at the concession stands, which are very calculated (adding salt to popcorn sets you up for another rip-off, a drink). But, ticket sales are profitable, too, with revenue usually being split 50/50. Both of these explain why most movies are 128 minutes or less -- the theaters demand it. ∞

Continental is the first airline to try out paperless check-in. Instead of a boarding pass (which we can now call a boring pass), you have a complex barcode on your phone or PDA. It’s not really going to save much paper, but it’s a little more convenient. ∞

There’s an article about the theory of reference (1696 words) which also talks about this “new” approach to philosophy called experimental philosophy. That’s funny — “experimental philosophy” used to mean something else (today it’s known as “science”), which brings up, once again, the theory of reference. Now I’m confused. ∞

When computers went down at a Whole Foods in Connecticut, instead of hassling the customers with some type of ad hoc system, the store quietly gave the groceries away for free (472 words). via reddit ∞

Director Mauro Vecchi created an optical illusion-based music video for Erlend �ye’s newest band, The Whitest Boy Alive - Golden Cage (3m 54s). via Get Weird Turn Pro ∞

CollegeHumor created a television news version of your Facebook News Feed (1m 33s). via Valleywag ∞

As I see it, with just two semesters of school left, I've got to make sure I've tried everything on Design*Sponge's Austin Design Guide. Now if only they'd publish one for Singapore... ∞

“I think you’re ugly because you’re unattractive” is a statement that really begs the question. A statement like “It really begs the question: why is he so dumb?” does not. In fact, begging the question makes use of neither the common use of ‘begging,’ nor the common use of ‘question.’ ∞

Think you can guess just three of the top five most beer-consuming countries? Give it a try and then check your results. ∞

Andrew Sloat created a typographic ode to the twenty-second amendment (1m 00s) by combining individually shot videos. His other work is similarly awesome. via kottke, quipsologies ∞

There are plenty of flat, two-dimensional optical illusions, but the spinning girl/left versus right brain test is so much trickier since it’s animated to be three-dimensional. Try to get the girl to change directions. via reddit ∞

Steven Colbert was interviewed on NPR (8m 20s), in character, to promote his new book, I Am America (And So Can You!). ∞

With all of the hoopla surrounding Al Gore’s Nobel Peace Prize win, I feel compelled to dig up a piece of regrettable news: all of the major scientific models of global warming have been empirically proven wrong. It’s painful to say it at a time like this, but they were off. Way off. via reddit ∞

“Music, a mode of creative expression consisting of sound and silence expressed through time, was given a 6.8 out of 10 rating (545 words) in an review published Monday on Pitchfork Media, a well-known music-criticism website.” via khoi vinh ∞

A La Carte (5m 20s), a group of a few talented exchange students here, debuts with an exploratory masterpiece. Titled "22 Cups and a Coathanger," the group poses a deep hypothetical to Singapore's Prime Minster, Lee Kuan Yew. ∞

I don’t know much about Celtic culture, but if they go around singing tunes like “Do Virgins Taste Better Than Those Who Are Not?” count me in.

And if you’re wondering how the village dragon responded (I know I am), there’s “The Dragon’s Retort.” (Hint: yes, they taste better.) The bearded guy in the second half of this video performs it. ∞

"I'm like the Atheist spokesman. That's why I come under fire and pressure attacks like Rex Grossman." Greydon Square raps about atheism. (Lyrics are on his site.) via richard dawkins ∞

via kottke ∞

President Bush is flying to APEC (892 words), but the entire city of Sydney is shutting down for days to prevent protests. ∞

"A President Besieged and Isolated, Yet at Ease" (2,950 words) describes the private meetings of a deeper Bush. I thought it was fiction at first, but in the end, it's actual reporting. It says a lot on the psyche of our president. ∞

If a business meeting were like internet comments… (2m 16s) ∞

Cramer doesn't think the market is doing so well (3m 13s). via Reddit ∞

In 1992, Robin Dunbar proposed that the theoretical maximum number of sustainable, meaningful relationships any one person can have is, on average, 147.8. However, the standard deviation is humongous. ∞

Slate has begun a video blog. My favorite so far is Magnum: The Hippies (2m 50s). via Slate ∞