December 28, 2013
The King goes to wedding. What the best man does next will make you cry.
pure-gas.org
"Pure-Gas.org" -- a comprehensive index of gas stations in Canada and the US which sell gasoline that isn't contaminated with ethanol.
Is the Contraceptive NuvaRing Killing Thousands?
"Danger in the Ring." According to Karen, a doctor in the emergency room asked her over the phone: “Was your daughter using birth control?” Karen said, “Yes, NuvaRing.” He removed the device and said, “I thought so, because she’s having a pulmonary embolism.” [more inside]
Superego & Thrilling Adventure Hour present "The War Of Two Worlds"
Superego (previously) and The Thrilling Adventure Hour present A War of Two Worlds, a multi-part, crossover, podcast event spectacular. Written by Ben Acker and Ben Blacker and improvised by Superego, The WorkJuicePlayers, and special guests. Written and improvised? Yes! [NSFW] [more inside]
Abstract Skateboarding
A real poet would never do what I just did.
Though best known to fans of Joe Frank, This American Life, and Hearing Voices for the irreverent spirit medium recordings he made as an telephone psychic in the 1990s, the Baltimore poet, composer, and artist David Franks spent decades creating his own work. Several recordings are now available at the internet archive. (previously) [more inside]
Deadly Mix in Benghazi: False Allies, Crude Video
A new piece of investigative reporting by the New York Times would suggest vindication to some degree of the U.S. government's original explanation of the 2012 Benghazi Attack, which proposed that the attack developed from a spontaneous protest in anger over the anti-Islamic youtube video, Innocence of Muslims. Despite this being the explanation that the intelligence community found most probable given their quick, initial analysis of the empirical data, the government faced much criticism for it. Susan Rice, who might have otherwise became the new Secretary of State, was one individual who got caught in the crossfire. Senator McCain once remarked that, "she has proven that she either doesn't understand or she is not willing to accept evidence on its face. There is no doubt five days later what this attack was and for." But as the NYT indicates, what truly happened there in Benghazi is, "murkier and more complex than initially believed."
Horace; Ursine Ourobouros
Land of Sleep
Euphoria, panic, and delusions: Stendhal, Paris and Jerusalem Syndromes
Marie-Henri Beyle was a French novelist, better known by his pen name Stendhal. Though he is now known for his acute analysis of his characters' psychology and he is considered one of the earliest and foremost practitioners of realism, during his lifetime his reputation was largely based on his books dealing with the arts and with tourism. He is also notable for personal experiences he recorded in Naples and Florence: A Journey from Milan to Reggio. There he wrote that his "heart was beating fast at the thought of entering Florence," then when in the Basilica of Santa Croce, he "experienced the most intense pleasure art has ever bestowed upon me ... a sort of ecstasy." Later, he "was seized with a fierce palpitation of the heart;" he "walked in constant fear of falling to the ground." This was the first recorded case of hyperkulturemia, also known as the Stendhal or Florence Syndrome, a psychosomatic reaction to art and/or scenes of beauty. Similar psychosomatic experiences have been recorded in Paris and Jerusalem, though the former largely linked to cultural shock and disconnect at the imagined and real Paris, while the latter most often associated with evangelical Christian tourists who are overwhelmed by their experiences and come to believe they are the Chosen One. The good news for people who suffer from any of these syndromes: the symptoms generally diappear once the person leaves the location or region that set off the psychosomatic illness.
Fallon Fox: The Toughest Woman in Sports
Fallon Fox is the world's first and only transgender MMA fighter. Profile by Nancy Hass for GQ.
A spectacular historical atlas refashioned for the 21st century
Here you will find one of the greatest historical atlases: Charles O. Paullin and John K. Wright's Atlas of the Historical Geography of the United States, first published in 1932. This digital edition reproduces all of the atlas's nearly 700 maps. Many of these beautiful maps are enhanced here in ways impossible in print, animated to show change over time or made clickable to view the underlying data—remarkable maps produced eight decades ago with the functionality of the twenty-first century.
You have to warm up to the idea that you will look like an idiot.
With AWESOMeFEET you have to warm up to the idea that you will look like an idiot. Detroit resident Marty Stano, minimalist, filmmaker, oddball, makes a joyous video in celebration of winter. [more inside]
On reading, love, and loss
Laurie Penny writes about reading and the death of her father. I could sound out letters to form a word, but then groped for its use. Sentences were harder and any sort of narrative was impossible. What sort of story could possibly make sense now?
Why Your Children's Television Program Sucks
Why Your Children's Television Program Sucks:
Jessie / Thomas and Friends / Super Why! / The Fresh Beat Band / Dora the Explorer / Chuggington / Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! / Max and Ruby
Revenge is a dish best served cold
The Janitor's Revenge (SLVideo)
Computer, enhance
Researchers at the University of York were able to identify people using the reflection of their faces in pupils of photographs of other people. Original paper
Wondering What to Get with That Gift Card?
It's a bit late for the holiday, but math(s) comedian Helen Arney sings about her Christmas wish -- the largest known Mersenne Prime, Mersenne 48. [more inside]
See how the ants drip like syrup?
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