September 18, 2011
He's in my behind!
You've read The Backstroke of the West; now WATCH The Backstroke of the West! (MLYT, some NSFW language. The first minute or so of video is missing, but the rest of the movie is there in its full glory.)
"When you wish upon a star... makes no difference who you are."
Autistic and Seeking a Place in the World. Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times reporter Amy Harmon spent a year observing a young man with autism named Justin Canha, who took part in a new kind of “transition to adulthood” program for special education students at Montclair High School in NJ. The experimental program was intended to ready him for an independent life as an adult and integrate him into the community. [more inside]
Straight Razor
"You must love your mother very much."
Chameleon Circuit
An awful lot of running Chameleon Circuit are a band formed to record songs about Doctor Who, in much the same style as Harry and the Potters. [more inside]
3D liquids
Vladimir Jankijevic is a technical oriented artist at ‘Elefant Studios’ in Zürich. Here’s are his Various Fluid Experiments, Walts Rubber Mask, The Osiris project. His Vimeo channel includes other silent shorts. More examples of the Lagoa Multiphysics Simulation Software. His website [more inside]
RIP, Bert Winthrop, Space Artist
Foldit - Crystal structure of a monomeric retroviral protease solved by protein folding game players
Gamers solve molecular puzzle that baffled scientists. The structure of a protein causing AIDS in rhesus monkeys had not been discovered in 15 years of attempts. Players of a videogame did it in ten days. Foldit, the game in question. Abstract. Previously, previously.
From cutting edge to the museum.
The 6th Force
Capitalism is an unparalleled vehicle for meeting human needs, improving efficiency, creating jobs, and building wealth. But a narrow conception of capitalism has prevented business from harnessing its full potential to meet society's broader challenges. The opportunities have been there all along but have been overlooked. Businesses acting as businesses, not as charitable donors, are the most powerful force for addressing the pressing issues we face. The moment for a new conception of capitalism is now; society's needs are large and growing, while customers, employees, and a new generation of young people are asking business to step up. The purpose of the corporation must be redefined as creating shared value, not just profit per se. This will drive the next wave of innovation and productivity growth in the global economy. It will also reshape capitalism and its relationship to society. Perhaps most important of all, learning how to create shared value is our best chance to legitimize business again. ~ Creating Shared Value by Michael Porter & Mark R. Kramer (PDF) [more inside]
"Ireland is the old sow that eats her farrow."
Did Zombies Roam Medieval Ireland? Two 8th-century skeletons with stones shoved in their mouths suggest that the people of the time thought so.
Violence and nonviolence are, after all, two different forms of theater. They both depend and thrive on the response of an audience.
"If we, as a global audience, focus solely on violence and militarism, we reinforce the notion that they are the most effective form of action. On the other hand, if we pay more attention to nonviolent or unarmed efforts, we strengthen the legitimacy and influence of those choosing to use these means." [more inside]
Fly me to the moons of Saturn
Carolyn Porco is the leader of the Imaging Team on the Cassini-Huygens mission. Watch as she extolls the wonders and discovery about two of Saturn's most interesting moons, Titan and Enceladus. [more inside]
Migrations Map
Migrations Map elegantly visualizes migration data for every single country using an interactive world map. [more inside]
Obama White House called "hostile workplace to women"
A new book says women have been marginalized in Obama's White House, according to an article in the Washington Post. Former communications director Anita Dunn is quoted as saying the White House "fit all of the classic legal requirements for a genuinely hostile workplace to women." The book also quotes an unnamed official saying that "the boys' club" was not "just Larry [Summers] and Rahm [Emanuel]," but that Obama himself was responsible: "The president has a real woman problem." [more inside]
Westboro Baptist Church vs. Foo Fighters
If ever a band demonstrated a sense of humor, it's the Foo Fighters. Watch them decide to take on the Westboro Baptist Church in a manner that completely confuses them. When the Westboro Baptist Church decided to picket a Foo Fighters concert, the Foo Fighters happily entertained then with a new tune, "Keep it Clean."
Getting ready for Fringe
The new season of Fringe begins on Friday, Sept 23, and Fox wants to tease and prepare you. Teaser playlist (5 videos): Where Is Peter Bishop?. Recap playlist (12 videos): Past + Present + Future [hosted by John Noble]. [more inside]
RIP, Erik Martin
Seattle mourns the passing of Electron Boy, otherwise known as Erik Martin. Erik died at home on Friday, from a rare form of cancer called paraganglioma. He was 14. Previously on Metafilter.
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