Speeding Up Science explores the idea of rapidly identifying species using networks across facebook. After a research expedition to Cuyuni River (Guyana, South America), with potentially 5,000 fish to identify, Oregon State University ichthyologist Brian Sidlauskas called on his friends and colleagues to speed up the identification process. By uploading photos, members of the scientific community were able to identify and tag almost all of the photos within 24 hours. The power of social media isn’t always to brag about your day-to-day events, it can actually be useful, too! Oh, and not to forget the nice video & infographics mix.
An Incredibly beautiful animation inspiring us to question the long term impacts of our meals (beyond an impending food baby).
(via thehonestpalate)
From Sydney to Stockholm, This Is Now is a mashup that paints a real-time portait of a city based on the photos of local instagramers. Looking beyond the mass of food porn, it’s a curiously addictive experience…like peering into a visual manifestation of the attitude and mood of a whole city (well at least those with access to a smart phone).
We like this guy! Canadian illustrator, Marc Johns, never fails to entertain us with his humorous artworks. His thought processes alone are interesting. Take this next paragraph, an extract from his website where he discusses a day in his life:
For instance, the pen I am using to write this draft would probably say: “I’m tired. Can we stop for a bit?” Or perhaps it would say: “I can’t believe you’re making me write this. This is rubbish. Signing cheques would be more inspiring than this.” These are the things I think about. I think about a lot of things. I think about thinking. Don’t try it though, it’s not worth it.
If you haven’t already, take a look at his blog full of illustrated goodness.
Tactus Technology has presented a nice addition to touch screen technology - physical buttons that rise up from the surface on demand, and then recede back into the screen, leaving a perfectly flat, transparent surface when gone.
How? Using a 1-mm-thick Tactile Layer containing tiny channels of non-toxic fluid, managed by a small internal controller that adjusts the pressure of the different portions liquid, causing the buttons to rise up or down. Along with all of the other benefits, we think it’s a great way to introduce braille to existing touch screens.
There is not much in life that compares to a few drinks over a home cooked meal with good company.
But Eat for Equity manages to go one step further in the warm and fuzzy stakes by providing an opportunity to contribute to local and global grassroots non-profits (whilst also stuffing your face). The idea is pretty damn simple: turn up and give what you can afford, then relax and enjoy an evening of food and good times.
It’s this honest attitude that has seen the initiative break down barriers for everyday people to contribute within their means on a regular basis. So far $34,000 has been donated, we’ll raise our forks to that.
At Cocoon we really love change, we kind of thrive on it. Which is a very happy coincidence because life likes to a throw curve ball or two, or in our case more balls then we feel anyone is entitled to. Yep, we are ball magnets. And as a result we’ve gotten pretty good at reminding ourselves of the bigger picture (the one with less balls).
But sometimes we still get discouraged and bogged down (with all those balls) and need reminding about the comparative distance between us and the light at the end of the tunnel. This video is a pretty amazing reminder that some people are able to dedicate their whole lives to the pursuit of goals they know they will never see achieved in their (or their children’s) lifetime.
What if your food talked back? A bunch of clever designers have made a break through in human-food communication with their project ‘Noisy Jelly’. The invention was created using Max/Msp and uses capacity sensors and a variety of jelly shapes (all with different salt concentrations) to detect the proximity and strength of finger contact. This feedback is then turned into an audio signal, giving the jelly a ‘voice’!!
I wonder what chocolate sounds like.
I read an article this morning about a lawyer/photographer deleting her Pinterest account because she had looked into the terms and conditions. In short, we could get the shit sued out of us if someone decides that they don’t want their IP plastered all of the internet for the world to enjoy (did someone say SOPA?)
In the same day, I stumble across Invisible Children’s KONY 2012 campaign. The power of the campaign relying on this powerful, close knit network to expose the evils of the world. Such stark contrast of perspective.
-Belinda
According to Dieter Rams the less is more approach should be the objective of every designer worth their salt.
We need more clearness, not only with products but with our cities, everything is too chaotic.
When broaching what is (for us at least) one of life’s big questions, what is design (or what should design be) Rams’ 10 Principles of Good Design is a darn comfortable starting point.
Pattern Matters is a graphic design based project run by Lim Siang Ching. The project explores ways to “augment the role of pattern by looking into the design process and tactile exploration through pattern making”.
Now we don’t reeeeally know what any of that means apart from the fact that it results in some really cool shit.
Foam Agency did a series of string posters you could listen to via Arduino Wave Shield, string and tin can. Simple, open source technology at its best. The interactive project was part of a marketing campaign for London band Dry The River promoting their new debut album.
It’s not about cutting fish out of our diet because overfishing exists. Or not eating beef because cows fart too much. If we start doing that then we’ll become dormant creatures not doing anything because everything is bad for the Earth.
You know that mentality of “well, everything gives you cancer and we’re all dying anyway so who cares…” Well Swampdog cares. It’s fish and chips with a conscience. From the approved sustainable fish on the menu to the closed loop paper and biodegradable bamboo packaging, they make their initiatives clear.
Good for you, good for me, good for the sea.
