While today you might have to study Twitter, Facebook or peoples IP addresses to determine where they live and travel, this visualization of westward expansion in the US between 1700 and 1900 looks at the most popular social network of the day: the post office. To create the graphic, map obsessed Derek Watkins took data from the USPS Postmaster Finder and found latitude/longitude coordinates extracted from place names checked with the USGS. [Read more...]
The scent of their deceased brethren sends sea lampreys into a self-preservation tizzy as their alarm cues go into overdrive in an attempt to escape. The findings could be a game changer in controlling one of the most destructive invasive species in the Great Lakes. [Read more...]
Archaeologists have discovered a gate complex adorned with stone sculptures, including a magnificently carved lion that dates back to the end of the second millennium. Located in southeastern Turkey, the gate complex served as access to the citadel of Kunulua, capital of the Neo-Hittite Kingdom of Patina (ca. 950-725 BCE). [Read more...]
The purity of a child’s willingness to explore emotions and unfiltered thoughts can evoke laughter, but it can also deepen consideration and fuel inspiration in the adults with whom these children share. Case in point, this video by the Obakki Foundation.
[Read more...]
From time to time we hear about human trafficking and child slavery, but because these topics can induce immense discomfort, it’s rare for people to spend much time thinking, let alone doing, something about it. Not so for Zac Whyte. The Canadian founder of the HEAL Project is an innovative philanthropist, activist, entrepreneur, dad, academic and digital creative who appears fearless in the pursuit of influencing change — and making it fun for others to join him. He’s also the creator of the Hug Pile.
[Read more...]
The new web is a battlefield and the players are the social media giants; Twitter, Facebook and now Google + duke it out for talkative and loyal followers. These retro designs by Aaron Wood imagine the propaganda posters that would have lined streets had these clashes happened 70 years ago. Thankfully all these fights come down to choice… but if you still want to show support for your favorite social media contender, slap up one of his 11×14″ posters from Etsy.com. [Read more...]
Graphic designer Marko Manev has a large and growing collection of minimalist tributes to Marvel superheros; from the Incredible Hulk to Magneto, many of the greats are here. The posters have a nice folded and worn look to them, as if they once proudly symbolized support for their namesake on some imaginary street corner. Purchase prints of these works at society6.com or follow Marko Manev on Twitter @MarkoManev. [Read more...]
California: legendary for it’s golden hills, Hollywood lifestyles and stunning natural beauty… it’s a place you can mention worldwide and get a smiling response. This crisp time-lapse video does well to capture the splendor of the southern end of the state, featuring the beaches, freeways and a certain famous amusement park. Created over a year and a half by Ryan and Sheri Killackey, the short film uses over 10,000 photos and a bit of well placed tilt-shift to make one inviting tribute to a wonderful place. [Read more...]
These melancholy characters look as if they’ve been swallowed up by the trees of the forest, right along with all the animals. Playfully illustrated by Portland, Oregon based artist Jason Graham, each was created using a combination of India ink, watercolor and a touch of house paint. See more (including an grand mural on the roof of a schoolbus) at behance.net. [Read more...]
This incredibly revealing TED Talk by Josette Sheeran, executive director of the United Nation’s World Food Program, looks at the many factors around why, in a world with more than enough food for everyone, people still die of starvation. She details a number of relatively simple ways – beyond the normal emergency food relief aid – that we can put a stop to this problem, ending incredible global suffering and surprisingly even save money. [Read more...]
