Did you know that Shakespeare alone contributed more than 2000 new words to the English language? How about that the words cow, sheep and swine, come from English farmers while their culinary versions, beef, mutton and pork, come from French? With its many borrowed and newly invented words, the English language is one that continues to adapt to a changing world. This witty 10 minute animation (in 10 parts) looks at some of the diverse history surrounding the popular language. [Read more...]
No art seems to have better represented the American good life than that of the iconic Norman Rockwell. Over thirty years after his death, his traditionally themed works still resonate with a huge audience of fans, warming peoples hearts with their down to earth home-cooked goodness. Now ISM in collaboration with Muckenthaler Cultural Center are bringing together contemporary reinterpretations of his work created by 40 current artists. [Read more...]
With ever increasing rates of cancer in the world, there are very few people who’s lives have not been affected by the disease. This powerful new interactive graphic, Geographic Awareness of Cancer, is a great way to see how your area of the US is being affected. The graphic displays the percentage by county of major cancer types and related factors such as the percentage of obesity and smoking in the area. [Read more...]
Now here’s an imaginative new way to show data: try using Lego’s! Samuel Granados used the colorful plastic blocks to make two 3D maps of the America’s. Each map displays information about the various countries moving populations, with one map showing the number of immigrants in the area and the other showing emigrants. Keeping it clear and simple the change is represented by the volume of blocks. See more of Granados’ work, including a bunch of nicely done infographics in Spanish, at samuelgranados.es.
Homeless Man / Real Estate Developer, 2002 / 2005
Mark Laita says that the gap between the rich and poor, the conservatives and liberals and even the good and the evil of America is growing. These images from his excellent book, “Created Equal,” show that regardless of how different we may be in this world, how ever much the test of time has molded us into whatever we have become, we are still individuals worth respect and dignity.
Laita photographed his subjects over an 8 year period, visiting 48 U.S. states.
Whether they be Smith’s, Kelly’s, Garcia’s, Lee’s or Leblanc’s, America is truly a melting pot of cultures. Showing the most prolific surnames in the country, National Geographic has put out an interactive map showing the distribution, quantity and origin of last names in different regions. To see what names hit the top of the list in your area, see the map at ngm.nationalgeographic.com
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