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Six decades of U.S. tornadoes visualized in one stunning map

Using almost sixty years’ worth of data from NOAA, designer John Nelson has produced a mesmerizing visualization of tornado activity in the United States. Ever wondered where “Tornado Alley” got its name? Wonder no more. Writes Nelson: Got this data from NOAA via the spectacular Data.gov. It tracks 56 years of tornado paths along with…

io9 Robbie Gonzalez Jun 8 '12

New chemical circuits make becoming a cyborg even cooler

For those would-be cyborgs who are squeamish about implanting awkward computer chips into their bodies, a doctoral student at Sweden’s Linköping University may have stumbled upon a rather elegant solution. Klas Tybrandt has developed the world’s first integrated chemical circuit — a control system that channels neurotransmitters, instead of electric voltages. Tybrandt, who is studying…

io9 George Dvorsky Jun 8 '12

This Olympus Stylus 8010 Is Your Clumsy-Proof Gadget Deal of the Day

Doesn’t matter what I’m holding, if it’s small and breakable. Considering how reliant we are on gadgets these days, they’re awfully fragile. More tech toys should be designed like this camera. The Olympus Stylus 8010 camera is waterproof, shockproof, and freezproof. Sure it’s targeted at adventure addicts who need a camera that can keep up…

Tech News J.D. Levite Jun 8 '12

The 22 rules of storytelling, according to Pixar

On Twitter, Pixar storyboard artist Emma Coats has compiled nuggets of narrative wisdom she’s received working for the animation studio over the years. It’s some sage stuff, although there’s nothing here about defending yourself from your childhood toys when they inevitably come to life with murder in their hearts. A truly glaring omission.[jump] #1: You…

Movies Cyriaque Lamar Jun 8 '12

Apple iOS 6 Confirmed for Next Monday (Updated)

This banner—reflected on glass—has just been snapped at the Moscone West, the venue for Apple’s World Wide Developers Conference 2012 in San Francisco, California. There isn’t much information for iOS 6, but this is what we expect. [9to5mac, Instagram via MacRumors] Update: a clearer image.

Tech News Jesus Diaz Jun 8 '12

11 Things to Never, Ever Say on Facebook

Facebook is great for sharing the most special of life’s moments. Like pictures of a cake, funny links, or your need for an able body to help you move a sofa. But those status updates are an open announcement to everyone you know. Some information is unwelcome. Some of it is unbearable. So, for the…

Social Media Sam Biddle Jun 8 '12

Twitter Now Better Integrated With Facebook So You Can Annoy Friends With Redundant Data

Like seeing hashtags, @replies, and other Twitter-specific things in your Facebook feed? Good! Because Twitter has updated its Facebook integration tool to help you better distribute the nonsense you spew to your friends on Twitter to those same friends on Facebook. [Twitter via The Next Web]

Social Media Adrian Covert Jun 8 '12

Watch This Badass Train Smash and Destroy Snow Like a Boss

If you’re a YouTube connoisseur, you’ve probably already seen a train plow through snow before. But that’s because a giganto snow plow is attached to the front of the locomotive—those trains were meant to kill and plow snow. This train? It’s just a regular train. And it’s freaking badass. The train from Kiwirail in New…

Tech News Casey Chan Jun 8 '12

The Goofiest Old Timey Spirit Portraits Ever Photographed

We recently looked at the hilarious lengths 19th century photographers went through to keep infants from jumping out of portraits. Incidentally, the long exposure times that would’ve ruined those baby pictures allowed camera fiends of the 1800s to stage supernatural snapshots. Behold a sampling of some sillier spirit photographs, such as Mary Todd Lincoln (above…

io9 Cyriaque Lamar Jun 8 '12

This Desk Only Needs Two Legs

When you think about it, a two legged desk makes sense. Most of us cram our home workspace up against a wall or into a corner anyways, so why even bother with two legs that are rather redundant? If you can curb your paranoia of your desk coming off the wall and crashing down onto…

Tech News Adrian Covert Jun 8 '12

Finally! The villain of Pixar’s Brave is revealed!

While we’ve seen some gorgeous clips of Pixar’s Scottish fairy tale Brave (showcasing the main character Merida’s gorgeous red mane) but we’ve yet to see the movie’s evil nemesis. We’re guessing this was all done to keep most of the story secret, as Pixar likes to do. But now a few stills and a brand…

Movies Meredith Woerner Jun 8 '12

The Time Ikea Almost Offended Everyone in Thailand by Naming Furniture After Raunchy Sex Acts

Yeah, Redalen is the name for a bed sold by Ikea, but it also sounds a lot like the Thai term for getting to third base. So before the Swedish furniture company opened up shop in Thailand last year, it called on some translators to ensure none of its tongue-twisting product titles were offensive. For…

Tech News Leslie Horn Jun 8 '12

The 55 States of America: 5 places that could become U.S. States in your lifetime

Alaska and Hawaii became the last additions to the United States in 1959. Why has the United States failed to add another state in over five decades? In Watchmen, Vietnam becomes the 51st State, while former Presidential candidate Newt Gingrinch called for the Moon to be the 51st state. What are some realistic candidates for…

io9 Keith Veronese Jun 8 '12

A Musical Thank You Note to the Racists, Misogynists, and Scumbags of the Internet

The garbage dump of internet commenting can destroy your faith in humanity real fast, but really, the trolls are just trying to be helpful! Here is a thank you card to all the haters. Yes, constructive criticism is for pansies, and Thank You Hater! by Clever Pie extends a warm appreciation for telling it like…

Tech News Michael Hession Jun 8 '12

House Made of Chain Mail Can Survive Rocks, Swords, Flaming Arrows

Chain mail is something generally associated with medieval-era warriors. But as a material for modern architecture, it’s not so much the first thing that comes to mind, not to mention implemented in designs. That’s why eeing it put into use as part of the Kukje Gallery in Seoul is pretty awesome. The SO-IL-designed building required…

Tech News Adrian Covert Jun 8 '12

Plans for the third and final Star Trek movie are already underway!

The makers of the new Star Trek movies are feeling so pumped about their series, they’re already talking about a third installment while the second is still in post-production. In an interview with TrekMovie, Star Trek producer and screenwriter Damon Lindelof explained that they’ve already got ideas for Star Trek 3: We certainly don’t feel…

Movies Meredith Woerner Jun 8 '12

15 Super-Secret Bases (That Everybody Seems to Know About)

Unless you stick your HQ on the moon or in Norway, you’re going to need to hide it better than these guys did. Our friends at Oobject have assembled 15 of the most obvious secret locations on Earth. Be sure to also check out these cipher devices, concealed guns, and these tricked-out suitcases. British Secret…

Tech News David Galbraith - Oobject.com Jun 8 '12

Would the word association test we saw in the Skyfall trailer actually work?

In the trailer for Skyfall, the new James Bond movie, 007 sits in an interrogation room blurting out answers to a word-association test, while his superiors gravely watch. What psychological insights do these people hope to gain from this — other than finding the limits of Bond’s patience? Find out the rationale behind these word…

io9 Esther Inglis-Arkell Jun 8 '12

Scientists make “frankensquitos” to test vampire jumping spiders

Sometimes it’s hard to distinguish between a science experiment and a scene in a splatter movie. To conduct some ghoulish tests on spiders, scientists constructed forests of “frankensquitos” — made from parts hacked off their mosquito compatriots. “What did you do today, dear?” These are the words that you never want to ask a scientist.…

io9 Esther Inglis-Arkell Jun 8 '12

Brazen Alcoholic Gets a DUI On a Stolen Motorized Wheelchair

If you steal someone’s motorized wheelchair to go for a joyride, you’re sick—Or maybe just completely drunk like this guy. How drunk was Richard Kulma when he was busted? Three times the legal limit drunk. So too blacked out to walk let alone operate so much as a can opener. Look at this police dash…

Tech News Mario Aguilar Jun 8 '12

Six decades of U.S. tornadoes visualized in one stunning map

New chemical circuits make becoming a cyborg even cooler

This Olympus Stylus 8010 Is Your Clumsy-Proof Gadget Deal of the Day

The 22 rules of storytelling, according to Pixar

Apple iOS 6 Confirmed for Next Monday (Updated)

11 Things to Never, Ever Say on Facebook

Twitter Now Better Integrated With Facebook So You Can Annoy Friends With Redundant Data

Watch This Badass Train Smash and Destroy Snow Like a Boss

The Goofiest Old Timey Spirit Portraits Ever Photographed

This Desk Only Needs Two Legs

Finally! The villain of Pixar’s Brave is revealed!

The Time Ikea Almost Offended Everyone in Thailand by Naming Furniture After Raunchy Sex Acts

The 55 States of America: 5 places that could become U.S. States in your lifetime

A Musical Thank You Note to the Racists, Misogynists, and Scumbags of the Internet

House Made of Chain Mail Can Survive Rocks, Swords, Flaming Arrows

Plans for the third and final Star Trek movie are already underway!

15 Super-Secret Bases (That Everybody Seems to Know About)

Would the word association test we saw in the Skyfall trailer actually work?

Scientists make “frankensquitos” to test vampire jumping spiders

Brazen Alcoholic Gets a DUI On a Stolen Motorized Wheelchair

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