Forests might be detectable on extrasolar planets
Thanks to a new remote sensing technique, astronomers may soon be able to detect the presence of multicellular life (like trees) on planets outside of the Solar System. Excitingly, we’ve been able to detect the composition of atmospheres on a handful of planets orbiting other stars. But if next-generation space observatories go online within the…
Sudan’s First SMS-Powered Voting Monitor Tracks “Violence,” “Intimidation”
While Sudanese vote about the fate of South Sudan’s independence, one Sudan-born Texan supports the voting process from afar with a historic mobile-powered monitoring tool. Fareed Zein came to the United States from Sudan in 1981 to pursue a college education in computer science. One of the lucky ones, his family could afford his departure…
This Week’s Top Web Comedy Video: Honest Grad School Ad
Click to viewNot in grad school? Enjoy this look at everything you find hilarious and sad about people still earning degrees well into their 30s. For everyone who is in grad school, feel free to leave your post-humanist deconstruction in the comments! The rest of the best top comedy videos from this week can be…
Can You Survive A Jump From A Building?
Kids, if I EVER catch you doing this you will be grounded for like 2 months. That means no Wii and no internet. GROUNDED. Which one of these guys was the first to come up with this crazy idea. “I will give you 10 rubles if you jump off the building into the snow.” Really…
How #FollowFriday Is SUPPOSED To Work
Every Friday, many of us will watch our Twitter streams fill up with lists of users and variations of #ff and #followfriday hashtags. Is this really how that whole thing is supposed to work? What would be better? Republished with permission from Matthew Inman aka “The Oatmeal,” a former web designer turned comic artist. You…
How Tron: Legacy Light Cycle Designers Made the Sexiest, Coolest Vehicle Ever
Designer Darren Gilford hoped the Light Cycle in Tron: Legacy would be the “sexiest, coolest vehicle you could possibly imagine.” Some of us definitely think he got his wish, but how did the gorgeous machine go from idea to reality? Designer Darren Gilford hoped the Light Cycle, the sleek speeder that swirls trails of neon…