The rings on a cross section cut of a tree can tell scientists a lot about the conditions of its surroundings at different time periods as well as the overall age of the tree itself. But it can also help us tell what the tree sounds like thanks to this fancy record player-like contraption that uses light and some other electronics to transcode the rings in to piano notes.
I’ve heard before, that maybe if everyone got to see our planet from space, the question of whether or not we should preserve it would be a non-issue. If that’s the case, we need to get as many people as possible to see this video. It was shot using a special 4k lowlight camera by the crew of Expedition 28 and 29 on the International Space Station. It’s absolutely stunning.
Hat tip to Sarah Bout for this one, who earlier today turned me on to the posters of Simon C Page for the International Year Of Chemistry. As readers of this blog know, I love science, so anything help promote it in a clear and clever way goes far in my book. Knowing how big of an impact chemistry has on our lives, this project is a noble (get it?) one to undertake. Head over to Simon’s store on inPrnt to get one.
If I hadn’t already wanted to be an astronaut, these images from the ESA would certainly make me strongly consider it. It continues to amaze me how beautiful our planet looks from above.
If you go to Australia soon and hear strange repetitive words coming from the tree-tops, never fear. It’s just a bunch of wild English-speaking parrots. Australian Geographic has an interesting story about how native birds in Australia are picking up the vocal habits of some of their formerly captive brethren.
Jaynia Slaydek, an ornithologist that was interviewed for the story said that mimicking nature of the birds helps propagate the english words that the more domesticated birds have picked up in captivity. After escaping in to the wild, their English “words” are then passed on to their offspring and other birds around.
The birds aren’t all speaking politely though. Some of the words are reportedly too explicit to report here. As Treehugger puts it, the vulgar language “[may be] the last words those escapees heard after their frantic owners realized they were making a break for freedom.”
Not your typical Walgreen’s pharmacy.
It’s called the spoon prank, and it is hilarious.
Brine Icicles don’t mess around. They’re killer.
Would you ride a giant spoke-less ferris wheel?
Stop annoying your neighbors with these cheap soundproofing techniques.
One of our favorite Austin spots receives FFFest praise for their “Slayer Dog”
One used time traveling DeLorean for sale. $600,000 OBO.
How good at Kerning are you? Why not test yourself?
It’s October, so why not celebrate with some Dia De Los Modernists posters?
While we’re talkin’ food, how about a pencil sharpener that dispenses parmesan pencil shavings? Yum!
Need to peel an entire head of garlic in under 10 seconds? Do it with two bowls.
This is the kinda Garden Gnome that lets people know you mean business.
Darth Vader blows some hot air.
You really need to be following Adam Garcia’s sketchbook blog.
That’s a really cool fountain. I want that in my yard.
Hey Portland! Cheat Local!
Marty McFly and Doc Brown have a backstory finally.
It’s the cartoon color wheel.
What if Charles Schulz wrote Jaws?
If there’s anything you learn from this, it’s that you shouldn’t get a discount taxidermist.
Not that you don’t already, but keep in mind that chain emails are bad.
I’m all for this kind of nuclear proliferation.
Let’s all have a meat machine dance party!
Shredder wants you for the foot.
PUBLIC SCHOOL is a group of creative folk working on the east side of Austin. 2 photographers and 5 graphic designers doing our best to show you everyone's best.
