●●●● Space is the Place ●●●●

Burger Tunes

2009-07-05T21:31:00.001-04:00

So I had a craving for five guys last night...

"Meat and Cheese" by Duotard (via art site The Selby):

Ragnar Otnes & Mads Ousdal Kick the Burger to the Moon:

Wendy's Burger Training Rap:

Bathtubs in Motion

2009-05-01T14:04:00.012-04:00

I've seen techniques before for making natural photography appear like miniature models, but this is the first time I've seen it used (to great effect) in making a video [note: sorry, but to watch in full HD you'll have to follow the respective links]:

Bathtub IV.

Another Japanese artist had the time to build a small world within their own room, in this stop motion with a wolf and pig:

オオカミとブタ。Stop Motion with wolf.

Also, bonus HD video from Vimeo:

I-Movix SprintCam v3 NAB 2009 showreel.

History of Hip-Hop Mixes

2009-03-24T12:38:00.000-04:00

Courtesy of The Rub, comes an excellent collection of full length mixes spanning the first twentyone years of hip-hop (one mix per year). You can find the tracklistings and artwork here. Enjoy!

NASA, Vol. VI

2009-02-19T16:48:00.000-05:00

The End of Photoshop?

2009-01-14T14:20:00.000-05:00

"Researchers from Japan’s ATR Computational Neuroscience Laboratories have developed new brain analysis technology that can reconstruct the images inside a person’s mind and display them on a computer monitor..."

This is technology still in its infancy, but nonetheless fascinating and startling. What do you think? Wait no, don't tell me, just picture it.

Continue reading here. [Backup here.]

Extreeeeme!

2009-01-13T09:26:00.001-05:00

Yeah dude yeah! Takin' it to the limit, one more time!

wingsuit base jumping from Ali on Vimeo.

[Shout out to Lev.]

Year in Revue

2008-12-11T12:52:00.011-05:00

Looking back on the past year, a few themes stood out: this was definitly an amazing year for collecting uncovered gems from around the world (see Shadow Music of Thailand, African Scream Contest, Nigeria Special series, Nigeria 70 series, Calypsoul 70, etc.); the further legitimization of the mixtape format (see Santogold, Esau Mwamwaya, Wale, Paper Route Recordz, Clipse, even Lil Wayne selling a milli, etc.); and animatronic puppets can be mindblowing.

As with last year's list, each selection is entirely subjective to my own enjoyment. However, I and I did attempt to put everything in a ranked order for the very first time. So, without further ado:

Top 10 Albums Released in 2008:
1. Erykah Badu New Amerykah, Part One: 4th World War
2. TV on the Radio Dear Science
3. Various Artists Nigeria Special: Modern Highlife, Afro-Sounds & Nigerian Blues
4. Girl Talk Feed the Animals
5. Various Artists Nigeria 70: Lagos Jump
6. Santogold Top Ranking: A Diplo Dub
7. John Zorn The Dreamers
8. Flying Lotus Los Angeles
9. Young Jeezy The Recession
10. Various Artists Calypsoul 70: Caribbean Soul & Calypso Crossover 1969-1979

Top 10 Albums Not Released in 2008:
1. Diplo AEIOU Vol. 2 (2004)
2. Lil Wayne Da Drought 3 (2007)
3. Jonny Greenwood Jonny Greenwood is the Controller (2007)
4. Clipse We Got It 4 Cheap, Vol. 2 (2005)
5. James Brown The Payback (1973)
6. UGK Ridin' Dirty (1996)
7. Dizzee Rascal Maths + English (2007)
8. Pinch Underwater Dancehall (2007)
9. Michael Jackson Thriller (1982)
10. Hollertronix Never Scared (2003)

Top 10 Films:
1. There Will Be Blood (2007)
2. Oldboy (2003)
3. Paprika (2007)
4. The Dark Knight (2008)
5. Tropic Thunder (2008)
6. WALL-E (2008)
7. The Squid and the Whale (2005)
8. Planet B-Boy (2008)
9. Trekkies 2 (2004)
10. Encounters at the End of the World (2008)

Top 5 TV Series:
1. The Wire: Season 4 (2006)
2. Summer Heights High: 8-part series (2007)
3. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia: Season 3 (2007)
4. Light Fantastic: 4-part series (2006)

5. Extras: Season 2 (2006)

Protecting from Unreasonable Searches & Seizures

2008-12-08T15:14:00.008-05:00

While taking a break from studying for a Criminal Procedure final, I found it quite interesting and appropriate that a former Texan police officer has started the first reality TV program of its kind, aimed at "busting" cops for using illegal search methods:

"'KopBusters rented a house in Odessa, Texas and began growing two small Christmas trees under a grow light similar to those used for growing marijuana,' claims a release from NeverGetBusted.com 'When faced with a suspected marijuana grow, the police usually use illegal FLIR cameras and/or lie on the search warrant affidavit claiming they have probable cause to raid the house. Instead of conducting a proper investigation which usually leads to no probable cause, the Kops lie on the affidavit claiming a confidential informant saw the plants and/or the police could smell marijuana coming from the suspected house.'

'The trap was set and less than 24 hours later, the Odessa narcotics unit raided the house only to find KopBuster's attorney waiting under a system of complex gadgetry and spy cameras that streamed online to the KopBuster's secret mobile office nearby.'"

Continue reading here.

X-Rays from Scotch Tape

2008-12-06T12:50:00.000-05:00

"It turns out that if you peel the popular adhesive tape off its roll in a vacuum chamber, it emits X-rays. The researchers even made an X-ray image of one of their fingers."

Continue reading here. Slideshow here.

Bonobo Culture: Writing, Lighters & Pac-Man

2008-12-05T14:10:00.007-05:00

Following up on a previous post, this time with video, of fascinating work that's being done with one of our closest living ancestors, the bonobo:

[Source/Download: TED]

[Edit: Chimp on segway addendum]:

NASA, Vol. V

2008-11-26T12:19:00.000-05:00

I Love Karaoke!

2008-11-17T22:29:00.004-05:00

"Touch My Body"

"We Belong Together"

Solving the Gas Crisis

2008-10-12T13:33:00.002-04:00

Got the economic blues? Not since last year's Trailer Park Boys episode of "Jump the Cheeseburger" (season 7, episode 7) have I laughed so hard on repeated viewings of a single show. This is Sunny in Philly at its doggon' ridiculous best. Enjoy:

Link to full screen version here.

McCain's New Attack Ad

2008-10-11T01:39:00.003-04:00

Shocking. Read more here.

The Renewed Mind is the Key

2008-09-24T10:43:00.008-04:00

I don't need to tell you, but The Way International can drop it like it's hot. Just watch them kill it on the dance break from one of last year's bootylicious performances:

You can find the fullsize version here.

Thanks to Mr. Bell.

VBS Meets Young Jeezy

2008-09-02T16:15:00.007-04:00

In honor of the Snowman (pictured above in "powdered" wig) dropping his new album today (woo!), VBS has posted an amazingly awkward interview (thaassright). Description and video below:

There is very very little I can say about Young Jeezy. I mean that more in general than in either a “that you don’t already know” or “to add to the discussion” sense. I know that he is a rapper, he’s evidently a popular rapper, and he was also the popular rapper behind all those angry snowman shirts black kids were always wearing a couple years ago that meant that they were coke dealers or made out of coke or something. Otherwise, aside from having a new album out and guesting on an increasingly insane number of other people’s tracks, he remains as dark and inscrutable as the lyrics to his songs that i’ve tried to make myself listen to. I don’t know, maybe I wasn’t the right person for this interview.

Space, Vol. IV

2008-08-20T00:23:00.001-04:00

WNYC's New Sounds: Swinging Addis

2008-08-16T12:49:00.003-04:00

"Study your history, whoever don't I pity the fool like Mr. T"

Wise words indeed. John Schaefer hosts a great introduction to the strangely familiar foreign sounds of Ethiopian & Eritrean jazz/funk/psychedelic/pop collected in the ongoing Ethiopiques music series. Interspersed throughout the episode are selections from the series.

Listen here.

For anyone interested in hearing a contemporary influence of these sounds should check out the recent Stones Throw subsidiary release by Karl Hector & the Malcouns via Now Again Records.

Vice Guide to North Korea

2008-08-03T13:26:00.001-04:00

Vice TV is pretty crazy. Herein lies a perfect example of the possibilities that smaller modern media outlets can provide. By entering North Korea via northern China, Shane Smith has the incredibly rare opportunity to make a documentary in a country that limits bringing technology, such as recording devices, along with you. Previous exploits also include journeys to Bolivia, Sudan, Chernobyl, Houston's screwed & chopped scene and Baghdad's metal scene. Here's a brief example of the North Korean visa process:

"At the airport the North Korean consulate took our passports and all of our money, then brought us to a restaurant. We were sitting there with our tour group, and suddenly all the other diners left and these women came out and started singing North Korean nationalist songs. We were thinking, “Look, we were just on a plane for 20 hours. We’re jet-lagged. Can we just go to bed?” but this guy with our group who was from the LA Times told us, “Everyone in here besides us is secret police. If you don’t act excited then you’re not going to get your visa.” So we got drunk and jumped up onstage and sang songs with the girls. The next day we got our visas. A lot of people we had gone with didn’t get theirs. That was our first hint at just what a freaky, freaky trip we were embarking on..."

Check out all 14 segments here.

Summer Reading

2008-07-10T14:24:00.004-04:00

Summer means more time to read, and here's a few articles that have occupied my time:

The Problem with Music by Steve Albini

Elevators (me and you)

Nigeria n Development

Eating Fugu

Dr. Kush

Elephant Artistes

2008-07-06T17:58:00.003-04:00

Pachyderm enthusiasts rejoice!: "Bull elephant Noppakhao paints a picture of another elephant in Ayutthaya province, Thailand." Some of the best artistic work by elephant-kind since the Thai Elephant Orchestra (there's also video of elephants painting and jamming):

[Source: Telegraph]

Body Building Scientists

2008-07-03T01:26:00.003-04:00

From Body Builders [Wired Science/PBS].

Miracle Fruit Flavor Tripping

2008-06-29T23:55:00.003-04:00

"The berry rewires the way the palate perceives sour flavors for an hour or so, rendering lemons as sweet as candy...'You pop it in your mouth and scrape the pulp off the seed, swirl it around and hold it in your mouth for about a minute,' he said. 'Then you’re ready to go.' He ushered his guests to a table piled with citrus wedges, cheeses, Brussels sprouts, mustard, vinegars, pickles, dark beers, strawberries and cheap tequila, which Mr. Aliquo promised would now taste like top-shelf Patrón."

Continue reading here.

Further: flavortripping.wordpress.com

(Thanks to Ajita for the tip)

Life on Mars?

2008-06-28T12:17:00.005-04:00

"'Flabbergasted' NASA scientists said on Thursday that first analysis of Martian soil appeared to contain the requirements to support life."

Continue reading here.

Related: fresh mars imagery & water ice discovery

Rock-afire Explosion in this Club

2008-06-01T13:28:00.009-04:00

Showbiz Pizza Place's Rock-afire Explosion performing "Love in this Club" by Usher; the rap section just blew my mind ("It's goin down on aisle 3, I'll bag you like some groceries").

[Thanks to Fader]

[Edit: new link here]

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Now playing: Young Jeezy - Put On (ft. Kanye West)
via FoxyTunes

New NASA Pics

2008-05-21T11:38:00.000-04:00

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Now playing: Antibalas - Hilo
via FoxyTunes

Animals with Ridiculous Clothing

2008-05-13T18:05:00.006-04:00

Part 1: Anteaters in Sweaters

A pair of Tamandua Anteaters, named Pua and Stewie, have been mercilessly subjected to wearing absurd outfits by their owner. As can be evidenced by galleries here or here. Selected highlights below:

They have a website here, and you can check them out on the silver screen in the upcoming blockbuster Dr. Doolittle 4!

Part 2: Cat Prin, the Tailor of a Cat

Takako Iwase is a Japanese clothing maker specializing exclusively in ridiculous cat outfits. Vice Magazine recently did an interview here, which had this interesting excerpt:

"Numerous men have asked me to make matching costumes with their cats, but no women yet. It’s very interesting."

The full web store for Cat Prin, the Tailor of a Cat can be seen here, complete with very dear mistranslations ("the tailor for a cat you know -- it is -- fact which will become dearer than former if a cat has clothes on") and outfits ranging in skill level from beginners to "upper persons". Samples from the Vice feature below:

Part 3: The Man, the Myth, the Legend

Lastly, a special shout out to the original animal with galleries of ridiculous gear: Biker Fox!

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Now playing: Weezer - Undone (The Sweater Song)
via FoxyTunes

Giant Steps Animated (Archives)

2008-05-12T15:10:00.000-04:00

Simple but effective: Michael Levy created an animated short film based upon John Coltrane's mighty compositional and performance donkey punch.

Watch here.

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Now playing: Alice Coltrane - Blue Nile
via FoxyTunes

Internet Music Fuckery, Part Two

2008-05-07T18:00:00.000-04:00

Since StSanders came along, others have become inspired by the likes of The Creed:

On the topic of getting inspiration from super shitty post-grunge rock bands, it was brought to my attention that not everyone has heard Mikey Smith's brilliant Nickleback mash-up, dubbed "How You Remind Me of Someday." In case you feel doubtful over the proximity of the word 'brilliant' next to the bands name it's okay, just listen to it.

Download here.

In a response to the track, bass player Mike Kroeger stated "I think that's remarkable for someone to notice that there is a hit quality. If all hits sound the same, then sorry. When you are a band that has a distinct style such as us or AC/DC, that happens. When you have a distinct style, you run the risk of sounding similar."

Oh well. If you're already familiar with the track, there is also an NPR interview with the creator of the track.

Lastly, I leave you with classic footage of the gang getting stoned in Portugal. No, in the biblical sense:

"Have We Got Any Nickelback Fans in Portugal?!?!?!?"

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Now playing: Shellac - The End of Radio
via FoxyTunes

Top 10 Worst Rap Album Covers

2008-05-02T18:39:00.003-04:00

Congratulations are in order to my man Big Bear for creating an utter masterpiece (click image above to enlarge). Not surprisingly, it made it to the top spot of a hip-hop top 10 list, although admittedly it faced some stiff competition from nine other special works of art. Here's the accompanying description for Doin Thangs:

"This cover manages to combine the overdone bling factor present in many rap album covers with the "What the fuck?" aspect present in so many of the top ten. This is how this album managed to make it to number one. There are so many things that are absurd on this cover that I cannot quite comprehend all of it. He has four bears smoking blunts and wearing jewelry while drinking cristal in front of a table filled with cigars, strawberries, assorted nuts, and fresh fish. Oh, and his name is in HONEY FOR THE LOVE OF GOD. Just in case you thought he was going light on the bear theme. The name of the album is baffling. "Doin Thangs" is such a broad description. What is he doing? THANGS. No time for apostrophes, Big Bear is on the move. I'm just relieved that he didn't forget to put a high number of lens flares onto the cover. Without it he might have lost the hook necessary to alert people that he is, in fact, doin thangs."

Continue reading here.

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Now playing: ODB ft. Macy Gray - Don't Go Breaking My Heart
via FoxyTunes

Internet Music Fuckery, Part One

2008-04-28T01:28:00.003-04:00

StSanders got the idea when he happened to look up at a Steve Vai guitar solo on TV while the sound was turned off. Before long he was overdubbing videos like Carlos Santana & Co. jamming, which, along with the intermittent crowd cheers, created something surreally absurd yet seemingly possible, at least visually.

And the videos received simple titles like Santana Shreds:

or Eric Clapton Shreds:

Part of my enjoyment comes from believing that some of these videos are at least plausible enough to pass off on some unsuspecting people. The Wired article on StSanders even has examples of this. So please, feel free to show these to other people and let me know what they think.

If you can't get enough, there's also Metallica, Steve Vai, and Eddie Van Halen shredding videos.

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Now playing: Fantômas - 04/04/05 - Monday
via FoxyTunes

Simple Complexities

2008-04-23T00:05:00.005-04:00

Brian Eno gives insight into the intersections of science and culture, from the Pop!Tech 2007 convention:

Musician, producer and artist Brian Eno shows how simple things can give rise to complex things—in art and life. See how he uses Darwin’s ecological model of the world as a roadmap for human culture now and in the future.

Watch here.

(Big up to Kamal)

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Now playing: Steve Reich - Electric Counterpoint: I. Fast
via FoxyTunes

Waving Goodbye to Hegemony

2008-04-15T15:51:00.009-04:00

In Parag Khanna's thought provoking analysis on America's place amidst the rising European and Chinese Powers, the U.S. hegemony of the world will soon give way to a new "Big Three." Meanwhile the second world nations will act as a geopolitical marketplace in deciding who will lead in the 21st century. Somewhat of a reality check for thinking globally:

"...nothing has brought about the erosion of American primacy faster than globalization. While European nations redistribute wealth to secure or maintain first-world living standards, on the battlefield of globalization second-world countries’ state-backed firms either outhustle or snap up American companies, leaving their workers to fend for themselves. The second world’s first priority is not to become America but to succeed by any means necessary."

Also included at the end are some practical approaches which American foreign policy could take to help the nation move in the right direction globally. I also think there is a good argument in here for getting out of Iraq as soon as possible.

Continue reading here.

[I meant to post this awhile ago, but better late than never. Thanks to Chris in Japan.]

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Now playing: Konono N°1 - Lufuala Ndonga
via FoxyTunes

Stick Twirling Bear "On a Roll"

2008-04-14T11:05:00.003-04:00

In what appears to be a self-imposed martial arts regiment, Claude, an Asiatic Black Bear, has taken up stick training to overthrow his would be Japanese zoo captors. Could it just be the warm weather?:

(source: National Geographic)

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Now playing: Antibalas - Dirt and Blood
via FoxyTunes

Boomerangs in Space

2008-04-09T15:05:00.008-04:00

"In an unprecedented experiment, a Japanese astronaut has thrown a boomerang-like object in space and confirmed it flies back much like on Earth."

Continue reading here.

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Now playing: DJ Kentaro - Space Jungle (ft. MC Spank Rock, Ronnie Darko & Chris Rockswell)
via FoxyTunes

Speak: Where is He Now?

2008-04-08T17:16:00.011-04:00

Check this- Details became scarce after the Hungarian Rapper (aka the White 2Pac) made his rise to fame with the 2003 video "Stop the War". But now, he's back (thas right) for more bizness! Is this a dream or real? I can't decide, I can't. Check out his new single "Hold on":

An excerpt from his Wikipedia page:

"Spurned by the failure of the American anti-war movement, Speak turns inward in his latest single, "Hold On." "Hold On" speaks to our alienation and search for meaning in an uncertain world. As the angel reaches out to Speak, we see the dissolution of a destructive pessimism that pervades the international discourse. A note of uncertainty remains, however, in Speak's questioning: 'was it dream or real? I can't decide; I can't'."

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Now playing: Ike Reiko - Tenshi Ni Narenai (I Can't be an Angel)
via FoxyTunes

Merely Wealthy Face National Housing Crisis

2008-04-02T23:37:00.011-04:00

"'When you have a bejeweled, buckle-shoed duke willing to pay 11 or 12 times the asking price for a block of renovated brownstones—and usually up front with satchels of solid gold guineas—hardworking white-collar people who only make a few hundred thousand dollars a year simply cannot compete...'"

Continue reading here.

Thanks to Oliver (Happy Birthday old chap).

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Now playing: Big Boi - Royal Flush (ft. Raekwon & Andre 3000)
via FoxyTunes

Pimpin' Ain't No Illusion

2008-03-12T14:57:00.002-04:00

In the wake of Spitzer's resignation, it would seem timely to consider some of the logic behind criminalization of prostitution in the first place. Regardless of your personal views on the topic, it would seem there are some strong arguments to be made that the benefits of governmental regulation would outweigh the societal costs of criminalization. Not that we should expect any domestic policy changes on the horizon, but the following article provides insight into some international approaches and their implications.

Read more: Why is Prostitution Illegal?

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Now playing: Project Pat - Talkin' Smart (ft. Pimp C)
via FoxyTunes

Future of the Internet

2008-03-11T12:40:00.005-04:00

The issue of Net Neutrality has fostered increasing discussion as of late, and I'll admit I've been a bit slow to grasp what's at stake. For everyone else who still needs some background, may I suggest this straightforward explanation of the issues involved in our increasingly technology dependent society and how it can impact free speech. [Full disclosure note: there is a pro-neutrality bias by the makers]:

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Now playing: DJ Kentaro - Free (ft. Spank Rock)
via FoxyTunes

Understanding Whiteness

2008-03-07T00:03:00.008-05:00

Nowadays, it seems like white folks are just about everywhere we go, and that's exactly why it's so helpful to have a database explaining their idiosyncrasies. Stuff White People Like does just that by breaking down the many quirks of the whites and more importantly showing how to make the most of them. Studies cover such topics as bottles of water, graduate school, hating corporations, being the only white person around, and Asian girls. As the site itself provides:

"This is a scientific approach to highlight and explain stuff white people like. They are pretty predictable."

Next, in the tradition of sites which have focused on a particular sect of white existence (see Get Off Our Island & NJ Guido), comes Hot Chicks with Douchebags. This site holds a special place in my heart after bringing me to tears with images of the Oompa Prompas (see below), 2 'bags immortalized in the Hall of Scrote. The rest of the Hall of Scrote inductees are worth exploring as well. Willy Wonka and the Orange Factory:

Off topic, for non-human animal lovers there's some entertaining feline websites such as Stuff On My Cat and Cats That Look Like Hitler (aka Kitlers).

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Now playing: Miles Davis - Bag's Groove (Take 1)
via FoxyTunes

Hat Hair

2008-03-06T13:05:00.003-05:00

This could be entirely made up, but I thought it a nice distraction anyway:

"'Mi an dem fi go a di party but di three of them had caps an' mi had none so mi get two mirror one behind mi and di other in front of mi an' mi trim mi hair like a cap an' go a di dance,' said Housen."

Continue reading here.

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Now playing: Nina Simone - Black is the Color of My True Love's Hair
via FoxyTunes

Best Worst Album Covers

2008-03-05T23:06:00.003-05:00

The folks at Cover Browser have compiled a record cover collection that speaks volumes (literally!). There are plenty of details to savor in this collection, here's a few favorites:

Continue browsing here.

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Now playing: Florence Foster Jenkins - Die Zauberflöte: Der Hölle Rache
via FoxyTunes

The Encyclopedia of Life

2008-02-28T16:30:00.016-05:00

The scientists behind the newly created Encyclopedia of Life are attempting to provide a comprehensive online database for every form of life on Earth. To meet such ambitious goals they are partially taking a Wikipedia approach, albeit among the scientific community. An early version of the encyclopedia went online today. Thanks to Henry for the tip:

"The researchers wanted to make the site useful to scientists and nonscientists, so they created a sliding button that readers can move to choose how much detail they want. They are also developing ways of manipulating the information to make it useful in many ways.
'You’ll be able to download a personalized field guide,' Dr. Edwards said. 'You can say, 'I’m going to go to this preserve in Thailand — what do we know about what might be there?''"

Continue reading here.

Sample page here.

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Now playing: Joe Henderson - Earth
via FoxyTunes

AEIOU & Droppin' Science Mixes

2008-02-26T10:57:00.006-05:00

For anyone who enjoyed AEIOU: Volume 2, Diplo recently posted the first part in the funk/rock/soul mixes online:

Download here.

Also, Stones Throw Records continues to release quality hip-hop/funk/soul mixes for free. The latest comes from the Blue Note Records jazz catalog by J Rocc (not to be confused with J-Roc). Gnome'sayin?:

Download here.

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Now playing: Steve Reid Ensemble - Which One?
via FoxyTunes

The Onion's Tough Room

2008-02-25T17:22:00.001-05:00

Chicago public radio program This American Life recently took an enlightening look behind the scenes of the The Onion's editorial room. Thanks to Oliver for the tip.

Listen here. (Note: segment begins approximately 4mins 30secs in)

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Now playing: The Shins - Know Your Onion!
via FoxyTunes

The Tortoise and the Hippo

2008-02-22T01:45:00.004-05:00

"A baby hippopotamus that survived the tsunami waves on the Kenyan coast has formed a strong bond with a giant male century-old tortoise in an animal facility in the port city of Mombassa..."

Continue reading here.

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Now playing: Tortoise - Swung from the Gutters
via FoxyTunes

Geometric Conundrum

2008-02-21T22:35:00.001-05:00

I have yet to hear a satisfactory explanation for this:

Edit: Spoiler found, thanks to Chris.

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Now playing: Linda Perhacs - Parallelograms
via FoxyTunes

Gong Xi Fa Cai!

2008-02-07T18:30:00.000-05:00

Today signifies the Chinese New Year, this year being that of the rat, and also an excuse for me to remind you of this fantastic synthesis of audio and visual experience:

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Now playing: Clipse - Chinese New Year (ft. Roscoe P Coldchain)
via FoxyTunes

"Yeeeaaauuhh!! Brraannnnd Neeeewwwww!!!"

2008-02-04T18:19:00.001-05:00

Brand new Re-Up Gang/Clipse mixtape - the much anticipated We Got It For Cheap Vol. 3. Eghck!

Re-up here (without DJ Drama yelling over it).

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Now playing: Clipse - Mr. Me Too (Z.A.K. Remix)
via FoxyTunes

Oldschool Rodney Mullen Freestyle

2008-01-30T12:45:00.000-05:00

Wooorrrdd.

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Now playing: Eric B. & Rakim - I Know You Got Soul
via FoxyTunes

Monome Two Fifty Six

2008-01-30T12:32:00.000-05:00

Philly based music company Monome has been making these versatile minimalist inspired electronic interfaces. They also happen to be the equipment of choice for electronic artist Daedalus. Looks like fun:

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Now playing: Daedelus - Impending Doom (ft. MF DOOM)
via FoxyTunes

More NASA Imagery

2008-01-29T14:44:00.000-05:00

Click images for background info & huge resolution version.

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Now playing: Cornelius - Wataridori
via FoxyTunes

How America Lost the War on Drugs

2008-01-16T21:05:00.004-05:00

Interesting article on the proliferation and impact of the US drug policy, both domesticly and abroad:

"After Thirty-Five Years and $500 Billion, Drugs Are as Cheap and Plentiful as Ever: An Anatomy of a Failure."

Continue reading here.

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Now playing: The Harlem Experiment - Reefer Man
via FoxyTunes

Visuals (Archives)

2008-01-15T17:31:00.000-05:00

World Sunlight Map Feed: Rectangular or Hemispherical

Colour WWI Photos

Woman's Life in 50 Years of Photos

1968 French Nuclear Testing (Codename: Canopus)

Norway Gallery

New Japanese Fashions

School inside a Cave in China

Jan von Holleben, Creative Dad Photographer

Thrift Store Gold

Cyriak's Animation Mix

Light Graffiti

Forgotten Images of NYC

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Now playing: DJ Shadow - Seein' Thangs (ft. David Banner)
via FoxyTunes

Mondo Cane Live

2007-12-27T15:54:00.000-05:00

Mondo Cane is Mike Patton in a white suit with Ray Paci conducting full orchestral & choral arrangements of Italian songs from the 50's & 60's. The group has been doing live performances across Europe with an album planned for '08. I came across a great quality video of their May 5th, 2007 performance in Teatro Rossini, Lugo, Italy (via patton archivo).

You can download the full performance here.

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Now playing: Ennio Morricone - Giorno Di Notte
via FoxyTunes

Ol' Diplo Mixes

2007-12-22T11:13:00.002-05:00

The other day I came across some excellent early Diplo mixes. First a lightly psychedelic mix of 70's rock, tropicalia, funk, bossa, etc. from around the world. The second is a more hip-hop oriented club mix. Both have been on repeat:

Diplo & Tripledouble AEIOU: Volume 2 part 1 and part 2.

Hollertronix (Diplo & Low Budget) Never Scared here.

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Now playing: Hot Chip - Shake It Over and Over (Diplo Mix)
via FoxyTunes

Chimps Beat Humans in Memory Test

2007-12-21T13:35:00.001-05:00

Recent Japanese study compared 6 chimps memory abilities with humans in the same tasks for getting a peanut. Guess which primate totally kicked ass:

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Now playing: Madvillain - Monkey Suite
via FoxyTunes

Zach Effron & Lil Wayne Interview

2007-12-21T03:22:00.000-05:00

Weezy & Eff talk candidly for the first time about their upcoming collaboration, and what else it is they have in common.

"'...This is how I live! I get up in the morning, get my dick sucked four times, drink a Molson’s, and then hang out with Zac. What, do you want me to go to Hawaii for a vacation? You got a job, but this is my vacation right here.'

Adds Efron, 'Word!'"

Continue reading here.

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Now playing: Lil Wayne - My Daddy
via FoxyTunes

Best Worst Songs of the Year

2007-12-20T15:55:00.000-05:00

Speak ft. Old "I have no memory of making this video" Guy, Vampire & 2 Colombians "Sometimes"

Riskay ft. Aviance & Real "Smell Yo Dick"

Project Pat "Good Googly Moogly" (the only one seen in '07 that's not technically new; sorry can't embed)

Year End Lists (Good Googly Moogly)

2007-12-14T08:17:00.001-05:00

For posterity's sake, I've collected a list of media that has left the biggest impact (as a whole product) on me this past year, arranged in a rough chronological order. Generally speaking all of the albums where listened to on repeat, subsequently returned to, and had some sort of special magical ingredients to speak of. As someone who listens to more music than I should have time for, I felt these albums were of some special note. Maybe you should resolve to check some of them out too? Happy Chinese New Year!

10 Albums released in 2007:
The Shins Wincing the Night Away
Deerhoof Friend Opportunity
Antibalas Security
Blonde Redhead 23
R. Kelly Double Up
Battles Mirrored
Black Moth Super Rainbow Dandelion Gum
M.I.A. Kala
Radiohead In Rainbows
Burial Untrue

10 Albums not released in 2007:
Madvillain Madvillainy
Girl Talk Night Ripper
Quasimoto The Further Adventures of Quasimoto
Hot Chip The Warning
Joe Henderson The Elements
OOIOO Taiga
J Dilla Donuts
TV on the Radio Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes
Dirty Projectors The Getty Address
Feist Let It Die

5 Films watched:
Princess Mononoke
Tears of the Black Tiger
Fantastic Planet
Superbad/Knocked Up
No Country for Old Men

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Now playing: Project Pat - Good Googly Moogly
via FoxyTunes

Creative Writing (Archives)

2007-12-09T20:25:00.001-05:00

This post takes an interesting peek into the lives of some random strangers. Click images to enlarge.

Personal Favorite:

Walt Whitman Biography (courtesy of Chris and Peter Nguyen):

2 Girls 1 Cup Film Review:

Found H.S. Love Note (from Brooklyn):

More found finds can fondly be found regularly at Found Magazine and its sister publication Dirty Found. Here's the find that started it all, mistakenly left on their creator-to-be's windshield:

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Now playing: Mickey & The Soul Generation - Joint Session
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Thought for Food (Archives)

2007-12-08T21:57:00.000-05:00

Fascinating essay on F urthering Lin guistics Theory in the Amazon Jungle ("Fuck that, I'm going to get on the river and take my canoe.")

Fascinating experiment on language cognition in our closest living ape ancestors (along with Chimpanzees) the Bonobos. Keep an eye out for Kanzi playing Pac-Man & blowing out his birthday candles! Slideshow with audio.

Secret Social Life of Plants.

'Second Earth' found, and it's only 20 light years away!

Dude, I Got It!: 'Surfer dude' stuns physicists with theory of everything (Further: E8 Fabric)

Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo.

Scans of Monks' Brains Show Meditation Alters Structure, Functioning

Development of the Gay Bomb

The Mathematical Nostradamus (courtesy of Sal)

Some more curious food for thought- these pamphlets were recently being handed out in NYC streets (props to Shaun for sharing it with me). Click images to enlarge:

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Now playing: The Books - Motherless Bastard
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Greatest Myspace Ever

2007-12-04T20:41:00.000-05:00

UK electronic duo Autechre will be releasing a new album on March 3 called Quaristice.

In the meantime you should check out their awe-inspiring myspace page here!

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Now playing: Autechre - Lera
via FoxyTunes

Rare Dinosaur Specimen Unearthed, Skin & Tissue Intact

2007-12-04T00:26:00.000-05:00

"Scientists today announced the discovery of an extraordinarily preserved 'dinosaur mummy' with much of its tissues and bones still encased in an uncollapsed envelope of skin.

Preliminary studies of the 67-million-year-old hadrosaur, named Dakota, are already altering theories of what the ancient creatures' skin looked like and how quickly they moved, project researchers say."

Continue reading here.

(source: National Geographic)

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Now playing: Mastodon - Sleeping Giant
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Dope Ass Beats

2007-12-01T19:11:00.002-05:00

Kanye West showing off an Akai MPC 2000 on 60 minutes, complete with awkward white stereotype. I've been wanting to mess with an MPC or Roland 808 for years now...(insert Mannie Fresh drumroll).

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Now playing: Young Jeezy - And Then What (ft. Mannie Fresh)
via FoxyTunes

The Whitest Kids U'Know

2007-12-01T01:55:00.000-05:00

I finally caught a full episode of this sketch comedy show. Though it definitily doesn't top the classics, it has its moments. Since they are moving to IFC for season 2, it will become uncensored & commercial free. Full episodes are streaming on IFC's website now. Samples below:

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Now playing: Omar Rodriguez-Lopez & Lydia Lunch - The End of the White Man's Revolution
via FoxyTunes

The World According to Pretty Toney

2007-11-30T16:45:00.000-05:00

Ya aint livin right. Ghostface can tell you how to fix it in an excerpt from the audio companion to his new book: The World According to Pretty Toney.

Listen here.

Highlights (stolen from somuchsilence):

Think of an invention, man. Make a new toilet bowl or somethin’, man.

Ya niggas walkin’ around with mad crust in ya eyes and shit. Make sure you clean that shit, man. Nobody wanna see your little rotten-ass face.

Brush your teeth and scrub your tongue, man. Scrub your lips, all that shit. … Do somethin’, man. Swallow a box of baking soda and peroxide.

For niggas that don’t know how to take showers, wash your face first, then wash your nuts. Don’t wash your nuts, then wash your face. You feel me? You going backwards.

For further entertainment, you can watch the original video segments which inspired the book here.

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Now playing: Ghostface Killah - Alex (Stolen Script)
via FoxyTunes

New Dilla Mixtapes

2007-11-30T12:59:00.000-05:00

Two free mixtapes have been released in the last few weeks related to the late J Dilla's (aka Jay Dee's) music. The first is a mix by Bullion combining The Beach Boys and Dilla music, which he would like you to know is not a mash-up. Next, Mick Boogie & Busta Rhymes put together a mix from the many instrumental tracks Dilla entrusted with Bussa Bus. Enjoy.

Download Pet Sounds: In the Key of Dee here or here.

Download Dillagence here.

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Now playing: J Dilla - Last Donut of the Night
via FoxyTunes

Just Some Good NASA Pics (Archives)

2007-11-29T18:49:00.001-05:00

Click images for background info & huge resolution version.

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Now playing: Eumir Deodato - Also Sprach Zarathustra
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It's a Otokonoko!

2007-11-29T18:31:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to Nathan & Yukari for having successfully created a living organism: Leo "Jesus" Reaven! Born on November 18th, one day before my own, and some might say this was merely a coincidence, however I am educated and know better.

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Now playing: R. Kelly - Havin' a Baby
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When Pigs Fly (Archives)

2007-10-28T17:48:00.002-04:00

OiNK, a significant music torrent network was shut down this past week. Demonbaby posted an article on the topic that starts off a bit slow, but is probably the most thorough analysis of the dying music industry model & what the future holds that I've come across, by someone with some insider perspective.

Read more: When Pigs Fly: The Death of Oink, the Birth of Dissent, and a Brief History of Record Industry Suicide.

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Now playing: NOFX - Dinosaurs Will Die
via FoxyTunes

Interactivity (Archives)

2007-10-25T20:16:00.000-04:00

360° Panoramas

Make Your Own Pollock

Imperial History of the Middle East in 90 seconds

History of Religion in 90 seconds

Crayon Physics: Check out the video of this creative game coming out here. Then you can play the initial version of the game released for free here.

Multi-Touch Interaction Research

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Now playing: Kraftwerk - Computer Love
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