History of Mankind

I liked the way this history of mankind is represented: in violence, clothing and sex. Lovely little drawings. I’ve always been a fan of the Romans myself :-/

TED | Talks | Theo Jansen: The art of creating creatures (video)

TED | Talks | Theo Jansen: The art of creating creatures (video)

What side of your brain do you use?

*** Check out this post and more at the new location of my blog: http://www.youretime.com/blog/ ***

Amazing moving image of a girl spinning round – she changes direction when you start using another side of your brain. Try it with more than one person – crazy how one person sees her change direction while for the other, she keeps going the same way… Can you make her change at will?

If you don’t believe it, here’s someone who added gray lines to the image so you can see the different directions.

What does it all mean? Some say that people who see the dancer moving clockwise (like me) are right brain dominant and tend to be more risk taking and imaginative.

LEFT BRAIN FUNCTIONS uses logic detail oriented facts rule words and language present and past math and science can comprehend knowing acknowledges order/pattern perception knows object name reality based forms strategies practical safe

RIGHT BRAIN FUNCTIONS uses feeling “big picture” oriented imagination rules symbols and images present and future philosophy & religion can “get it” (i.e. meaning) believes appreciates spatial perception knows object function fantasy based presents possibilities impetuous risk taking

Nothing says “I love you” like…. | Frostfireseeds.com

Nothing says “I love you” like…. | Frostfireseeds.com

Survival of the fittest

I really liked this cozy story about M&Ms:

Whenever I get a package of plain M&Ms, I make it my duty to continue the strength and robustness of the candy as a species. To this end, I hold M&M duels.

Taking two candies between my thumb and forefinger, I apply pressure, squeezing them together until one of them cracks and splinters. That is the “loser,” and I eat the inferior one immediately. The winner gets to go another round.

I have found that, in general, the brown and red M&Ms are tougher, and the newer blue ones are genetically inferior. I have hypothesized that the blue M&Ms as a race cannot survive long in the intense theater of competition that is the modern candy and snack-food world.

Occasionally I will get a mutation, a candy that is misshapen, or pointier, or flatter than the rest. Almost invariably this proves to be a weakness, but on very rare occasions it gives the candy extra strength. In this way, the species continues to adapt to its environment.

When I reach the end of the pack, I am left with one M&M, the strongest of the herd. Since it would make no sense to eat this one as well, I pack it neatly in an envelope and send it to M&M Mars, A Division of Mars, Inc., Hackettstown, NJ 17840-1503 U.S.A., along with a 3×5 card reading, “Please use this M&M for breeding purposes.”

This week they wrote back to thank me, and sent me a coupon for a free 1/2 pound bag of plain M&Ms. I consider this “grant money.” I have set aside the weekend for a grand tournament. From a field of hundreds, we will discover the True Champion.

There can be only one.

The Pulp Fiction suitcase mystery

*** Check out this post and more at the new location of my blog: http://youretime.com/blog/ ***

What was in that suitcase in the film Pulp Fiction that Jules (Samuel L. Jackson) and Vincent (John Travolta) take so much effort to obtain and protect? This most beautiful explanation found at Snopes put me in complete awe (again) with the depth and eloquence of QT’s movie making – finding out now is like a little chamber in my soul being filled up…

Remember the first time you were introduced to Marsellis Wallace. The first shot of him was one of the back of his head, complete with band-aid. Then, remember that the combination of the lock on the briefcase was 666. Also remember that whenever anyone opened the briefcase, whatever was in it glowed, and they were in amazement at how beautiful it was; they were speechless.

Now bring in some Bible knowledge, and remember that when the devil takes your soul, he takes it from the back of your head. Yep, you guessed it. And what is the most beautiful thing about a person: his soul. Marsellis Wallace had sold his soul to the devil, and was trying to buy it back. The three kids in the beginning of the movie were the devil’s helpers. And remember that when the kid at the end came out of the bathroom with a “hand cannon,” Jules and Vincent were not harmed by the bullets. “God came down and stopped the bullets,” because they were saving a soul. It was divine intervention.

Whatever other explanation there might be, I really like this one for some reason. I guess I’m a believer after all

The screen of the future

I’ve seen something like this before, but now Microsoft has mad it really worked out and usable. Look forward to playing with one of these, I wonder what kind of games they’ll have for it – imagine a fight game where you directly control the body parts of the fighter!

Test yourself

On this site, you can find a comprehensive list of psychological tests. Let me know how you score!

Massage yourself

A list of things you can do to relieve anxiety, bring mental clarity… I especially enjoyed relieving myself of my anxiety.

Here’s another tip: when you’re about to cough, twiddle your finger in your ear. You think I’m pulling your leg don’t you… It really works!

Live like the Simpsons

I must admit I am a fan of the Simpsons; I’m still waiting for someone who wants to go and watch the movie with me (for the moment I’m stuck between those who don’t like the Simpsons, and others who fear the disappointment of a whole movie of them – I already liked it when I saw the sequence with the pig :-p).

So then I stumbled upon pictures of this Simpsons’ home remake, and I must say I felt strangely attracted to it – it looks really cosy and I like the fact that it’s so colourful (even though I wouldn’t want to live in it). Should I question my sanity?