May 20, 2009
“ Wormholes are to black holes as elevators are to deep wells filled with snakes and poisoned spikes.
10 rules for time travelers. #5: Black holes are not time machines.
+ discover magazine +
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May 7, 2009
some damn fine advertising: honda insight/let it shine
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April 22, 2009

jason kottke made me cry today

okay, not him so much as his link to this devastating, beautiful photo essay.
+ + +
April 8, 2009
the street of the future is a livable street
+ good +
+ + +
April 5, 2009
“ My administration is the only thing between you and the pitchforks.
President Obama to the CEOs of the most powerful financial institutions in the world, as quoted on politico.
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March 28, 2009
problem vegetables at your doorstep (every week)
One friend confessed “utter panic” at the sight of tomatillos. When I asked another what he did with his mustard greens, he responded, straight-faced, “I take them home, put them in my refrigerator, and wait until they rot.” Cabbage, kohlrabi, collards, bok choy—everyone, it seems, has their problem vegetables. And, like me, many feel guilty about it.
+ slate +
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March 26, 2009
a guide to big numbers
To help Obama put the full scale of his rescue plan into perspective, one trillion seconds would take you back 31,709 years to the time of the hunter-gatherers.
+ guardian.co.uk +
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March 19, 2009
i am addicted to wall blank
every day a new piece of inexpensive, limited edition artwork pops up in my google reader.  i can’t help it — i want, want, want.  expecting another trip to ikea for cheap frames in very near future…
+ + +
coming soon to 1600 pennsylvania ave: a vegetable garden
+ obama foodorama via eating liberally +
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March 17, 2009
why the only joke i tell is a knock-knock joke
A simple melody with a simple rhythm and repetition can be a tremendous mnemonic device… Really great jokes, on the other hand, punch the lights out of do re mi. They work not by conforming to pattern recognition routines but by subverting them.
+ new york times +
+ + +
growing sentences with david foster wallace
9. Give it that Wallace shine. Replace common words with their oddly specific, scientific-y counterparts. (Ex: ‘curved fingers’ into ‘falcate digits’). If you can turn a noun into a brand name, do it. (Ex: ‘shoes’ into ‘Hush Puppies,’ ‘camera’ into ‘Bolex’).
+ james tanner, reprinted on kottke.org +
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March 15, 2009
“ Without books, we might melt into the airwaves, and be just another set of blips.
john updike, on printed books, in an essay in due considerations.
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March 13, 2009
the periodic table of typefaces (full size)
the periodic table of typefaces (full size)
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March 12, 2009

our banking woes, explained

the collapse of the banking system, as explained by alex blumberg & adam davidson on this american life.  if you want even more, check out this interview on fresh air with simon johnson, a former IMF official.
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March 8, 2009
“ The only bracing symbol of American strength right now is the image of Michelle Obama’s sculpted biceps.
maureen dowd, in the new york times
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