So, why would anyone pay $750,000 for a loft with concave floors (meant to throw you off-balance), misplaced light switches (you have to grope around for), and a garish aesthetic only a McDonald's Playland could appreciate. Well, because it's all supposed to make you live longer of course! According to architects Shusaku Arakawa and Madeline Gins, "comfort leads to degeneration, and ultimately, death" so they designed a house that keeps your brain sharp and your body on your toes. They also advise that... READ ON
According to CNN, the folks at Johns Hopkins University, led by neurologist Douglas Kerr, now have proof that stem cells can help paralyzed rats walk again. I'm almost certain I'm going to get the science wrong here, but from what I gather the team cultivated embryonic rat stem cells in the lab until they developed neural precursors and then injected them into spinal columns of rats that had been paralyzed. Further, Science Magazine is reporting that about 11-15 rats regained motor skills from the... READ ON
While my use of Spirographs and Paint-by-Numbers kits have certainly hinted at my artistic genius over the years, I never realized I was so talented until I began playing with the online Jackson Pollock simulator. After using it for about an hour yesterday before bed, and then another hour after I woke up, I've come to realize some minor problems with the j-Po simulator: you can't vary the textures—"˜Jack the Dripper" used everything from trowels and sticks to sand... READ ON
The BBC's reporting that recording giants like Sony BMG have started using computer programs rather than their ears to determine whether they have a hit song on their hands. More specifically, they're using a complex new program called Platinum New Music Intelligence to determine what songs to put their marketing money behind. The program, developed by Mike McCready of Platinum Blue, analyzes songs in mathematical terms, breaking music "down into 30 or so component parts including... READ ON
OhGizmo has a feature today about the new Hungarian Kenguru car, which seems pretty amazing from OhGizmo's write-up (the Kenguru site has their own write-up, but it's a slightly harder read in Hungarian). But here's why this vehicle is so exciting: the car is specifically designed for wheelchair-bound folks, and it has high hopes of giving people back their independence. The concept is really simple. You just wheel yourself in through the back of the car, click your chair into place,... READ ON
While the list of suspects behind this week's power outage in Cambodia could have included anyone from savvy South Asian hackers to Mrs. O'Leary's cow's distant relatives, the wild accusations stopped flying when a tiny rodent was fingered for the crime. Reuters reports that power company officials believe an incredibly small (and no doubt crafty) mouse was responsible for the recent power outage that left 40% of Phnom Penh without electricity. The creature, who apparently... READ ON
While I have yet to see any tricked out rims or bumper stickers specifically marketed to Segway users ("I just ran over your honor student's foot" perhaps?), I did stumble into this ingenious addition to the human transport device. Why didn't anyone else think of it? All this time, Segway users have needlessly been forced to remain upright to operate their vehicles, but thanks to the minds behind the Segseat, users no longer have to, well, stand for it. And while I truly love the fact that the innovation... READ ON
If you've ever worried about the effect of Pop Rocks on soda, you should definitely check out what a Mentos can do to a 2 litre bottle of Diet Coke (like cause a 100 foot geyser). According to AdFreak, the two companies have had completely different reactions to the viral videos circulating. Mentos loves it, while Coke is not amused, and doesn't think it fits their Diet drinker profile. In any case, I'm just glad to see that kids have finally moved beyond experimenting with the traditional baking soda and... READ ON
CNN has an article today claiming that California researchers believe that drinking coffee can help prevent liver damage. According to the study, drinking coffee can reduce the risk of cirrhosis of the liver by 22 percent per cup each day. I have no idea what those numbers mean, but they sound good to me. I do love two other parts about the article, though: 1) that the reporter seems to be suggesting that Irish Coffee could be the perfect drink in the teaser then has to deny it later, and 2) the warning... READ ON
Sure, I could talk about the evolution of toilet paper, from wood bits to hay to American Joseph Gayetty's landmark decision to make a New York toilet paper factory in 1857 and print his name on every single sheet, but all of that seems to come up short in relation to this newfangled toilet paper holder. Get yours today here (link via... READ ON
5 Questions: Yoga Poses
Troy McClure Film or Actual Terrible Movie?
In 1998, a Georgia student was suspended for wearing a Pepsi shirt to "Coke in Education Day."
