Shared posts

24 Aug 16:01

Dressed for Work

by Greg Ross

Parisian engraver Nicolas de Larmessin’s 1695 Fantastic Costumes of Trades & Professions presents workers clothed in the objects of their calling:

larmessin baker larmessin basketmaker larmessin blacksmith larmessin cabinetmaker larmessin ceramist larmessin cheesemonger larmessin clockmaker larmessin confectioner larmessin coppersmith larmessin gardener larmessin glazier larmessin goldsmith larmessin hatmaker larmessin locksmith larmessin musician larmessin optician larmessin perfumer larmessin publican larmessin pyrotechnician larmessin sculptor larmessin swordsmith larmessin tailor larmessin winegrower

Kurt Vonnegut wrote, “If you can do a half-assed job of anything, you’re a one-eyed man in a kingdom of the blind.”

24 Aug 15:59

Borrowed Insight

by Greg Ross

In 2015, University of East London psychologist Tim Lomas encountered the Finnish word sisu, which means something like extraordinary determination in the face of adversity. The word has no direct analog in English, but it describes a universal human trait — an English speaker who learns it can more easily recognize and appreciate sisu in herself and others, which enriches her life.

Lomas began collecting similarly specific words that describe positive feelings:

  • Desbundar (Portuguese) – to shed one’s inhibitions in having fun
  • Tarab (Arabic) – a musically induced state of ecstasy or enchantment
  • Shinrin-yoku (Japanese) – the relaxation gained from bathing in the forest, figuratively or literally
  • Gigil (Tagalog) – the irresistible urge to pinch or squeeze someone because they are loved or cherished
  • Yuan bei (Chinese) – a sense of complete and perfect accomplishment
  • Iktsuarpok (Inuit) – the anticipation one feels when waiting for someone, whereby one keeps going outside to check if they have arrived

Northeastern University neuroscientist Lisa Feldman Barrett says that learning to make fine distinctions in identifying one’s feelings increases “emotion granularity,” which has real benefits — people with a rich emotional vocabulary recover more quickly from stress and are less likely to drink alcohol. Yale psychologist Marc Brackett, who has seen similar benefits among children, agrees that Lomas’ word list could help people to identify and appreciate their positive feelings. “The more granular our experience of emotion is, the more capable we are to make sense of our inner lives.”

Lomas’ list now numbers more than 400 words — you can browse them here.

(Thanks, Greg.)

24 Aug 15:41

Unquote

by Greg Ross

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Philipp_Jakob_Loutherbourg_d._J._003.jpg

In order that life should be a story or romance to us, it is necessary that a great part of it, at any rate, should be settled for us without our permission. … A man has control over many things in his life; he has control over enough things to be the hero of a novel. But if he had control over everything, there would be so much hero that there would be no novel.

— G.K. Chesterton, Heretics, 1906

22 Aug 14:22

Hey, did you hear about the heroic Senator who is battling an especially deadly form of cancer (and recovering from major surgery) but still flew to D.C. to make sure the Republicans could not pass any version of their awful healthcare repeal bill? Her name is Senator Mazie Hirono of Hawaii and she has stage 4 kidney cancer but she still flew 5,000 miles so that the Democrats would have their 48th No vote. You might not have heard of her, over the sound of the media sucking John McCain's dick.

Seriously.

22 Aug 14:20

nevaehtyler: nevaehtyler: actual factuals this is from an...



nevaehtyler:

nevaehtyler:

actual factuals

this is from an Afro-Latina owned shop btw if anyone’s willing to cop

18 Aug 13:37

Client: What’s this gibberish?Me: It’s Lorem Ipsum. Typically this is the end of this conversation,...

Client: What’s this gibberish?

Me: It’s Lorem Ipsum

Typically this is the end of this conversation, but this client had HEARD of Lorem Ipsum and knew that they’d just embarrassed themselves. So they tried to recover.

Client: It doesn’t look like Lorem Ipsum to me. It looks like Russian or Bulgarian or something. 

Me: It looks like Lorem Ipsum to me. Mostly because it starts with “Lorem Ipsum” and isn’t written in Cyrillic. But what do I know. 

17 Aug 13:00

Photo



16 Aug 13:37

a modern retelling

by kris

also in the painting: a portrait of dorian gray not wetting the bed

20 Jul 05:44

Photo



18 Jul 14:44

My husband and I ran a small computer repair business out of our home. As we offered 24-hour...

My husband and I ran a small computer repair business out of our home. As we offered 24-hour emergency service for businesses in our area, we had a phone directly by our bed.

We set up a new system to do daily and weekly backups for a hotel in the area, timed to happen at 2:00 am when things should have been very slow. We made sure the daily backups were happening properly, told them we’d be back in a week to double-check that the weekly backups were backing up correctly too, and asked them to contact us in the meantime if anything weird happened or if they got any error messages or anything.

Client: Great! Thank you.

That night, 2:30 am or so, we get a call from him.

Client: Hi! Just wanted to let you know that the daily backup happened just fine!

Me: Um, that’s good. But it looks like there might have been a slight communication error. We’ve already confirmed that the daily backups are happening properly, so you don’t need to let us know when they do. Just let us know if you see any error messages about them, or if you have any reason to think something isn’t working properly, okay?

Client: Oh, okay, sure!

The next night at 2:30 am, the phone rings again:

Me: Hello?

Client: Hi! Just wanted to let you know that the backups are still working just fine!

Me: Great. Thanks. Listen, please don’t call us to let us know it IS working; that just wastes your time. We know it’s working; just let us know IF something goes wrong, okay? Otherwise you don’t need to call us, and we’ll see you on Friday.

Client: Oh, sorry, okay, no problem!

Next bloody night, the phone rings again, and the Caller ID shows it’s the client again.

Me: Are you serious?

My husband said I should just let it go to answering machine.

Client: (on answering machine) Daily backups are still working great! Just wanted to let you know.

Great. Good. But the phone rings AGAIN, five minutes later. I answered it.

Client: Hi! Glad I got you! I left a message when no one answered but I wanted to make sure that you got it. The backups are still working fine. Everything’s good.

Me: Okay. Great. Listen, you DO NOT NEED TO CALL US to tell us that everything is working okay. It’s SUPPOSED to be working okay. We don’t need confirmation each night that everything is working the way it’s supposed to, okay? I know you’re trying to help, but the phone is right by our bed, it’s the middle of the night, and you’re waking us up each night for something that is just the normal operation, not an emergency. Please. If there is a problem, absolutely call us; but if everything is working okay, then please don’t call and tell us that. Okay?

Client: Oh, sorry! I didn’t realize. Sorry for waking you up each night! Don’t worry, I won’t call again. Unless something goes wrong. Heh.

Me: Great, thanks. Goodnight.

And yet, the next bloody night, the phone rings. I answered it, and got a pre-recorded message.

He sent us a fax. I accepted it, and our printer spit out a piece of paper.

Sure enough, the fax read “Daily backups worked fine.”

18 Jul 14:41

What Time

by Reza

14 Jul 13:58

Asset allocations.

by Jessica Hagy

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The post Asset allocations. appeared first on Indexed.

10 Jul 14:13

Animal Behavior

by Greg Ross

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Smokey_with_Thomas_Tidwell,_Chief_of_the_United_States_Forest_Service,_and_Arnold_Schwarzenegger.jpg

Guidelines for wearers of a Smokey Bear costume, from the U.S. Forest Service’s Smokey Bear FAQ:

  1. The person wearing the costume must exhibit appropriate animation to be effective. Express sincerity and interest in the appearance by moving paws, head, and legs.
  2. There shall be at least one uniformed escort to accompany the Bear. The escort shall guide the Bear at the elbow.
  3. After donning the costume, the escort shall inspect the suit. Check for the following:
  4. Is the drawstring tucked in?
    Is the zipper out of sight?
    Are the buttons fastened?
    Is the belt firmly fastened to the pants?
    Are the pant cuffs neat?
    Is the hat crown up?
    Is the head straight on the shoulders?
    Is the fur brushed generously?

  5. A private dressing room is necessary for putting on and taking off the costume.
  6. The costumed bear should not force itself on anyone. Do not walk rapidly toward small children.
  7. A round-point shovel is part of the Smokey Bear image. It shall be used for appearances, when appropriate.
  8. The costume becomes hot to the wearer after a very short period. Success has been noted with the use of compartmentalized “ice vests” and the addition of a battery-operated fan in the hat. Several cooling options are available from the costume manufacturers. Limit appearances to 15-20 minute segments to minimize personal discomfort.
  9. After each appearance, check the costume for needed repairs or cleaning. Note this on the outside of the storage box for immediate follow-up by the owner/manager of the costume.

Costumed users must not speak during appearances, must never appear in less than full costume, and must appear dignified and friendly. “Do not use alcohol or illicit drugs prior to and during the Smokey Bear appearance. This condition applies to uniformed escorts as well.”

10 Jul 14:03

war stories

by kris

the way grandpa tells it, it’s like i’m there with him. actually i was there, it was two weeks ago at my birthday party

06 Jul 16:57

More Anamorphosis

by Greg Ross

http://axelpeemoeller.com/eureka-tower-carpark/

The signs in Melbourne’s Eureka Tower Carpark are not signs — the words are painted anamorphically on the floor and walls of the garage. Each direction becomes visible from the point where you’d naturally look for it.

Designer Axel Peemöller has a slideshow.

(Thanks, Rini.)

05 Jul 13:41

With Your Hands

by Reza

30 Jun 13:45

I just sent a client his business cards.Client: I don’t like them. They’re not what I was...

I just sent a client his business cards.

Client: I don’t like them. They’re not what I was expecting.

Me: That’s not good, what were you expecting?

Client: When you sent me the artwork, i was like “F*ck, that’s SIIIIICK,” but the business cards don’t make me say that. 

Me: But it’s the same artwork as what was sent to you.

Client: On my phone, it was glowing, especially when it was dark, you could see the artwork better.

Me: Are you aware that your phone has a light behind the screen?

Client: How do I get that for my business cards?

Me: Are you prepared to pay $800 per card?

29 Jun 14:01

It’s a trap!

by Jessica Hagy

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The post It’s a trap! appeared first on Indexed.

27 Jun 14:42

Table Talk

by Greg Ross
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:UCBerkeleyCampus.jpg
Image: Wikimedia Commons

When chemists at the University of California at Berkeley discovered elements 97 and 98, they named them berkelium and californium. The New Yorker suggested that the school showed “a surprising lack of public-relations foresight”: “Now it has lost forever the chance of immortalizing itself in the atomic tables with some such sequence as universitium (97), ofium (98), californium (99), berkelium (100).”

The discoverers sent back a reply: “By using these names first, we have forestalled the appalling possibility that after naming 97 and 98 ‘universitium’ and ‘ofium’, some New Yorker might follow with the discovery of 99 and 100 and apply the names ‘newium’ and ‘yorkium’.”

The magazine answered, “We are already at work in our office laboratories on ‘newium’ and ‘yorkium’. So far we just have the names.”

26 Jun 14:33

Figure and Ground

by Greg Ross

http://www.johnlangdon.net/works/philosophy-english/

Typographer John Langdon designed this ambigram for the Department of English & Philosophy at his institution, Drexel University.

“This illusion was a particularly difficult challenge,” he told Brad Honeycutt for The Art of Deception (2014). “My attempts to create more ‘conventional’ (rotational, mirror-image, etc.) ambigrams for these two words were unsuccessful. But my personal investments in both philosophy and language seem to inspire me to some of my best work. This ‘perception shift’ ambigram was very difficult to develop, but my stubborn persistence finally paid off. The two words ‘philosophy’ and ‘English’ can be difficult to discern, but with a little patience and a voluntary perception shift, finding them is particularly satisfying.”

There’s much more at Langdon’s site.

26 Jun 14:32

The SNARC Effect

by Greg Ross

In 1993, cognitive neuroscientist Stanislas Dehaene asked respondents to classify a number as larger or smaller than 65, using response keys held in their hands. Interestingly, the subjects who held the “smaller” key in their left hand and the “larger” key in their right responded more quickly and with fewer errors than those in the opposite group. This suggests that we carry around a mental number line in our heads, implicitly associating left with “small” and right with “large”; the subjects in the slower group may have been fighting against this prejudice. Dehaene calls this the SNARC effect, for “spatial-numerical association of response codes.”

The effect was borne out in later studies. When subjects were asked to cross their arms, the group whose “smaller” button lay to their left were still faster than their counterparts. And the effect still obtains regardless of the range of numbers used, and even in tasks where the size of the number is irrelevant: In another experiment subjects were asked to report whether a given number was odd or even; here again, responses to numbers in the upper half of the test range were quicker when the appropriate response key was on the right, and likewise for small numbers on the left.

Interestingly, Iranian students living in France who had initially learned to read from right to left showed a reverse SNARC effect (associating small numbers with the right and large numbers with the left) if they’d recently immigrated, but those who had lived in France for some time showed the same SNARC effect as native French students.

“Very probably, then, this number-space association is learned, not innate,” writes M. Giaquinto in Visual Thinking in Mathematics. “But there may very well be an innate propensity in operation here. A left-right association has been found for familiar ordered sets of non-numerical items, namely, months and letters. This suggests that we have a tendency to form a linear spatial representation of any set of things whose customary presentation is well ordered (in the mathematical sense).”

(S. Dehaene, S. Bossini, and P. Giraux, “The Mental Representation of Parity and Numerical Magnitude,” Journal of Experimental Psychology: General 122, 371-396. See Number Forms.)

26 Jun 14:19

Refresh Types

The hardest refresh requires both a Mac keyboard and a Windows keyboard as a security measure, like how missile launch systems require two keys to be turned at once.
24 Jun 20:08

Election Map

Luckily for my interpretation, no precincts were won by the Green Party.
23 Jun 14:39

Tatlin’s Tower

by Greg Ross

tatlin's tower

After the Bolshevik Revolution, architect Vladimir Tatlin proposed this enormous monument to house Communist headquarters in Petrograd. Two large helixes would spiral 400 meters into the air, surpassing the Eiffel Tower as the world’s foremost symbol of modernity. The helixes would point to Polaris, so that the star and the tower would remain motionless relative to each other. Suspended from the framework would be three office buildings of glass and steel, each moving in harmony with the cosmos: A is a cylindrical auditorium that rotates once a year, B is a cone-shaped office structure that rotates once a month, C is a cubical information center that rotates once a day, and on top is an open-air screen on which messages could be projected. (During overcast weather they planned to project the news onto clouds.)

In the end it was never built — even if Russia could have produced the steel, it’s not clear that it would have stood up.

21 Jun 17:28

Priorities

by Reza

21 Jun 13:37

Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal - Conversation

by tech@thehiveworks.com


Click here to go see the bonus panel!

Hovertext:
I wonder how badly robots will damage our ability to be basically decent with our humans.

New comic!
Today's News:
20 Jun 14:19

Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal - Dark Matter

by tech@thehiveworks.com


Click here to go see the bonus panel!

Hovertext:
Bonus points to anyone who makes a Feynman diagram.

New comic!
Today's News:

We're launching a new thing tomorrow morning! Stay tuned, geeks!

19 Jun 14:07

Size Matters.

MORE BOMBS
19 Jun 13:59

A Monster

by Reza

16 Jun 14:19

andreii-tarkovsky:Gaycation - “USA”

















andreii-tarkovsky:

Gaycation - “USA”