Friday, July 16, 2010

Friday Links!

Leading off this week, believe it or not, is a feature about The Price Is Right, or rather, a moment in the show's history when a contestant guessed the exact price of every item in the Showcase. It's a terrific piece of writing and a fascinating story.

From Nicholas Czekalski, a fascinating article about parenting (and human nature): All Joy and No Fun: Why parents hate parenting.

From Tim Jones, a link to a video of what Fred Astaire said was the greatest dance number ever filmed. He's right, and the Nicholas Brothers demonstrate both impeccable technique as well as unbelievable strength and power.

From Kevin W, and this is a wonderful piece of history: The Plus Four Wristlet Route Indicator. It was in a wristwatch form factor, and you could scroll paper maps of your (predetermined) route. Oh, and it was made in 1927.

From Sirius, and this is pretty freaky, it's Parasite-Busting Bugs Throw Fruit Fly Evolution Into Overdrive. Also, and this song is absolutely one of my favorite singles ever (guilty pleasure), a video about the making of 10cc's I'm Not In Love (which featured some of the lushest vocals ever included on a record). Next, a bizarre story from 1883: Pinned under a haystack for a month. Finally, it's video of a fish with a transparent head.

Matt S. let me know that there have, in fact, been several nuclear weapon tests in space. In addition to the one I linked to last week, there's Operation Fishbowl (5 separate tests), and here's the Wikipedia page for High-altitude nuclear explosion, which provides a complete list (21 tests in all).

From Ryan Leasher, an amazing video that overlays footage of playing Super Mario Bros.onto reality. Difficult to describe, but awesome to watch.

From George Paci, and this is mind-blowing, it's a singing plasma arc.

From Dib O, spectacular pictures of trains, including some fantastically futuristic models from the 1920s-1930s.

From Ben Younkins, a fascinating article about phonagnosia, also known as "voice blindness" (unable to tell voices apart).

From Josh Eaves, and there's a photograph included that you absolutely cannot miss, it's Cymothoa exigua, a parasite that replaces a fish's tongue. Yikes.

From Meg McReynolds, a story about how woman are better professional taste testers for beer than men.

Don't try this at home, but Frank Regan sent in a video of a beautiful paragliding launch technique called the Footlaunch. Also, and this is well worth seeing, it's Engineering Wonders.

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