What Comes Next_
Thoughts on AI, predictive text, technological metaphors, and the string of thought.
🎤Name that tune
The fascinating disconnect between popular baby names and the names featured in Billboard Top 5 songs over the decades.
🇺🇸Mix CD | District of Columbulous!
A visual representation inspired by the iconic design of the Bush and early Obama-era Oval Office, this cover is part of the "50 States!" series.
✋Not all thumbs
This study reveals how counting gestures differ across cultures, particularly between Germans and Canadians.
🌵Desert Reality, by Ed Freeman
An appreciation of Ed Freeman's evocative photography, particularly his Desert Reality series, captures the intimate relationship between nature and abandoned structures.
🐦Mix CD | Birdsongs/Songbirds
A heartfelt gift for a passionate birdwatcher, this 60th birthday compilation includes 60 songs celebrating various bird species and offers a unique auditory experience of the avian world.
✉️Circadian writing
The similarities between email and letter-writing reveal more about communication patterns than universal truths about human correspondence.
🎶Grocery Store Musical
A delightful exploration of spontaneous joy in everyday places, exemplified by Improv Everywhere's charming "Grocery Store Musical" in Queens, NY.
✝️St. Bartholomew’s Church, redesigned by Maxim Velcovsky
Two Czech designers transformed St. Bartholomew's Church, revealing its historical layers while blending iconic design with religious elements.
🎭The dude uniform
Observing the curious fashion choices of Mumbai's men, I couldn't help but notice the striking contrast in style between the genders.
🌳The secret of successful sauntering
Reflecting on the paradox of seeking solitude in nature during the turmoil of war through Thoreau's insights.
🖌️Highland Light, North Truro, Massachusetts, by Edward Hopper
This painting captures my admiration for Edward Hopper’s portrayal of desolation and his quick outdoor sketching style.
🍵Present to our food
In this reflection on mindfulness and cultural connections to food, the importance of being present while eating is highlighted through wise teachings and personal anecdotes.
📻Tell me what I can’t see
A father reflects on how radio enhances his son's understanding of NFL games compared to television.
🏑And the universal language is ... field hockey
Having watched 'Chak De! India' recently, I found it an entertaining take on the sports underdog narrative, enriched by its cultural nuances.
📸Wedding Preparations, Davao City, Philippines, by Ryan Anson
This photograph beautifully captures the blend of activity and stillness during a wedding moment in Davao City.
🎨Unimportant enough to be criticized
A reflection on Dave Hickey's "Frivolity and Unction," exploring the idea that the perceived importance of art can hinder genuine appreciation and critique.
🇱🇧Food flags
A delightful exploration of national cuisines represented as flags, showcasing Lebanon's specialties among other global favorites.
🚗Vector portraits, by Andrew Bush
Andrew Bush's freeway photographs capture the intriguing intersection of private moments and public spaces in our highway culture.
🎨Austin, Texas, by Christa Palazzolo
A captivating exploration of Christa Palazzolo's portrait work, particularly its intimate and revealing nature against the backdrop of irony in her other pieces.
✍️Written as they should be
A reflection on the beauty and significance of handwriting in a digital age, inspired by Umberto Eco's thoughts.
🦠HIV, by Luke Jerram
Luke Jerram's striking glass sculptures of viruses echo the beauty and menace of microscopic life forms, evoking powerful emotions in viewers.
🎨City, by Tony Fitzpatrick
Explore the vibrant and intricate world of Tony Fitzpatrick, a Chicago-based artist whose evocative works combine humor and heartbreak.
🍈Ode to a mangosteen
I've always been curious about mangosteens, despite never having tasted one.
🌾The man who saved a billion lives
An insightful tribute to Norman Borlaug and his revolutionary contributions to agriculture.
🌳Wakirlpirri Jukurrpa (Dogwood Tree Dreaming), by Liddy Napanangka Walker
In exploring Warlpiri culture, I discovered this stunning painting by Liddy Napanangka Walker that captures the essence of the ‘wakirlpirri’ tree.
🫒Two things you’ve never considered drinking before, but may want to now
An exploration of unique culinary gems, from unexpected olive oil vendors to cherished Filipino restaurants.
📊How jobs stack up
An exploration of the historical representation of professions in the U.S. Census highlights disparities and trends over time.
🗑️garbage is spiritual
A.R. Ammons reflects on the spiritual significance of garbage and its role in our lives.
😊Multi-touching
A touching customer review highlights the impact of Proloquo2Go on a young woman's communication and integration with peers.
🖼️Gold Rush, by Francesca Gabbiani
Francesca Gabbiani's work captivates with its rococo naturalism and reflective voids, echoing themes found in circular panoramic photography.
📚Butterfly in the sky, I could go twice as high
Reflecting on the impact of _Reading Rainbow_, a beloved show that fostered a love of reading in children, its cancellation marks a shift in educational programming priorities.
✍️Beach calligraphy by Andrew van der Merwe
South African calligrapher Andrew van der Merwe showcases his unique sand carving technique on a Belgian beach.
🎤Perils of a great preformance
In the realm of operatic improvisation, the influence of early recording legends like Enrico Caruso has overshadowed the art of individual expression.
📚Moby Dick, a book about computers
Exploring the whimsical errors in Google Books' categorizations reveals unexpected connections in literature.
🕊️Courageous good humor
Cory Doctorow shares how former KKK leader Johnny Lee Clary was transformed by the courageous and humorous approach of Reverend Wade Watts.
📸light-test.com
Photography assistants take center stage.
🎥Mix CD | The Mix Who Knew Too Much
A creative exploration that challenges the balance between Alfred Hitchcock's cinematic themes and the musical landscape, while incorporating visual elements inspired by his iconic style.
🏏Only a game, but not just a game
A thoughtful reflection on the complexities of life mirrored in the nuances of test match cricket.
🌴Heart of palm
This careful schematic cross-section of a palm stem evokes striking similarities to Pacific Northwest art despite the palm’s tropical origins.
📚There are no televisions here
In an exploration of Paju Book City, Edwin Heathcole captures the tension between the fantastical vision of a city dedicated to literature and its stark physical surroundings.
😇The utility of guilt
An exploration of guilt's role in shaping morality and behavior in children and adults alike.
🦚Like a cheer for an invisible parade
Quoting Flannery O'Connor.
💧Her loosened tongue employ’d
This newsreel captures the remarkable story of Helen Keller's journey into the world of language, guided by her teacher Anne Sullivan.
🛩️On a human plane
A Spanish novelist explores our relationship with airplanes, urging us to view them more personally, akin to how we interact with living beings or ships.
🎶Splendid songs for (next to) nothing
Discover incredible music deals this week, including Emmylou Harris's album and free world music samplers.
📚What I attend to
This week I've been experimenting with speed-reading and its impact on my attention and enjoyment of literature.
📈The not-great, the good, and the awesome
Sometimes humility can lead to underestimating potential.
🎸Les was More
In remembrance of Les Paul, a pioneer who revolutionized both the guitar and multitrack recording.
📜The Shettima Kagu Qur’an
Exploring the depths of archaic Saharan languages through beautiful Qur'anic manuscripts from Nigeria.
📖In the beginning was the story
A profound reflection on the interplay between human and divine storytelling.