Inverted Catenaries

An irresistible video title: Army of Crabs Protect Spy Robot From Stingray....

An irresistible video title: Army of Crabs Protect Spy Robot From Stingray. “A 4-meter stingray can eat 50 crabs a day.” 💬 Join the discussion on kottke.org →

Sweats & Swots

“Ugh, this kid is so sweaty!” my son exclaimed as he came under attack in some game he was playing. This was a few years ago; my ears perked up and I asked him what he meant. He explained that “sweaty” was a derogatory term for gamers who were trying super hard to win. S…

The Best Full-Frame Mirrorless Cameras Under $1500 For Youngsters

When it comes to purchasing cameras, one must consider multiple factors. From the sensor to the kind of lenses and the form factor, all of which must fit your budget. If you are fairly new to photography and have a budget of around $ 1,500, then here are a few full-frame mirrorl…

How to Fix a Typewriter and Your Life. “It’s like Zen. There...

How to Fix a Typewriter and Your Life. “It’s like Zen. There are times when it is just very relaxing to be standing in front of the machine and slowly cleaning it, tweaking the adjustment so visually things start to really line up.” 💬 Join the discussion…

An Online Collection of Found Cassette Tapes

Intertapes is a collection of found cassette tapes — some contain music and others voice memos. Each entry includes images of the tape, a description/track listing, and the actual audio (on Soundcloud). This one was recorded off of a NYC radio station in 1994 and includes t…

“If new proposals detailed in an FDA memo are put into place,...

“If new proposals detailed in an FDA memo are put into place, experts told me it would mean the end of annual flu shots. And end of most vaccines for pregnant people. And maybe the end of updates to pneumonia vaccines. And more.”

I love the remix of Radiohead’s Everything In Its Right Place in...

I love the remix of Radiohead’s Everything In Its Right Place in the midst of Kelly Lee Owens’ Boiler Room set (~33:50 mark). Had me chair dancing this AM! 💬 Join the discussion on kottke.org →

Janet Sobel, a Forgotten Pioneer of Abstract Art

The painting above was made in 1945 by self-taught artist Janet Sobel; it’s called Milky Way. Sobel was a Ukrainian-born artist who was a pioneer in abstract expressionist art and in drip painting; her work directly influenced that of Jackson Pollock. From Why This Pioneerin…

These Cameras are About to Become Really Hot

In recent weeks, camera searches have undergone significant changes. While some still look for full-frame cameras online, others have been looking the other way. For instance, compact cameras are back in trend, but so are DSLRs. People who can't afford a new device, or those who…

The best telescopes for astrophotography. Boy, if I needed an expensive new...

The best telescopes for astrophotography. Boy, if I needed an expensive new hobby, this might be the one at the top of the list. 💬 Join the discussion on kottke.org →

Is Canon About to Drop a New Flagship?

The latter end of the year has always been the ideal time for Canon to launch its products. Last November, the company introduced the R1 and the R5 II, which raised users' hopes for a new launch this year as well. So far, we haven't seen any announcement from the company, and it…

Cerebrations

On the AI and human bubbles Re-read what John Naughton wrote about the AI bubble more than a year and a half ago, and his pointage to what I wrote here about why we need death. Sometimes stupidity takes teamwork I spent much of the last two days in lengthy correspondence with C…

What’s the best way to lift people out of poverty? “Cash giving...

What’s the best way to lift people out of poverty? “Cash giving programs believe the people experiencing poverty best understand what they need to escape it.”

A much-touted 4K remaster of Mad Men recently premiered on HBO Max...

A much-touted 4K remaster of Mad Men recently premiered on HBO Max and they forgot to apply digital effects to scenes in some of the episodes so you can see crew in the background, etc. 💬 Join the discussion on kottke.org →

nikitonsky is being grumpy

nikitonsky: Ahm, excuse me? You asked me to confirm email and now are claiming I registered for some updated? I definitely did not. There was nothing about marketing updates in the original phrasing. #Zalando #Registration #Email

The Fuji X Recipe Generator Puts Fujifilm “Film” Recipes in Your Pocket

I’ve been shooting with Fujifilm cameras for fun and work since 2014. I was a bit of a latecomer to the system, buying my first X-Pro (first generation) about four years after its initial launch. What blew me away instantly was the film simulations that made straight-out-of-ca…

Nikon Imaging Recipes Now Rival Fujifilm Simulations

You might be tempted to think that this article is about the Nikon Imaging Recipes found on their Imaging Cloud website, but that's not the case. This piece is dedicated to some selfless souls who want Nikon users to incorporate the classic film stock looks of the analog era int…

For Real: Where is the Nikon Z7 III?

Pretty much all of Nikon's cameras have received refreshes in some way or another. But the one that's been sorely left behind is the Nikon Z7 II. I remember when a very good friend of mine was considering the Nikon Z8 but then after some advising by me, ended up settling for the…

An Astonishing Graph

For most of human history, around 50% of children used to die before they reached the end of puberty. In 2020, that number is 4.3%. It’s 0.3% in countries like Japan & Norway. This dramatic decline has resulted from better nutrition, clean water, sanitation, neonatal health…

Very Good Music Fun Facts from Go Jeff Go including: “Hall and...

Very Good Music Fun Facts from Go Jeff Go including: “Hall and Oates never referred to themselves as “Hall and Oates.” All their records say Daryl Hall and John Oates. Also, there is a 9-inch height difference between Hall & Oates.” 💬 Join the discussio…

Level Devil. This game is hilarious and diabolical....

Level Devil. This game is hilarious and diabolical. 💬 Join the discussion on kottke.org →

Retrospekt refurbs and sells retro technology (VHS tapes, cassette players, instant cameras,...

Retrospekt refurbs and sells retro technology (VHS tapes, cassette players, instant cameras, typewriters, iPods). 💬 Join the discussion on kottke.org →

A Line in a Tom Stoppard Play Inspired a New Breast Cancer Treatment

In a letter to the Times of London, Dr. Michael Baum tells how a line in Arcadia by Tom Stoppard sparked an idea which resulted in adjuvant systemic chemotherapy, a therapy Baum helped pioneer which greatly increased the survivability of breast cancer. Sir, In 1993 my wife and…

I’m in Charge at This Hertz Location, and Buddy, You’re Not Getting...

I’m in Charge at This Hertz Location, and Buddy, You’re Not Getting a Car Today. “Tell me, honestly, when you reserved a rental car through Hertz, you thought… what? That we were going to set aside a special little car just for you? Seriously?”

The 3 Best Full-Frame Cameras from 3 Years Ago

Full-frame cameras are in demand. They offer a lot of detail, good colors, lightweight, and excellent ergonomics. While there are plenty of cameras to choose from, we examine a few options from three years ago that can still stand on their own today. If you are looking to buy a…

Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair

In just a few days (Dec 5), the entirety of Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill duology will be released in theaters as one four-hour-long film. Here’s the trailer: Quentin Tarantino’s KILL BILL: THE WHOLE BLOODY AFFAIR unites Volume 1 and Volume 2 into a single, unrated epic…

A list of 25 Things to Say to Your Children, including “You...

A list of 25 Things to Say to Your Children, including “You can do hard things. I’ve seen you do them before and you can do them again.”; “I’m proud of you.”; and “It’s so brave to feel your feelings.” 💬 Join the discussion on kottke.org →

The Sony a7V is Your Snappier Entry-Level Full-Frame Camera

For the past few months, the rumor mill has been churning out teasers and drips of the purported next-generation Sony a7 camera. Now, Sony has officially announced the new jack-of-all-trades camera, the Sony a7V. For Sony photographers seeking an upgrade to their now four-year-o…

Paul Ford on normalized AI & what happens when bubbles burst. “When...

Paul Ford on normalized AI & what happens when bubbles burst. “When the bubble is big, every idea feels like a billion-dollar idea. I yearn for cheap ideas from strangers.”

David Byrne’s Tiny Desk Concert

There are a few artists where you hear their name and “Tiny Desk” together and you think, well, that’s going to be great. David Byrne is one of those and his performance does not disappoint. Though Byrne and his band do normally spread out across large stages, the set d…