005— January 28, 2017
Time Crystals, Human-Pig Hybrids, Liquid Mountains, Recycled Infrastructure +
This is the fifth issue of whatspop. Holy cow — we made it! Holy crap — January is already over? Time is flying. We’ve got a really packed issue of interesting things to get through this week. Let’s get into it.
Scientists have confirmed a brand new form of matter: time crystals
The discovery might sound pretty abstract, but it heralds in a whole new era in physics — for decades we’ve been studying matter that’s defined as being ‘in equilibrium’, such as metals and insulators. But it’s been predicted that there are many more strange types of matter out there in the Universe that aren’t in equilibrium that we haven’t even begun to look into, including time crystals. And now we know they’re real.
I’d like to think I understood this article but let’s be honest…I didn’t.
Link (Science Alert)
Human-Pig Hybrid Created in the Lab — Here Are the Facts
In a remarkable — if likely controversial — feat, scientists announced today that they have created the first successful human-animal hybrids. The project proves that human cells can be introduced into a non-human organism, survive, and even grow inside a host animal, in this case, pigs.
Fascinating article by National Geographic. I won’t be surprised to see this approach used in the future for organ harvesting and transplants.
Link (National Geographic)
If Your Boss Could Do Your Job, You’re More Likely to Be Happy at Work
The bottom line is that employees are happiest when the boss knows what she or he is talking about, and that drives performance: there is growing evidence, from randomized trials done under laboratory conditions, that when you make workers happier they become more productive.
Makes sense.
Link (Harvard Business Review)
Teenage Engineering: OP-Z Preview
OP-Z is a completely stand-alone synthesizer and composer, ready to to be used at anytime and anywhere, but for those of you who need that extra injection of vibrant graphics, interactive user interface and awesome synced animations to feel inspired, we introduce the concept of BYOS — bring your own screen.
OP-Z is about a lot more than just composing music. the Z stands for the third dimension, the depth, the creativity involved in making music.
I’ve been a longtime fan of the OP-1, which is a fantastic portable synthesizer. I know many producers and songwriters that have composed Billboard Top 100 singles with the OP-1. The OP-Z appears to be the spiritual successor.
This time the machine is so small we guarantee it will upset you. It’s about half the size of OP-1, but comes with more DSP power that consumes less energy so now you can fly the Atlantic 4 times back and forth, sequencing complete songs on 16 dedicated tracks before you run out of power. When ready to land, just slide it in your inner pocket.
As an aspiring bedroom songwriter, I can’t wait to get my fingers on this synthesizer and app later this year.
Link (Teenage Engineering)
This Redesigned Airplane Row Will Make You Want The Middle Seat
Designed for flights three hours and under, each row of seats features a staggered design. The middle seat is set slightly lower and behind the aisle and window seats, a discrepancy that makes the backrest of the middle seat just under three inches wider than the standard 18 inches. This is an easy sell for flyers — even though there’s no extra legroom (that’s controlled by the airline), the middle seat is more spacious, and the staggered design means that there’s no need to fight over elbow room.
Wired has an interesting design piece that features an innovative airplane seat layout conceived by Molon Labe Designs. Nobody likes having a middle seat and playing elbow wars. You know who you are.
Link (Wired)
Quip
It turned out that years of toothbrush “innovation” had barely improved the humble toothbrush and, instead, had only served to overshadow the far more damaging, habitual problems that still persist. Brushing too hard, not brushing long enough, not brushing twice a day, not replacing your brush and not going to the dentist are issues that are ignored yet have a far bigger impact on oral health than a “Bluetooth Ultra Sonic” toothbrush alone could ever have. So we set out to address that…
I’ve been a Sonicare customer for a while yet I find the brush too tedious to travel with. Quip could be a great addition to my travel kit.
Link (Quip)
Lofree
The interchangeable keycaps are interesting and should make it easier for people who experiment with different keyboard layouts. I’m waiting for a video review of this device in action. No word on pricing or release date.
Link (Lofree)
Why paper is the real ‘killer app’
Other findings show that pen and paper have an edge over the keyboard. Research by Princeton University and the University of California at Los Angeles, published in 2014, showed that the pen is indeed mightier than the keyboard. In three studies, researchers found that students who took notes on laptops performed worse on conceptual questions than students who took notes longhand. Those who took written notes had a better understanding of the material and remembered more of it because they had to mentally process information rather than type it verbatim. And, another study, published in the Journal of Applied Cognitive Psychology, showed that people who doodle can better recall dull information.
I carry a small paper journal around in my backpack and occasionally use it when on flights (see the airplane seats above) to jot out random ideas like UI sketches + song lyrics. Instead of using a computer to take notes, I should try using paper/pen for my upcoming meetings this week.
Link (BBC)
Google’s Pixel 2 to feature improved camera, CPU, higher price, but ‘budget’ Pixel also in works
We’re also now being told, however, that Google is once again focusing intensely on the camera with Pixel 2, that the device is currently being tested with improved chipsets from two different manufacturers, and that it will bring a higher price…As for the price of the next Pixel, we’re told that — as of the time of this writing at least — Google is expecting that there will be “at least” a $50 USD increase in price.
This really bums me out for two reasons:
- The first generation Pixel is nearly impossible to get as it’s usually out of stock in many configurations + only available via Verizon
- The cost of phones shouldn’t be going up — as an Android user maybe 2017 is the year that I look at my first non-Google handset. The article also mentions that Google is looking into releasing a cheaper device. I’m not going to hold my breath.
Link (9To5Google)
Best Landing Ever??
Astroneer is a new simulation game that’s available for PC, Steam, and Xbox. I’ve been following the developers for a while and recently came across this sequence titled: “Best Landing Ever??” I’m not so secretly hoping that this game gets released for PS4.
Link (gfycat)
Joining Bottles
Joining Bottles is an experimental wood-joining technique using shrunk plastic bottles. By heat, a simple plastic bottle is transformed into a wood bonding material offering a meaningful and accessible way to build functional structures.
I think this a wonderful project — would love to see this get adopted on a larger scale.
Link (Micaella Pedros)
Photographing Liquid Mountains
I’ve always wanted to learn how people got these epic shots of waves. This is a really inspiring video — you don’t have to be a photographer to respect the dedication and perseverance.
3 Photographers Shoot the Same Model
Solid video — I’d love to see something like this for landscape photography!
Abstract: The Art of Design
A new Netflix documentary about design, streaming in February 2017.
ITAP of a sunset
I shot it on my 5D mark ii with a 50mm 1.8. I just had the ISO high enough to be able to catch the action somewhat sharp, then edited the colors after.
I originally found this while cruising Reddit. I’m an enthusiast of oversaturated California sunsets and love this shot. In the Reddit thread, Robin mentions an inspiration (Brighton Galvan) for the shot and edit. You can see an example of his work below.
Link (Reddit)
It’s an interesting list: Norway, Dubai, Hawaii…Vermont? You should plan on visiting Vermont in the fall with a drone.
Jamie Livingston documented his life for almost 20 years with nothing but a Polaroid camera. You get to see his life, relationships, jobs and his battle with cancer. There are more than 5,000 photos. I couldn’t make it through the last few years of photos without getting misty.
Took this photo in a Bangkok elevator and I’m pretty sure all three of the people on their phones are playing Pokemon Go
Gotta catch them all…especially in an elevator at the Siam Paragon mall.
Link (Reddit)
We’ll close off this week with new music. There were lots of great releases this week but two in particular really stand out to me.
Migration by Bonobo — a great album to put on while you’re working. If you’re interested, there’s a great interview with Simon Green, aka Bonobo, by XLR8R. Green shares details and even audio recordings about how many of the songs were constructed as well as the techniques.
Life Without Sound by Cloud Nothings — I’m a big fan of every album the group has put out. This album is a bit different…rather than the usual up-tempo cacophony of guitars smashing into drums, this effort sounds more conscious, diverse and gloomy. “Up to the Surface” is a stand-out track that you should listen to.
Thanks for reading issue 005.
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See you next week! 🐨
