Dead Cassette Tapes Reincarnated As Skeletons
Ever wondered what to do with all those cassette tapes gathering dust on the shelf or lying unused in old shoeboxes? Send them Brian Dettmer. Not for the first time, the Atlanta-based artist has broken the mould with a collection of 3D artworks made by breathing new life into discarded cultural detritus. Cassette tape shells make up the bones of life-sized human skeletons and animal skulls – to create some incredible new forms.
Continue reading...24. November 2009
5 Most Alien Looking Spiders
As if spiders weren’t strange enough creatures with their eight legs and eight eyes, some seem to have even donned a fur coat that would put any grizzly bear to shame. We’re not quite sure the creatures we are about to present are spiders at all as they look like they’ve come from outer space. It doesn’t matter that many of them are not even an inch tall – macro photography makes them look like alien giants. But see for yourself.
Continue reading...24. November 2009
The Most Beautiful Yet Precariously Placed Monasteries on Earth
For those whom the word means something more than a catch-me-if-I-fall donation to a toll free number, faith is a dizzying business. "The rocks beneath one’s feet are ever liable to crumble into the void, but that’s the test faith demands – and we shall be protected,” the crazies who built the perilously placed monasteries featured here seem to have been saying – unless they simply dug free rock climbing, that most ancient of extreme sports.
Continue reading...23. November 2009
The Mandarinfish’s Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat
Mandarinfish are the only one of two animal species that show a blue colouration based on light-reflecting cells with blue pigments. Orange, yellow, blue and green are the colours they flash during their elaborate courtship dances. During the day, they are shy creatures most content dashing in and out of their reef, therefore quite hard to capture on camera. Here are a the stunning results of a few photographers whose patience paid off.
Continue reading...23. November 2009
Who Knew Missile Defense Could Be So Pretty?
Decoy flares are infrared countermeasures used to protect aircraft from being detected by infrared homing missiles, i.e. those that detect heat sources like a jet engine. Like a plane’s guardian angels, the flares create false heat targets that confuse the guidance system of an enemy aircraft’s infrared missiles. Apart from being a simple and effective defense mechanism, they’re also surprisingly beautiful. No wonder they have been nicknamed angel wings.
Continue reading...17. November 2009
Heretics and Holy Warriors: The Persecution of the Knights Templar
Heresy trials, convictions and death by burning at the stake awaited the Templar leadership in France where the hatred of Philip IV prevailed over an indecisive Pope. In many countries, the Templars 'melted away', except in Portugal where they were long established and members of the royal family had joined the Order of Christ. A true tale of brutal persecution with a distinctly roasted Medieval flavour.
Continue reading...11. November 2009
5 Animals Most In Need of a Haircut
Regardless of what you think of body or facial hair, nature again is one step ahead when making animals’ coats look good and practical: As defense mechanism, heat protection, natural filter or simply cuteness enhancer – excess hair or fur in animals always has a special purpose. We found five critters that could definitely do with a trim.
Continue reading...30. October 2009
The Lady Bug Gymnastics
With Halloween just around the corner, we’d like to leave scary witches and willowy ghosts aside for just one minute and focus on one helpful critter that might get forgotten otherwise. After ridding crops of plant lice and scale insects, the Halloween lady beetle invades homes in October where it prepares for its well deserved hibernation. Before that long period of inactivity, it likes to stretch its wings a bit. That’s probably an understatement – wing acrobatics is more like it but see for yourself…
Continue reading...25. September 2009
Female Bugs ‘Make Out’ to Attract Males That Can Stomach It
The tropical citrus root weevil or sugarcane root stalk borer weevil (diaprepes abbreviatus) is a pest accidentally introduced to the state of Florida in 1964. Since 2005, it’s also been spotted in California not only devouring citrus, avocado and potato roots, but also engaging in some cunning mating behaviour. Here are the facts.
Continue reading...13. November 2009
Is That a Smoke Pencil in Your Handbag, or… ?
Housewives the world over are going crazy for two new energy saving devices that look more like something teenagers might hide under their mattresses. The Smoke Pencil and the Chimney Balloon are two very useful tools to air-seal your home, but they look a little dubious at first. Intrigued? We were. Let's find out what the scoop is...
Continue reading...2. November 2009
Gazing into the Limits of the Universe
Astronomers have seen farther back in time and identified the earliest and youngest galactic object that can be observed in our universe. It is a galactic cluster, 10.2 billion years distant. We observe these galaxies as they were when the universe was only a quarter of its present age. This awe-inspiring discovery lies at the limit of what we will ever be are able to 'see' in the universe. Incredible!
Continue reading...27. October 2009
Black Gold Still Rules in Pipelineistan
The bottom line on the Iraq and AfPAK wars, and the American fixation on Iran, is oil. Obscene amounts of money, civilian lives and American integrity continue to be wasted on attempts to secure control over Central Asian energy resources, and the pipeline network that must be built to get this Black Gold to market.
Continue reading...26. October 2009
Former War Zones Too Dangerous to Enter
When the smoke clears and the last shells have fallen, some war zones will retain painful reminders of former unpleasantries. Uncleared and unmapped, it's safe to say minefields present an extremely unpredictable and deadly danger to civilians, often long after the conflict in which they were used in has come to a close. Here are some of the deadliest places to go walking unescorted...
Continue reading...24. September 2009
Incredible Bamboo Architecture by Vo Trong Nghia
Bamboo is the stuff of green dreams these days. Not only is this material a winning combination of strong, lightweight and flexible; it also scores highly in the sustainable stakes, being super fast growing and easy to harvest locally in many parts of the world. What's more, it is increasingly lauded for its aesthetic qualities. None of this is news to any architect worth their salt – but one in particular, Vietnamese virtuoso Vo Trong Nghia, stands out for his exceptional bamboo designs.
Continue reading...17. August 2009
The Land of Cuckoo Clocks & Environmental Beauty
Although often associated with banks, cuckoo clocks, chocolate and cheese, it's less commonly known that Switzerland is also one of the most environmentally friendly countries in the world. Travelling there offers fresh alpine air and spectacular mountainous scenery, but behind the scenes, less appreciable things are going on to keep it that way. Discover why Switzerland is keeping it green and what you could savour by taking an eco-friendly trip there.
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25. November 2009
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