This nifty little webpage came to my attention that has an interactive simulation about how fireflies stay in sync. I've always been fascinated by swarm dynamics and how large groups can coordinate with relatively little communication or rules. This webpage is a wonderful demonstration and I spent quite a while just playing around with the parameters.

I personally find this absolutely gorgeous to look at. The architect has a whole page talking about this building here. It is vastly different to the modern skyscrapers that I see being so often constructed made of sleek glass and steel. My only wish is that there was a render of what a whole downtown would look like if it was constructed this way.

With the death of noted economist Alan Krueger and previously Robin Williams, it can be hard to understand why. Someone shared this with me recently and I thought I would pass it along.

Richard Cory
By Edwin Arlington Robinson

Whenever Richard Cory went down town,
We people on the pavement looked at him:
He was a gentleman from sole to crown,
Clean favored, and imperially slim.

And he was always quietly arrayed,
And he was always human when he talked;
But still he fluttered pulses when he said,
"Good-morning," and he glittered when he walked.

And he was rich—yes, richer than a king—
And admirably schooled in every grace:
In fine, we thought that he was everything
To make us wish that we were in his place.

So on we worked, and waited for the light,
And went without the meat, and cursed the bread;
And Richard Cory, one calm summer night,
Went home and put a bullet through his head.

Source: poetryfoundation.org

In a striking example of visual design and effective data communication, someone shared this site with me which takes in data from the US National Weather Service and displays a globe with the patterns overlaid. You can change the type of data from the menu in the bottom left. You can also zoom in & pan around to see your local area. It's really fun to look at during a window storm or rainstorm and see how the world is reacting.

Links

Competitive Hormone Supplementation Is Shaping America’s Future Business Titans

I was unware that this was a thing in general and it's an interesting line of thought.

Interview with James Mann on engagement and US-China relations

So much of what will change the world over the 20-30 years is likely to be US-China relations, this is an interesting take on how those are looking.

Crossword, Sudoku Plague Threatens America!

Although funny, there is some element of truth to the above.

Media

The Good Wife - This show is well written and well acted but somehow just failed to capture my attention. Would still probably recommend it to others if they are looking for a political/law drama.

Salt Fat Acid Heat - A show that captures a love of cooking and food. Basically food porn but probably still worth it all the same.

DOTA Auto Chess - Man, this game is good but quickly gets boring and annoying due to the RNG. I love the concept though and hope others work on similar titles.

Subnautica - This game nails exploration better than almost any other I've seen. I think the lack of a map is an interesting detail but helps out immensely with forcing you to engage with the environment and look at the surrounds as you run from quest to quest.