World’s Strangest

Yarn Invasion

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Yarn Invasion

I simply love this stop-motion animation. Makes you feel warm, as the days get chillier.

Today’s pictures & links:

World of 7 Billion! – a child is born in Kaliningrad, Russia

We’ve covered “Overpopulation” topic in our interview with National Geographic Senior Environment Editor Robert Kunzig before. Now the time has come to announce the birth of 7 billionth human being on this planet. The boy’s name is Peter Nikolayev (though his claim to fame is disputed: India, China and the Leningrad Region have also laid claim to the 7 billionth child) – more info.

Regarding the whole population issue, there is an interesting interactive BBC page: Seven Billion and You. National Geographic magazine has also come up with new “7 Billion” app, based on its year-long series on world population:

A metal-roofed metropolis, Goma sits at the crossroads of conflict in eastern Congo, its population exploding with displaced villagers, soldiers, profiteers, and aid workers. The lava-rumpled city sprawls between Lake Kivu, full of dangerous gases, and the restless Nyiragongo volcano:

(top photo: Pascal Maitre/National Geographic, bottom left: slums in Dhaka, photo by Jonas Bendiksen)

Despite all the world’s troubles, let’s hope that this new 7 billionth inhabitant of Earth will have a joyful, happy life!

(original unknown)

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Rarest Treasure in Halloween Style

One of the oldest surviving pot vessels in the world – Japanese Middle Jōmon vessel (3000–2000 BCE). Incredible, totally unique shape! -

More fascinating Japanese sculpture, from the era of Nitta Yoshioki:

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Every good boy and girl deserves an Apple

… in all these enticing colors! -

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Golden Forest Wave

Lappland, Sweden – photography by Henrik Bonnevier, for “Ororda Vatten” (Untouched Waters) project.

(image credit: Henrik Bonnevier)

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Renault DeZir Concept Car

Overflowing with French style and coolness, revealed at Paris Auto Show in 2010, more info:

(images via)

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Washed Up LEGO Man

Jeff Hindman found this artifact of LEGO greatness, while strolling down the beach at Siesta Key Village:

(photo by Jeff Hindman)

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Mixed fresh links for today:

Extremely Rare Spectacular Aurora Borealis – [wow pics]
Wolves form Superpack, Wolf Attacks Info – [scary nature]
Victorian Organ Steampunk Desk – [cool art]
18 Terabytes Hard Drives Built Using Table Salt – [tech]
How an Irish soldier spent 4 years in cupboard! – [weird]
The Giant Impact that Formed the Moon – [space]
Huge Black Spider Balloon Sculpture – [weird art]
Playing with a spring: phenomenon – [wow video]
Pretty neat giant bubble car ad – [cool video]
Creaky, slow, but still cool LEGO clock – [geek video]
Owl Dancing – [fun video]
Beautiful Musical Painting Animation – [wow video]
Formula One Driver View, Dashboard – [wow video]

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Stars & Galaxies Update

Galaxy M-83 is a crazy hub of activity – six (!) supernovas registered there, plus Hubble telescope has unveiled a huge number of newborn stars at the outer limits of M83 – that, according to the standard model of star formation, should not be there in such numbers – more info:

(image via)

“The Pillars of Creation no longer exist. In 2007, astronomers announced that they were destroyed about 6,000 years ago by the shock wave from a supernova. Their actual destruction, however, will not be visible for another millennium.” – more info:

(image via)

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Steampunk Art Update

Left: “Steampunk Madame” by Mary-Chan
Right: Mural inside the Empire State Building.

Steampunk Device, by Robert Shuttleworth. He describes it as “my new old pen drive storage station… It was fun to build a relatively practical.” watch video of it in action here: