Friday, December 26, 2008

Friday Links!

Okay, so you're at work, but nobody expects you to actually do anything today. And that's a good thing, because we're going to keep you busy for a while.

Leading off, from Gizmodo, a stunning link to the original press kit for the Apollo 8 missions, complete with scans of each page.

From Andrew B, a link to a wonderful story: How I Got My Sega Genesis: Remembering Christmas 1992. This is really a terrific read. Also, a link to an eye-opening story about software awards given by download sites. It's both funny and utterly alarming.

From Jesse Leimkuehler, a link to a fascinating story about the discovery of leaks in Earth's protective magnetic field. Also, a link to a riveting Wikipedia entry about Michael Larson, and here's the lead:
Paul Michael Larson (May 10, 1949 – February 16, 1999) was a contestant on the American television game show Press Your Luck in June 1984. Larson's claim to fame was his winning $110,237 in cash and prizes, which he was able to do by memorizing the patterns used on the Press Your Luck game board.

The rest of Larson's life, though, reads like a Shakespearean tragedy.

From Rob Varak, a link to an absolutely spectacular series of photographs as part of 2008 in photographs.

Two excellent links from Brian Minsker, and the first is a link to Nikon's Small World Photomicrography Competition. Also, a link to thousands of images that NASA has now made available online.

From the Edwin Garcia Links Machine, a title that says it all: Hubble Captures Moon Disappearing Behind Jupiter In Stunning HD Video. Also, a link to a 60,000 piece LEGO Star Wars Hoth Diorama. Next, a link to a story about a University of Utah student who managed to totally disrupt a government auction of 15,000 acres of wilderness that were going to be opened up for oil and gas drilling. He's a genius. And finally, a link to the discovery of 7,000 hectares of previously undiscovered forest--by using Google Earth.

From Patrick O'Brien, a link to some spectacular cloud formations.

From Steven Kreuch, a link to a 13-year old girl drummer playing Rush's YYZ. Okay, I know she's no Tony Royster, Jr., but it's still fun to watch.

From Allen Varney, a link to the bizarre sex techniques--of squid. How bizarre? Here's an excerpt:
The cephalopods' intimate encounters include cutting holes into their partners for sex, swapping genders, and deploying flesh-burrowing sperm.

From Steven Davis, something I never expected to see: the punking of speed cameras.

Like Geoff Engelstein (who submitted the link) said, I don't know about the politics involved here, but this photo essay of the recent Greek riots is just brilliant and very moving.

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