mapping some more

a new mapping tool, this time by recopilating global data to map through a wiki called MG dedicated to mapping globalization by Princeton University and University of Washington.

via WorldChanging, by Sarah Rich

On nature and technique, part V

Eugene Thacker is one of the few guides we may have when confronting the complex issues regarding what is usually called biotechnology, or, as he suggests, Biomedia.

His articles for C-Theory, such as "Biophilosophy for the 21st Century" are worth checking out, as well as the collective project "biotech hobbyist".

four letter words to shout in the tube

Nuno, don't get me started, I have so much to do!

following your link about the factbook, ... I think its worth of its own link
viz4all of University of Maryland
specially the works of Karsten Schmidt on 4 letter words in english and Tom Carden on london's tube traveling time.

kk's street use

Kevin Kelly has expanded his site with a new section: street use, in which are shown all kinds of unexpected of unintended modifications of machines, artifacts and technologies that occur a bit everywhere.

Pictured examples: an old school bus used for storing vegetables, and this airconditioner fan hack (we should have built a similar one in July).

talking about mapping

I hate to refer to the CIA in these pages but I found this document on world mapping to be quite surprising, if anything for being public (since 1975!!).
I have to see if they say where the nuclear weapons are hidden in irak.
It seems very useful information, I just can't bring myself to look at it as a inoffensive little book
CIA World Factbook

a large cabinet of curiosities

Many blogs are, to some extent, wunderkammers. But the closest I know to such a description is the Proceedings of the Athanasius Kircher Society. The kind of site worth checking by the end of the day. For example, take this series on Pentecost Island land divers.

On nature and technique, part IV

An interesting interview with Daniel Dennett, by Hari Kunzru .

(warning: it will get more and more indigestible from this point onward. i'm so sorry)

On nature and technique, part III

"Recycling Recycling" by Mark Wigley.

(oldie but tremendously goodie. pdf version here)

On nature and technique, part II

"Revisiting The Natural Contract", by Michel Serres.

On nature and technique, part I

It's about time we start a series on this subject. Avoiding the typical cliches, prejudices and parochialisms that hinder a serious approach to the theme is difficult, but let's try...
(... this is going to be a long one...it would be great if it initiated a good discussion...)

"Computation, Memory, Nature, and Life" is a mind-boggling text by Autodesk founder John Walker, really, really worth reading.

worth (more than) a detour

Pictured: these stone quarries, definitely worth visiting (maybe this is too obvious for my catalan co-bloggers, but you never know)

SANAA Glass Pavilion, Ohio

What do you think about this plan? Does it look familiar?

integrated actions

interesting program at the university of berlin
hands on
a reference for protolab