6x6

seven minutes of terror: Perseverance lands on Mars, beginning its search for signs of past life  

cyborg tomato: AI Weirdness (previously) generates its own mascot—plus others  

polar flare: examining every map projection and how it distorts our world view at once—see previously  

simon says: a vast archives of electronic handheld and table-top games and consoles from decades past—via Swiss Miss  

fabian society: capitalism coexists with constructivism in Czech city of Zlín  

hello world: the newest Martian probe beams back its first images

your daily demon: amduscias

With a charge and a voice like a thunder-clap, this infernal duke governs from this day through 23 February, the first part of the sign of Pisces, Amdusias presents in the form of a unicorn and is the Kapellmeister of Hell, responsible for the cacophonous music of the dread realm and can manifest and possess other instruments. Opposed by the Angel Eiael, this sixty-seventh spirit controls twenty-nine legion and can reportedly bend trees at his will. 

 

optimisation of manual labour

Eighteen types of elemental motions to study the economy of movement and exertion in the workplace as with a flow-chart, therblig units are intended as controls for eliminating unneeded steps. Created by industrial psychologists Lillian Moller Gilbreth and Frank Bunker Gilbreth (as near reversals of their surname), they first appeared in a 1915 trade paper article as “the elements of a cycle of decisions and motions” the scheme famously and indelibly suggesting that it be common protocol that a surgeon is handed their implements and that various checklist are put in place. Purposefully, the last step prior to execution is the admonition “to think” (not depicted as a diagrammatic symbol) rather than the first.

saut de loup

Via Miss Cellania’s links, we learn about the ingenious landscaping technique that goes by the above or more commonly hâ-hâ, thought either to reflect the element of surprise by those coming across the invisible barriers or an abbreviation of half retaining wall, half-ditch, which creates walls and controls access without interrupting the view, see also here and here. See several examples from Amusing Planet at the link above.

strong and prosperous nation

Negotiating the divide between cultural and historic points of reference and by being generally agreeable and approachable, former war correspondent turned photographer Stephan Gladieu was able to recently travel to North Korea and was allowed to capture portraits of the people in a captivating series. Learn more and peruse a curated gallery of scenes from North Korea at It’s Nice That at the link above.

zea mays

Having recently posted about the original by the Hot Butter ensemble, we quite enjoyed discovering—courtesy of Pasa Bon!—this clever, well-arranged medieval cover (see previously) of Pop Corn. Many more covers versions to be found clicking through at the link up top or by letting the play-list cycle through below.

zehn thesen für gutes design

Via Present /&/ Correct, we rather enjoyed this fine visual homage to the palette and aesthetic of industrial design artist Dieter Rams from Chad Ashley and Grey Scale Gorilla studios. The Wiesbaden native who famously articulated the principles of good design and called obsolescence a crime, and tried to adhere to these guidelines of innovation, utility, accessibility, honestly, durability and minimalism in everything he created is best known for his work for Braun, which in turn is paid tribute in Apple’s operating environment, including the skeuomorph for the calculator, the reel-to-reel tape recorder in the podcast icon and the World Clock (see also), praising Apple as one of the few company’s upholding excellence in design.