Coincidentally on the anniversary of the mega-structure’s inauguration on this day in 1936 when Franklin D Roosevelt pressed a button in Washington, DC to start the first hydroelectric generator for a test-run on the Nevada-Arizona border (the dedication ceremony came at the month’s end), Weird Universe reports on the therapeutic potential of the acoustics properties of Hoover Dam. Whilst the soothing effects maybe somewhat exaggerated and over-simplified, binaural beat (as they are contemporaneously and unfortunately we could not find an audio sample either), the resolution of the auditory illusion that takes place in the brain when one hears two slightly different tones in stereo (as from an echo) is the frequency-follow response. Indulging and synchronising this discrepancy can in some instances induce a mental state of relaxation though a fair number of listeners report a short-lived burst of anxiety and anger and generally finding the experience unproductive.
Monday, 11 September 2023
theta wave (10. 995)
Sunday, 10 September 2023
6x6 (10. 994)
wordwhile: whilst Damn Interesting takes a short sabbatical to recoup and regroup, try their fun word game

germinating hope: seed art with a message at the Minnesota state fair
bullet points: an encomium for the co-creator of PowerPoint Dennis Austin (RIP)
vim and vigour: more on the nineteenth century cocaine-fortified wine—see previously
☕️๐ซ: more on universal words, Betteridge’s and Cunningham’s law—browse through the comments
one year ago: Hey Jude (1968), links to enjoy, more telling the bees plus more assorted links to revisit
two years ago: St Aubert, the ecological importance of oyster-beds, comparable to coral reefs plus even more links worth revisiting
three years ago: the largest basilica in the world, artist Marianne von Werefkin, a devastating earthquake in Constantinople (1509), the original and the reprised Fresh Prince, burning skies plus Hongkonger neologisms
four years ago: the dissolution of the Austrian Empire (1919), Boris Johnson suspends Parliament, Sharpiegate plus more assorted links
five years ago: Denver airport plays up conspiracy theories, towing an iceberg to the desert, an innovative wind-turbine plus the premiere of X-Files (1993)
Saturday, 9 September 2023
tirazain (10. 993)
Via Clive Thompson’s Linkfest (happily back after a short hiatus), we learn about the traditional form embroidery practiced in Palestine and the efforts to preserve, promote and catalogue the neglected and endangered craftwork used to decorate dress, curtains and bedding. Called tatreez (ุชุทุฑูุฒ), with instructions included on how to create these cross-stitch designs, the formerly unstudied occupation is no recognised as more than a pastime but a form of biography (see also) for those marginalised and had no other medium for expressing and transmitting their ambitions and skills. Much more at the links above.
7x7 (10. 992)
trochilinae: a look at the evolution of evolution of hummingbirds—see previously
uranometria: a comparative study of constellations across cultures—via Web Curios

lightning 4-2: a record-setting speedrun of Super Mario Bros
zero width non-joiner: let AI generate a custom emoji—note the cursed thumbs up/down icons—via Waxy
extended-stay: Plato’s Cave (previously) will be raising its rent—via JWZ
halcyon days: a slow-motion look at the kingfisher’s dive
synchronoptica
one year ago: Stone Temple Pilots plus the proclamation of King Charles III
two years ago: more on DC statehood, the Battle of Teutoberg Forest (9 AD), rewilding begins at home plus assorted links to revisit
three years ago: the establishment of Washington, DC (1791), the disputed Hans Island, a lighthouse transformed plus AI supervillains
four years ago: more on the moons of Jupiter
five years ago: Trump threatens to remove US troops from Germany plus an expansive pattern library
Friday, 8 September 2023
tos, tas (10. 991)
Four years after the original series was cancelled and on the anniversary of its 1966 debut, Star Trek (previously) returned with animated continuing voyages, voiced by most of the principal cast, airing as a Saturday morning cartoon on this day in 1973. Despite winning an Emmy, the revival was cancelled after two seasons although it helped sustain interest in the franchise and provided impetus to reunite the characters again for a feature film by 1979. Referred to as the “Rec Room” and only appearing in one episode but considered canonical, the animated series introduced the concept of the holodeck.
Thursday, 7 September 2023
tyromancers (10. 990)
Via Nag on the Lake and Weird Universe, we discover a divination practise perfectly suited to our gang of turophiles in the form of telling one’s fortune by watching cheese congeal and coalesce and noting its characteristics—dating back to the Middle Ages, a time when people frequently consulted objects at hand for guidance. One technique described was for eligible individuals to inscribe the names of potential partners on a cheese and the first to moulder would indicate the best match. More at the links above.
notices and diffusions (10. 989)
Founded on this day in 1923 after several earlier attempts that failed to gain international support in response to harmonise global police response in the face of increased travel and trade that was accompanied by attendant transnational criminal enterprises at the conclusion of a five-day congress in Vienna, Interpol under the presidency of the summit’s organiser, jurist, law enforcement official and former Austrian chancellor Johannes Schober was chartered with a mandate to investigate trafficking, political corruption and counterfeiting—into include copyright infringements and not as an supernational police force, despite popular conception, only liaising between jurisdictions. Interpol is, by its constitution, expressly forbidden to intervene in matters of politics or military, religious or racial matters and maintain neutrality—a stance that has garnered the organisation criticism over the years, leading to arrests of dissident refugees at their behest and their avoidance of pursuing war crimes.
synchronoptica
one year ago: St Elmo’s Fire (1985), a powerful political ad (1964) plus the end of the 9€ ticket scheme
two years ago: more on the development of kitchen design, Wikipedia Commons (2004), a Muppets conspiracy theory, Dancing Queen (1976) plus more false Dmitris
three years ago: the Abbots Bromley horn dance, circumnavigating the globe by car (1929) plus a pretty keen sports mascot
four years ago: the abbey of Landรฉvennec, Midcentury Modern emoji, more on the Periodic Table, The Book of Kells plus Astro Boy (1963)
five years ago: lemons and the mafia, toxic-loving plants plus getting rid of plastic ring beer binders
Wednesday, 6 September 2023
cresoxipropanediol en capsule (10. 988)
Via the venerable Cardhouse, we are directed to this 1966 performance from French stage and screen actor Ginette Garcin, who already accomplished (occasionally as a screwball) became even more famous in part for singing the novelty chansons of composers Jean Yanne and Boby Lapoint. An extreme exercise in good diction, commit these instructions to memory:
Oui, alors l'aspirine c'est de l'acide acรฉtylsalicylique, alors รงa valait bien le coup de donner le nom savant de tous les mรฉdicaments prรฉcรฉdents…