Some Interesting Things
February 15, 2023
Some Interesting Things
I’ve got a few essays in the works, but today I’m going to mix things up and do just a big list of links to interesting things (alongside a quick note and ask at the bottom).
(If you like this sort of thing, you would probably enjoy my Never Not Curious newsletter, as it’s basically just this all the time.)
Unlikely Simultaneous Historical Events
“When pilgrims were landing on Plymouth Rock, you could already visit what is now Santa Fe, New Mexico to stay at a hotel, eat at a restaurant and buy Native American silver.”
“During the Vietnam War, the United States Navy used Stratovision television technology when it flew Operation Blue Eagle from 1966 to 1972 over the Saigon area of South Vietnam. The television programs were aimed at two audiences on two channels: one was aimed at the general public and the other was intended for the information and entertainment of US troops who were stationed in South Vietnam.”
A collection of free, simple, online tools for a variety of purposes (ranging from math to images to handling files).
Visualizing the Evolution of Vision and the Eye
“Throughout history, numerous creatures have evolved increasingly complex eyes in response to different selective pressures.”
A visual project that pulls international flags apart based on elements, color, shape, etc.
“While Chinese and European firework histories are heavily documented, Japan’s traditions remain moderately more obscure. Despite excellent pyrotechnic craftsmanship, for example, it was still possible for researchers to write, as recently as 2010, that “comprehensive information encompassing the development of fireworks culture in Japan, the history, and any intricate symbolism, is not widely known or appreciated within Japan, let alone abroad.””
Ethereal Photographs of England’s Forests
“England has long been a haven for rich woodlands of oak, birch, hazel, and pine, chronicled in famous stories like Robin Hood’s Sherwood Forest or the real-life 11th century king William the Conqueror, who established a “Forest Law” that claimed woodlands as hunting grounds for kings.”
Outro
First: people were very keen to know which magnesium supplement I’ve been using (I knew bruxism was common, but wow!) so I’ve added it to a “Recommendations” page I’ve published over at You Probably Don’t Need (it’s at the very bottom).
Second: the above artwork was created by my amazing girlfriend Ariana Vaeth—a young artist who’s already done some astounding things (shown at all sorts of museums, galleries, art shows, and even at the US embassy in Luxembourg if you can believe it; her work is featured in the collections of some well-regarded curators and collectors). She’s also super-involved in the art community, adjunct teaches in Beloit, mentors younger and older artists, and spends a lot of time and energy making sure other folks’ work gets noticed and appreciated.
(I also just truly, unabashedly love her work.)
She’s in the process of trying to take things to the next level (which isn’t easy or guaranteed), and there’s a program via the online art platform Artsy that I think might be helpful for her in that regard, called The Artsy Vanguard.
I don’t think this is a popularity contest-style program (thankfully), but I figure it couldn’t hurt to have some more mentions of her name and work submitted so that she’s on this program/platform’s radar.
If you like her work (you can see more by clicking the link on her name, above, alongside more about her) consider popping over there and dropping her name and website (or her Instagram) into the form. (Or if you’re an art collector and/or keen to buy something, let me know and I’ll put you in touch with the right people.)
You can also include other artists you’ve recently discovered and loved on your submission (you can submit up to three: the deadline to submit is Feb 21).
A very random ask, I know, but this is the sort of thing that could help her expand beyond her current hubs of Milwaukee and Baltimore, and I’d like to help her in that regard if possible :)
If you’re keen to send something physical my way (note, postcard, etc), here’s my address:
Colin Wright
PO Box 11442
Milwaukee, WI 53211
You can send me an email, too—I’d love to hear from you and I reply to every message I receive. You can reach me by replying to this newsletter or writing to colin@exilelifestyle.com (you can also leave a comment if you’d like to share something publicly).
You can also communicate via the usual methods: Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, or sky puppy.