35 Fantastic HDR Pictures

I have been somewhat quite a bit wary of HDR photography lately a long while now — but a collection such as this one could make me go back and have one more look.

Thumbs down for Hands Up

A somewhat provocative article from the Oxford University student newspaper about using a fashion show to raise money for Darfur. Although most comments are rather negative, a few agree with the brilliant young author. This one just about nails it:

Why on earth does the poster for a charity that fights against the rape of women in Africa consist of a photograph of a white, headless, naked woman?

I should probably add a disclaimer: the author is a dear friend of the family. He makes us proud.

Music Intelligence Quiz Results

“Mix-Tape Master (109-144 points)” — in the same kinda bracket as this guy — totally undeserved (I guessed a few…)

Marx Blog

“A class discussion blog for Derek Stanovsky’s Marx courses at Appalachian State University.” Appalachian State University?!? Like, wow.

The Modern Word

I somehow managed to forget about this; found it again today; just wanted to remind you all, too. Don’t miss Zak Smith’s Illustrations For Each Page of Gravity’s Rainbow.

Other Dangerous Historical Events Hillary Clinton Experienced as First Lady

Event
While Ms. Clinton reads It Takes a Village to a second-grade class, a student vomits on the carpet.
Clinton Description
“I remember landing under sniper fire. We dove to the floor as if a tornado-like wind had plowed us down. I covered my face with the book, but others were not so lucky: one girl had to burn her sneakers after the soles were marked with hellish regurgitation. I was able to herd the children out, counting each of their little heads as they passed, ensuring the safety of America’s future.”

At least they are both in, um, those mountains over there...

“This morning on ABC’s This Week, National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley repeatedly confused Tibet and Nepal while discussing President Bush’s decision to attend the Olympics. At least 8 different times, Hadley said “Nepal” when talking about the human rights abuses that have taken place in Tibet.”

The Best of All Games

John Rawls on baseball — via kottke

The 100 Worst Album Covers EVER

Much to admire…

Game theory explains dinner-party dates

So “Bidding Behavior in Asymmetric Auctions” explains quite a bit, it seems.

The Doodlebook

I suppose you already saw this. No? Well, then…

LUNCH

“A reminder to stop, chill, breathe in fresh air and most importantly – EAT. Architects by profession, we’re also ladies who lunch.”

Brilliant. Except that the gorgeous photos of their meals are not fair to someone sitting at a desk a few thousand miles and an ocean away.

Foreign Policy: The First Law of Petropolitics

“Iran’s president denies the Holocaust, Hugo Chávez tells Western leaders to go to hell, and Vladimir Putin is cracking the whip. Why? They know that the price of oil and the pace of freedom always move in opposite directions. It’s the First Law of Petropolitics, and it may be the axiom to explain our age.”

How Pioneering AIDS Doctor Ramon Torres Became Another Casualty of the Epidemic

“Dr. Ramon Torres was a hero on the front lines against the epidemic for over a decade. It was when the war began to be won that he got lost.”

A truly heartbreaking story; also, a piece of writing that easily lives up to those lofty standards that we once associated with American magazine writing.

The New York Books Canon

“The New York Canon: Books From Norman Mailer to Rem Koolhaas, 26 works of lapidary New Yorkitude.”

You will, no doubt, find a lot to have a different opinion about. But it is, nonetheless, a rather good start.

Cabinet Magazine

Almost forgot to mention: this is one interesting mag.

Google App Engine

One wonders how the balance between Ruby and Python will be affected by this? Google is, I understand, a relatively large and well-funded company.

Satellite Dylan

“That voice, softened by the erosion of age but still the sensate rasp that Joyce Carol Oates once compared to sandpaper singing.”

Textism

Dean Allen has returned. So has Fafblog!. Not all is lost.