bookofjoe

MorphWorld: Molly's tree picture into Jackson Pollock's "Number 8"

I happened on Molly's tree picture (above) on Brian R. Smith's posterous.

Pollock's 1949 "Number 8" (below)

may be viewed at the Neuberger Museum in Purchase, New York.

Batman Brake Light Cover

"One vinyl sheet with three sizes to choose from to match the size of your third brake light."

$6.99.

Wait a minute... what's that music I'm hearing?

[via ThisIsWhyImBroke]

The McGurk Effect — Seeing is NOT believing

Astounding is an understatement.

Carl Zimmer's superb Discover article offers more on the McGurk effect, including results of a number of studies performed since it was first characterized by British developmental psychologist Harry McGurk in 1976.

[via Richard Kashdan]

20 Foot Animatronic Triceratops

That's different.

It's like "Terra Nova" comes to you.

From the website:

.............................

Featured at museums nationwide as part of a traveling exhibit, this motion-sensing 20-foot-long animatronic triceratops responds to onlookers with lifelike reactions and fortissimo bellowing.

Motion-activated cameras in each eye work with customized interactive software that enables the Cretaceous creature to recognize multiple subjects' facial features.

Once identified, subjects' tracked movements trigger a set of responses: it sways its tri-horned head right, left, up, and down, stomps and scuffs its right forelimb, and opens its jaws while growling — all powered by digitally-controlled servos and silent pneumatic air-activated cams.

Its exterior is crafted by professional sculptors from polyurethane foam and textured silicone over a steel and aluminum frame, replicating the beast's massive horned frill, powerful hindquarters, and tapered tail with convincing realism.

The rumbles that issue from a hidden 1,000-watt speaker are based on paleontological approximations of what sounds the original 67-million-year-old saurian might have made.

20 feet long x 4.6 feet wide x 8.5 feet high.

1,345 lbs.

.............................

See it in action here.

$350,000.

[via Cary Sternick, grand panjandrum/majordomo of HenryAltemus.com, the world's best resource for all things Altemus]

Where chefs eat

Wrote Charlotte Druckman in the Wall Street Journal,

"Restaurant industry siblings Steve and Jared Rivera have teamed up with 7X7 food writer and editor Sara Deseran to get the dish on where chefs actually go to eat. The trio shares its findings in a new series of city guides that can be downloaded on an iPhone or iPad."

"The ChefsFeed app takes you, for instance, to Stephanie Izard's favorite spots, such as the Publican and Lillie's Q in Chicago. (Ms. Izard is a former 'Top Chef' victor and owner of the city's reputed Girl & the Goat.) Papi Chulo (legal name: Roy Choi), the force behind L.A.'s legendary Kogi food trucks, will inform you as to where to find the finest soup dumplings and spicy meat pizzas."

"This month, the team adds four more destinations — Seattle; Washington, D.C.; Boston and Philadelphia — so you can start planning for your next culinary itinerary."

Free, the way we like it.

Pie Timer

It also works for cakes (in case you were wondering).

"Twist the top half to dial in the required number of minutes and the countdown begins."'

Easy to monitor even from across the kitchen.

Bonus: no batteries required.

3.25"Ø; plastic.

$13.99.

Hand Catching Lead — Richard Serra

The acclaimed sculptor was 29 years old when he made this film in 1968.

Zebra Stiletto Wine Bottle Holder

Said by Wine Enthusiast sales manager Marshall Tilden III to be a very popular item.

Resin; 6-inch heel.

$29.95.

Wait a minute... what's that music I'm hearing?