bookofjoe

Experts' Expert: How to find a ride in a strange city

Soraya Darabi, former manager of digital partnerships and social media at the New York Times,

is now an adviser for the travel application Trippy and always on the move.

She spoke with Rachel Lee Harris of the New York Times

for an April 22 Times Travel section story

about how to smooth out the bumps when on the road.

Asked Harris, "What's a good tool for someone who's lost in a strange city?"

Darabi replied, "I use Uber (uber.com) if I'm on the ground and I can't get a cab. It allows you to put in your location and will send a car to come get you."

Uber is free, the way we like it (you still have to pay for your ride).

Taxi Hailer

Way cool.

Apply within.

[via CSYCB]

Experts' Expert: Stephen Cave names the five best works about immortality

The British philosopher's new book, "Immortality: The Quest to Live Forever and How It Drives Civilization," was published last month.

In an interview with The Browser, he related his choices for the best titles on the subject and why he selected each.

Cave's picks:

1. "The Epic of Gilgamesh" — anonymous

2. "Life After Death: A History of the Afterlife in Western Religion" — Alan F. Segal

3. "Escape From Evil" — Ernest Becker

4. "The Mortal Coil: A Short History of Living Longer" — David Boyd Haycock

5. "The Immortal" (short story) — Jorge Luis Borges

 

Helium-filled Sky Ball — "Bounces over 75 feet"

Pack of two: $19.99. 

[via MeWanty!]

How to make any elevator an express to your floor

Can't wait to try this.

[via Kay (Leah) and theCHIVE]

"I'm not there" Lamp

Electromagnets hold the top in place.

€980

[via CSYCB]

5 historical misconceptions

"C.G.P. Grey takes us all back to school."

From the Doobybrain post: "I can honestly say that I thought all of these misconceptions were true."

Rollup Travel Charger — One outlet to charge them all

$49.

[via CSYCB]