How cartography made early modern global trade possible. Source: First You Make the Maps | Lapham’s Quarterly A lovely little history of middle early maps and mapmaking

WASHINGTON — The strange objects, one of them like a spinning top moving against the wind, appeared almost daily from the summer of 2014 to March 2015, high in the skies over the East Coast. Navy pilots reported to their superiors that the objects had no visible engine or infrared exhaust plumes, but that they Read more about ‘Wow, What Is That?’ Navy Pilots Report Unexplained Flying Objects – probably not little green men though[…]

Billions of years ago when the world was still young, treasure began forming deep underground. As the edges of Earth’s tectonic plates plunged down into the upper mantle, bits of carbon, some likely hailing from long-dead life forms were melted and compressed into rigid lattices. Over millions of years, those lattices grew into the most Read more about Beyond the Hype of Lab-Grown Diamonds[…]

Five thousand years after people in the British Isles began building Stonehenge, scientists now know precisely where some of the massive rocks came from and how they were unearthed. A team of 12 geologists and archaeologists from across the United Kingdom unveiled research this month that traces some of the prehistoric monument’s smaller stones to Read more about Stonehenge: Geologists have found exactly where some rocks came from[…]

Five minutes away from the town of Tiquina, on the shores of Lake Titicaca, archaeologists found the remains of an ancient civilization under the waters of the lake. The find was made 10 years ago, by Christophe Delaere, an archaeologist from the Free University of Belgium, by following information provided by the locals. 24 submerged Read more about Ancient Hidden City Discovered Under Lake Titicaca[…]

A spokesman for President Tommy Remengesau said there was scientific evidence that the chemicals found in most sunscreens are toxic to corals, even in minute doses. He said Palau’s dive sites typically hosted about four boats an hour packed with tourists, leading to concerns a build-up of chemicals could see the reefs reach tipping point. Read more about Palau plans sunscreen ban to save coral[…]

Microplastics were found in sea salt several years ago. But how extensively plastic bits are spread throughout the most commonly used seasoning remained unclear. Now, new research shows microplastics in 90 percent of the table salt brands sampled worldwide. Of 39 salt brands tested, 36 had microplastics in them, according to a new analysis by Read more about Microplastics found in 90 percent of table salt[…]

The European commission will recommend that EU member states abandon the practice of changing the clocks in spring and autumn, with many people in favour of staying on summer time throughout the year. Jean-Claude Juncker, the commission’s president, said a recent consultation had shown that more than 80% of EU citizens were in favour of Read more about EU to recommend end to changing clocks twice a year[…]

Mumbai has the become the largest Indian city to ban single-use plastics, with residents caught using plastic bags, cups or bottles to face penalties of up to 25,000 rupees (£276) and three months in jail from Monday. Council inspectors in navy blue jackets have been posted across the city to catch businesses or residents still Read more about Mumbai bans plastic bags and bottles[…]

Some of Africa’s oldest and biggest baobab trees have abruptly died, wholly or in part, in the past decade, according to researchers. The trees, aged between 1,100 and 2,500 years and in some cases as wide as a bus is long, may have fallen victim to climate change, the team speculated. “We report that nine Read more about Giant African baobab trees die suddenly after thousands of years[…]

Perfect fried rice Photo: Kevin Pang 2 slices of bacon, diced 2-3 scallions, sliced thinly on a sharp bias 3-4 cups leftover medium or long-grain rice, such as jasmine (no freshly steamed rice) 3 eggs, well beaten Salt 2 tsp. light soy sauce Toasted sesame oil Photo: Kevin Pang Heat a 12-inch non-stick skillet or Read more about How to make perfect fried rice (and I mean perfect)[…]

Preparing for a visit to a foreign country can often be overwhelming, with no shortage of things to learn before you go. Where should you eat? Where should you stay? What do you tip? More so than this service information, though, is a sense of cultural understanding that’s hard to put your finger on. With Read more about 22 Ambassadors Recommend the One Book to Read Before Visiting Their Country[…]

Argentine newspaper Clarín reports that the driver said he didn’t know the area because he had never traveled there before and that he left the road because of a mechanical problem. The newspaper speculated that the driver actually drove off the Pan-American Highway to avoid paying a toll. Flores Vigo left tire tracks in a Read more about Stupid Truck Driver Drove Right Over the Nazca Lines[…]

On Aug. 21, a total solar eclipse will traverse the contiguous United States. It’ll be the first to traverse coast to coast in nearly a century. Source: Total solar eclipse 2017: How rare is the Aug. 21 eclipse path? – Washington Post

Finally, a Tool for Making Totally Clear Ice Spheres  http://www.seriouseats.com/2014/07/ice-balls-for-cocktails-best-home-tool-wintersmiths-does-clear-ice-melt-slower.html

No seeds were lost but the ability of the rock vault to provide failsafe protection against all disasters is now threatened by climate change Source: Arctic stronghold of world’s seeds flooded after permafrost melts because global warming isn’t happening. NOT.

A small yellow robot submarine, called Boaty McBoatface after a competition to name a new polar research ship backfired, is being sent on its first Antarctic mission. Boaty, which has arguably one of the most famous names in recent maritime history, is a new type of autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), which will be able to Read more about Boaty McBoatface to go on its first Antarctic mission[…]

309 Easy Solutions #1 So, you’re in love with one of your friends, but she has a boyfriend and probably wouldn’t have sex with you anyway. What you will need: 1 x knife, 1 x ring, access to a sunbed, the ability to grow a beard. Step One: Place the ring on your wedding finger Read more about Easy Solutions: So, you’re in love with one of your friends, but she has a boyfriend and probably wouldn’t have sex with you anyway.[…]

#104383 +(15587)- [X] bloodninja: Baby, I been havin a tough night so treat me nice aight? BritneySpears14: Aight. bloodninja: Slip out of those pants baby, yeah. BritneySpears14: I slip out of my pants, just for you, bloodninja. bloodninja: Oh yeah, aight. Aight, I put on my robe and wizard hat. BritneySpears14: Oh, I like to Read more about I put on my robe and wizard hat[…]

The Beer Judge Certification Program lists 100 styles with defined ranges of alcohol by volume (ABV), bitterness (measured in IBUs, or International Bittering Units), and color (measured using SRM, or Standard Reference Method).Below is a series of charts for all 100 styles. Mouseover any style for more details and commercial examples. Rectangles to the top Read more about Charting All the Beer Styles[…]

/ With links to mapping tools in the description

This bag of gummy penises is a great way to tell your friends, family, loved ones, or enemies to ‘EAT A BAG OF DICKS’. Sent anonymously with a stock message, this product will get your point across in a way that nobody will mistake. A tasty gift? or just a funny reminder that someone should Read more about Dicks By Mail – Anonymously mail a bag of dicks[…]

The world’s annual consumption of wine is almost 250 million hectolitres (one hectolitre = 100 litres). That corresponds to the volume of 10,000 Olympic-size swimming pools. The United States accounts for 30 million hectolitres and has, in recent years, become the world’s largest market for wine – a position it took over from France in Read more about Wine Worlds[…]

hahahahahahahaha HAHAHAHAHAHAHA Really? People still trust Wikipedia?! Source: Microsoft’s maps lost Melbourne because it used bad Wikipedia data