I did not think it would be this simple, but it's genius. After preparing the wire just so, the wire is formed into a spiral that is quickly spun through the previous row. Only afterward it is flattened a bit so each chain link stays in place. This wordless run-through is from the National Film Board of Canada. (via kottke)
Thursday, February 05, 2026
How Do They Knit a Chain-Link Fence?
Whale Hunting
Under normal circumstances, a job pays more when it's difficult, dangerous, or disgusting. Whale hunting is all three, so it wouldn't have ever been attempted if it weren't lucrative. But in addition, it was also risky because there was always the possibility of not catching a whale, which meant no money at all. Still, the occasional success made it worthwhile for those hunters who survived. It involved finding a whale, killing it (which could take days), and then processing it while trying to make it back home.
Eventually, our need for whale oil was reduced when other products were developed, which was a good thing since the whale population was declining rapidly. But whaling continued with modern technology and corporate financing, which took the profit incentive away from those doing the actual work. It's a dying industry, and no one will miss it, especially the whales. Kurzgesagt After Dark tells the story. There's a 50-second skippable ad at 5:06. (via Damn Interesting)
The Evolution of Movies
Take a trip down memory lane as we zip through the best movies in history, starting with The Great Train Robbery from 1902 and continuing to Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 from 2017. It's not just one movie per year, because some years were very good for film. We've come a long way, but aren't you glad we still have what came before? The movies in this video are listed here. (via Tastefully Offensive)
An Important Date
Maybe it's better not to look at the fine print. This comic is from Max Culang and Raynato Castro at Buttersafe.
Wednesday, February 04, 2026
Jordan Klepper Went to the Melania Movie So You Don’t Have To
Before you think "Poor Jordan!" keep in mind that the title of this is a bit misleading. We never actually see him going into the movie, nor does he tell us what he thought of it. Rather, he did his version of red carpet interviews with the Washington elites attending the premiere of Melania at the Kennedy Center. That's even better.
Cat With Rare Disease Finds Loving Home
Grub is not a normal cat. He has a genetic disorder that's quite rare in cats, so rare that medical specialists are studying him to learn about it. You might imagine that it's less rare than they know, because most cats with mucopolysaccharidosis don't survive long enough to be properly diagnosed. Grub is in the home of a very caring foster family that became his forever family. He can get around, but he can't run or jump and has various special needs, in addition to looking different from the average house cat. But he's a calm and affectionate kitten, and relates well to his caregivers. Grub is also very much loved by his humans, who want to make the most of the time he has. You can follow Grub's progress at Instagram.
How K-Pop Makes Two Languages Cool
K-Pop music arose in the 1990s, but you probably didn't know that because it was in Korea, and it was sung in the Korean language. Still, the music was inspired by the American pop scene, so occasionally, song producers would sprinkle in some English terms to make a song more "cool." A few more English terms, plus American soldiers rotating in and out of South Korea, and K-Pop started gaining a foothold in the US. And you couldn't miss the explosion of "Gangnam Style" in 2012. With a new audience, K-Pop songs incorporated more and more of the English language without losing their Korean audience.
So what's wrong with mixing languages in a song? Nothing at all! In fact, linguist Dr. Erica Brozovsky thinks it's wonderful, and tells us how K-Pop influences young people to learn a second language.
Miss Cellania's Links
5 Medical Operations From Around the World That Ran Into Huge Twists.
The Horror of the First Electric Chair Execution. (via Strange Company)
The only person to win an Olympic medal and a Nobel Peace Prize. Philip Noel-Baker was the very definition of an overachiever. (via Damn Interesting)
In 2017, I accused the Today show’s longest-serving anchor of sexual misconduct. I was no one’s perfect victim. Thoughtful discussion at Metafilter.
In 1971, Young Oprah Winfrey Won the Miss Fire Prevention Contest in Her Hometown of Nashville. (via Memo of the Air)
The Sphinx Observatory – Science at the Top of the World.
Melania documentary breaks Rotten Tomatoes record as most polarizing movie ever after 99% RT audience score. (via Fark)
The Smithsonian Guide to Celebrating America's 250th Anniversary.
Cat Communication
What do I want? Stupid hoomans, can't you figure it out? I'm standing here next to my food dish. I only come to this spot for food. But I'm not eating; I'm staring at you. Why? Because my food dish is empty! Can't you see? Do I need to point it out to you? Okay. Again. Again. Stupid hoomans! (via Michael Leavitt)
Big Bunch of Bananas
Morning.
— Frostbitten Flamingo (@flemtheparrot.bsky.social) February 1, 2026 at 2:59 AM
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Tuesday, February 03, 2026
I Still Haven't Found My Sweet Child
What if you took the lyrics to "I Still haven't Found What I'm Looking For" by U2 and sang it to the tune of "Sweet Child o' Mine" by Guns 'n' Roses? It's already been done. Two great tastes that taste great together, as Reese's would say.
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