Good Reads and Information

Fifty years ago today, the first human being was launched into space. A new movie named First Orbit will premiere today on YouTube to honor the occasion. (via Metafilter)

9 Wedding Foods Around the World. (via the Presurfer)

Great reddit thread, no matter what sex you are: I am a Urologist. Ask Me Anything. Of course, that first story may give men nightmares.

5 Soviet Space Programs That Prove Russia Was Insane.

An American student was arrested on terrorism charges for innocuous actions and spent three years in pretrial solitary confinement before taking a plea bargain of 15 years -still in solitary. Civil rights went out the door after 9/11. (via Metafilter)

Disordered environments promote stereotypes and discrimination. Maybe we should straighten up and try to get along.

Looking Back at the Earth. A collection of quotes from history, poetry, and those who got a good look at our planet from outer space.

14 Interesting Facts About Tristan da Cunha, the World’s Most Remote Island. The island has 200,000 penguins, 275 people, and one TV channel signal.

A Flapper’s Dictionary. It’s no wonder your grandma can’t keep up with internet slang; she already learned a different version of hep talk. (via Boing Boing)

The massive amounts of carbon dioxide we produce are finding their way into the oceans. The acidification of the seas is already changing the balance of nature underwater.

So Ikea is outsourcing its manufacturing to a country where unions are weaker and wages are lower, because the standard of living is lower. On the bright side, the USA really needs the jobs. (via Metafilter)