(via Bad Newspaper)
Saturday, January 04, 2025
Labyrinth
Labyrinth is a 1986 movie written by Terry Jones and directed by Jim Henson, starring David Bowie, Jennifer Connolly, and a bunch of Muppet goblins. It's a children's fantasy in which a young girl wants to get rid of her baby brother, until her wish comes true. She must find her way through a labyrinth in order to retrieve the toddler. I'd never seen the movie until I screened this video, and the impression I get is the plot is very much like The Wizard of Oz, with a young girl traveling on a quest while gathering a group of weird new friends. And then there's Bowie as the strangely needy goblin king who has a creepy obsession with our juvenile protagonist. The movie didn't do all that well in the US, but was a hit in many other countries.
Is It Ethical to Have Children in the 21st Century?
When I was young, I wondered whether it was ethical to bring children into this world when we were sure the Soviets would begin a nuclear war at any time, and if they survived, my children could be doomed to grow up and be drafted into the never-ending war. Both those dangers abated somewhat as time went by, and I really wanted children. I never managed to "bring children into the world," but I got some of my own anyway.
The world today is scary, too, and people are constantly discussing the pros and cons of bearing children. None of those pros and cons matter as much as whether you feel the drive to raise up a family or the real desire to not have any children. All children should be wanted and loved by their parents. But as far as outside factors go, the things that are scary today might not be twenty years from now, and it might be you or your children who cause things to get better. Or worse, for that matter. Christine Emba looks at both sides of the equation. (via Big Think)
How Walking Affects Your Body
Even if you consider yourself the picture of health, your doctor will inevitably tell you that you should get more exercise. However, the thought of joining a gym, buying exercise equipment, or counting 10,000 steps a day seems like a lot of work, and such lofty goals are liable to set you up for failure. Instead, your goal should be to incorporate walking into your daily routine until it becomes a part of your normal lifestyle. Any increase in walking will benefit your body over time. One short stroll around the neighborhood will make you feel good, and may lead to two strolls around the neighborhood.
Walking around the neighborhood has benefits beyond health, too. It gives you the chance to speak to your neighbors, meet all the dogs and cats, and admire (or judge) the houses in your area. Walking alone gives you a chance to think, and walking with a companion is a great opportunity for conversation.
Surfing Under the Northern Lights
Photographer and filmmaker Chris Burkard records surfers and other extreme adventurers. Surfing in Iceland is definitely an extreme adventure. In this video from The Big Story, Burkard talks about what he does and about how a severe storm in Iceland led to an amazing opportunity to photograph a surfer under the Aurora Borealis. Burkhard's Iceland trip is the subject of the documentary Under an Arctic Sky. (via Laughing Squid)
Team Celebration
Best team chemistry everGood play, but the fun comes afterward.
byu/JerryJr99 infunny
Friday, January 03, 2025
The Jackson Five at the Save the Children Concert
This was in 1972, and Michael would have been around 13 (he was a month older than me). They did more than half a dozen songs at the 5-day festival, but this clip only has "I Want You Back" and "ABC." Dig those fancy duds!
Haalarit
In Finland, college students often wear haalarit, or overalls (what we would call coveralls) to university events, parties, and ceremonies. The appearance of the haalarit will tell you a lot. The color indicates what discipline they are studying, which varies by school. The patches worn are from experiences and accomplishments. And sometimes you can tell if a student is "taken" if they have a mismatched part, as they sometimes swap with their significant other. The haalarit are a source of pride for students, and a way to boost school spirit. It also makes it easier to see who has the same interests as you do.
The custom of the haalarit began in the 1950s or '60s when other students began copying the painting overalls worn by Civil Engineering students in Sweden. Further digging reveals that these overalls should never be washed. Well, college doesn't last forever. (via kottke)
Love Me
Love Me has an intriguing concept. In the world after human extinction, a buoy falls in love with a satellite. To be together, they review historical accounts of humanity and create avatars of themselves, played by Steven Yeun and Kristen Stewart.
The idea may remind you somewhat of the plot of Wall-E, where we are compelled to root for the success of robot romance. Love Me was screened at Sundance a year ago and has middling reviews, so the execution may not quite live up to the idea. Releasing a movie in January doesn't inspire that much confidence, but I certainly enjoyed the trailer. Love Me opens in theaters on January 31. (via Gizmodo)
Miss Cellania's Links
10 Horror Movies That Prove January Is a Box Office Dumping Ground. That doesn't bode well for Wolf Man, opening January 17. (via Metafilter)
You can make snow globe cupcakes that are completely edible. Well, maybe not you, but it can be done.
Grandpa's first pedicure. Sound on! (Thanks, Stephanie!)
A devastating nerve disease stalks a mountain village. Neurologists have grappled with a cluster of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis cases in France, where a fondness for a toxic wild mushroom may hold the answer.
2025 - Truly a mathematical wonder.
Have scientists cracked the best way to drink champagne? (via Damn Interesting)
5 Doomed Quests to Control the Earth. Humans make plans, and the Mother Nature just laughs.
Trench Crusade Isn’t Woke, It’s A Grimdark World War 1 Warhammer Alternative. More links at Metafilter.
Introducing the Internet
The kids' guide to the internet, circa 1997Check out those pixelated websites! (via Everlasting Blort)
byu/Mad_Season_1994 inOldSchoolCool
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