Modern China : A New Life Awaits You In The Off-World Colonies

http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2012/03/a-look-inside-china/100269/

Just last night, David and I were talking about parts of the modern world that are already the Blade Runner Future (a slight left turn from the Grim Meathook Future). Here is a commercial device that could still be used as a prop in a P. K. Dick film adaptation.

Further down in the linked set, several pictures that are William Gibson Very Near Future, maybe most of all #33 and #35. Plus the giant dog that looks like a throw rug.

Nat Geo photography contest, 2011

I skip a lot of the Atlantic "In Focus"es based on the title, or the first photo. But I keep it in the reader for days like this.

(also for things like the 20-part WWII series that just concluded)

A sincere and instructive letter

A letter from Mister Rogers.

Normally something so hyper-sincere would read false (maudlin? is that the word I want?), but I found this touching.

New words from 1927

I find the period of history from 1895 to 1920 fascinating (Churchill's memoir of the Great War being the most mind-altering distillation, IMHO).

So, new words as of 1927. A crystallization of major societal changes.

Roseanne

Holy hell. I strongly suggest you read the whole thing.

By the way, the perfect use case for Instapaper; or at least the Readability bookmarklet or extension).

Genki Sudo

New favorite video.

Science, and hilarity

Via the delightful Marginal Revolution, more charts from OK Cupid.

(previously)