Holiday Miracle
Cory's new commercial for Captain Morgan. Spilling the good stuff on national tv. I see a Bounty quilted-quicker-picker-upper spot in his future.
Viva La Dinosaur Y Picasso
NPR: A History of Museums. 140 million people visit major-league sporting events in the United States each year... but 850 million visit museums. (via Freakonomics)
Help Us Build It
Global Playground's new gift catalog. Make a classroom-specific donation on behalf of your friends and family.
The One Train Terminus
The new South Ferry subway station opens in January with a gorgeous art installation by Mike and Doug Starn. Equally exciting is the new exit strategy with full-length platforms.
Simple
NPR: Unlocking smell, decoding sound. MacArthur fellows talk about their passions. Bonus: musicians who inspire.
The Local Shoutout: Eric Kelley
Eric is busy. Crazy busy. This year he's covered events in Nicaragua, Seattle, over two dozen weddings, opened a new coffee shop in Charlottesville (to rave reviews), launched an online art shop (that supports nonprofits on Fridays), and, oh yeah, he's getting married in a couple weeks. Congrats bro!
From Vertical to Horizontal
Art of the Public Grovel. Susan talks about her new book: "People want you to grovel; they don't want to be able to picture in their minds what you did."
Look In The Most Unlikely Places
Short Film: Eureka. Wait for the moment of inspiration. It's worth it.
Any Other Bright Ideas?
Best eco bulbs. Just because you want to use energy saving bulbs doesn't mean you have to live with bad lighting. Bonus: Martha's 101 on CFLs and the article that started it all.
The Future Is Designed
Interaction Design. The new MFA from School of Visual Arts, "exploring the strategic role of interaction design in shaping everyday life." Check out that faculty list!
Hot Startups
Best small business to start in 2009: energy auditor, tutor, online art dealer, web writer, career counselor.
This Is Not A Game
Nexi and other creepy robots. Brought to you by MIT's Personal Robots Group. Reminds me of something...
Judge A Book By Its Cover. No Really. Do It!
Best book covers of 2008. This new edition of Harry Harrison's novel Make Room! Make Room! is fantastic.
Simon Rich
Best interview answer ever: What makes someone a New Yorker? "Living in a state of unspeakable fear, but wanting to live nowhere else."
