The robot with the face only a roboticist could love

Telenoid is a genderless, limbless android that was birthed into the world by Japanese roboticist Hiroshi Ishiguro a couple of years ago. He (or she) looks uncannily like a talking, moving Caspar the friendly ghost, but with a far more unnervingly human face. His truncated limbs wiggle and gesture as he sits on his custom-madeContinue reading “The robot with the face only a roboticist could love”

Impossibly Beautiful Sea Life of Sydney Harbour – Part 1

In case you’ve been living under a rock in the harbour, you will know that Sydney offers some amazing snorkelling and scuba diving opportunities. It’s a really clean body of water. The proof is in the snorkelling too. A recent study revealed that Sydney harbour has more marine species than any other harbour in theContinue reading “Impossibly Beautiful Sea Life of Sydney Harbour – Part 1”

Leviathan or Lilliputian?

Great photography plays around with our perceptions of big and small. Here are two examples where it’s difficult to tell at first whether or not we’re looking at leviathan or lilliputian objects. Sam O’Hare’s New York City This is actually real and big rendering of NYC teeming with life. The illusion of smallness comes fromContinue reading “Leviathan or Lilliputian?”

The Electrifying Visionary Power of Nikola Tesla

During an exciting period of invention at the end of the 19th century, Nikola Tesla stumbled upon cosmic radio signals for the first time. He thought they were signs of intelligent life from Venus or Mars. He later said of the experience, “The feeling is constantly growing on me that I had been the firstContinue reading “The Electrifying Visionary Power of Nikola Tesla”

Australia and New Zealand’s Coolest Gardens

Here in the southern hemisphere, we have a spectacular variety of ecological conditions, mammals and birds. From tropical and sweaty to arid and tinder dry. From swampy and sea level to sky-skimming and alpine. Aussie and Kiwi gardens are just blooming wonderful at any time of year. Here’s some award-winning and well-loved private gardens inContinue reading “Australia and New Zealand’s Coolest Gardens”

Historic Jukebox: Jamie XX & Edgar Allan Poe

Be transported into a different reality. With these floating, untethered words and music that I’ve curated or stumbled upon accidentally. In any case they are evocative and inspire deep escapism and magical voyages into the history of the world. Enjoy! There will be more Historic Jukebox to come! Instructions 1. Play Video. 2. Read Text.Continue reading “Historic Jukebox: Jamie XX & Edgar Allan Poe”

Stunningly Beautiful Meteorite Section Looks Like An Email From Space

This striking and odd meteorite section looks like an email from space or a painting sent to earth by an alien race. For those who are curious (all of you!) these mystical, geometric markings are formed by post-atmospheric cooling. Although these striations and patterns are made by nature, they are reminiscent of a flyer forContinue reading “Stunningly Beautiful Meteorite Section Looks Like An Email From Space”

Five Creepy Islands in Sydney Harbour

Sydney has some nefarious and idiosyncratic history. Nowadays it’s presented with a shiny, modern patina of progress. Although little more than a century ago the story was less chirpy and cheerful and more like a bad episode of Survivor. 1. Cockatoo Island This island has a somewhat grim intriguing history, matched by its demeanor –Continue reading “Five Creepy Islands in Sydney Harbour”

New Zealand: An Ode To Young Volcanic Countries

Do you think that volcanic places make the most beautiful and dramatic destinations? I believe they do. Volcanic places are the crossroads of the earth’s crust! Where the techtonic plates of the earth combine and form mountains, volcanic activity, thermal lakes and more. Think of Iceland and New Zealand, two of the most remote andContinue reading “New Zealand: An Ode To Young Volcanic Countries”