Beetle & Byte

Art and Design

Claude Shannon

I’m embarrassed to confess that after more than twelve years in the technology industry and with a Masters degree for Science in Information, I have only just learned of Claude Shannon.

In a blockbuster paper in 1948, Claude Shannon introduced the notion of a “bit” and laid the foundation for the information age. His ideas ripple through nearly every aspect of modern life, influencing such diverse fields as communication, computing, cryptography, neuroscience, artificial intelligence, cosmology, linguistics, and genetics.

I hope to have a chance to catch this documentary if it ever makes its way to the Pacific Northwest or to streaming video. In the meantime, we can all learn more about Shannon the The Bit Player website.

via Kottke

A Week of Links

DRIPEESHA.

Edible whiskey capsules. I’m at a loss for words.

A Porg™ Pie Bird.

Banksy’s new “homewares store.”

Dozens of videos chronicling the lives of chipmunks in the wilderness of Canada. I dare you not to get sucked in.

Stunning hanging planters.

A stationery store straight out of a fairytale.

If the Joker laughed like Pee Wee Herman.

I may need to join the ladies at Cup of Jo in lathering my skin with this nourishing cream for dry weather.

A Week of Links

Last month, through extreme sacrifice and personal loss, Caitlin Boston paid off more than $200K in student loans all by her “freaking self”. She attributes a large part of her success to asking her male colleagues what they were making.

“Ask your other peers what they make — especially your male ones. It might make you feel uncomfortable but it’s the sole reason I started making an additional 41% a year.”

Caitlin Boston

Hauntingly beautiful video from Alicia Keys ft. Miguel.

I love the Secret Garden and I can’t wait to see the new remake.

I legit cried over these endangered and extinct snails.

In college, I used to use a manual version of this for Polaroid emulsion transfers.

A stark reminder of nine things women couldn’t do in 1971.

Hard to believe this train is real and in operation. First I saw it, I thought it was concept art for the Hunger Games movie trilogy.

So wrong and yet, so right.

Poodle fitness.

You gotta show up.

So much googly-eyed envy for St. Frank founder’s beautiful home.

Mind blown. There’s a real life cuckoo (clock) bird; sound included.

A Prescription for Good Design

On the heels of the last post about Margaret Heffernan and her argument that computer automation is not a rightful substitute for human expertise—especially in highly unpredictable and complex spaces—comes a related episode of the Wireframe podcast.

In this episode, host Khoi Vinh met with doctors about the design of electronic health records (EHR) and the accompanying software and hardware. In a nutshell, these broken systems work against the doctor-patient relationship instead of for it. They are driven more by healthcare billing practices than by patient needs and often command the attention of doctors at the expense of engaging meaningfully with patients. It’s a quick and worthwhile listen for anyone interested in the topic of design in healthcare.

A Week of Links

Missy Elliott slayed with a performance medley of her greatest hits at the VMAs.

This squirrel knows good music.

Two Swiss sisters pay homage to Homer and Lisa‘s trip to New Orleans. I’m impressed with just how many culinary scenes they recreated.

Recently dawned on me that there’s a better way to dole out honey.

Can’t wait to play Mario Kart on my phone.

Currently trying to figure out where to put this DIY living wall in my home.

Leadership is as much about the environment that one shapes as it is about the impact that follows.

A breathtaking reminder why we should all be booking our trips to Iceland.

Moving and funny TED talk by Paula Stone Williams about what she’s learned since transitioning to a woman.

Whimsical paper masterpieces.

Recent addict of Lucas’ Papaw Ointment.

Library Savings

Image of Wichita Public Library receipt showing savings.

The Wichita Public Library has a simple and clever type of positive reinforcement. When you checkout a book from the library, the receipt shows you how much you saved by using the library instead of buying the book. They also show your lifetime savings.

At the beginning of this year, I pledged to not buy anymore books and instead either read the ones I’d accumulated or else checkout others from the library. It was a bit of a bumpy start to change habits and adapt to loan periods and hold times for books, but now I’ve hit my groove. I do everything electronically. I use Libby to connect to my local library‘s catalog and once a book is available, I send it to my Kindle. I’ve read much more this year than in the several years preceding. It’s a super convenient and rewarding system, though a tally of my lifetime savings would be fun too!

via Open Culture | Image by The Wichita Eagle

Sagrada Familia

Photo by Angela Compagnone on Unsplash

One hundred thirty seven years after construction began, Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain, received its first building permit. Construction began in 1882 and completion is targeted for 2026, the centennial anniversary of the death of the architect, Antoni Gaudí.

While, I’ve long felt the fatigue of visiting European churches, I did use good judgment last year to check out the Sagrada Familia. It was bizarre and surreal and absolutely stunning. There were two things I loved in particular.

First, the design – everything from the architecture to the stain glass to the 23 foot tall, bronze doors – were contributions not only from Gaudi but many generations of designers since his death.

Second – the light. The way the light pours through the stain glass and hits the curves, lines, and shapes of the building’s interior is true magic.

Photo by Angela Compagnone on Unsplash

Paper Fauna

Artist, Tina Kraus (@faltmanufaktur), makes stunning insects and plants from intricately folding delicate crepe paper. She then embellishes them with colorful paints and pastels.

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A Week of Links

She may not be on the twenty dollar bill anytime soon, but at least more will learn Harriet Tubman’s story in film.

Intrigued by the 72-room home and study of photographer, Jay Maisel.

Cannot imagine any other ending to When Harry Met Sally.

Habits of lucky people.

Fascinating look at how hand-turned bowls are made.

I am now the proud and giddy owner of both the cat and dog matchbox sets.

How the work day of Americans has changed over the last 15 years.

A precisely quirky and delightful home.

A Japanese train filled with limbs of the Thousand-Armed Kannon.

Pinterest has introduced well-being features for users who seem stressed.

Difficult Day

There is no end to the delight I feel from the Strange Planet Instagram account. The illustrations often capture the all too real and equally strange experience of living in this world.