Month: January 2017

When Charles Foster Kane died in Orson Welles’s 1941 film Citizen Kane, complete with a snow globe tumbling out of his hand and shattering on the floor, he uttered what is arguably the most famous line in the history of cinema: “Rosebud.”

Kane, of course, was infamously based on newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst—though Welles denied the connection, saying, “It is not based upon the life of Mr. Hearst or anyone else. On the other hand, had Mr. Hearst and similar financial barons not lived during the period we discuss, Citizen Kane could not have been made.”

Nice lip service—but Hearst didn’t buy it for a second, and Welles didn’t do much to dispel the rumor when he came face-to-face with Hearst himself. On Citizen Kane’s opening night, Welles was in an elevator in San Francisco when, by incredible happenstance, William Randolph Hearst walked in. Welles invited him to the premiere, but Hearst refused to acknowledge the invitation. When Hearst exited the elevator, Welles said, “Charles Foster Kane would have accepted.”

He may not have felt particularly chatty that day, but Hearst certainly let his feelings be known. He had his journalists, his critics, his gossip columnists, and probably even his typesetters spread vitriol about Welles’s character and personal life, calling him out for communism and questioning his patriotism. Hearst managed to get the movie blocked from most theaters by getting bigger studios to book them. And, of course, none of Hearst’s vast media holdings would advertise or even mention the movie. When it was unavoidable, they referred to it only as a “new screen attraction.”

But now, 75 years after the release of the movie, it seems Orson Welles has had the last laugh. Though it may have bombed at the box office, today, Citizen Kane is widely regarded as the best movie of all time. However, Hearst’s reputation hasn’t aged so well—fair or not, he’s mostly known today as “the mythical bogeyman of American journalism.”

After being in poor health for a few years, Hearst died of a heart attack on August 14, 1951, and was buried in the Hearst family mausoleum at Cypress Lawn in Colma, California. Were his last words as famous as Charles Foster Kane’s utterance of “Rosebud”? It doesn’t seem so—there’s no record of them.

Peruse all the entries in our Grave Sightings series here.

The Tragic Romance of China’s Romeo and Juliet. The heartbreakingly romantic story The Weaver Girl and the Cowherd still inspires lovers.
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Cold War Secret: Project Horizon. The 1959 proposal to put a nuclear military base on the moon.
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An Alternate History of DNA. If any one scientist hadn’t make a breakthrough, everything after would have been different.
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Finland just launched an experiment giving 2,000 people free money until 2019. The basic income program will show how $590 a month can help the unemployed get back to work.
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Watch South Korea’s giant Titanfall robot come to life. It’s Optimus Prime with a man in his chest.
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The History of Islam’s Golden Age, part one, part two, and part three. For a time, they were the leaders in science, technology, and medicine.
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The pirated Chinese translation of Revenge of the Sith now has spoken dialogue to match the English subtitles. Enjoy the video version of classic Backstroke of the West. Contains NSFW language.   
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How 12 Famous Rappers Picked Their Names. One came from an internet name generator!

To catch you up on the biggest space discoveries, observations, and milestones from 2016, NASA has compiled a “Best Of” mixtape of all the biggest achievements from the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.

This mixtape looks at some of the year’s most notable stories, both here on Earth and out in space, such as the OSIRIS-REx launch and the discovery that the observable universe contains 10 times more galaxies than we had initially thought. If you crave even more knowledge than NASA’s mixtape offers, the agency also has an expansive look back at 2016 on its website, going much more in-depth on subjects like possible water plumes on Europa and the dramatic shifts in Earth’s weather.

With all of the articles, videos, and eye-popping images to check out, NASA’s year in review should be more than enough to catch you up on 2016. It also sets the groundwork for more discoveries to come in 2017.

[h/t: Gizmodo]

No one is immune to Facebook’s strict censorship guidelines—not even a god. Writer Elisa Barbari found that out recently when the social media giant took down an image she posted of a statue of Neptune, the Roman god of the sea, according to The Telegraph.

The statue, which has been in place since the 1560s, stands high above the Fountain of Neptune (or Fontana di Nettuno), located in the Piazza del Nettuno in Bologna, Italy. Barbari posted an image of the statue on her Facebook page, which is dedicated to “Stories, curiosities and views of Bologna.” Apparently, though, the nude god crosses the boundaries of good taste for the social media site, so they removed the image, explaining to Barbari:

“The use of the image was not approved because it violates Facebook’s guidelines on advertising.

It presents an image with content that is explicitly sexual and which shows to an excessive degree the body, concentrating unnecessarily on body parts.

The use of images or video of nude bodies or plunging necklines is not allowed, even if the use is for artistic or educational reasons.”

Barbari has now turned her Facebook page into a protest of sorts, with more modest images of Neptune reading “Si Nettuno, no censura” or “Yes to Neptune, no to censorship.” In a comment on that same image, Barbari finished her plea by saying, “How can a work of art, our Neptune, be the subject of censorship?”

This is far from the first time Facebook has censored a seemingly innocuous piece of art. Just a year ago, the site removed a post by a Danish politician because the image featured a nude statue of the Little Mermaid, an iconic part of the Langelinie promenade in Copenhagen.

[h/t: The Telegraph]

Your home should be a place of comfort and ease. Yet between space constraints and the absurd pace of modern life, our living spaces can get a little chaotic. Here are 11 ways to make the most of what you’ve got.

1. GO DARK.

Studies have shown that both natural and artificial light can interfere with our ability to fall and stay asleep. Most curtains filter the glare but don’t prevent it. Invest in a set of light-blocking curtains and get ready for some seriously satisfying snoozing.

2. STOP VACUUMING.

You have better things to do than pushing around a noisy, heavy beast. Today’s robotic vacuums are easy to program, fun to watch, and are serious time-savers.

3. GET VERTICAL.

You’ve got so much more room than you realize; all you have to do is change your orientation. Clear space on your kitchen counter by installing magnetic strips on the wall for your knives. And hanging organizers, the kind you generally store in your closet, can sort more than just shoes—think dry goods, kids’ toys, or tools.

4. MAXIMIZE YOUR WI-FI.

The placement of your router has a huge effect on the strength and success of your wireless internet. Routers are sensitive to all kinds of surfaces, including glass and brick, so the best spot is often in an open area at the center of the house, as high off the ground as possible.

5. MIRRORS, MIRRORS.

Not only will mirrors create the illusion of a larger space, but they also scatter light, instantly (and cheaply) ramping up the brightness in a room.

6. THINK BOTANICAL.

Houseplants make incredible roommates. They clean and oxygenate the air, act as humidifiers, decrease stress levels, require little attention, and make fantastic accent pieces. Not sure where to start? Try an easy-care variety like a spider plant.

7. STOP LOSING YOUR KEYS.

You know that three-minute period before you leave the house, when you walk around muttering, “where did I put my keys”? Nip that in the bud by designating a hook, bowl, or basket for keys, headphones, transit passes, and other last-minute, out-the-door grabs. You could also attach a smart tag to your keys, which will allow you to hunt them down using your smartphone—provided you haven’t lost that as well.

8. MOOCH OFF THE SUN.

Sunlight is powerful energy and it doesn’t cost you a thing. Find the sunniest spot in your house and set up a few solar USB chargers, then feel smug as you power up all your devices for free.

9. EXPECT MORE FROM YOUR FURNITURE.

Double-duty pieces are where it’s at, especially in cramped conditions. Look for expandable tables, ottomans that moonlight as storage bins, and armchairs that fold out for overnight guests.

10. GET SMART (BULBS).

Smart lighting setups save both energy and hassle. You can program your lights to work on timers, change color temperature to soothe yourself to sleep, or even shut off the bathroom light once you’ve gotten into bed. And who doesn’t want that?

11. TREAT YOURSELF TO A WARM WELCOME.

Sometimes all it takes is a little homey touch to soothe the stress away. What’s the first thing you see when you walk in the door? If it’s a wall, try hanging your favorite poster or work of art. A hallway? Add a comfy rug, a strand of soft lights, or a brightly colored garland. Make your house someplace you want to come home to.

Smart spaces are all about efficiency. Maximize your time with a robotic vacuum from Neato Robotics. Neato’s family of Wi-Fi enabled, smartphone-connected robot vacuums let you clean your home—even when you’re busy doing something else. Visit Neato Robotics to learn more.

Looking for a change of pace when knocking back drinks? Here are some interesting options to mix up your liquor cabinet.

1. PHOENIX TEARS SPICED RUM

Like a noble phoenix rises from the ashes to live again, you too can rise from a hangover and imbibe. This 80-proof rum from Firebox is the perfect addition to any fiery cocktail. This Caribbean rum has a sweet and spicy flavor with a shimmery appearance. Unfortunately, just like Hogwarts, only citizens of the UK can partake.

2. UNICORN TEARS GIN LIQUEUR

This 80-proof gin liqueur claims to be made with real unicorn tears that were harvested right from the animals’ eyes (but not really; sorry fairytale villains). Each bottle is almost 17 ounces and contains a shimmery concoction that tastes like oranges, juniper berries, coriander, and liquorice. Sadly, if you want to taste unicorn tears, you’ll have to take a trip to the UK.

3. COOKIES AND CREAM WHISKEY

You can get whiskey that tastes like honey or cinnamon, but did you know you can get even wackier flavors? Booze lovers who also have a sweet tooth will be pleased to discover they can get their hands on some cookies and cream-flavored whiskey. Ole Smoky mixed 35-proof whiskey with cookies and cream liqueur to create a concoction that’s delicious whether you’re drinking it on the rocks or enjoying it on top of ice cream.

4. SESAME AND POPCORN DAIQUIRI

Popcorn-flavored jelly beans are a source of contention for a lot of people, so this sesame and popcorn daiquiri—which you can pour directly into your glass, no mixing needed—is sure to be a controversial cocktail at any party. The nearly 17-ounce bottle is sealed with blue wax that smells like the salty booze inside. As long as you live in the UK, you can pick up a bottle to start arguments at your next shindig.

5. CINNAMON CHURRO VODKA

Enjoy this street cart dessert in liquid form with the help of Smirnoff. The triple-distilled vodka has 30 percent ABV and works well in creamy, sweet cocktails.

6. PURE MILK VODKA

Yes, you’re reading that right: pure milk vodka. Black Cow, a company in West Dorset, England, takes milk from grass-fed cows and turns it into booze. The company ferments the whey created by making cheese into a milk beer, which is then distilled, blended, and filtered. The resulting vodka—which is only available to UK residents—is sweet with hints of vanilla and cinnamon.

7. QUINOA VODKA

This booze is the first and only vodka made with quinoa, according to FAIR, the company that makes it. It’s the result of a partnership between French distillers and Andean farmers; the quinoa is grown in volcanic soils on the Altiplano plateau in the Andean mountains. The Beverage Tasting Institute rated the vodka superlative, saying it has “Very neutral aromas and flavors [that] suggest cream, cake, and minerals with a very soft, dryish light-to-medium body and a exquisitely smooth custard, dried fruit, and limestone accented finish. A superbly silky, elegant, and delicious vodka that is fantastic on its own and will be perfect in cocktails.” As an added bonus, the booze is fair trade certified.

8. ELECTRICITY VODKA

Oddka is a vodka brand dedicated to weird flavors like fresh cut grass and apple pie—and they’ve also created “Electricity Vodka,” an attempt to capture what a lightning bolt tastes like. The site promises a “shockingly good tongue-tickling shot”; one reviewer at Influenster described the booze as “a little sweet, a little fizzy,” while a writer at Gizmodo UK said it tasted “like licking steel wool.”

9. SMOKED SALMON VODKA

Is there anything more Alaskan than salmon-flavored vodka? This booze is made with actual smoked salmon and distilled with glacier water. It can be enjoyed on the rocks or mixed into a Bloody Mary.

10. SRIRACHA VODKA

Resist the urge to pour hot sauce right into your glass and buy this spicy vodka from UV. The hot, 60-proof alcohol is inspired by the cult favorite condiment Sriracha and even has a similar bottle design. Like the salmon vodka, this liquor is meant to go in a Bloody Mary; it can also be mixed with raspberry schnapps and cranberry juice.

11. PICKLE VODKA

Chilled Dills pickle-flavored vodka is very high tech: The vodka is distilled six times before flavor infusion even begins—and the infusion process incorporates ultrasonic waves that, according to the website, “create chemical compounds that we can then filter out. The result is a cleaner, more pure spirit than can be created with traditional distilling practices.” The booze is great for Bloody Marys, mojitos, and other brunchy cocktails.

12. BREAKFAST CORDIAL

This sweet collection is composed of three cordials: blueberry pancake, maple bacon, and glazed donut. The maple bacon flavor apparently matches the taste of the meat pretty well, but the blueberry pancake (imitation) liqueur is, according to Serious Eats, “sweet to the point where I’m pretty sure I felt my pancreas shutting down.”

13. ANTY GIN

Red wood ants produce a compound called formic acid, a reactive compound in alcohol. By making gin with these ants (each bottle contains the essence of around 62 ants), the Nordic Food Lab and the Cambridge Distillery were able to make a booze that has a distinct lemon lime flavor with a hint of lemongrass. Other notes include wood avens, nettles, alexander seeds, and juniper. The current batch is sold out, but keep your eye on their website to snag a bottle next time.

How many electoral votes did President George Washington have?

William Murphy:

Washington won 69 out of 69 available electoral votes in 1788, and 132 out of 132 in 1792. These are the only unanimous electoral college wins in history.

A few things to be aware of:

1. In the 1788 election (which actually extended into 1789) there were two states (North Carolina and Rhode Island) which had not yet ratified the Constitution and therefore were ineligible to cast any votes at all.

2. There was virtually no popular vote at all. The Constitution left it up to the states to determine how to select their electors. Most states at this stage did so by allowing the state legislatures to directly appoint the electors, who then were free to vote however they wanted. In 1788, the New York state legislature deadlocked in the choice of electors, and therefore did not cast an electoral vote in the election. Some states did allow a popular vote to choose a few of the individual electors in the state, with the rest chosen by the legislature. Overall about 1.8 percent of the population voted in the election; about 43,000 votes in total (out of a population of around 3 million). This was partly because many states did not use a popular vote at all, and partly because in those that did, only white males over 21 who owned substantial property were allowed to vote.

3. In those days, the vice president was the candidate who received the second-most electoral votes (this would change as a result of the 12th Amendment in 1803). To ensure that someone was likely to receive a majority of the vote, the electors each cast two votes, but both were votes for President. The idea was that the second-place finisher in the presidential vote would become vice president. This would be true in the elections of 1788, 1792, 1796 and 1800. The 12th Amendment would change the system so that electors cast separate ballots for president and vice president. Washington was elected unanimously because all 69 electors who voted in 1788 voted for him on their first ballot. They divided their votes on the second ballot among 11 different candidates. John Adams received 34 votes, the second most after Washington, and became the first vice president. So Washington was elected unanimously, but his vice president was not.

At this stage, we were still very much figuring this whole thing out, and procedures would change a lot after the deadlocked election of 1800 had to be decided by the House of Representatives (leading to, among other things, the 12th Amendment). Most states would continue to appoint some or all of their electors via the legislature until the 1820s, with one or two (notably, South Carolina) holding out until the 1850s before adopting a popular vote.

This post originally appeared on Quora. Click here to view.

The concrete jungle may be sprinkled with man-made parks and tree-lined streets, but the great outdoors? Not so much. Enter the Catskills, a mountainous region two hours north of Manhattan that boasts more than 6000 square miles of pristine, untouched nature. It’s the backdrop to Dirty Dancing, the nap site for Rip Van Winkle, and where more than 35 peaks rise above 3500 feet. As ski season kicks into high gear, we’ve compiled eight things you need to know about New York’s natural gem.

1. THERE ARE A LOT OF ANIMALS.

The Catskills are home to black bears, cougars, bobcats, coyotes, porcupines and (shudder) a variety of poisonous and non-poisonous snakes. Black bears can be found on nearly every mountain in the Catskills region, which has the highest black bear population in New York State. Cougars and bobcats have been spotted much less frequently.

And the snakes? Well, they’re just about everywhere. The majority of poisonous snakes are found in Ulster County, and there’s a particularly large population at the summit of Overlook Mountain.

2. IT HAS NORTH AMERICA’S LARGEST ZIP LINE …

Located at Hunter Mountain, New York Zipline has the largest zip line canopy tour in North America. Their zip lines reach up to 650 feet long and 60 feet above the forest floor, and visitors can even enjoy a night zipping under the stars with their moonlight tours.

3. … AND THE WORLD’S LARGEST KALEIDOSCOPE.

The brainchild of ’60s psychedelic artist Isaac Abrams and his son Raphael, a digital artist, the 60-foot-tall Kaatskill Kaleidoscope is the world’s largest, walk-through kaleidoscope. More than 20 people can fit inside the kaleidoscope—a former grain silo—for an energetic show of colors, music, and trippy images. As it goes with roadside stops, there are plenty of mini kaleidoscope souvenirs on your way out.

4. RIP VAN WINKLE SLEPT IT OFF HERE.

Washington Irving’s iconic story of Rip Van Winkle took place in the Catskills region. In the story, Van Winkle lived in the village of Catskill, which is where he took his notoriously long nap. Today, the legend of Rip Van Winkle continues to live on in the Catskills, with the Rip Van Winkle Wine and Cheese Festival in May, the Rip Van Winkle Golf Trail, and a statue of the beloved sleeper himself atop Hunter Mountain.

5. THE CATSKILL 3500 CLUB REQUIRES HIGH-PEAK CREDENTIALS.

The Catskills region has the perfect challenge for outdoor adventurers: the Catskill 3500 Club. Membership comes at a strenuous price—you have to climb all 35 of the Catskills’ peaks above 3500 feet—but the soreness and struggle come with some pretty immaculate views (and bragging rights).

6. MOUNTAIN STONE WAS USED IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BIG APPLE ICONS.

While the Catskills are 100-some miles from New York City, they’re a foundational part of some of the Big Apple’s most iconic landmarks. Bluestone, an extremely hard, durable, fine-grained sandstone, is found throughout the region and was used in the construction of the Empire State Building and the base of the Statue of Liberty.

7. NOBODY PUT BABY IN A CORNER IN THE CATSKILLS. (THINK FURTHER SOUTH.)

When it comes to stellar entertainment, the Catskills—a.k.a. the Borscht Belt—had a storied history for many decades before Dirty Dancing, released in 1987 and set in 1963, revived its reputation. But it turns out that infamous summer at Kellerman’s didn’t happen in the Catskills at all. The actual movie shoot took place more than 500 miles south, in Pembroke, Virginia. Nonetheless, the movie helped elevate the profile of this beautiful region once again.

8. IT’S HOME TO A VARIETY OF BREWERIES, WINERIES, AND DISTILLERIES.

It’s easy to imbibe in the Catskills with breweries like the Catskill Brewery, wineries like Windham Vineyards, and spirits crafters Catskill Distilling Company, which is located right across from the farm where the infamous 1969 Woodstock music festival was held (in Bethel, not Woodstock, despite the name). The Catskills get extra hoppy in April when the annual TAP NY beer fest—the largest craft beer festival in New York—takes place at Hunter Mountain.

One of the inconveniences of living in New York City is losing all cellular and mobile reception as soon as you walk down into a subway station. But that’s a thing of the past, as all 279 underground stations throughout Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx now offer public high-speed Wi-Fi for free, Engadget reports.

Here’s how it works: Once you’re underground, connect to “Transit Wireless Wi-Fi” on your smartphone or tablet to start using the free service provided by Verizon Wireless, AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile. The Wi-Fi connection (along with cell phone service in several stations) is only good for one hour, but works between subway stops while you’re on a train. After the hour is up, just sign in again to surf the web, send emails and texts, or listen to music (with your headphones on, please).

In 2011, the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) partnered with telecommunications company Transit Wireless to deliver free Wi-Fi for Internet-starved commuters, beginning with a few stations in Manhattan. Of the now 472 subway stations (with the grand opening of the long-awaited Second Avenue Line) in New York City, 279 are underground and 193 stations are above; the MTA and Transit Wireless are working to deliver free Wi-Fi to the city’s elevated stations within the year.

[h/t Engadget]

When it comes to thievery, dental floss isn’t a high-priority item. AirPods, on the other hand, are—and the only way to replace a lost or stolen pair is to fork over $160 for a replacement. Which is why one crafty designer came up with a perfect, and inexpensive, solution to help prevent your AirPods from being pinched: turn them into a container of dental floss.

Over at Etsy, RyanFlosss is selling a translucent sticker that will immediately disguise your AirPod charging case as what looks like an innocuous pack of dental floss. The sticker costs $4.99 and takes just seconds to attach. No flossing required. As for keeping the slippery little pods in your ear? Well, that’s another issue—though this wire should help.

[h/t: Gizmodo]