Author: Matt Gilligan

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This GIF Will Totally Mess With Your Head

If you need a reminder today that we’re all just sheets of skin that are slaves to the strange organ encased in our skulls, here’s one – this GIF of an optical illusion that’s really just two dots.

The GIF has been around since early 2018, when Reddit user do23n posted it, along with the following questions:

“2 dots oscillating? Vertically or horizontally? Or 2 dots orbiting? Clockwise or widdershins? Or 2 diagonal pairs of blinking dots with no ‘motion’ at all? Or something else?”

Image Credit: Pixabay

Here’s the thing – you see one of those options first, but as you filter through the others, the dots move whatever way you’re thinking they do. Or at least, that’s how it seemed to me, at first.

The GIF is an optical illusion called the ambiguous quartet, and MIT’s instructions for viewing it are as follows: Stare for 2 minutes. The dots will appear to jump vertically or horizontally, and then after some time, they will probably spontaneously switch directions.

So, without further ado, here it is:

2 dots oscillating? Vertically or horizontally? Or 2 dots orbiting? Clockwise or widdershins? Or 2 diagonal pairs of blinking dots with no "motion" at all? Or something else!? from illusionporn

And, now that you’ve seen it for yourself, we’re going to ruin the magic with some good, old fashioned facts.

What’s actually happening in theGIF is that four dots are blinking in place. The speed they’re blinking is what frazzles your brain into thinking they’re moving – a 2008 study called the phenomenon “perceptual rivalry,” but it wasn’t a new concept even then.

This particular illusion, also called “Stroboscopic Alternative motion,” was first referenced in a 1933 study out of Germany.

The “stroboscopic effect” is a phenomenon that makes you perceive the illusion of motion when watching something in separate stages, instead of continuously. Our brains may perceive the blinking of the dots as different stages of motion (like bouncing or spinning), depending on how fast they’re “strobing.”

Our brains, then, fill in the blanks to make the dots “move” between them, even though they’re not.

Even though I know how it works, my brain still makes the leap. And you know, this should be good for a few minutes of distraction/discussion with your coworkers (or kids!) today.

So have fun teasing your own brain – it does it to you often enough, so pay it back!

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Teachers Have Tough Jobs. They Deserve Recognition For It.

Teachers have a very tough job to do. Sadly, data shows that teachers are leaving the profession.

Upworthy explains a few reasons why this may be the case:

“At the root of the problem, the Times reports, are the massive layoffs that happened during the economic recession.

Those left a whole bunch of teachers unemployed. And now that some states have more money for education (some — not all), many of them have already moved on to other careers.

Plus, many of the students who might have become teachers during the recession chose other fields.

You can’t blame them: Why take on student loan debt in exchange for low pay and long hours? That’s assuming there would even be a teaching job available upon graduation.”

Teachers explain why they’re leaving their jobs:

5. Low Pay

Teachers explain that school districts don’t pay teachers a salary they can use to survive.

4. Increasing Demands

It’s difficult to do your job well when you’re always underfunded and have to do a ton of extra work.

3. Treating as Unimportant

Teachers also feel undervalued as compared to professions that are equally important, such as lawyers and doctors.

2. Treatment From The Public

Society tends to mistreat teachers, blaming them for ineffectiveness when they could really use some resources.

1. It’s Time to Reframe How We Think of Teachers

It helps to change how we think of teachers so we can best help them and their students.

Here’s a video in which teachers explain their thoughts in their own words.

What do you think? Are there any other ways we can address the teacher shortage and improve working conditions?

Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!

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A Speechwriter’s Thread Explains How World Leaders Can Get People to Help Fight Against COVID-19

The coronavirus has fueled a pandemic, and this means countries all over the world have to cooperate. Flattening the curve requires as many people to cooperate as possible.

That’s why it’s vital that leaders inspire people around them to collaborate for the good of humanity.

Speechwriter Simon Lancaster wrote a thread explaining one acronym world leaders should remember: FEAR. Not to worry, it’s not what it sounds like. It’s a way to structure speeches to better inform the public.

Leaders should express facts first and remain calm when discussing bad news.

This makes it easier for the public to trust world leaders who are in charge of decisions that could impact their country’s health response.

The ‘E’ stands for enemy.

In this case, world leaders must explain the obstacles they’re facing when dealing with a major problem.

‘A’ is for action.

In this part, leaders explain what they will do to confront the problem.

‘R’ is for reward.

People need to understand why their collaboration and support are worth it. Where is the light at the end of the tunnel?

Lancaster then explains why this method is effective.

He also explains that when he came up with this structure, he never expected humanity to be living through a circumstance like ours.

You don’t need to be a world leader to use this acronym during a crisis.

What did you think of Lancaster’s methods? Do you think these would make people feel safer during tough moments?

Feel free to opine in the comments below.

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This Creepy Finger Will Drag Your Phone to You. Yikes!

Someone has designed a finger that you plug into your phone or iPad that will drag your device over to you. Yes, like Thing on the Addams Family, except just one finger.

People, are we really this lazy? Is this where our society is now, full of people too blah to move five feet to grab their phone?

The answers to those questions is apparently yes, because someone made this electronic finger and is now selling it.

The future of robotic devices is brought to you by Tech Radar, and it’s called the MobiLimb. It uses sensors and embedded electronics to scoot across a hard surface to bring you your phone. The finger’s “skin” is made from the same type of silicone that’s used in Hollywood to make masks and realistic prosthetics.

So yeah, it definitely looks like a real finger. You’ll have to decide whether it’s worth inviting this into your house just to not have to move off the couch. (The jury is out for me.)

The MobiLimb is the brainchild of four Frenchmen, including human-computer interaction researcher Marc Teyssier, who planned to present their findings at the User Interface Software and Technology Symposium in Berlin, Germany.

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. ارتقای دستگاه‌های همراه با یک عضو رباتیک ربات MobiLimb یک جزء جمع و جور با قابلیت تغییر شکل است که می‌تواند براحتی به دستگاه‌های همراه همچون گوشی هوشمند افزوده شود. با این انگشت رباتیک میتوان بر محدودیت‌های دستگاه‌های همراه همچون بی‌حرکت و ثابت بودن غلبه کرد و به گوشی‌ خود توانایی‌های جدید افزود. برای نمونه این انگشت رباتیک با ضربه زدن روی سطح می‌تواند نشان دهد که یک هشدار دریافت کرده‌اید یا میتواند به گوشی قابلیت حرکت و نوشتن پیام‌های متنی دهد. #رباتیک #گوشی_هوشمند #MobiLimb @ExosNews

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The finger does more than just drag your phone, too – it taps the table when you get a notification, and if you get a smiley-face emoji, it will (for some ungodly reason) softly stroke your hand or inner wrist. The researchers say the device is programmed to “react expressively to users actions to foster curiosity and engagement” and “provides rich haptic feedback such as strokes, pats, and other tactile stimuli on the hand or the wrist to convey emotions during mediated multimodal communications.”

Basically, they’re giving your phone human emotions. So , that’s a thing!

If the finger is too much for you, they also offer an option that more resembles a wagging tail, and it can also be used as a joystick or a prop.

Just no, guys. I’m sorry, but I’m going to need to go the extra mile with social distancing if any of my friends show up with one of these.

No online contact, either.

Would you buy one of these things? If so, please explain yourself in the comments.

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A Dad Accidentally Bought a Life-Sized Dinosaur For His Son

A lot of kids go through a phase where they just love anything to do with dinosaurs. Some never give it up (ahem, my husband), and the books we buy perpetuate the fascination, which is amazing and awesome. Learning is great!

Brit André Bisson wanted to encourage and nurture his son Theo’s love of all things dinosaur, so he decided to buy him a model of his favorite dino, the Carnotaurus. Being a good father, André and his wife began to research where one could go about procuring a replica of the 70-million-year-old dino, a predator similar to the T-rex, but with shorter arms and “bull” horns (hence the name).

After some trouble locating one, his wife saw an advertisement for a nearby amusement park letting go of one of their decorative statues – an elusive Carnotaurus.

André ordered a surprise gift for his little guy – and got quite the shock of his own when it arrived.

Meanwhile… on Dino News.. ? Chaz the Carnataur has made the crossing ? and currently resting within a secure compound…

Posted by Andre Bisson on Saturday, January 18, 2020

They weren’t expecting a toy, of course, but the 6.5 by 2.5 meter, 2-ton dinosaur statue far exceeded what any of them had imagined.

It’s actually life-sized, and weighs almost as much as a real one, too – it had be delivered using a trailer and a crane, and still barely fit.

“Chaz” the Carnotaur (named by Theo) is much loved and lives in the family’s garden.

I think he makes quite the nice addition, don’t you?

Posted by Andre Bisson on Monday, January 20, 2020

This is hilarious and also, I love that the parents just went with it once the realized what, exactly, they had ordered off the internet.

What would you have done? Do you have a similar story of exceeded (?) expectations?

We’d love to hear about it in the comments!

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13 Sweet Images That Might Remind You That People Can Be Great

There are way too many things that happen on a daily basis that can cause you to lose faith in humanity. The news, it seems, is intent on reminding us of that fact (like it’s their job or something), but we’re here to bring you images of hope!

Below are 13 pictures of people helping, going above and beyond, being good neighbors, and putting community first. It’s almost like we can be awesome in times of trial if we want to. Yay!

13. They’re heroes every time they clock in.

My girlfriend being a hero and kicking corona viruses ass from pics

12. A fitness leader in Spain giving a free group workout to his neighbors – all at least 6 feet away!

11. A+ human-ing, Jenn.

Jenn’s a human being a bro. Thank you Jenn. My county has the highest count of COVID-19 in our state. from HumansBeingBros

10. They bought up toilet paper…so they could give it away for free.

A family in PA giving away free toilet paper to anyone in need; be more like these people. from MadeMeSmile

9. Help is here, no questions asked.

A table was setup by somebody in my town to help people struggling during this chaotic time.. This is what should be happening! from HumansBeingBros

8. As China recovers, they’re reaching out to help the rest of the world.

7. Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively putting their money where their mouths are.

6. Little Free Libraries are becoming Little Free Food Pantries (though books are still important!).

My Neighborhood Little Free Library Transformed Overnight (Love My Neighbors in Madison) from HumansBeingBros

5. Now is the time to share what you’ve got.

Someone placing random hand sanitizer station around in public places. from funny

4. She makes her own soap. I am so impressed.

A very kind neighbor from HumansBeingBros

3. Hopefully he’s limiting the sale to everyone else who would hoard them.

A little kindness goes a long way from HumansBeingBros

2. Healthcare professionals all over the world are living up to their oaths – and then some.

Image of one of the many true heroes of the fight against Corona Virus pandemic in Iran – The nurses! from IranPics

1. She saw someone in need, and she helped. Simple as that.

Good samaritan in Landmark. ❤While everyoneelse was hoarding like hell (yung tipong punong-puno ang mga big carts)…

Posted by Lane Blackwater on Wednesday, March 11, 2020

I’m thrilled that there are so many tales of people stepping up to help other people in uncertain times. Human beings are hard-wired to take care of their tribes when things get tough, and that’s exactly what most of us are doing.

How are you feeling? Are you lending a helping hand? Reaching out?

We want to hear about your own feel-good stories in the comments!

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Wholesome Pictures That Could Be Just What You Need Today

When the world gets ugly like it is right now, there are a few things that make people feel better. Family and friends, a good old fashioned lazy day in front of Netflix, a walk in the woods, a tub of ice cream…and adorable, wholesome, and/or inspiring internet content that reminds you the entire world isn’t crap.

I definitely hope you’re able to do any of those former things that improve your mood, and as for the latter, we’ve got you covered!

Here are 13 sweet images that are meant to remind you that humans aren’t as bad as they sometimes seem.

13. This medical team who helped beat back coronavirus in China headed to Italy to lend their expertise.

After fighting corona in China, the same medical team are traveling to fight in Italy. True heros from pics

12. This distillery – and many others across the country – are using their excess alcohol to make free hand sanitizer.

This distillery is using their equipment to produce hand sanitizer, and giving it away for free. from HumansBeingBros

11. This man, who found a safe way to see his father every day while he’s stuck in assisted living.

Love finds a way…

10. Being a good neighbor is more important than ever.

One of my neighbors left a bag of toilet paper on my front door and with the way things are in the world right now, being a single mom and struggling with my bipolar lately, this small token of generosity moved me to tears. from HumansBeingBros

9. I dare you not to tear up at these images of a girl sharing the news of her engagement with her grandfather.

Granddaughter telling grandfather the news of her engagement from pics

8. A woman in China is hiding the pets abandoned as their owners need hospital treatment – at great risk to herself.

True heroes: Ms. Chen hides 65 pets, abandoned during Wuhan outbreak, in her small home. Authorities only allow 1 pet per home, and they kill the animal if owner got COVID19. Chen tells about policeman that saved 2 dogs instead, another "tips me off before a raid so I can hide the animals in my car" from Coronavirus

7. This company used their 3D printer to save lives.

6. Doctors are working harder than ever, missing weeks and months with their own families to be there for others.

Real heroes deserve more appreciation from pics

5. There are helpers, like Rebecca.

Let’s help each other and be Rebecca’s. from HumansBeingBros

4. Another team of medical professionals from China, this time heading to help in Iran’s crisis.

True heros. After fighting corona in China, the same medical team are traveling to fight in Iran from pics

3. This woman who is making lunches for the kids in her neighborhood.

Today on my buy and sell Facebook group a woman posted free lunch for any kids that need it since school was cancelled (censored address and location.) from HumansBeingBros

2. A small Scottish shop is giving free essentials to the elderly.

1. These doctors who are celebrating the closure of the last temporary hospital in Wuhan.

Chinese doctors celebrate the closure of the last temporary hospital in Wuhan. Patients dropped from 15000 to 15. Absolute Heros from nextfuckinglevel

I don’t know about you, but I’m breathing just a bit easier already.

Did you love these pictures? What’s your go-to way to relax and recharge when things seem dire?

Share with us in the comments!

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The Crystal Baschet Makes Music That Sounds Amazing

Musician Marc Chouarain is a composer for film soundtracks, and he gave a demonstration on an unusual instrument he often uses when he’s composing.

Ladies and gentlemen, meet the cristal baschet.

The cristal baschet was made in 1952 by two French instrument makers and artists, brothers Bernard and François Baschet.

Metal rods embedded in a heavy plate make the elements and each metal rod has an accompanying glass rod. The length, weight and position of the metal rods at the equilibrium point creates the pitch. Sound is made by stroking the glass rod with your wet fingertips. It’s related to the glass harmonica, another instrument that uses friction on different sizes of glass to make tones.

The result is dramatic and atmospheric.

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

The brothers invented the cristal baschet as a combination sculpture and musical instrument contribution to the contemporary avant-garde art and music movement of the time. Their objective was to make sound art accessible to more people.

A small but dedicated group of artists and composers work together to keep the brothers’ works alive. The Conservatory of Albi and he Conservatoire de Brive la Gaillarde offer classes and workshops on cristal baschet.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia

The instrument has featured in works in dance performances, film soundtracks and in both jazz and rock music.

Eerily beautiful.

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A Rare Pink Manta Ray Was Spotted Near Australia

“Inspector Clouseau” (named after the detective in the Pink Panther cartoons), an 11-foot male manta ray with a bright pink underbelly, was first sighted by a dive instructor named Ryan Jeffery in 2015. The images he took caught the attention – and curiosity – of the Project Manta research group (and everyone else) who sees him.

Sightings are rare, but recently another diver caught a glimpse – and a once in a lifetime shot.

“At first I was very confused,” said Kristian Laine, the photographer and diver who saw him this time. “I actually thought my strobes were playing up.”

When she spotted him, he was at first concealed by seven other male manta rays (all with white undersides), and was vying for the attention of a nearby female with the rest of his bros.

Manta ray courtship rituals involve a lady ray releasing pheromones into the water and then zooming away, inviting the male rays to give chase. Clouseau’s demeanor was calm and in-line with the rest of his mates, which gave scientists reason to rule out the idea that the coloration could be a reaction to stress.

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⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 《 龍洞潛浮期?SHARE 》 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 【 相機壞掉了嗎?! 「粉紅色鬼蝠魟」!!! ? 】 攝影師克里斯蒂安 • 萊恩(Kristian Laine) 在澳大利亞大堡礁的最南端埃里奧特夫人島(Elliot Island)上自由潛水，當時一隻明亮的粉紅色鬼蝠魟滑翔而過，他原先認為自己的相機故障，後來意識到這是隻真實地存在的「Pink Manta Ray」，真的超級幸運的啦！??? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 在2015年，潛水教練Ryan Jeffery 首次發現，命名為督察克洛索(Inspector Clouseau)，它是世界上唯一錄製的粉紅色鬼蝠魟！??? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ?宮主也好想親眼目睹一次粉紅色的Manta Ray ??? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ? @kristianlainephotography #龍洞潛浮期 #LongdongDivingSnorkeling #Share #Repost #Like4likes #Fallow4fallow #kristianlainephotography #Ocean #Diving #Freediving #Freediver #Dive #Diver #Photographer #KristianLaine #Australia #GreatBarrierReef #Underwaterphoto #UnderwaterPhotography #PinkMantaray #Mantaray #ElliotIsland #鬼蝠魟 #澳大利亞 #澳洲 #大堡礁 #埃里奧特夫人島 #艾略特夫人島

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Over the years, researchers have ruled out other theories on the reason for his bright pink color, too. Project Manta researcher Kathy Townsend said they’ve also had the opportunity to look at a biopsy, which ruled out skin infections and a red-pigment-heavy diet, as well.

So why is he pink? They’re still not sure, though the current working theory is that his blush is the result of a genetic mutation and nothing more. Similar mutations are fairly common across the animal kingdom, including in fish, leopards, and grasshoppers.

If you’re worried this big guy’s pretty colors will spell his doom in the face of predators, Guy Stevens, co-founder of the United Kingdom’s Manta Trust, told National Geographic that he’s not worried. Because of their size, manta rays have very few natural predators and Clouseau seems to be doing just fine.

He’s survived for decades, pink and proud, eluding even the prying eyes of the humans swimming through his Lady Elliot Island (and beyond) domain all of this time, too.

I imagine spotting him feels something like magic. Thank goodness for pictures, which let the rest of us have just a taste of what it might have felt like to be in that moment in time.

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Inventions You Probably Didn’t Know Were Created by Women

If a woman needs something that will make her life easier, she’ll find a way to get it…even if she has to make it herself.

In fact, a lot of the things we use today were invented by a woman trying to solve a problem. And, now that we have their innovations, we can’t imagine getting through life without them.

Let’s scroll through these 8 things you probably didn’t know were invented by women.

1. Today’s Paper Bag

In 1868, Margaret Knight, a cotton mill worker, knew paper bags would function better if they weren’t in the shape of a large envelope, so she made a machine that would give them flat bottoms.

When Charles Annan saw her invention, he tried to patent it first. Knight won a lawsuit against him and got the patent in 1871.

Photo Credit: Publicdomainpictures.net

2. Kevlar

Kevlar is a heat-resistant synthetic fiber that’s used for ballistic body armor.

DuPont chemist Stephanie Kwolek created the stronger-than-steel material when she was working on a lighter fiber to make car tires.

She earned the patent in 1966.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia

3. Monopoly

Originally called The Landlord’s Game, it was created by Elizabeth Magie to teach others about land-grabbing, rent issues and single land value tax.

She patented her game in 1904 and self-published it in 1906. Then, 30 years later, Charles Darrow made some modifications to the game, called it Monopoly, and sold it to Parker Brothers.

The company bought Magie’s original patent for $500 and no royalties.

Photo Credit: Pxhere

4. Windshield Wipers

Although it took a while for the idea of using a lever to wipe away snow and rain from windshields for safer driving, Mary Anderson is credited for inventing them in 1903.

By 1920, which is when Anderson’s patent expired, they were in high demand and most automobile makers were including them on their models.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

5. The Automatic Dishwasher

Josephine Cochrane patented her automatic dishwasher in 1886 for her machine that would make her kitchen maid’s work easier.

Photo Credit: Pexels

6. Liquid Paper

To keep from typing documents over again after a single mistake, secretary Bette Nesmith Graham would cover them with a bit of paint.

She worked on the formula in her kitchen for years. After it was perfect, she patented Liquid Paper in 1958, and sold the company to Gillette in 1979 for $47.5 million.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia

7. Alphabet Blocks

Many children get their first look at the ABC’s when they get their first set of alphabet blocks–an patented by American author of books about traditional roles for women, Adeline D.T. Whitney,  in 1882.

Photo Credit: Flickr

8. The Agpar Score

In 1952, obstetrical anesthesiologist Dr. Virginia Apgar began testing newborns for signs of distress.

Ten years later, delivery rooms adopted the procedure to score a baby’s Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, and Respiration.

Photo Credit: Needpix

These women didn’t have an easy time getting their inventions out to the world, but with their determination, we now get to use their ideas in our day to day living.

Women don’t mind hard work. They just like to make it as convenient as possible.

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