Jay Gould’s Photography Blog

I'm kicking myself right now.  It's a good thing I've started biking more and have some new leg strength because I want to feel this.  For years, like many of you, I stored my assortment of computer, television, printer, and general electronic boxes and packaging just in case I needed to send it somewhere or sell it out of back of my pick-up as "gently used."  I finally decided to part with most of my collection when I moved down South.  I figured that with their warranties long gone and vintage computers not having the market share right now, I would not need them to take up space.

THEN CAME THE STYROBOT!

I saw some of these online a few months ago from artist and teacher Michael Salter created several for exhibition.  Then I thought they were awesome, but out of my space limitations.  Then Kevin Kelly over at Geekdad , a blog I greatly enjoy (even though I'm no dad), featured a homemade one at a size I could have handled.

I would have named him "Squeaky," or "Squeakatron."

There are certain things about this years summer Olympics that I really enjoy (amongst many that I don't).  I like the evocative names that the venues have, like "Watercube" and "Bird's Nest."  They are so much better than the Georgia Tech Aquatic center (in Atlanta) or something similarly boring and generically clear.  "Watercube" seems like a place that could host some modern, cinematically influenced gladiator games later on without even changing the signs.  I have also enjoyed some of the usual Olympic's cross-cultural language divide stories, such as this cafe named "Translate Server Error."

However, what i have enjoyed most happened last night, and yet again emphasized my nerdy contrast to the athletes (that a chart raised my adrenaline far more than a tight race).  This amazing interactive chart is displayed on the New York Times website and is one of the most beautiful and elegant representations of Olympic glory.  As many of you know, I am totally enamored by information design, and I wish I could make something this nice.  Go check it out!

I originally found this map at one of my new favorite blogs, Strange Maps .  I highly recommend giving it a look.

Up in Maine you probably heard word
'bout the class who's lead by some nerd
with cameras they speak
make others feel weak
Yo-Digi's strength is simply absurd.

Thanks for the awesome two weeks Yo-Digi!  Check out some of their work here .