Portmanteau

Simple

“Simplicity is not about making something without ornament, but rather about making something very complex, then slicing elements away, until you reveal the very essence.”

Christoph Niemann (via kottke.org)

Lenses and Legos

As a newer user of a DSLR camera, this mini-tweak to the camera is a welcome idea. I haven’t lost the lens cap yet, but I do always just toss it in a pocket or bag when not in use.

Perhaps it is time to replace velcro with Lego permanently across our lives.

(via lifehacker)

Organizational Efficiency: best achieved through random promotion

The Peter Principle is the belief that in an organization where promotions occur based on merit “Every new member in a hierarchical organization climbs the hierarchy until he/she reaches his/her level of maximum incompetence.” This may seem counter-intuitive, but if someone is doing their job well, they will be promoted. If someone is not doing their job well, they will not.

A 2009 study from the University of Catania conducted further research on this principle and found that the best way to improve the efficiency of an organization is to promote randomly. No commentary needed.

The Peter Principle Revisited: A Computational Study (PDF)

No-Hands Ammo Dispenser!!!

The future is here.

On Every Chemist’s Gift Registry

Fine china chemistry set.

(by Art Lebedev Studio)

Super Mario Summary

If you cut Mario down to his most essential, a single screen for each level, you end up with A Super Mario Summary.

(by Jonah Pietz) via kottke.org

History Repeats

I learned today that the arms race between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. was manufactured by the U.S. Department of Defense. “it is believed that the gap was known to be illusionary from the start, and was being used solely as a political tool”

At least we have learned from our mistakes. It’s not like we went to war because the idea of weapons of mass destruction was politically advantageous.

Wikipedia

homing device

(by Darick Maasen)