Figured maple brain carvings, adapted and inspired by real fMRI scans! Quite a burly brain you have there …
(via Bill Harbaugh)
Figured maple brain carvings, adapted and inspired by real fMRI scans! Quite a burly brain you have there …
(via Bill Harbaugh)
Luke Jerram is a colorblind artist based in the UK. Aeolus is a sonic creation that blends acoustic physics, inspirations from classical civilizations, and visual adventure. The arch is a large Aeolian harp, an ancient instrument that uses the wind’s vibration on strings to send a frequency down a long metal tube.

A listener in the center of the arch experiences sounds transmitted from a field of taut strings and naturally harmonic open tubes. In addition, the angle of light transmitted through the polished pipes creates an altered listening environment. The experience can change by the minute or hour depending on wind conditions.
The tightened strings vibrate due to something called the von Karman vortex street effect, where the vortex created behind a string causes it to vibrate. It’s similar to what happens when a car antenna begins to sing in the wind.
You can see a photo gallery here, listen to interviews and sound samples here, and if you’re in London you can go see it through May 2012 in Canada Square Park.
A true feat of beauty and science.
(via Luke Jerram)
Source: lukejerram.com
Kate McDowell is a sculptor. She explores nature, biodiversity and man’s relationship with wild species through her surrealist animal and anatomical creations.
Beginning with simple inspirations, like humans’ questionable decision to use myxomatosis to control rabbit populations, she inserts unexpected elements like human anatomy to inspire us to ask how we fit into the narrative.
Her dream project (which someone should totally fund):
If I had funding, a large warehouse or gallery space, and a crew of volunteers and artist collaborators I would create an installation of the by-catch of a deep-sea trawler. Basically I’d like to create a pile of life-sized dead sea-life out of fired porcelain or white clay, the approximate volume of a school bus, with here and there a brightly colored orange roughy visible, the actual intended “catch” which is not discarded.
(via Symbiartic, all images copyright Kate McDowell)
I'm Joe Hanson, Ph.D. biologist and host/writer of PBS Digital Studios' It's Okay To Be Smart. Check out my "Episode Extras" here. There's a lot of amazing science out there. Let's go discover it together.
"Everyone's favorite Feynman of the Tumblr era" - Maria Popova
Joe's science book recommendations, from brains to biology to space to art to physics.
This is an indie blog that takes many hours a week to publish. If you'd like to support It's Okay To Be Smart, please consider even a small donation.
One of Time Magazine's 30 Must-See Tumblrs - 2012
Featured in The Best Science Writing Online - 2012
Elsewhere:
Contact me
Follow me on Twitter
(Email: itsokaytobesmart at gmail)
Let's learn something together. Click the "Share" button to send a post to Twitter, Facebook, or Google+
I'm working to change the way science is communicated and restore it to its rightful place.
Want to see more great science-y stuff? Check out my LINKS page for some of my favorites.
loading tweets…