Link About It: This Week’s Picks
Easy-peel avocados, a “Bugsgiving” feast, an all-diamond ring and more from around the internet
How and Why the Kilogram Value Changed
At this year’s General Conference of Weights and Measures, a collective of 60 countries voted to change the kilogram’s value. Up until this vote, the kilogram was based on a platinum and iridium fragment, called the “Le Grande K,” which is stored in a chamber in the International Bureau of Weights and Measures in Sèvres, France. Over time, Big K seemed to be losing weight—or its replicas around the world (which researchers elsewhere used) were somehow heavier. This meant that a decision was made: “rather than basing the unit on this physical object, henceforth, the measure will be based on a fundamental factor in physics known as Planck’s constant.” Read more about the change at National Geographic.
Tesco’s “Easy-Peel” Avocados
With a corkier skin than normal avocados, the EasyAvo aims to make peeling and consumption simpler—and safer. Developed by South Africa’s Westfalia Fruit and already sold at Tesco stores across the UK, these easy-to-peel items cost roughly $2.50. There are no plans yet to known to distribute them elsewhere. Read more at Grub Street.
Atlas Obscura’s Thoughtful “Bugsgiving” Takeaways
One may not be aware that the Thursday before Thanksgiving happens to be “Bugsgiving.” Writer Ella Morton dove into the holiday, at a 10-course banquet in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, spearheaded by chefs Joseph Yoon and David George Gordon and part of the Brooklyn Bugs Festival. The edible insects were aplenty—as are her insights. From lotus chips with scorpions to pear salad with Changbai ants and so much more, Morton explored a menu that’s what she describes as an “homage to the estimated two billion people around the world who eat insects as part of their traditional diet.” Read more at Atlas Obscura—or go try for yourself.
The (RED) All-Diamond Ring by Jony Ive + Marc Newson
With somewhere between 2000 and 3000 facets, a ring designed by Apple‘s Jony Ive and acclaimed industrial designer Marc Newson will be laser-cut from one single diamond. The stone will be produced (from certified carbon neutral material, using proprietary tech) by San Francisco-based Diamond Foundry and the ring will be custom-made for the winner of the (RED) charity auction at this year’s Design Miami fair. Sotheby’s estimates it will sell for between $150,000 and $250,000. Read more at Dezeen.
Link About It is our filtered look at the web, shared daily in Link and on social media, and rounded up every Saturday morning.
