Mandela, Captured by the Camera

The passing of a political hero, growing crops on the moon and the color of 2014 in this week's look at the web

This past Thursday, the world mourned the death of Nelson Mandela. Passing away at the age of 95, Mandela is best known for his leadership role in the movement to end apartheid in South Africa. To look back on his influential life, The Times highlights his role as an activist, political prisoner and presidential candidate, as well as the final years of his life through …

Grand Canyon Cloud Porn

The passing of a political hero, growing crops on the moon and the color of 2014 in this week's look at the web

Due to the unexpected interaction of both cold and warm air masses at the Grand Canyon this week, a “once-in-a-decade” phenomenon called total cloud inversion occurred. From Yavapai Point on the South Rim to Desert View Point, the clouds created a sea-like body between rock faces and mountains, making for a wealth of heavily shared other-worldly images.

How To Sharpen a Pencil

The passing of a political hero, growing crops on the moon and the color of 2014 in this week's look at the web

Taking a perfectly dry approach to the mockumentary, this step-by-step video demonstrates how to craft the rare perfect #2 pencil point using traditional techniques. Staring a single central character and a hilariously large tool kit, the clever video is so well done it takes a moment to realize it’s a direct jab at the overwhelming resurgence of artisanal craft culture.