The Octopus is Basically an Intelligent Alien

Considering some 95% of the ocean is unexplored, it makes perfect sense that the new book “Other Minds: The Octopus, the Sea, and the Deep Origins of Consciousness” calls the octopus “the closest we will come to meeting an intelligent alien.” Written by Peter Godfrey-Smith (an Australia-born, NYC-based philosopher who focuses on biology and teaches at City University of New York’s graduate center), the book …

The Blitzn Extension Keeps Santa Real

UK-based Studio Something has launched what they’re calling a “Christmas innocence filter,” in the form of Blitzn—a Chrome extension that will prevents children from Googling Santa Claus and receiving results that deny his existence. The clever content-screening technology means that curious kids can search the internet for Santa’s address, favorite snack or shoe size, and never stumble across any magic-killing information. Check it out at …

The Most Impressive Installations of 2016

Oftentimes art needs to be seen in person to have the desired gravitas, but even in pictures, these incredible installations are mind-blowing. From Yayoi Kusama covering Philip Johnson’s iconic glass house with red polka-dots, to pianist and composer Ludovico Einaudi performing on a floating installation in the middle of the arctic ocean, and the gorgeous rainbow creation by Ugo Rondinone, these are sights to behold. …