Eagle and Dragon - Part One. Part Two - Detroit and Part Three - Chongqing. Comparing the US and China, part *very large number*. Part one is pretty skippable but the other two are worth looking at. (Phrasing deliberately chosen to emphasise the photography in each.)

Photo Gallery: Translucent Creatures. [Via]

Yvette's. Um. Actually I have no idea. I saw this linked in a comment on Mefi and was simultaneously creeped out and intrigued. Warning: embedded music on every page.

Dave the Chimp and The Chapel of St. Martin. [Via Wooster Collective]

Disrespectful or just obnoxious? Where's the line these days?

100 Tanka poems, illustrated by Katsushika Hokusai, explained by a wet nurse. more inside

New analysis of Mercury backs up Vonnegut. An awfully pretty image, from the MESSENGER spacecraft, shows the moon-like planet. Unlike the moon, however, new analysis suggests that the smooth plains were surfaced mainly by volcanic action, rather than by meteoric impacts and the dusting of detritus. Its magnetic field too seems to indicate immense internal activity. more inside

World's Longest Concert Strikes a New Chord "The church organ in Halberstadt will play the next - sixth - chord of John Cage's As Slow As Possible work. The performance began in 2000 and is scheduled to last a total of 639 years." more inside

Snuggly the Security Bear explains Constitutional Compromise. Snuggly loves you.

The Fly lands on the opera stage. David Cronenberg directs an opera adaptation of his own movie, and sets it in the time of the original. It's showing at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris if you happen to be in town. Reviews are good or simply so-so.

New Zealand war art showcases about 1,500 images of New Zealanders at war beginning with World War I. Lots and lots of images in a wide variety of media by a long list of artists. stolen almost word for word direct from marxchivist's post via the Blue. more inside

Scientists Map the 10 Billion Neurons of Human Cerebral Cortex & Find a Central Switchboard - The non-invasive technique of Diffusive Spectrum Imaging has enabled an international team of scientists to get inside the human head without breaking anything. The system has mapped the mass of ten billion neurons that make up the human cerebral cortex - and found a central switchboard hiding inside, a densely-packed region of connections which works hard even when the rest of the brain is chilling out.

Paperbark - moving in. Australia, not just a victim anymore. The paperbark, Melaleuca quinquenervia, is listed as a noxious pest in the USA and several US states. It's particularly problematic in Florida and Hawaii. Take that rest of the world!

Whenever someone implies that history is boring, I bring up Napoleon's penis. More from those perverts at NPR. Make your own "bring up" joke.

Supertower

One Bag packing: A great collection of tips and tricks for getting the most out of your limited baggage allowance. Check out, in particular, the neat bundle wrapping technique. more inside

Man flying lawn chair lifted by helium balloons. Again. See also more flight details, or track the flight live. Also reminiscent of Danny Deckchair.

ObGyn opens Spa and Reconstructive Service in NY 1-2, squeeze, release, breathe, 1-2, squeeze, release, breathe...now, put your lips together and blow... more inside

When a daddy loves a mommy very much... he buys a home server.

Life Support: Could animals be transformed into medical devices? [Via]