Mechanical Computers

"This 1953 Film Perfectly Explains How Mechanical Computers Worked Before We Had Microchips". (Via H.R.)

Chocolate And The Brain

Washington Post: "The magical thing eating chocolate does to your brain".

The science may not be fully settled. But it's probably best not to take any chances.

Crossword Plagiarism Scandal

"A Plagiarism Scandal Is Unfolding In The Crossword World". (Via Marginal Revolution.)

Wisdom From Maine

Wisdom: "Disorderly conduct is a mistress that tends to show up with her own six-pack."

(From the Bangor Maine Police Department Facebook page.)

Canadian Science Experiment!

"Kathleen Wynne photo-op with 'pink blob' creates online stir: The pink volcano appeared to resemble something else, many pointed out":

A photo-op with Premier Kathleen Wynne at a Toronto high school Tuesday morning is creating quite a social media stir — and it only takes a quick glance to figure out why.

Wynne was at Jarvis Collegiate Institute with Reza Moridi, minister of training, colleges and universities, to talk about the province's plan to offer a new grant for low-income college and university students.

But a quick photo-op with science students running an experiment involving dish soap didn't end up with the best results....

Pink blob takes over @Kathleen_Wynne's visit to Jarvis Collegiate. #onpoli pic.twitter.com/FXoG0Hf9OK

— Robert Benzie (@robertbenzie) March 1, 2016

Unmanned Food Store

"In Sweden's 1st unmanned food store, all you need is a phone"

Stopping Killer Asteroids

"Stopping killer asteroids costs less than you think". (Via A.B.)

A Complete History of the Millennium Falcon

"A Complete History of the Millennium Falcon"

Images of Earth From a Year in Space

"Images of Earth From a Year in Space." Some of the best pics taken by astronaut Scott Kelly during his year (!) on the ISS.

Trust A Robot In Emergencies?

Should you trust a robot in emergencies?: "Subjects show blind obedience to a broken-down robot in a experiment with a mock fire"

Dog Vs. Robot Dog

"Fido vs Spot -- Animal vs Robot"

Hospital Wastewater

"What happens to hospital wastewater?"

Life after the Ashley Madison affair

"It's six months since hackers leaked the names of 30 million people who had used the infidelity website Ashley Madison. Resignations, divorces and suicides followed."

The Chemistry In Lighting A Match

"The Chemistry Involved in Lighting a Match Is Surprisingly Awesome":

With amazing super slow-motion footage of a match head starting to burn as a backdrop, this video explains the chemical reactions involved in lighting a match.

3D Printed Building Maps

"3D Printed Maps Help Blind People Navigate Inside Buildings". More info here.

Robot Therapy Session

"Watch Carrie Fisher Lead a Group Therapy Session for Distressed Robots":

Carrie Fisher has been getting a lot more attention lately thanks to the return of Star Wars last year, and so far she’s been a total champ. On Friday IBM released a new Watson commercial starring Fisher as a robot therapist, and she's probably one of the only people who could make the sketch work.

Open Your Heart

Dr. Jordan Winkler: "10 Easy Steps to Open Your Heart".

Funny and informative. Really.  I'm really glad I live at time this is possible. Contains slightly NSFW language. (Via B.E.)

Falling Cranes

"Why Cranes Keep Falling". (Via H.R.)

"Tetraquark" Particle"?

"Physicists May Have Discovered a New 'Tetraquark' Particle"

Dazzling Flying Machines

Raffaello D'Andrea: "Meet the dazzling flying machines of the future". 

(If you want the short version, just skip to the final 3 minutes for the demo.)