Gary Grice, aka GZA of the Wu-Tang Clan, has been working for the past few years on an album entitled Dark Matter. Inspired by the Universe and his fascination with science, GZA is currently collaborating with Prof. Christopher Emdin at Teachers College at Columbia University to improve science education in New York City. I, for one, cannot wait to hear the full album after getting a taste of this Big Bang teaser he presented at the University of Toronto last fall. In addition to composing such evocative lyrics about our origins, GZA had this astute advice for students:
"The main thing I want you to take away from this is no matter where you start out in life or what career you choose, do not stop learning about yourself and the Universe and your surroundings, whether physically or metaphysically. Challenging myself to explore outside my comfort zone has enabled me to make amazing, brilliant new friends and colleagues and given me the tremendous opportunity to speak to you today."
And on that note, here's some stuff to learn about the Universe and your surroundings:
- Flyover the floodplains of Mars on the 10th anniversary of ESA's Mars Express mission. [VIDEO]
- Dogs poop inline with the Earth's magnetic field because SCIENCE.
- A scientific approach to finding the elusive Waldo. BONUS: hilarious head-to-head Where's Waldo video.
- 3D printers invading the kitchen lead to rainbow sugar dodecahedrons and dinosaurs made of spinach.
- A guide to parallel universes. Be sure to leave a trail of breadcrumbs to get back to this one.
- Women throws U.S. immigration authorities for a loop because she was born with adermatoglyphia, i.e., no fingerprints.
- Artist Luke Jerram created these stunning glass sculptures of microorganisms that can kill you.
- Bioluminescent house plants are the new lava lamps.
- The question never knew you always wanted to ask: Do number 1 pencils exist?
- The most detailed map of the internet ever.
- This Chinese typewriter from 50 years ago was already working towards predictive text.
- Lastly, if you are looking for more geek in bite size form, check out these two new online video series from the Smithsonian:SmartNews and Ask Smithsonian, that latter of which is soliciting topics for future videos from the public! Ask away!
May your 2014 be full of geek!