At this time when we’re all reminded to keep washing our hands, I can’t help but think of all the surfaces we can’t help but touch every day (let alone our own faces). With that I'm mind, students in Hong Kong invented a door that is self-sanitising. A few of those would be pretty handy right now I expect. Their efforts won them the James Dyson Award. Dyson himself has been no slouch either (or at least his namesake organisation of investors and engineers). Dyson (the company) whipped up a ventilator adapted specially for COVID-19 patients in just ten days.
That’s handy.
Speaking of what can be done in ten days…
With everything that’s happened in the past couple of months it’s easy to forget in early February, near the start of the crisis, the Chinese built a hospital from scratch in just ten days. Fast Company has the story of how they did it. It’s hard to imagine the concrete being dry, let alone every coat of paint (I guess it was pretty no frills). We haven’t heard anything about it since. That suggests either it was a success, or the Chinese aren’t letting any bad news escape from Wuhan. I wonder which it is.
Insta-hospital.
In these uncertain times (to use a phrase that has gotten old very fast) it’s good to appreciate what we have and realise “yes, we are all in this together”. Irish author and illustrator, Oliver Jeffers, gave a TED Talk recently that was poignant and heart-warming and all deliver in his delightful Belfast accent. Based on his children’s book Here We Are, Jeffers tells us we are the lucky inhabitants of this planet, at this time, in this solar system. All of us are people on this blue marble. It’s a message we need right now. I should add Apple TV are releasing an animated adaption of Here We Are. Looks ace.
This guy may or may not be an astronaut.
The current crisis has made the usually insane-looking doomsday preppers look relatively sane. If you want to join the ranks of the preppers but would rather something useful and nice-looking and don’t know where to start, then maybe check out Judy. Ah, Judy. How can you can be scared when Judy is there to look after you? Judy is a range of kits to help you prep for when Armageddon kicks off properly, as if the bushfires and pestilence wasn’t a clue. Don’t be surprised if there are four horseman riding down the highway fairly soon.
Hi Judy!
And if you’re feeling in a bit of a funk during corona lockdown, maybe a good dose of ecstasy is the answer. Scientists have been trialling ecstasy on octopuses/octopi to see how it affects brain function. The scientists think octopus brains function similarly to us and the research might show benefits for certain conditions in humans. Even if doesn’t show any benefits for us, I’m sure the octopi are having a great time.
He’s waving.
Lockdown bonus ways to pass the time
So you’ve watched Tiger King and you’re up to date with The Last Dance, so what now? How do you pass the time? I got ya.
Music: Hear rare rehearsal tapes from Bowie, Hendrix, Kate Bush and more. Via Pitchfork.
Animation: Here’s a weird horse animation. This just makes me feel gloopy inside. Via This is Colossal.
Netflix: More animation. The Midnight Gospel is a delirious hallucination with serious philosophical undercurrents that gets better as your wrap your warped mind more around it. Read Forbes description of it before attempting to watch.
Kids: And to keep the kids busy and develop skills while we’re in lockdown, Mo Willems has been posting lunchtime drawing classes that are fun and instructional. Although I like just letting the kids go nuts while they’re drawing and seeing what they come up with.
Some guy: And this week I also wrote a piece inspired by the virus and a response from an Aussie legend. So please have a read and laugh for 2-5 minutes.
The Midnight Gospel will warp your mind.