Black Mirror is a British Television series created by Charlie Brooker which examines modern society, particularly with regard to the unanticipated consequences of new technologies. One episode in particular focuses on the downside of having the ability to record everything with your eyes which provides the ability for much deeper examination of your life, even years down the road. Black Mirror takes place in the near future, where life doesn't seem all that different from today, but technology has made serious advances which don't seem far off, making it all very real to imagine this is where our lives are headed. Season 1 and 2 are available on Netflix, as well as a Christmas special starring Jon Hamm (Don Draper from Madmen). Robert Downey Jr has taken interest in expanding 1 episode into a full feature film, and season 3 is in the works.
Tech | Hyperloop /
Hyperloop One has successfully completed its first test run yesterday in the Nevada Desert. If dont successfully we are looking at the future of long distance transportation in record time. A project headed up by none other than Elon Musk, ex-SpaceX engineer Brogan BamBrogan (yes that's his real name) and backed by Uber Investor Shervin Pishevar. The concept was announced in 2012 by Musk, envisioning a 5th mode of transportation (after cars, planes, boats and trains) based on a "low pressure tube with capsules that are transported at both low and high speeds throughout the length of the tube [and which are] supported on a cushion of air, featuring pressurized air and aerodynamic lift."
The concept aims to be able to transport cargo (or people) at speeds of 750 Mph, cutting a commute from LA to SF down from 6 hours to 30 minutes. While we won't be able to try one of these ourselves for a while, it could become a reality for us all as early as 2021. For those that are curious, check out this distance calculator to figure out how many miles it is between you and your favorite cities, hopefully in the near future you'll be going there just for lunch.
Tech | Sony Smart Lense /
The future moves fast. Just last year people were in an uproar about Google Glass not being wearable enough (and invasive), and now in 2016 Sony, Google and Samsung all have individual patents for smart contact lenses, surpassing the smart glasses all together.
The new patent describes digitally connected lenses that can take a picture with a blink of an eye, and then send that image to your smart phone or device of choice. The patent also notes that the lenses have the ability to zoom, focus and change the aperture, so the pictures could actually be pretty decent. The contacts are described as having a display, allowing you to view captured images. Having displays on contact lenses is something scientists have supposedly been working on for quite some time. Even if the patents are early and the technology isn't readily available for the next few years, it certainly is interesting to get a glimpse into the future.
Film | The Internet's Own Boy /
The Internet's Own Boy depicts the life of American computer programmer, writer, political organizer and Internet activist Aaron Swartz. It features interviews with his family and friends as well as the internet luminaries who worked with him. The film tells his story up to his eventual suicide after a legal battle, and explores the questions of access to information and civil liberties that drove his work. Aaron was involved in the development of RSS, the Creative Commons, and Reddit before changing his focus on political activism and internet freedom. Aaron fought long and hard to make the world (and the internet) a better place, as a person with a deep interest in internet freedom I felt the need to share this. Enjoy.
Lifestyle | Instapour /
Instapour is a subscription service that delivers cocktails (and all the things you need to make them) to your home. Instapour offers a full range of situational cocktail needs ranging from: a monthly subscription of different cocktails per month, a kit to throw happy hour in your office and so forth. If you choose the monthly subscription a concierge will contact you to better understand your drinking preferences and customize your subscription to your palate.
Style | London Undercover /
London Undercover makes arguably the nicest umbrellas on the menswear market. With quality craftsmanship, beautiful wood handles, and subtle details that help you stand out in a crowd without demanding too much attention. I once read that every man should have an umbrella that's 'nice enough not to lose', I get compliments on mine all the time.
Art | Ted Pim /
Ted Pim is an artist from Belfast who paints Baroque inspired portraits. These shots are from one of his more interesting projects where he traveled around the world painting his art inside abandoned buildings. Ted has an interest in surprising unsuspecting viewers of his art, letting them experience his work in a non traditional setting. You can check out more of his work here and on his IG: @TedPim
Health | Bowflex Dumbbells /
I'm a gym person, but theres certain fitness equipment i like to keep at home, mainly things that will help me achieve a very effective workout in short amounts of time. These adjustable dumbbells by Bowflex are designed to carry a full range from 5-52.5 lbs with only 2 dumbbells. Eliminating the need to have 10 individual sets for the full range while taking up 10% of the space. Pretty cool looking too. You can purchase this set here at bowflex.com for $349.00.
Books | Roman and Williams : Things We Made /
Roman and Williams is an award winning building and interior design firm located in NYC. Chances are they designed at least one of your favorite hotels or restaurants, for mine it would be NYC's Ace Hotel. Their new book is packed with 320 full color pages of design inspiration from projects around the world. You can purchase it for $ 75.00 here.
Style | Snow Peak /
Recently I was walking in Soho and stumbled into a store called Snow Peak and was blown away by their outerwear. Originally a Japanese brand known for making camping supplies, Snow Peak has expanded into technical inspired fashion and is on their 3rd season. It's an interesting mix of minimal, outdoorsman, Japanese influence and performance wear. All executed in technical fabrics with great attention to detail and minimal branding. Needless to say I will be buying all my winter jackets here from now on. Check them out here.
Design | Darwin Jellyfish Tank /
The Darwin Sect is a company that started making insect displays in beautiful scientific bell jars. This concept led them further down the road to explore the concept of making a tank specifically for jellyfish. This minimal jellyfish tank plays with light in a way that's so interactive I can't wait to see it in my living room. It's like a sculpture, a fish tank, and a lighting installation all in one. you can pick one up for €1490 here.
Art | Infinity Room /
Refik Anadol's Infinity room uses 3-dimensional projection mapping to form a continually transitioning virtual landscape. Currently on display at the Zorlu Performing Art Center in Istanbul.
Design | Paul Rand Retrospect /
For any designer reading this Paul Rand is one of those names that should need no introduction. For the rest of you, Paul Rand is an iconic American designer who has designed most of the logos for the largest corporations you know today. A lot of my favorite creatives are people who cross genres, people who do design inspired by art, or art inspired by design, etc. Please enjoy this short video I found about Paul Rand's work. Fun Fact: later in his life Paul designed children's books with his wife which to this day are some of the coolest designed children's books in the market.
Tech | TarDisk /
Interested in doubling the storage on your MacBook? It seems lugging around an external hard drive has become all too normal nowadays, especially for anyone who deals with large file sizes. TarDisk Features 256G of flash storage in a simple chip, solving all your storage problems. You can purchase a TarDisk chip here for 399$
Style | Walli /
Walli is an intelligent wallet that digitally links your wallet and cell phone. Lose your wallet: your phone notifies you. Lose your cell phone? double tap Walli to make it ring (in conjunction with iPhones new find your phone features this should really cover phone losses). For more info check out the Walli website here.
Apps | Architecture of Radio /
Dutch data scientist Richard Vijgen has created the first iPad application (scheduled to launch in December) that helps us visualize and understand the complexity of internet signals otherwise known as the 'infosphere'. For more info check out his website here.
Tools | Leatherman Tread /
This amazing concept combined 29 different tools ranging from screwdrivers to bottle opener into one bracelet. need i say more? available for $220 in matte black or stainless steel here. Make sure to check out the animated page that isolates every tool and its specifications, very cool.
Home | Wave Cabinet /
New york artist Sebastian ErraZuriz is on a mission to merge sculptures and things we actually use. The wave cabinet merges the form of a credenza with an elaborate system of 100 wooden slats that allows the piece to open in rolling, wave-like patterns. Check out the rest of his work here.
Style | Stutterheim /
Stutterheim is a company from Stockholm that makes beautiful hand crafted modern raincoats. Their sleek unisex styles are made mostly from rubberized thick cotton and have sealed seams to keep you dry. You can purchase the Stockholm coat in grey for $368 here (as well as many other colors).
Art | Bach Visualized By Alan Warburton /
Sebastian Bach's most ambitious work was a 24 part comprehensive guide to the keyboard which demonstrated the musical qualities of every major and minor key. This film by Alan Warburton visualizes this classic Bach piece, inspired by minimalist sculpture and graphical notation. Enjoy.