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Mapping the World.

Lalitesh Katragadda is a software engineer at Google that explains how the new software, Google Map Maker, will map the entire world with the help of common internet users. As of 2005, only 15% of the world was mapped. With knowledge of the area around you, one can find untapped resources creating jobs and a better economy. Mapping also allows for better saftey and evacuation securities. Check out the video on TED.com:

LXD

The League of Extraordinary Dancers (LXD) is a group of real life super heroes with real life super human abilities... or at least that what the video tells me on TED.com... this video speaks about the art of dance and how the internet has evolved it. For example... a move is created in Detroit and posted online... kids in Japan learn the move, build upon it, and repost it... then a group in California sees it and reinvents as well.... The underground movement and culture of dance is captured by LXD. Jon Chu, a filmmaker, plans on creating a web series devoted to LXD in the near future!

3/4

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OK Go... Rube Goldberg Machine Music Video!

Maybe the coolest music video ever created to date... Incorporating a design inspired by the man (Rube Goldeberg) known for over the top, unnecessarily excessive designs used to accomplish the simplest of tasks, OK Go's newest music video ("This Too Shall Pass") is phenomenal. Over 4 minutes of constant kinetic energy, meticulous timing, and extreme set-ups equals one hell of a ride. One shot (not edited) proves validity and a team sponsored by State Farm Insurance helps to relieve the abundant stress this project must have presented. This is a design at its most extravagant... utilized for the simplest and most mundane result. All-in-all, good fun.

See more funny videos and TBT Videos at Today's Big Thing.

How'd they do it?
Answer here.

Going Musically and Fashionably Green.

Alyce Santoro has creatively recycled her old cassette tapes by making the tape into musical ties and dresses. Not only are they a unique way to look fashionable and retro at the same time, they can also play music if glided over a tape head. They cost $140, but if you're looking to make a statement or own a conversation piece (and also be kind to the environment) then there is no better place to look than here.

Smart Glove

The Smart Glove would create a new way to type. Just as voice recognition typing programs came out (although they were relatively inaccurate and inefficient), this is another way to create type without actually typing. A user would use one hand in the glove and write the text, which would then be translated into print on a screen. As of now, the prototype takes 35 test runs of each unique letter for it to be 97% accurate when writing in freeform. It would cost near $100, so if that is too expensive for the market, they may use it medically for research in parkinson's disease.

Creationism or Darwinism? The ultimate debate on design.

My recent obsession with TED.com brought me to a talking parrot that recognizes over 200 words on cue. It truly is amazing to watch and wonder how a bird can do such seemingly complicated tasks (for a bird). Coming back to design, I thought about the debate on Creationism and Darwinism. I'm not going to shove any opinions down your throat (not sure I have a strong enough one anyway, at this point in time), but the truth is, no matter what you believe, the design of humans/animals is quite mind-blowing. The intricacies of the human body and the intelligence of such a small creature are quite marvelous designs in their own rite. For fun... here you go:

Refresh your Electronics!

I think I saw this on a commercial recently, or maybe saw an ad on another site, but The Refresh Electronics Charging Station is a great idea and I'm not sure why no one thought of it earlier! Its a black (or white) rubberized platform that is customizable to charge up to three electronic devices at once. So instead of having all your devices plugged into different outlets and finding all the right cords that match the device... the platform simply is an all-in-one charger. Easy to use, simple idea, extremely convenient!

Self-repairing architecture.

Rachel Armstrong is a medical doctor, multi-media producer, science fiction author and arts collaborator. In this TED talk, Rachel explains how manipulated metabolic material and help save a sinking Venice. The material latches on to supports under water and acts like strong limestone... rebuilding upon itself so that Venice would no longer sink. Talk about going green! Not only would the concept be safe for the habit (it would actually create new ones)... it aids in the saving of a city!

check it:

4am.

Rives, a poet and multimedia artist, spoke at a TED conference about the ominous moment that is 4am. Making coincidental connections in history using literature, birth dates and important events, Rives questions the significance of 4 am in them morning. Its hilarious to watch but even more fascinating. Do designers and great thinkers alike come to a climatic point in their work at 4am??

Weird or just Different?

Derek Sivers created CD Baby, one of the most notable independent music stores on the web. In this 3 minute TED talk, Derek speaks on the design of a city block. Its a rather simple comparison, but it draws out the differences in cultures around the world. Derek goes on to explain how in the US we name streets and in Japan they name blocks. Without this previous knowledge, directing yourself within a foreign country such as Japan can seem odd and slightly disheartening... but the truth is, who is to say who is right or wrong? Just as who can say a design on anything is right or wrong? Its a simple thing; to be brought up in certain ways and be absolutely certain that that way is the correct way. If we are not omnipotent, we have no means to judge anything... we must live on opinions!