Guest Thinkers — February 22, 2011

“This is how innovation should feel”

New Yorkers taking the shuttle between Grand Central and Times Square discovered today that the subterranean subway had been completely transformed into a variety of exotic landscapes, including a lush tropical rainforest. The subway makeover wasn’t the initiative of Mayor Bloomberg — instead, it was the result of an innovative new advertising campaign (“This is How it Should Feel”) from Westin Hotels & Resorts. Given the striking visual appearance of the subway, it’s perhaps no surprise that A-list blog Gawker has already posted a video (Westin Ads Junglify the Subway) of the innovative new advertising campaign in New York City.

Anyway, stay tuned over the next few days – my colleagues at ElectricArtists are launching a website in conjunction with the subway transformation!

[image: “This is How It Should Feel”]

Strange Maps

America’s news deserts are growing

Most counties in the U.S. have only one local newspaper, often one that publishes weekly instead of daily.

Two people walking past a dark brick wall with numerous security cameras pointing in various directions.

The Present

Are smart cities a wise idea?

When Google runs a smart city, who owns the data?

Illustration of a young woman with closed eyes, smiling, next to a large, detailed eye and surrounded by vibrant, abstract elements and smiley faces.

Neuropsych

Eyes wide shut: Why closing your eyes intensifies psychedelic trips

A recent study suggests that exposure to visual stimuli can diminish the effects of psychedelic drugs.

Starts With A Bang

The big idea of Grand Unified Theories of physics

If the electromagnetic and weak forces unify to make the electroweak force, maybe, at higher energies, something even grander happens?

Microscopic image of a small electronic component with clear details of its structure and connections against a gray background.

The Future

Making microbots smart

What would it take to create a truly intelligent microbot, one that can operate independently?

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