The Beautification Engine

Some computer scientists from Israel created a computer program that uses a mathematical formula to alter photos of the human body into a theoretically more attractive version. Click here to see some more shots of celebrities they ran through the 'engine.'

Canadian Myths

This is a really cool project put together by a collection of Canadian designers. Its called the 'Cabin' project and its aim is to reinterpret objects or sentiments we Canadians view as 'Canadian.' Here is an excerpt from their site.

Given the relative youth of Canada and much of it's mythology, we are in a unique position to 'write our own story.' The Cabin Project is about creating 'the evidence' of this story. Evolving as new designers contribute their own unique perspectives.'

Here are some creations from the project.

The Cancon chair.

Souvenirs for Canada

Guatemala #3: Market

I just love this before and after I found while looking up images for the post on ruins - This is the market in San Pedro (on Lake Atitlan where my mum lives) in 1942 vs. now.

Guatemala #2; Mayan Ruins Before and After

These three archeological sites are all in the Peten region of Guatemala. Archaeologists often render ruins as a means of reconstructing the salvaged artifacts into a cohesive picture of the site and it's residents. These "before" pictures give us huge insight into the contemporary "afters". (note: the research I did here definitely whet my appetite for ruins)


Ruins at Uaxactun: The drawing was done by Tatiana Proskouriakoff in 1950. This site was rediscovered in the early 20th century by an American Archeologist.


The site at Tikal is the biggest in Guatemala and the most complete as well. It is very remote and surrounded by jungles. I've never been but I must say, it looks haunted to me. OooooOooOooooooo...


Archeologist Tatiana Proskouriakoff is buried at the ruins of Piedras Negras. Read about the discovery of the panel here by Stephen D. Houston. To recognize the drawing in the bottom photo compare the glyphs on the side of the panel with the monuments at the base of the temple stairs and the faces on the temple with the one in the thick jungle brush. See. Haunted.

Faces for Races

This is an image from a 1906 schoolbook. It was first posted by The According Guy.

This is your face on drugs - Before and After Meth Addicts

If this isn't impetus enough to stay away from drugs, check out this book I saw recently at Pages, "A Time Before Crack" by Jamel Shabazz - From the abstract:

"Once upon a time before crack, inner city communities were blighted by poverty and unemployment—but not by the drug wars that tore families apart, destroying lives with needless violence and mindless addiction. Once upon a time before crack, pride and style were as inseparable as a beatbox and mixtape, or as a pair of shoes and matching purse. Once upon a time before crack, Jamel Shabazz was on the scene, working the streets of New York City, capturing the faces and places of an era that have long since disappeared."

NY - Part 2: Penn Station

The arrow of time.

On June 17th each year this family takes photographs of themselves.
They've posted the photos here.