This Week on the Internet
We’ll be plunked down in front of the TV watching the Olympic opening ceremonies tonight, but don’t worry, we managed to fit quite a bit of time on the Internet in this week. Here are the articles, photos and documentaries we’ve been talking about this week.
FINDING MEANING IN TRAGEDY
It’s been impossible for all of us to wrap our heads around what we lost when Philip Seymour Hoffman passed away this past weekend. The scene-stealing, always heartfelt actor left behind three young children and countless friends, including Aaron Sorkin, who tried to find meaning in Hoffman’s tragic death.
NEW YORK 2022?
Sochi is having a pretty tough go of the Olympics so far, but could New York City have done it better? The New York Times explores the answer through a series of fascinating pictures and infographics that puts the winter Olympic’s grand scale into perspective.
EVERYTHING IS AMAZON / AMAZON IS EVERYTHING
Amazon’s pilot season has kicked off, and TV junkies that some of us are, we can’t think of anything better than the promise of new, free TV. So far, we’ve watched Transparent, a show from Jill Soloway, a writer for Six Feet Under andUnited States of Tara. We loved its darkly comic view of an LA family, but if you’re looking for something to watch with the kids, this isn’t it. Oh, and don’t forget to vote for your favorites.
THE SECRET LANGUAGE OF PLANTS
The debate is no longer whether plants can sense one another’s biochemical messages—they can—but about why and how they do it. Find out what it means for farmers (and you!) that plants can talk in this Quanta Magazine article.
ATTACK OF THE ROBOTIC BUGS
What could be cooler than borrowing designs from nature? We’re loving the article exploring the creation of insect drones. And, yes, we’re talking butterflies and bees. Oh, and as always, a friendly reminder to look out for those wild and crazy ants.
 |
| Just some of what’s in store for you at the Lookingglass Theater’s production of the Little Prince. |
HOMETOWN HAPPENINGS
A must see in Chicago…we checked out Lookingglass Theatre Company’s Little Prince this week. Buy your tickets now to this incredible, whimsical show.
A MUST WATCH
You’ve probably seen rants about this on your Facebook feed 10 times over by now, but we’re just joining the Blackfish party. If you haven’t already seen it, you must; if you have and are ready to do something about it, find out more here.
YOU COULD HAVE MADE MORE OF ALL THOSE LAW & ORDER MARATHONS
What does every shot of every computer on on Law & Order’s 0-year run tell us about our relationship with technology? More than even the biggest L&O junkie would have suspected.
This list was compiled by Brooke Scheyer, the Director of Programming for Chicago Ideas Week.
