2026-09-30 Discoveries

Phyllotaxis: An audio-reactive LED display

One of nature's beautiful patterns captured in dancing lights

A Privacy Analysis of Web and Mobile Conversational AI Agents [pdf]

GPT 6.1 Sol: Near-Astra intelligence for a fifth of the price

Raspberry Pi Smart Display Module available now at $30

The Raspberry Pi Smart Display Module is available to buy now from our global network of Approved Resellers.

The Deep Magic of 3D Graphics Perspective

Many of us of a certain age will have had their first true, good 3D video game experience with Super Mario 64. Unlike previous 3D games, the camera was an …

How to Explain Complicated Things

You may remember a time when it was difficult to make it through the day without hearing someone cite a TED Talk. A major technological reason for that was streaming video’s new accessibility on practically everyone’s computer (especially those of people bored at work). A major cultural reason was…

Game on: Henry Cavill is putting Googlebook to the test

Henry Cavill is partnering with Googlebook to build a video game, coming this November.

The Evolutionary Raw Deal of the Human Knee

Why don’t great apes have knee problems?

Designing a Fully 3D-Printed Mechanical Calculator

Even if almost tragically impractical in a world where digital calculators are cheap as chips, mechanical calculators and their big mechanical computer brethren remain an absolute marvel of engineering. Using …

A Workforce of Creatures Chugs Along in Kate Renshaw-Lewis’ Hand-Drawn Film “Busy Bodies”

How do we get rubber gloves and fish? Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month. The article A Workforce of Creatures Chugs Along in Kate Renshaw-Lewis’ Hand-Drawn Film “Busy Bodies” appeared…

Mick Jagger Tells the Story Behind ‘Gimme Shelter’ and Merry Clayton’s Haunting…

In the fall of 1969 the Rolling Stones were in a Los Angeles recording studio, putting the final touches on their album Let It Bleed. It was a tumultuous time for the Stones. They had been struggling with the album for the better part of a year as they dealt with the personal disintegration of their

Experience two artists’ perspectives on philosophy, science, and AI

Artists Xin Liu and Eunjo Lee used Google AI to create new artworks with LAS Art Foundation and Google Arts & Culture Lab.

Gladys Assistant 5

Private, self-hosted smart home, no YAML required

Improved Double-Sided Toner Transfer Method

In the era before PCB shops would make almost any PCB imaginable, as well making many other manufacturing processes for prototypes available to hobbyists, there were several ways of making …

Aging Muscle Has a Hidden Molecular Switch

Uncovering the paradox behind the shift from fast to slow twitch muscle fibers

Anatomy Unzipped: John of Arderne’s Sweden Scroll (ca. 1425–35)

Early surgical diagrams that present patients prying themselves open for our anatomical gaze.

Fantastical, Elemental Hybrids Persevere in Jon Ching’s Metaphysical Paintings

Inspired by his island upbringing on O’ahu, Hawai’i, Ching turns to nature as a boundless source of wonder and solace. Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month. The article Fantastical…

Google is a technology partner for the launch of America.gov.

Google partners with America.gov to use Gemini to help 100 million people access federal services faster. See how we are modernizing public access.

Claude Sonnet 5.5

Anthropic's second model in the Claude 5.5 family

How Delhi cut electricity loss from 50 to 5 percent

It slashed electricity losses from 50 to 5 percent

America.gov

The Ruler Of The Universe

Why are AI data centers using so much electricity? - Sajan Saini

Explore the challenges and possibilities of AI data centers, and how these rapidly expanding complexes use energy and resources. -- Since 2019, over a thousand warehouse campuses have popped up around the world. Each complex covers nearly…

Ice Age Spear Points Tell a Fascinating Story of Human Progress

What do we keep, and what do we throw away?

Timeful

Design web apps and sync with your own codebase

Niklas Roy Constructs a Functional Pendulum Clock Made Entirely of Trash

The Berlin-based artist and inventor is fascinated by the convergence of art, science, and technology. Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month. The article Niklas Roy Constructs a…

PS5 Relapse Exploit

Exploit chain for PS5 7.00 - 13.60. Contribute to ntfargo/Relapse-Exploit development by creating an account on GitHub.

Tcl/Tk 9.1

Show HN: A working 3D model of an Enigma machine

Explore 3D Enigma models, follow their electrical circuits and rotor mechanisms, and learn how the machines were used.