Next time you're at the farmer's market, consider picking up a few extra pieces of produce so you can start your own vegetable orchestra.

I'm utterly terrified by these Japanese toys! Why? I don't know. Perhaps the slinky would have freaked me out in the 1950s. But there's something unnerving about a pig that won't die.

Want to change minds about climate activism in 10 minutes? Try this science teacher's approach. You know he's right. He's a member of the League of Awesome.

Lately, people have asked about this blog's name. I don't understand why it seems to puzzle everyone. I learned everything I need to know about the blogs from Gabe & Max.

Unlike Gene Simmons , rap artist 50 Cent, who is also the owner of a music label, understands the true effect file sharing has had on the music industry . Is it deletrious to a certain aspect of the bottom line? Yes. But does it really hurt musicians? Only if labels decide to put the punitive costs there. In terms of fame, musicians are the second-biggest winners in the file sharing revolution. (Second only to music fans, naturally.)

Says fitty,

The concerts are crowded and the industry must understand that they have to manage all the 360 degrees around an artist. They, (the industry), have to maximize their income from concerts and merchandise. It is the only way they can get their marketing money back. The main problem is that the artists are not getting as much help developing as before file-sharing. They are now learning to peddle ringtones, not records. They don’t understand the value of a perfect piece of art.That's one of the most beautiful and articulate descriptions of the current state of the music industry I've yet to come across.

Just in time for the holidays: I love how the expression on this little boy's face goes from endearing to frightening way before the grisly payoff shots. Super Furry Animals have always had a way of taking the hazy, happy sound of '70s rock and imbuing it with an undertone of dread. Merry Christmas!

All day, every day, it seems someone wants to call print media a dead industry. Okay, fine, but does anybody really want to deal with the stress of the alternative over the hill? 

The short video "How We Met" is not only cute, it shows that kids who spend their entire time in math class doodling still have a chance to hook up. Awwww. 

Backup violinist and singer Petra Haden has been making a solo splash lately with her heavily-augmented a cappella renditions of popular music. "Don't Stop Believing" is doing the rounds due to its lead-track status on the Guilt By Association compilation album, but for my money (no money at all), it's "Thriller" that really packs a punch .