Link About It: This Week’s Picks
The Paris Agreement, NASA’s call for astronauts, James Turrell on “Hotline Bling” and more in our look at the web
1. Banksy’s New Steve Jobs Artwork Confronts Refugee Stigmas
Located on a wall inside the Calais refugee camp, Bansky’s latest piece features the image of late Apple founder Steve Jobs and aims to confront the stigma that refugees drain countries’ resources. It references the history of Jobs and his Syrian migrant father, who moved to America after World War II. Jobs later went on to build the world’s most valuable company, which now pays over $7 billion in taxes per year to the United States government.
2. Everything You Need to Know About the Historic Paris Agreement
A few days ago, international leaders representing 195 different countries assembled in Paris to discuss fossil fuels, greenhouse gasses and climate change. Together, they signed a historic pact—called the Paris Agreement—in which they unanimously agreed to protect our home planet by curbing (or reversing) the effects of climate change and supporting the undeveloped countries affected most. It’s the first time the world has witnessed such unity on the often controversial topic. Head to Time to learn what the agreement means for our global future.
3. Artist James Turrell Discusses Drake and New Fame
For decades, James Turell has captivated the art world with his immersive and mesmerizing light installations—long before Drake’s “Hotline Bling” video cast his name into the minds of a younger crowd. On the heels of his latest exhibition at Kanye Griffin Cocoran, the 72-year-old artist spoke with The Guardian, discussing his new-found fame in pop culture, his upcoming projects, and the relationship between humans and light: “Clearly we weren’t made for the midday sun. We were made for twilight… When light is reduced the pupil opens and we can really feel it.” Head to The Guardian to read the full interview.
4. NASA is Now Accepting Astronaut Applications
NASA has just announced that it is now accepting applications for a new class of astronauts—some who may one day travel to Mars. There are a few initial requirements, including a US citizenship, a degree in an engineering-related field and either a doctorate degree or experience piloting a jet. If selected, applicants will pass through a two-year physical and mental evaluation, as well as undergo various tests in specialized skills before even beginning training for a future space mission. Head to Quartz to see if you’re qualified.
5. Axel Morin’s New York Photos
For his latests photo series “Once upon a time in America,” Axel Morin evokes the gritty summer atmosphere of Queens, Brooklyn and the Bronx once portrayed in movies, music and magazines. The 29-year-old French photographer traveled through the boroughs during the summer of 2015, snapping a stunning set of images that harken back to a less gentrified New York. Speaking with Dazed, Morin explains, “I like to analyze the street, immerse myself in new environments, and understand these moods through my work.” See more of his photos at Dazed.
6. Data Simulation Depicting the Average American Day
Using data from the American Time Use survey of 2014, statistician Nathan Yau developed a fascinating data visualization depicting the average day for Americans. Resembling a Hungry Hungry Hippos game, the simulation uses tiny dots to represent citizens as they move from sleep to work to nighttime leisure, with about 96% of people fast asleep at 3AM and roughly 40% working at 3PM. Watch the mesmerizing simulation cycle through a full 24-hour day at Flowing Data.
7. The Next Major Shift for Photoshop
After dominating the photography software industry for years, Adobe Photoshop is undergoing a reawakening. Initially spurred by the release of Apple’s iPad 1, the company is now focused on transitioning the program to become much more touch-friendly and on-the-go for a new generation of users growing up the in era of tablets. They’ve discontinued previous iterations of Photoshop iPad apps and are now focusing on Photoshop Fix, the next incarnation of the photo-editing beast. Head to Fast Company to read more about the program’s evolution.
8. US Economics Explained Through a Rude Goldberg Machine
Understanding the inner-workings of the US economy can be difficult—even for those with a degree in economics. With the US Federal Reserve announcing an increase in the Federal Funds Rate, many understand that to simply mean interest rates will rise, but there’s a lot more going on. To help make the maneuver more comprehensible, the Times created a Rude Goldberg Machine to explain, step by step, how rising interest rates will affect everything from unemployment rates to grocery prices.
Link About It is our filtered look at the web, shared daily in Link and on Twitter, and rounded up every Saturday morning.
