Cool Stuff Daily

A fresh argument for reclassifying Pluto as a full-fledged planet that would open the doors for way more planets than just the OG nine. Plus, it was raining fish in Texas last week. And if you’ve been trying to remember the title of a book you read as a kid, a new community on Instagram might be able to help you out. Sponsors: ExpressVPN, ExpressVPN.com/kottke for an extra 3 months FREE on a one-y...

A history of the humble donut as a symbol of American patriotism, and a circular source of joy world round. Plus, a round-up of New Year’s traditions from around the world––in case you’re looking for a little inspiration on this perhaps quieter-than-usual New Year’s Eve. Links: Doughnuts: The fried treat that conquered the modern world (BBC) The Delicious Democratic Symbolism of...Doughnuts? (JSTO...

The argument for emojis as folklore, the top emojis of 2021, and why an emoji reference site is being archived in the Library of Congress. Plus, it turns out gray hair can return to its original color… sometimes, and temporarily. And, waterbeds didn’t fully go away after the early 90s. Their main consumer base just shifted… to cows. Sponsors: GiveWell, Have your donation matched up to $250 by ente...

What is the real driver of all of humanity’s innovations, doctrines, and oddities? According to some psychologists, disgust. Plus, the surprisingly recent history of counting down to midnight on New Year’s Eve. And forget smell-o-vision, now there’s a TV you can taste. Sponsors: Shopify, Get a 14-day free trial at shopify.com/kottke GiveWell, Have your donation matched up to $250 by entering Kottk...

A round-up of Christmas traditions from around the world and throughout time. Plus, the US Army is working on a vaccine that could protect against all COVID and SARS variants, including omicron. And there’s a cream cheese shortage so Kraft Heinz is bribing us not to make cheesecakes over the holidays. Sponsors: Shopify, Get a 14-day free trial at shopify.com/kottke GiveWell, Have your donation mat...

The James Webb Space Telescope is launching on Friday. Here’s what to expect, and why astronomers are so stressed out about it. Plus, Scotland may soon be issuing a three centuries overdue pardon to victims of its many witchcraft trials. And when the snowstorms come this season, your town might just be de-icing the roads with beet juice. Sponsors: GiveWell, Have your donation matched up to $250 by...

How an athlete’s blood could boost cognitive function, potentially in non-athletic people. Plus, the origin and meanings of the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” And, Christmas in July takes on a whole new meaning with cruises designed specifically for professional Santas. Sponsors: GiveWell, Have your donation matched up to $250 by entering Kottke Ride Home at check out at GiveWell.org Shopify...

How a librarian discovered a secret library within her library. Plus, some tips for unplugging more deeply when you’re on vacation. And the group of actual birds knocking Adele and Ed Sheeran off the top of the Australian music charts. Sponsors: GiveWell, Have your donation matched up to $250 by entering Kottke Ride Home at check out at GiveWell.org Tentree, Use code KOTTKE to get 15% off at tentr...

It turns out those pesky spotted lanternflies have changed the local honey in Pennsylvania, and it’s… kind of good? Plus, the FDA has approved eye drops that fix age-related vision problems. And one company is trying to prevent new staff turnover by letting them see what the job is really like using VR headsets. Sponsors: Tentree, Use code KOTTKE to get 15% off at tentree.com GiveWell, Have your d...

A NASA spacecraft has just touched the sun for the first time in human history. Plus, are floating neighborhoods the future for coastal towns? And a look back at the origin of online reviews, and a question about their future. Sponsors: GiveWell, Have your donation matched up to $250 by entering Kottke Ride Home at check out at GiveWell.org Tentree, Use code KOTTKE to get 15% off at tentree.com Li...

When did we first start sending holiday cards and will the tradition ever end? Plus, the health risks for humans in space and a high-tech sleeping bag that could prevent astronauts’ vision from deteriorating. And, Keanu Reeves explains what was going on in the infamous Sad Keanu photo. Sponsors: Tentree, Use code KOTTKE to get 15% off at tentree.com GiveWell, Have your donation matched up to $250...

Need a creative boost? Try this napping hack from Thomas Edison and Salvador Dalí––research from this month says it actually works. The woman who successfully traded a bobby pin for a house. And Swedish towns are trying to reclaim their names from IKEA products. Sponsors: GiveWell, Have your donation matched up to $250 by entering Kottke Ride Home at check out at GiveWell.org Tentree, Use code KOT...

Insights from the real-life NASA scientist behind Netflix’s new killer-comet movie, Don’t Look Up. Plus, reindeers are the only mammals whose eyes change color with the seasons. And their noses kind of do too––the science behind that, and the history of the most famous red-nosed reindeer of all. Sponsors: GiveWell, Have your donation matched up to $250 by entering Kottke Ride Home at check out at...

Finally we get some truth from bird truthers. Everything you need to know about the Birds Aren’t Real movement. Plus, New Zealand is banning tobacco completely for the upcoming generations. And Instagram is bringing back the chronological feed! Kind of. Sponsor: Indeed, Get a free $75 credit at Indeed.com/goodnews GiveWell, Have your donation matched up to $250 by entering Kottke Ride Home at chec...

Cleaning advice from nineteenth century housekeepers. An upcoming feminist retelling of 1984. How to watch the Geminid meteor shower next week. And MST3K is officially coming back next year. Sponsors: GiveWell, Have your donation matched up to $250 by entering Kottke Ride Home at check out at GiveWell.org Indeed, Get a free $75 credit at Indeed.com/goodnews Links: Milk for Floors, Bread for Walls:...

How SpaceX’s giant Starship rocket could herald a new generation of space exploration. Plus, all sound recordings from the mid-1800s to 1923 are going to be released to the US Public Domain on January 1st. And Heinz and Terry’s have partnered to create a chocolate orange mayonnaise. Yeah. Sponsors: Indeed, Get a free $75 credit at Indeed.com/goodnews GiveWell, Have your donation matched up to $250...

Do you feel like the dialogue in movies has gotten harder to understand? It’s not just you. Sound professionals dish on all the reasons why it’s gotten worse in recent years. Plus, a giant steel structure coming soon to Tasmania has already started recording us to provide evidence of our shame to future civilizations. And honeybees that survived for weeks under volcanic ash after the eruption in t...

Why the FBI thought the inventor of Tickle Me Elmo might have been the Unabomber. A new potential method for freeze-drying vaccines. And it’s Krampusnacht this weekend. Here’s everything you need to know about the sinister anti-Santa. Sponsors: Lendtable, Use code KOTTKE at Lendtable.com to get an extra $50 added to your Lendtable balance Tentree, Use code KOTTKE to get 15% off at tentree.com Link...

How a twenty-one-year-old student-teacher and his roommates created Oregon Trail fifty years ago, and never made a cent from their creation. Plus, a letter Catherine the Great wrote in favor of vaccinations just sold for $1.3 million. And, for one night only, you can stay in the original Home Alone house. Sponsors: Tentree, Use code KOTTKE to get 15% off at tentree.com Lendtable, Use code KOTTKE a...

Why does Duolingo use such weird and sometimes deeply relatable phrases to teach its users new languages? Plus, the real science behind the much-hyped “first living robots that can now reproduce.” And the origins of the twelve days of Christmas. Like, the actual days. Not the song about turtle doves. Sponsors: Lendtable, Use code KOTTKE at Lendtable.com to get an extra $50 added to your Lendtable...

How Mark Twain invented the bra clasp. Kinda. Plus, beavers doing the work of million dollar machines to restore land and prevent wildfires––in a fraction of the time and for a fraction of the cost. And a new twist has emerged in the McDonald’s milkshake machine lawsuit saga.  Sponsors: Tentree, Use code KOTTKE to get 15% off at tentree.com Lendtable, Use code KOTTKE at Lendtable.com to get an ext...

Are influencers’ aesthetic choices for their kids threatening their brain development? Probably not, but the science behind it is kind of interesting. Plus, pub-goers in England got stranded for three days with an Oasis tribute band. And there’s a maple syrup shortage, but don’t worry, Canada was ready for it with their emergency maple syrup reserves. Sponsors: Lendtable, Use code KOTTKE at Lendta...

How does the CIA go about recruiting young people who are increasingly skeptical of government institutions and also not exactly covert about their lives on social media? Plus, a dictionary of fake words for very real feelings. And are we cautiously eyeing an end in sight for the supply chain issues? Kind of. Links: The CIA Is Trying to Recruit Gen Z—and Doesn't Care If They're All Over Social Med...

Why we rely on idioms for communication and how some of the more nonsensical ones entered our lexicon. Plus, a company working on a sort of 10,000 g slingshot to launch satellites into space with zero emissions just pulled off their first successful test launch. And some reflections on reconnecting with the Earth in this era of the climate emergency, without appropriating indigenous cultures. Link...

Could lunar explorers of the future be sucking air out of moon rocks? Could all of us? Plus, a device made from household objects could expand the world’s access to vaccines. And the psychological case for decorating for the holidays as early as you want. Links: The Moon's top layer alone has enough oxygen to sustain 8 billion people for 100,000 years (The Conversation) This Cheap Device Could Exp...