Transportation
Oregon raceway park — extreme shifter cart. Though 800 pounds makes it something other than a go-cart IMO.
http://www.wired.com/autopia/2010/06/palatov-motorsports-dp4/
More extreme. These cars (and bikes) look like cartoon characters. In part because they spring from Japans otaku culture.
Examples of bosozoku bikes are a little harder to find but here’s a couple. (Nice non boso-Morowaki 600RR smack in the middle of the thread.)
And for something soothing. Bernardet produced a very common and successful line of scooters in France in the late 40s and the 50s. But from 1921 until 1940 they produced racing and street sidecars. Scroll down to see some wicked racers.
Science
Science of pretty. How do butterfly wings get their color?
More science of pretty. How do fireflies light up?
A slightly different view on the problem of lagging science innovation in the US. It’s not the education it’s the jobs.
Art, Images, and Design
Peter Taylor’s round little fellows with patterns and swirly pretties. Jolly. (NSFW bare cartoon butts)
Only the shadow knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men. The rest of us just assumed that the average beach going kid has a bit of monster in their heart.
Edmund Dulac illustrated many books in the 30’s Here is a set of scans from Treasure Island. Soft clear colors and charming images.
Perhaps you could also look at his illustration for the Rubaiyat. Much darker and lush.
Animation
This is another one of those “how could I possibly write a better intro than Meredith wrote?” items. Czech children’s film — Kooky’s Return. I can’t. Just watch.
welcome back to the real™ world