Helsinki-based band Light Light has created a crowd-sourced and creative solution to the monotony of music videos these days. By tracking the viewers cursor as they watch the video, a new and unique take is created every hour. Get your mouse ready and head into an evolving set of challenges here.

Read more >

Researchers at the University of Vermont are looking into how social media sites could help to map happiness. Using an algorithm they have dubbed their "hedonometer", the team has used the sentiment of over 35 million geo-tagged check-ins and tweets to analyze the effect of location on overall happiness. Focused on San Francisco Bay, New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles, the preliminary findings showed that distance from home can greatly impact the happiness of the user.

Read more >

Online currency system Bitcoin was launched January 3rd, 2009 by an unknown Japanese programmer to little fanfare. Calling himself Satoshi Nakamoto, the programmer disappeared from the web altogether in 2011. As the service has grown in popularity, experts have claimed the world-class work of the Bitcoin system was likely the invention of a team of people with a "deep understanding of programming language, economics, cryptography, and peer-to-peer networking" or possibly a solitary genius.

Read more >

While beef offers a rich nomenclature of chuck, brisket, tenderloins, sirloins, shanks and more- a pork chop is a pork chop is a pork chop. In order to cut through the monotony, pork retailers are now taking cues from their darker cousin to upgrade pork in both reputation and sales.

Retailers argue that  new pork labels will not only bring some new attention to "the other white meat" but will help to educate otherwise intimidated consumers on correct cooking methods and appropriate occasions. Plans to revamp veal and lamb nomenclature are expected to follow as well. Check out the full updates to the Uniform Retail Meat Identity Standards and decide if you will be grilling a newfangled "Porterhouse Chop" this summer.

Read more >

Last Sunday, HBO's Game of Thrones returned to TV, laptop, and mobile screens everywhere- setting the modern-day record for piracy with over 1 million downloads in a 24-hour period. The epic is in its third season and as the characters pile up and begin to venture beyond their home base of Westoros, fans may be feeling a bit overwhelmed. Luckily designer Nigel Evan Davis has created "Where have all the Wildlings gone?" - an incredibly detailed infographic for the series. His site comes complete with character sketches, a key of houses, and "the complete recorded history of Westoros extending back over 12,500 years". Davis plans on updating as the series progresses so GOT-ers can have their cheat sheet ready at all times.

Read more >

While Mayor Bloomberg and other government officials have fought to include calories counters on food products and restaurant fare, early reports have shown that the displays have not dissuaded hungry consumers. Some blame America's consumption culture, however researchers at UNC believe that the average eater doesn't entirely understand calorie counting and needs a real world solution to track their daily intake.

Read more >

Innovative tracking technology has enabled a far more sophisticated shopping experience, with benefits for brands and consumers alike. Camera-equipped mannequins, traffic monitors, and 3D-motion and heat tracking all work together to optimize the in-store experience and provide consumer data and demographics for the retailer. Mobile phone signals can also help to track shoppers in a non-invasive manner, creating an in-store map of consumer behavior.

While you may never feel alone in the supermarket again, the latest and greatest in-store tech can ensure that your trip is quick and relatively painless.

(Source: PSFK)

Read more >

Humorous with a hint of 1984, photo artist Yago Partal has created Zoo Portraits. A series of animals (from sloth to fox to pig) take a seat in their finest "human clothes" for a portrait. Take a look at the full line-up here and enjoy the chicly dressed crew of animals.

Read more >

TV producer and illustrator Nathan Pyles has created a set of NYC Basic Tips and Etiquette for New York newcomers. The illustrations give simple and humorous directives for newbies and tourists- from how to avoid the wrong subway to exiting a taxi cab. Check out the ongoing project here and you may even learn a thing or two.

Read more >

With 70% of app users abandoning service after the first use, Fast Company takes a look at the benefits of catering to a smaller niche of "power users". This small but devoted population accounts for 76% of all time spent on the average app and they are often responsible for sharing a large share of site content and spreading the word to other potential users.

Click for more

Read more >