A Brief Disagreement

 

We have featured animations by Steve Cutts on Kuriositas any number of times… so here’s another one just for good measure.  If you know his work, you will know that Coutts doesn’t exactly hold the human race in what you might call massively high regard.  This animation – A Brief Disagreement – charts our history in a way that could seen as somewhat, erm, bleak to say the least.  However, as usual, it’s immensely entertaining and something to watch while we wait for the inevitable.

Tsunami Girl

 

In February 2010, on the remote Chilean island of Juan Fernández, a 12-year-old girl named Martina became an unexpected hero. While the town slept, Martina felt a tremor that signaled an approaching tsunami. Acting quickly, she alerted everyone, saving countless lives. This true story is told through Martina's eyes, capturing the bravery of one girl in the face of disaster.

Discover the full story and creative team behind this powerful tale:
Original Idea: Emiliano Rodriguez Nuesch
Directors: Leo Campasso, Antonio Balseiro, Carlos Balseiro

Learn more about the project: Aura Studio, Pacifico, Simbiosis

Impossible Journey

 

Impossible Journey is an animated short film that tackles the pressing issue of maternal healthcare in the U.S. Created by a predominantly female team, the film took over a year to complete, with production spanning Brazil and NYC. 

Each frame was carefully printed and hand-painted to reflect the protagonist's layered experiences. Every element of the animation carries metaphorical significance, mirroring the thoughtful construction of the entire project.

Kajabi Release New Data Revealing How Much Creators Could Really Make

 

Kajabi, the leading platform for creator-driven commerce, had proudly unveiled a refreshed brand identity, an expanded suite of digital products, and a powerful new campaign — The Reality of the Creator Economy — all designed to empower creators to take control of their financial future and build businesses on their own terms.  It certainly rings a lot of bells with me because creators often get huge amounts of views and end up receiving very little money in return.  The new data shows just how much money creators could make - and how.

If you watch the video above, featuring Chef Boy Lee you will get a comedic (but as a metaphor, pretty honest) creator's view of how things can seem to conspire against you - but how there is also a solution too with the help of Kajabi.

If you haven't heard of Kajabi, it was established in 2010 and is based in Newport Beach, California. It is the leading platform for creator commerce, empowering individuals to transform their knowledge, skills, and expertise into sustainable online businesses. Kajabi’s all-in-one platform provides creators with a comprehensive ecosystem to build, market, and sell digital products, such as communities, online courses, newsletters, live coaching, and more. Trusted by tens of thousands of creators and entrepreneurs, Kajabi serves as the foundation of their businesses, collectively generating over $8 billion in revenue from more than 85 million customers worldwide.

Ahad Khan, the CEO of Kajabi here introduces Enes Yilmazer, to further explain the reality of social platforms, starting with quite a stark statistic.

 

The truth of the matter is that in 2023, social platforms made nine times more than they paid out to creators, revealing a glaring imbalance in the creator economy. Nearly 50% of creators earn less than $10,000 a year, and almost a quarter of them work for over two years before making their first money which is more than 730 days without any kind of revenue coming in. On average, a single TikTok view is worth just $0.00004, a mere fraction of a cent. With 200 million creators on these platforms, none of them actually own their channels - and the channel could disappear overnight at the whim of the real owner - further emphasizing the challenges creators face in gaining true control and financial independence.

Kajabi has just reinvented its brand design to reflect the distinctive and evolving journey creators undertake in pursuing their dreams. The refreshed identity features a new logo, bold colours, dynamic typography, and a confident brand voice, enhanced by motion elements that capture the relentless determination and continuous progress of an entrepreneur's vision, resilience, and drive for success. You can read more about the rebrand and how you as a creator might gain from joining up with Kajabi here.

Kajabi is also introducing several exciting new digital products designed to help new creators start earning money quickly, while also enabling established creators to diversify, innovate, and grow their income streams. Take a look at these new offerings using the link above and see how they can support your creative journey and business success.

The Laws of Motion - Animated!

Back in 1687 Newton first published the three laws of motion.  They describe the relationship between the forces acting on a body and its motion due to those forces. They have been expressed in many different ways over nearly three centuries, so here is yet another way of doing so – in animated form. I for one reckon that Newton would approve!

This is the work of Lindsay Gilmour, who was responsible for the visual development of this film from concept to final render. I really like the clean lines of the animation and the interpolation of the human hand in to the action to show us which law is being described.  Of course, when the heroes of the story are Earl the Brick and Freddy the Feather (sound like London gangsters of the 1960s!) it is even more marvelous! Science and art in tandem again!

The Biology of Risk Taking: Why Do Teenage Boys Put Themselves in Danger?

If you have ever wondered why teenage boys act so, well, stupidly, then this should give you an insight.  Created by Stefane Lefort for an exhibition about risk in La Cité des Sciences et de l'industrie de Paris, it follows young Maxine who is enjoying a day out at the pool but wants to impress some girls. Should he leap off the top of the diving platform or retreat back to his friends, tail between his legs?

The biological processes around risk are set in motion, starting in his brain.  Will the fight or flight impulse kick in and advise on discretion being the better part of valor or will Maxine jump? As he is a teenager you can guess what happens but this is a fascinating insight in to how, in so many ways, as a teenager he just can’t help himself.

Thursday

Thursday? What day would this be then?  On any other Thursday life in the city goes on as usual, as illustrated in this animated short by Matthias Hoegg of Not To Scale.

Lives interconnect in unusual ways in this city where technology and nature strive for something similar yet so different.  Thursday was recognized with a BAFTA Nomination in 2011

An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump

This is one of my favorite paintings – each and every time I go back to it I seem to be able to discover something new – or just simply get lost in its amazing detail. It was executed by Joseph Wright of Derby in 1768 and today you may think of it as a fairly traditional composition.  In its day, however, it was ground breaking.  It is still considered by many to be one of the masterpieces of British art.

See the reverence on the faces of those caught in time?  This scene of veneration was in praise of science and until this point the awe depicted here would have been strictly reserved for scenes of historical or religious significance.  Wright was really breaking down the boundaries here, but despite this his style was never widely imitated despite the fact that he was held in great admiration by contemporary artists.

The painting shows a natural philosopher – there he is center left looking at you, inviting your participation.  He is recreating an earlier experiment by Robert Boyle in which a bird is deprived of air.  The reactions of the onlookers represent a whole gamut of human emotions. One poor girl cannot even look on, so upset is she for the bird - her father tries to explain the nature of the experiment while the younger sister can bring herself to look at the experiment, but what a look of concern she has on her face!

Others regard the experiment with an air of scientific curiosity while the gentleman on the right seems to be lost in his own contemplations, perhaps on the transience of life and of our power over it.  The two young lovers on the left, however, only seem to have eyes for each other and are, it seems, unconcerned about the fate of the bird. The whole scene is beautifully composed and the choice of representing it in candlelight an absolute masterstroke.

What do you think? asks the natural philosopher.  Should I continue with the experiment and kill the bird or halt it, saving the bird while denying ourselves new scientific knowledge?  Which avenue would you chose?

Image Credit Wikimedia

Rocketboy

This is an interesting animation which follows a boy’s obsession with rockets and rocketry from youth to adulthood.  I have to admit I may not have followed its every nuance but I found it a fascinating watch nonetheless and it has a good home on Kuriositas! Rocketboy was directed by Minhyuk Jang of 2GREY, a design and motion studio based in Seoul, Korea.

Famous Fred

Famous Fred is based Posy Simmonds' enchanting story, Fred, a family moggy by day and an astounding superstar by night.  It features the voices of Lenny Henry and Tom Courtenay.

However, a case of cat flu threatens to cut short Fred’s musical career.  A lovely animation for this time of year, Famous Fred won the1997 BAFTA for Best Children's Animation.

Vhils: Graffiti Art as Architectural Archaeology

Disintegrating walls and peeling posters may not be everyone’s cup of tea. In fact I would venture that to most people they are a rather dispiriting sign of urban decay.  Yet to one artist the sight of crumbling architecture and aged billboards posted one atop another atop another are a creative spur. Vhils creates art not by adding but by taking away.

Image Credit Flickr User Lord Jim

Image Credit Flickr User Salotte

Vhils, born Alexandre Fartos in 1987 in Portugal, chips, slices, cuts and hammers his remarkable art out of the sides of buildings.  It started when he was a youth in Lisbon.  Portugal’s recent history meant that billboards advertising expensive consumer goods could be pasted directly over posters of socialist ideals left over from the 1974 revolution in a layer which could, depending on the amount of posters, centimeters thick.

Wolf

A friend of mine once put lyncanthropy down on his return to work form as the reason for his period off sick.  He got away with (much to general mirth and merriment among his colleagues) it but it is an affliction (albeit fictional) which must be both terrible and exhilarating at the same time.  I think this animated short, Wolf, captures the change, and its endless repetitive cycle, really well here with the horror and the joy both expressed in momentary glimpses.  It’s a great addition to the werewolf canon.

Wolf (entitled Úlfur from the Icelandic) is a project by Héctor Zafra and Santi Amézqueta of Ciervo Alto, a Barcelona based animation studio. It is the result of 3 people who met in the animation school and decided to create their own company – this was their first animated venture together.

Bless You

You may have had a moment or two like this: you spend an age working on a project only to get bored with it.  This is the case with the architect in this animated short by Philip Watts.  He decides to spice things up a little with his creation by introducing something that will set the (not quite proverbial) cat amongst the pigeons.

Philip Watts is a film and television editor, but since the early 90's he has been producing animated motion graphics for the television industry. He has also worked as a freelance cartoonist on a few occasions, and recently he started combining these two interests and making my own animated short films, hence Bless You which is a very cunning mix of traditional animation, tilt shift photography and something pretty much like Flash (that’s a guess by the way).  Who cares how it was made, ultimately – it’s great fun and executed with great panache.

The Greatest Moment in the History of the Universe... Ever!

Ask a child what the best thing in the history of the universe (ever) is and you might well get something like the reply you have here: a history of the universe culminating in, the best thing of course!

Countless billions of years of history and it all boils down to one thing. Can you guess what it is?

This charming animated short comes to you courtesy of Jonathan Dower who is part of Tui Studios, an animation studio based in Sydney, Australia.  The team of Tui have worked on a number of high-profile animated TV, feature film and gaming projects internationally.

Fish Friend

Every child should have a pet or at least one that does not have too many murderous intentions.  Yet for ten year old Sally, the goldfish that she chose at the pet store is not quite what it seems.  The neighbourhood may never be quite the same again. Combining live action and animation, Fish Friend is inspired by 1950s Americana, Tim Burton, and the shorts of Pixar.  It’s a great combination and this short film certainly makes a splash.

Isaac Newton's Entire Life in 90 Seconds

If you need to know a lot about the life of Isaac Newton but have very little time, how does 90 seconds grab you?  Of course, Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica takes up a large part of this animation by Kevin Orzel as it takes almost 90 seconds to say it.

However, it is a brief but accurate insight in to one of the great geniuses of the Scientific Revolution who I always think of as a kind of Seventeenth Century Sheldon Cooper who, unfortunately for him, never quite found his own Leonard Hofstadter.

The Abnormal, Gruesome Gall – Alien Invader in Your Yard

They appear as if from nowhere.  A previously healthy looking plant suddenly has an abnormal growth protruding from it.  Some are hideous and some strangely beautiful but they leave the plant looking as if it has been invaded by miniature aliens.  And in a way that’s exactly what has happened.  Take a look at the weirdness of the plant gall.

Image Credit Flickr User Curtzsi

Image Credit Flickr User Otolithe

Word of the Week: A Fun and Engaging Strategy to Boost Student Vocabulary and Confidence in the Classroom

Introducing a "Word of the Week" is a fantastic way to build students' vocabulary in a fun and structured manner. It brings a sense of excitement to learning new words while creating a routine that encourages language exploration. Whether it’s through classroom discussions, writing exercises, or creative challenges, focusing on one word each week helps students gradually expand their vocabulary without feeling overwhelmed. This method not only boosts language skills but also sparks curiosity, encourages deeper thinking, and helps students become more confident communicators.

This vibrant collection of 50 “Word of the Week” posters can carry you through the whole academic year, with a few extras to spare! Each poster comes with the word’s definition, synonyms, antonyms, and an example sentence to help bring the word to life. Designed to grab students’ attention, these posters are a fun and visually engaging way to spark curiosity about new vocabulary.

Bringing a “Word of the Week” into the classroom is a simple yet effective way to boost students’ language skills and encourage a love for words. Focusing on one powerful word each week helps create a structured but fun way for students to encounter and work with new vocabulary. Not only does it expand their word bank, but it also improves their comprehension and communication skills.

At my institution, we use these posters in the classroom and even include them in a weekly email to all the teachers. They’re also part of the rotating slideshow in our reception area so visitors can see them too. Plus, our GCSE English team challenges students to use the words in sentences and in their assignments. The possibilities are endless!

The three examples here are all part of the set.

“Word of the Week” encourages students to dive into words in meaningful ways, helping them grasp subtle differences in meaning and use. Teachers can introduce the word with activities like discussions, writing prompts, and creative projects, turning the learning process into something interactive and fun.

This approach also helps develop students’ cognitive skills by challenging them to use sophisticated words in both their academic work and everyday conversations. Over time, they build confidence in expressing themselves more clearly and with greater precision.

Overall, incorporating a “Word of the Week” creates a rich, engaging environment where vocabulary learning is continuous and enjoyable, setting students up for success both in school and beyond.

Elevate Your Poker Game with Expert-Backed Training Programs

Poker, a game of skill, strategy, and psychological prowess, has captivated players around the globe for decades. Whether you’re a casual player who enjoys weekend games with friends or an aspiring professional aiming to make it big, improving your poker game is essential to achieving success. In today’s digital age, the availability of expert-backed training programs has revolutionized how players can enhance their skills and understanding of the game. These programs offer valuable insights, strategies, and techniques that can significantly elevate your poker game, providing a competitive edge in both online and live tournaments.

Understanding the Importance of Poker Training

Poker is much more than a game of chance; it’s a complex and multifaceted discipline that requires a deep understanding of probability, psychology, and strategy. While some players may rely on their natural talent or years of experience, the most successful poker professionals recognize the value of continuous learning and development. This is where expert-backed training programs come into play.

These programs are designed by seasoned poker professionals and coaches who have spent years mastering the game. They offer structured lessons, tutorials, and practice scenarios that cover every aspect of poker, from basic rules to advanced strategies at slot88. By enrolling in a poker training program, you gain access to the knowledge and expertise of some of the best minds in the game, allowing you to refine your skills and develop a more strategic approach to playing poker.

The Benefits of Expert-Backed Poker Training Programs

One of the primary advantages of poker training programs is the comprehensive learning experience they provide. These programs are meticulously designed to cater to players of all skill levels, from beginners to advanced players. The curriculum often includes a combination of video lessons, interactive exercises, and live coaching sessions, ensuring that you receive a well-rounded education in poker.

For beginners, these programs offer a solid foundation in the fundamentals of poker, including hand rankings, betting structures, and basic strategies. Intermediate and advanced players can benefit from more in-depth content, such as understanding pot odds, reading opponents, and mastering bluffing techniques. This progressive learning approach ensures that players can continuously improve and adapt their strategies as they advance in their poker journey.

Access to Expert Insights and Strategies

One of the most significant advantages of expert-backed training programs is the access they provide to expert insights and strategies. The instructors in these programs are often accomplished poker professionals who have achieved significant success in their careers. Their experience and knowledge are invaluable resources for players looking to elevate their game.

Through these programs, you can learn advanced strategies that are not readily available in books or online articles. These strategies are often the result of years of experience and countless hours spent analyzing the game. By understanding the thought processes and decision-making techniques of successful poker players, you can develop a more strategic and calculated approach to your own gameplay.

Practical Application and Feedback

Another key benefit of poker training programs is the emphasis on practical application and feedback. While theoretical knowledge is essential, real growth in poker comes from applying what you’ve learned in real-life scenarios. Many training programs offer interactive elements, such as quizzes, simulated hands, and live coaching sessions, where you can practice your skills in a controlled environment.

Additionally, feedback from instructors and peers plays a crucial role in your development as a poker player. Constructive criticism and guidance help you identify areas of weakness and work on improving them. This iterative process of learning, practicing, and receiving feedback is instrumental in building confidence and honing your poker skills.

Staying Ahead in a Competitive Landscape

The world of poker is highly competitive, with new players entering the scene every day. To stay ahead of the competition, it’s essential to continually evolve and refine your strategies. Expert-backed training programs offer a way to stay updated on the latest trends, techniques, and innovations in the poker world.

These programs often include content that covers emerging strategies, analysis of recent high-stakes games, and discussions on how to adapt to changing dynamics in the poker landscape. By staying informed and continually improving your skills, you can maintain a competitive edge and increase your chances of success in both online slot and live poker games.

Conclusion

Elevating your poker game requires dedication, practice, and a commitment to continuous learning. Expert-backed training programs provide a unique opportunity to access the knowledge and strategies of successful poker professionals, offering a comprehensive and practical approach to improving your skills. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, these programs can help you develop a deeper understanding of the game, refine your strategies, and stay competitive in the ever-evolving world of poker. 

Eartha Kitt on The Good Old Days (1972)

Eartha Kitt on The Good Old Days? I’m not sure what weird and wonderful algorithm put this is my “watch next” list on YouTube but it was worth it! If you are outside the UK, the chances are you won’t have seen this remarkable performance before – and it’s well worth a watch whether you are a fan or not…

Her appearance on the British television show The Good Old Days in 1972 was a memorable moment that showcased her unique talent and charismatic presence.  I suppose to some, 1972 must seem like the good old  days now!

The show, which aired on the BBC, was known for its recreation of the music hall entertainment popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It featured a variety of acts, including singers, comedians, and novelty performers, all presented in the nostalgic style of the Victorian era. I must say I was very surprised to someone of Kitt’s international renown appear on this kind of show.

Kitt was already an international star known for her distinctive voice, sensuality, and commanding stage presence, brought more than a touch of glamour and sophistication to the program. Yet at this point in time, she may still have been persona non grata in the US for her comments to the First Lady about the Vietnam War in 1968 ("The children of America are not rebelling for no reason. They are not hippies for no reason at all. We don't have what we have on Sunset Blvd. for no reason. They are rebelling against something. There are so many things burning the people of this country, particularly mothers. They feel they are going to raise sons – and I know what it's like, and you have children of your own, Mrs. Johnson – we raise children and send them to war.")

America's loss was the UK's gain. She stole the show, performing in the traditional music hall setting, which was surely a departure from the more modern stages (not to mention audiences!) she was accustomed to. Kitt’s ability to blend into different styles while maintaining her unique persona was on full display. Her engagement with the show’s host - Leonard Sachs (who seems speechless for once) is something to behold. Mind you he had just described her as a “torrid tornado of titillation” so perhaps he’d already said enough! To say she had him and the audience in the palm of her claw is an understatement to say the least…

Dressed in a glamorous outfit that captured the essence of her feline and elegant style, Kitt delivered her performances with the sultry, playful charm that had become her trademark. Her appearance on The Good Old Days not only entertained the audience but also highlighted her versatility as a performer who could adapt to various genres and settings while still captivating her viewers.

This performance added to Eartha Kitt’s legacy as a versatile and enduring entertainer who could effortlessly bridge the gap between different cultural eras, making her appearance on The Good Old Days a notable event in her illustrious career.

Everybody Wants to be Unique

All it takes is something small to ruin your commute – and in the case of one guy it’s a pair of red glasses. Until that point red was his color on the platform he had been using for years. All the other daily passengers knew it was his color, respected his choice and avoided it themselves out of that strange courtesy you get between familiar strangers. Not today though, oh no. And once this sort of things start, there can be something of a snowball effect.

This charming short by Killscreen Films (aka filmmaker Andrew Dunstan) is a lot of fun. You may have seen it at a picture house – it was screened across the USA by Cinebarre from April 3 - May 17, 2012. Everybody Want to be Unique proves - again - that the age of the silent comedy is not yet over.

The Body Snatchers: Corpse and Effect

You probably know about the period of British history when medical students were in need of bodies to dissect which gave rise to the rash of macabre thefts known as body snatching.  Perhaps the most famous pair were the notorious were Burke and Hare who ironically did not raid cemeteries but murdered people to provide a local doctor with corpses to dismember.  Fortunately the Anatomy Act of 1832 stopped the ghastly business of stealing cadavers from their graces and allowed for the bodies of the recently deceased unclaimed poor to go under the knife of curious students of human composition.

Yet have you ever wondered where the bodies went after the dissections were over?  Fortunately we have Dr Piers Mitchell of Cambridge University (in the video above) to answer that for us. No need to watch this if you are squeamish but if you are interested in pursuing this then Dr Mitchell and colleagues have published Anatomical Dissection in Enlightenment England and Beyond: autopsy, pathology and display (2012) which is available on a number of websites including one which we won’t mention until they start paying more than 0.1% tax in the UK.

CocóNonó

CocóNonó are a band based in Bogota, Colombia. They were formed in 2012 and it's about time the rest of the world heard about them, frankly. Lovers of rock n 'roll, country, bluegrass and jazz, among others, the band members compose songs from these influences, with lyrics in English, French and Spanish mainly.

This deliriously energetic video for their eponymous song was created by Ana Maria Angel, an animator and illustrator from Colombia, currently living in Berlin.

I speak only a few words of Spanish, mostly involving alcohol, beaches and, ahem, the wild thing - so if the lyrics to this song are completely and utterly rude and not suitable for a family audience then I really can't say I told you so.

Azúl

A fancy dress party is taking place on board a cruise ship.  One of the guests, dressed as a Roman Centurion, comes up to deck for a breath of air.  He notices something mysterious on the island the ship is approaching. His curiosity aroused he takes a small boat, along with a flower and a robot, to explore.  What they discover is some very, very strange goings on…

This riot of an animated short was created by six Supinfocom Arles students in 2012: Rémy Busson, Francis Canitrot, Aurélien Duhayon, Sébastien Iglesias, Maxence Martin and Paùl Monge.  I have to say I did see one or two similarities between this and the TV series Lost. However, unlike Lost, this mostly made sense!

Zalipie: Poland’s Painted Village

The secluded village of Zalipie in southeastern Poland is home to a charming tradition.  Over a century ago the women of the village began to paint their houses: however, it was not the single, uniform color one might expect from a traditional and conservative society.  The village, through the intricate and vibrant paintwork of its womenfolk, bloomed.

Image Credit Flickr User PolandMFA

Although no one is completely sure how and when this tradition began, it dates from when the smoke from stoves escaped through little more than a hole in the ceiling of the house.  Women would paint over the spots of soot with whitewash.  Yet the spots would still be partially visible and it is believed that the women, in order for their house to appear immaculate for religious festivals, took to covering the remnants of soot stains with paintings of flowers.  Once modern cooking and better ventilation came in to practice, these cover-ups were no longer necessary.  Yet instead the flower patterns became gradually more and more sophisticated.