Awesome Learning

While that title might sound like hyperbole, it is the truth. If concrete truly did dry out, it could be reconstituted with water like dry pasta, and couldn’t be used to build things. MinutePhysics explains the not so subtle differences between something being “dry” and “set.”

Veritasium explores the phenomenon that time seems to speed up as we get older. Apparently, it has some relation to how novel things are when we’re younger, and the amount of mental energy we expend on things. There are ways to slow things down, but they’re not very pleasant.

Vsauce talks about how cardists use patterns and probabilities to create long-winded tricks that seem to ensure a random outcome, even though what they’ve really done is the opposite. And then your eyes will glaze over as he explains that 52! is a large number.

Beat Breakdown reveals how Madlib sampled Johnny Guitar Watson’s Give Me My Love, Junie Morrison’s Suzie Thundertussy, Larry Graham’s Stand Up and Shout About Love, and Ghostface Killah’s Mighty Healthy to make the barebones music for Kanye’s latest single.

Today I Found Out explains that paper cuts and similar wounds are extra painful partly because their usual locations – fingers and hands – have more sensory nerves. Interestingly, the pain is also because the wound being shallow and not prone to bleeding.

(PG-13: Language, Flashing lights) Comedian Bill Wurtz teaches us an abridged and mostly accurate history of the Sunrise Laaaand using knock knock jokes with lethal punchlines, rainbow-colored type and the power of music.

The ever vigilant Captain Disillusion explains the editing trick that Vine star Zach King rode to fame: the invisible cut. It’s when you film a scene continuously then cut the middle part just right to make it look seamless.

Kurzgesagt explains what a red dwarf is, and why we should care about these small, dim stars, then envisions the day trillions of years in the future, when the last star in the universe burns out, and the universe goes dark.

We already know that sugary sodas aren’t very good for our teeth or our bellies – even in moderation. ASAPScience looks at the rather absurd idea of what would happen to our brains and bodies if that’s all we drank.

Sports drinks are only better than water after prolonged and intense physical activities, bottled water might be worse than tap water and no, drinking soda while eating Pop Rocks will not kill you. All that and more in Mental Floss’ video.

If film editing tells us a story using several shots, composition tells a story in one shot. Channel Criswell talks about the basic techniques of composition and how they keep us focused and entertained while also evoking emotions or showing who’s in control.

Carpenter Ian Jimmerson built a working model of a 9-cylinder radial engine out of wood. In his video, he uses the mechanical model to walk us through the fascinating engineering that makes this kind of engine work. Part 2 here.

(Flashing lights, Gore) Frame by Frame points out that Martin Scorsese’s movies are memorable and refreshing partly because he’s good at using two techniques that are conventionally at odds: neorealism and post-modernism.

TED-Ed’s Erez Garty explains why bread is fluffy, vinegar is sour, wine is tasty, and Swiss cheese has holes in it. Yes, many of the foods that we enjoy are made that way because of tiny microorganisms and bacteria that create wonderfully yummy by-products.

Cracked takes a look at our blind obedience to the expiration dates on store-bought foods, and why these arbitrary dates rarely have much to do with the actual freshness or safety of foods. Until labels get better, your best bet is to trust your eyes, nose, and taste buds.

Inspired by Kathryn Schulz’ article on the best (uses of) punctuation marks in literature, Max Tohline posits that editing serves as punctuation in film. From the long take to the humble cut, proper editing joins, separates, highlights or even generates thoughts.

The short answer? Networking. By getting cozy with math teachers, Texas Instruments became the trusted brand for graphing calculators. Teachers now know the brand’s interface so well that it would be inconvenient for them to switch.

Apparently, studies have shown that we enjoy not just the vacation itself, but also anticipating it and then reflecting on it afterward. Also, our mind tends to zone in on the beginning and end of our trips, so try to make those parts memorable.

Mark Rober walks us through the science of condensation, and a series of experiments he used to determine the most effective way getting fog off the inside of car windows. He also shares a couple of preventative hacks that include using kitty litter and shaving cream.

The US Postal Service handles nearly half of the world’s mail, delivering to over 150,000,000 addresses. Here’s an overview of the complex machines and processes that it uses to deliver letters, magazines and packages. The machine that sorts letters is incredible.

The short answer? No one. For now. In yet another depressing example of our hubris and selfishness, CGP Grey explains that 12 countries are claiming portions of the icy continent. Why? Because Antarctica has a lot of fresh water and possibly oil as well.

“What a film director really directs is the audience’s attention.” Every Frame a Painting talks about how filmmaker Joon-ho Bong (Snowpiercer) masterfully manipulates the viewer’s focus in his 2003 crime drama Memories of Murder.

Did you know that an idiot intentionally caused a train collision as a spectacle? And that lady in the sketch? That’s Pocahontas. Or not. After all, our idea of Shakespeare’s looks is based on the work of a mediocre artist who never even met the man. All that and more in Cracked’s video.