Awesome Learning

Don’t you love it when the moon is huge? Well, did you know that when the moon looks bigger, that’s it’s all an optical illusion? It’s no closer to the Earth regardless of how different it may look.

We’ve all heard how ants can lift an insane amount of weight, but did you know there’s a bug that so strong you need a drill to crack its shell? Or one that can jump up to 140 times its own height?

Steve Spangler shows us how to prevent a shaken soda can from spilling its contents when opened. It has to do with nucleation points, but in summary: hit the sides of the can gently and you’re good.

Japanese artist Bunpei Yorifuji breathes life to nature’s simplest substances in his book Wonderful Life with the Elements: The Periodic Table Personified. A great read for kids and adults alike.

Vsauce tackles the anti-joke about the chicken crossing the road, the science behind humor, the world’s oldest joke and more. What we want to know is what Vsauce is doing below the camera.

Argonne Labs scientist Chris Benmore demonstrates his acoustic levitator, which can make small objects or small amounts of fluids float by encasing them in a standing wave. More here.

A dedicated teacher tries to tackle an exponential problem. Educational at first, but then Japan. Those who can bear to watch it to the end will be treated to a most masterful trolling.

ASAP Science may seem to have chosen a hyperbolic title for this video, but it really is filled with interesting trivia. Well, at first. Then it starts to become quite morbid. Remember to breathe!

The latest episode of PBS Off Book takes a look at one of the most popular and progressive visual arts: animation and motion graphics, and shares a bit about its history, variety and purpose.

Kirby Ferguson goes to TED to share his mantra: Everything is a Remix. We continually copy and emulate without guilt; to deny others the same opportunity is to hinder humanity’s progress.

Smarter Every Day explains the physics behind cats’ famous trick: landing right side up even from an upside down position. Now Destin, explain how your cat is able to make you fetch the ball.

Here are 10 very practical and useful tips from HouseholdHacker. Learn how to make your own stylus, unclog a shower head and clean various objects with readily available items. Pt. 2 here.

It’s all about colors and light (and bad puns) in the latest episode of Vsauce. Learn the color of mirrors – yep, it’s a trick question with many answers – how our eyes get their color and more.

PBS Off Book talks with content creators and aggregators about the history and evolution of the Web’s killer app, from home videos to advertising to serving as platforms for more serious issues.

Freelance illustrator Gavin Aung Than turns inspirational quotes into comic strips or panels. Gavin’s choice of quotes combined with his diverse art style makes each piece compelling.

Excerpts from a 2011 BAFTA Screenwriter’s Lecture session of writer Charlie Kaufman (Being John Malkovich, Eternal Sunshine…, Adaptation), urging us to be sincere and look for sincerity.

YouTuber ASAPScience shares scientific evidence that taking 20-30 min. naps when one is sleepy really does improve productivity, but snooze beyond that and the positive effects are negated.

CGP Grey’s best lesson yet: a look at the fascinating and strange City of London, also known as the Square Mile, a small area within London, England (the London we’re all familiar with).

The excellent PBS Off Book series takes a look at logos and interviews experts about its history, purpose, the criteria for a good logo and the stories behind some of the most famous logos.

Appearing on a 1964 episode of the BBC show Horizon, author, inventor and futurist Sir Arthur C. Clarke predicts the rise of the Internet and telecommuting. Watch the complete episode here.

Pain relievers are one of modern society’s marvels. TedEd and George Zaidan explain how popular pain relievers ibuprofen and aspirin work, with the help of animation by Augenblick Studios.

Tanishq Abraham is a real life Fred Tate. The 8-year old already studies astrophysics and has even discovered a supernova, but he still loves Buzz Lightyear and hanging out with kids his age.

AsapScience dishes out practical tips to prevent or lessen the effects of hangovers. To wit: fatty food and carbs before drinking, eggs, bananas and fruit juice after, and lots of water all the time.