December 6, 2012 | 45 notes

Real-Time Simulation of Life and Death in the United States Nowhere Near Ithica has created a real-time simulation that shows the beginning and end of life. The simulation uses data from the United States Census Bureau but is not an exact representation of what’s happening at every moment. Ed note: Enjoy interactive maps? Here is one of every war in history. h/t The Verge

Real-Time Simulation of Life and Death in the United States

Nowhere Near Ithica has created a real-time simulation that shows the beginning and end of life. The simulation uses data from the United States Census Bureau but is not an exact representation of what’s happening at every moment.

Ed note: Enjoy interactive maps? Here is one of every war in history.

h/t The Verge

November 13, 2012 | 81 notes

Designing a 51-State Flag In Puerto Rico, a clear majority of citizens voted for the island’s statehood. This doesn’t mean that Puerto Rico will be promptly admitted to the union. A number of factors and decisions still stand between the vote and the final outcome. However, it does beg the question: What would a 51-star flag look like? And, for that matter, what was the design process at other moments in history when the U.S. scaled up its territory? - Continue reading at Smithsonian.com. Illustration: Reddit Ed note: The true story behind the Star Spangled Banner.

Designing a 51-State Flag

In Puerto Rico, a clear majority of citizens voted for the island’s statehood.

This doesn’t mean that Puerto Rico will be promptly admitted to the union. A number of factors and decisions still stand between the vote and the final outcome. However, it does beg the question: What would a 51-star flag look like? And, for that matter, what was the design process at other moments in history when the U.S. scaled up its territory? - Continue reading at Smithsonian.com.

Illustration: Reddit

Ed note: The true story behind the Star Spangled Banner.