![theatlantic:
Ranking the Members of the U.S. Senate (According to Their Smiles)
We judge our elected representatives on lots of things: voting record, message consistency, rhetorical ability, charisma. Given all the pageantry of politics, though, it’s sort of shocking that it hasn’t occurred to us to judge them on the thing that pretty well sums up everything else: their facial expressions.
Well, okay, maybe that’s not the best way to judge them. But it’s a funny way. And, courtesy of mandatory congressional portraits and some open APIs, we now have a tool to do it. Read more. [Images: Dan Nguyen/Sunlight Labs’ Congress API]](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lyddymHeGZ1qcokc4o1_500.png)
Ranking the Members of the U.S. Senate (According to Their Smiles)
We judge our elected representatives on lots of things: voting record, message consistency, rhetorical ability, charisma. Given all the pageantry of politics, though, it’s sort of shocking that it hasn’t occurred to us to judge them on the thing that pretty well sums up everything else: their facial expressions.
Well, okay, maybe that’s not the best way to judge them. But it’s a funny way. And, courtesy of mandatory congressional portraits and some open APIs, we now have a tool to do it. Read more. [Images: Dan Nguyen/Sunlight Labs’ Congress API]
“More Often Than Not”
Recorded a song with Patrick’s help, recently! :D
Prepare for cuteness overload.
“More Often than Not” - Original song and lyrics by Jess Yon. Recorded and mixed by Patrick Senense.
Check out some beautiful, uplifting music by one of my best friends! :)
(via iloveyoursoul)
good:
Are you ready for the next GOOD 30-Day Challenge? This time it’s all about connecting with people. You can watch this video for more information.
Our Senior Editor Cord Jefferson explains it a bit more:
With the internet age not only upon us, but so intertwined into our lives that living without the web seems impossible, sometimes we forget to talk to each other. Sure, we tweet, text, Facebook, Google+, Gchat, and AIM constantly—it’s not that we don’t communicate. But how often do we actually talk?
When’s the last time you struck up a conversation with a stranger on the train, or asked the barista you see every morning how they’re doing? Have you ever emailed that teacher you occasionally think about to thank them for their service to you? Have you ever looked a homeless person in the face and asked them if they’d like half your sandwich?
The technology of our world is a truly beautiful, convenient, and life-altering thing. And as much as it’s helped us connect in ways our grandparents never thought possible, it’s also created a culture in which we take the easiest option to communicate instead of the best option.
For September, our GOOD Challenge theme is “Connect with People.” Unlike past challenges, in which we implored you to do one thing for a whole month, this one will involve one new task per day. We’ll as you to say hi to strangers, call a relative, reach out to someone you only know via Twitter, and more. The goal is to remind you not only of how tight-knit communities can be, but also how big the world is, and how easy it is to lose track of someone you know and love.
Srinagar, Kashmir, India - To beat the heat, Kashmiri boys play in Dal Lake in Srinagar, India.
Photo by: Farooq Khan / EPA
It’s summertime! :)
… in the Northern hemisphere.
Himachal Pradesh, India: A crowd watching a wrestling match at a local fair.
Photograph by: Poras Chaudhary
Happy colors and happy people!
(Source: Guardian)
Lighten up while you still can
don’t even try to understand
Just find a place to make your stand
and take it easy
(Source: abanquetfortraitors, via perfectloveimperfectworld)
We are all a little weird and life’s a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love.
— Dr. Suess
Take hold of your own life. See that the whole existence is celebrating. These trees are not serious, these birds are not serious. The rivers and the oceans are wild, and everywhere there is fun, everywhere there is joy and delight. Watch existence, listen to the existence and become part of it.
— Osho (via liliesblog)
(Source: liliezencoach, via greyroads)
Makes me love the world. We are one!
