Wondrous Churches of Lalibela

 The rock-hewn churches of Lalibela in northern Ethiopia date back to the 12th century. The 11 interconnected structures were each carved out of volcanic rock from the top down.

   

This film is part of Africa’s Cultural Landmarks, produced by The Metropolitan Museum of Art in collaboration with World Monuments Fund.

(AEON)

The Fly

 

Fun fact.

The 1980 Hungarian short Oscar winning film ‘The Fly’ was created from nearly 4,000 crayon drawings. pic.twitter.com/qhRrsoxauY

— Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) July 17, 2026

Via Memo Of The Air

1988: Last Days on Grand Parade

“Only a few years ago there were more than 100 residents on Grand Parade. Now there are just 30 - a dauntless breed of touching, frail, cheerful people, who simply wish to see out their days in peace on this select seafront strip.”

(Things Magazine)

The Station Melodies Of Tokyo

Tokyo's platforms are an endangered soundscape. The sweet tunes that accompany trains entering and leaving train stations across the Tokyo Metropolitan Area are being phased out and Japanese rail-fan archivists are recording them before they go extinct. Tap on a station on a map of Tokyo and hear it’s unique melody. Read more about the project and listen to the tunes Via Web Curios

Sunday Links

Future Stadium Illustration by Jack Bedford

The final game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup takes place today at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, bringing the tournament to a close. Here  is an article about the history of stadiums and a new generation of these iconic buildings on the horizon. (image above)

This sounds like a cool gig. A mountain in China posted a help wanted ad for a cloud observer. 

Why, the peacock

The Katalyst is a $3,000 fitness suit that electrocutes you. Putting it on is like sliding around with an electric eel. I know it sounds like fun but it’s definitely not for everyone. (archive link)

See some remarkable sports photos of a 20-year-old Lionel Messi bathing a five-month-old Lamine Yamal.

Zillow Adventures “Welcome to our home! These are our children, Jacob and Emma. Please don’t let them out, they’ll just pester you for food.” Via Metafilter

The peanut butter floor returns to Rotterdam Why?

A father and son chat I love this!

Sushi Chess Set

You are being watched. The glasses on his face can pull your home address in seconds.

Robot sings Fake Plastic Trees by Radiohead

Scientists have discovered two neuron surface proteins that appear to help spread the toxic protein linked to Parkinson’s disease. The discovery could open the door to treatments designed to slow or even stop the disease instead of only managing its symptoms. Big breakthrough!

Allah Name Calligraphy They don’t use a pen.

“Do not allow yourself to become a stupid drunk and set a bad example for locals’ treatment of other hobos.” In 1889 at a convention of Tourist Union #63, a union of hobos, a code of principles was drafted. Read it here 

Artist Helena Minginowicz uses airbrushed acrylic to create beautiful artworks  on paper towels. See more.

“The giant Stanleys. The brightly colored Owalas. The emotional support hydration jugs.” The American habits the French find completely bizarre.

A decade after launching a failed lychee wholesaling business in Haikou a businessman revisited the place that had left him penniless. This time he ended up alone and adrift for six days in open water. I doubt he’ll visit Haikou again.

DDT For You And Me and more vintage adverts that were very, very bad for your health.

Where Scum, Smut and Curly abide in London.

Music For Sunday Morning

Brussels Is Haunted - Echo & the Bunnymen, their first album of newly written songs in over a decade.

Phoebe Bridgers - Lost Boys

 Check out her band!

Clever Kitty

 Cat uses sign language to communicate with its owner. (first posted here in 2012)

A deaf man's cat figured out that meowing was pointless, so he taught himself sign language to communicate with his owner. No training. Just observation.

[image or embed]

— Digital Brain (@yourdigitalbrain.bsky.social) July 18, 2026 at 3:11 AM

Happy Caturday

 

Make It Shitty!

This PSA from Forbrukerrådet, the Norwegian Consumer Council, explains enshittification (aka platform decay), a term coined by author and tech critic Corey Doctorow.

(The Awesomer)