Taking a cheeky power nap might sound very tempting after a less than perfect night’s sleep, but it might do more harm than good. Sleep scientist Matt Walker shares the pros and cons of an afternoon siesta.

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With Typatone, anyone can be a composer. Type anything into their website and listen to it magically transform into a myriad of musical styles. We’ve had lots of fun thinking about what Shareables might sound like.

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Only a tiny 1% of the Smithsonian’s collection is on display across their 20 museums and galleries. That leaves a whole host of treasures tucked away in high-security storage. Want to know what they’re hiding?

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Wired are speaking our language. Curious podcasts – yes, please! From true crime and chat shows to Dolly Parton documentaries, podcasts soundtrack our day. And we’re always on the lookout for our next listen.

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Ruby Silvious doesn’t let her teabags go to waste. They go from a morning brew to a blank canvas as they become the backdrop of her miniature paintings. It’s incredible how much detail fits on one tiny teabag.

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That science is still a way off! But, living to 100 – increasingly probable. And staying healthy for as long as possible is key. Here’s what you need to do to get your birthday letter from the Queen.

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Eric Kogan has an unprecedented ability to find humour in his surroundings – spotting quirky coincidences as he walks around the streets of New York City. He’s curated a whole archive of unexpected images.

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Every year Café Art hands out 100 single-use cameras to people affected by homelessness then gives them seven days to photograph their city. The diverse people, wildlife, and landmarks they capture make up a Calendar of London.

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Applying for any job – even a dream job – is a minefield. But of all the unpleasant elements, the cover letter is the worst. How formal should you be? How enthusiastic? And, how honest? In this essay, Rob Alderson shares our pain.

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Prescribing genders to type can be traced back to 1940s America, where retailers used fonts as gender signifiers for their kid’s products. Gendering and personalisation improved their sales – but, long term, has this done more harm than good?

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That feeling when you walk into a bookshop – nothing beats it. The quiet calm. The smell of books, new and old. And, best of all, the thousands of worlds waiting to be explored. Here are some of the best in the world.

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From the outside, the Skirvin Hotel looks normal. Pretty, even. But, book a room, and its true spirit is revealed. Guests report unexplained creaks, groans and ghostly apparitions. Are you brave enough to spend a night?

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More than 800,000 fireworks were set off in the largest ever fireworks display, which lasted for over an hour. Whilst we can’t promise any of the events on this list will break that record, they’re rumoured to be the best in the country.

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Wes Anderson’s films have a distinctive feel: full of pastel colours, symmetrical designs and more than a slight nostalgia for retro design. If they’re your cup of tea, why not visit these real-life locations that perfectly capture his aesthetic.

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Now in its third year, the Close-Up Photographer of the year contest receives all kinds of incredible entries. From salamander silhouettes to ants eating, the images give a glimpse into the delicate details of the natural world.

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It’s spider season! As the weather turns colder, spiders, like us, want to be warm and cosy in our houses. But, whilst all uninvited guests are a nuisance, what is it about spiders that mean they’re likely to meet an untimely end?

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Too much to see. Too much to do. So much time is taken up doing tedious (but necessary) tasks – they eat into the time we could be rollercoaster riding/dolphin watching/rainbow chasing. But use these handy hints and you’ll have more time for the good stuff.

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If you can work from home, why not work from Spain? Small towns there are attempting to reverse emigration by welcoming workers on ‘digital nomad visas’. Those who apply can expect traditional rural life – with superfast broadband.

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London’s iconic tube map has been reimagined in honour of Black History Month. In collaboration with the Black Cultural Archives, TFL has renamed every station to celebrate great black Britons from throughout history.

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Drawing in the air – that’s what Lee Sangsoo considers his art. Using long strips of metal, he transforms his 2D illustrations into 3D sculptures. The flows, twists and subtle gradients bring his subjects to life.

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Coffee is the lifeblood of our studio. We’re always on the lookout for new places to try, so we were delighted to find this handy guide to the best independent shops in locations all over London. A great excuse to drink more coffee! Find your new local.

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In November 2001, Wim Wenders visited Ground Zero to capture the devastation caused by 9/11 and document the recovery operation then underway. A new exhibition at the Imperial War Museum reveals the gravity of what he saw. Free until January 9th.

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There really is a Wikipedia page for everything. The buttered cat paradox? Got it. The Twinkie defence? Naturally. George H. W. Bush’s broccoli comments? Covered. They even have a list of lists of lists, which, of course, contains itself.

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Cycling is part of the solution to climate change. It’s a greener way to get around that’s sustainable and accessible. Some people are so certain about the role it’ll play that they’re going to extreme lengths to get everyone on their bikes.

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Gritty and beautiful. Taking inspiration from Bourne, Batman, and Black Widow – Daniel Craig’s era as James Bond aimed to modernise and rejuvenate a franchise that felt stuck in the past. And, now that his tenure is over, it’s time to evaluate his success.

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In cities throughout France, mosaics have crept into public spaces.

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After a rough tackle ended in a broken leg, NFL quarterback Alex Smith was left questioning his future. With time and support, he slowly overcame his self-doubt and anxiety. Now, he shares his hard-won insights for dealing with setbacks.

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Since he knew that he was losing his sight, Ian Treherne has been obsessed with capturing moments on film. And the Paralympics were no exception. In his signature cinematic style, he seized the opportunity to showcase inspiring young athletes.

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Pandemic restrictions have turned the idea of living, working, shopping, and socialising within walking distance into something that might actually be possible. But, what are the benefits of living locally?

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With their new feature, BBC Travel hope to share joy and extraordinary stories from around the globe. Spotlighting thriving communities and natural wonders – they challenge you not to fall in love with the world around you.

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It can be hard to compute that our digital activities have a real-world impact. But everything we do, even ignoring our email pile-up, adds up. So, maybe it’s time to clear out your inbox.

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It’s a proven fact that talking to your plants can help them grow. But, have you ever wondered if they could talk back? It turns out there’s a whole team of scientists investigating plant communications. So, one day soon, we might know what plants are saying.

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Wilfrid Wood is probably best known for the satirical sculptures used in Spitting Image. But recently, he’s branched out into portraits, painting all the imperfections and idiosyncrasies of “curious people” who put themselves forward via Instagram. Would you volunteer?

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At the end of a hectic week, our minds can feel busy and full. To help you relax into the weekend, take a peek at Yuki Kawae’s zen gardens. Watching his beautiful patterns emerge, all your stress will melt away.

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Time-lapse photography is an art that requires preparation and patience – two things Louie Schwartzberg must have in spades. He spent 15 years meticulously capturing stunning footage of a myriad of magical mushrooms for Netflix’s Fantastic Fungi documentary.

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Research suggests that people with freely moving thoughts are happier. The kind of thoughts that takes you from dinner deliberations to musings about the view from the Eiffel Tower. It’s easy if you’re in the right mindset.

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As global temperatures continue to rise, scientists have noticed a strange phenomenon. Birds, fish, and even mammals are shrinking. For now, the changes seem small, but they could eventually push species towards extinction. But why is this happening? And what can we do to stop it?

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All of us were beyond excited to move into our shiny new office this month. But, after more than a year of remote working, there was something a little curious in the air that first morning as we all tried to remember how to make small talk for longer than it takes everyone to join a Zoom call.

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2021 has been the summer of the staycation: even Banksy had one. The artist has been on a tour of East Anglia, leaving souvenirs in all the towns he visited. Though it appears not everyone appreciated his gifts.

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In search of an eco-friendly alternative to the plastic shading sitting above their town, the council of Alhaurín de la Torre turned to local crochet teacher Eva Pacheco. With her students, she has produced almost 500 square meters of colourful shade.

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Thumbs up for good and down for bad. Universal symbols that transcend languages. Or so you might think. Only it turns out, like languages, hand signals don’t always translate. What to you might mean ‘that’s great’ could be interpreted as an offensive gesture or a sign that you’re swimming back to the surface.

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From 50 years in the future, sci-fi writer Kim Stanley Robinson reads a ‘history’ where humans have ended climate change and improved quality of life for all. His words lay out a plan of what we might do to make his past our reality. Will we take his advice?

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Dr Adrian Smith has a history of filming insects in incredible slow motion. Recording 6000 frames per second, not even microscopic movement escapes his capture. Now, he’s turned his attention to moths, shooting their flight in stunning slow motion.

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Rickrolling has gone from a fringe phenomenon to a universal pop culture reference: introducing Rick Astley’s Never Gonna Give You Up to a whole new generation. To commemorate the video reaching 1,012,897,703 views on YouTube, The Pudding has done a deep dive to chart its history.

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Fossil evidence suggests that early humans spent a lot of time in trees. So, climbing is literally in our bones. So much so that Germany’s Olympic climbing coach took inspiration from their movements. Translating their twists and turns into tactics for his competitive climbers.

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Today is the only Friday 13th of 2021. A day so scary, it inspired a hit slasher film and compels the deeply suspicious to avoid leaving the house. Fear of the number 13 even has its own name; triskaidekaphobia. But where did all this superstition come from?

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The Arc is the latest building to be completed on the site of the Green School: a private school in Bali promoting sustainability through learning in a natural environment. The intricate design is the most complicated they’ve attempted, but the months of research and planning were undoubtedly worth the spectacular results.

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It turns out that making something look simple is actually really, really complicated. Extensive planning goes into every one of Anna Devís and Daniel Rueda’s cheeky compositions. They don’t use any editing software, so everything needs to come together flawlessly. #nofilter

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No longer the preserve of children’s parties and hospital meals, jelly is having a renaissance. Breaking free of its associations as a textureless, tasteless blob, it has become popular with grown-ups seeking a subtle and sophisticated taste sensation. But why is it making a comeback now?

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Like it’s that easy. Except, maybe it is. We put too much pressure on ourselves to always pick the perfect option. For a more relaxed approach to decision making, we need to take a leaf out of Jeff Bezos’ book (not something we ever thought we’d recommend!).

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The BBC’s Tokyo trailer is one of the stars of this year’s games. Inspired by Japanese anime and video games, a single shot carries viewers through a myriad of vibrant scenes. Hidden in the intricate details are references to the Olympics and athletes. How many can you spot?

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The year is 1994. Onboard a ferry heading for a remote Irish island, Neville Presho scans the shore for the house he hasn’t seen for eight years. It’s one of the oldest and sits right above the harbour – it should be easy to see. But it isn’t there. It isn’t anywhere.

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The quirky characters at Nante’s Jardin des Plantes have three new friends. Stroll through the gardens, and you’ll spot Artist Jean Jullien’s colourful sculptures reclining in the grass, floating in the lake and hiding amongst the trees all summer long.

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Blooming between buildings, sprouting in backyards and taking route in abandoned plots, tiny forests the size of tennis courts are growing in cities all over the world. These patches of nature provide shade, attract animals and insects and capture carbon – helping cities adapt to climate change.

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What you can make with Lego is only limited by your imagination. But if you need a hit of inspiration, try Brickit. The AR app scans your pile of pieces and suggests which of Lego’s many sets you can build from what you have on hand. Time to dust off your collection.

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Great managers inspire teams. And Gareth Southgate inspired his to their first-ever Euro final. Though it didn’t end with football coming home, England hadn’t played so well in years (55 to be precise). But, what is it about Southgate’s leadership style that brought out the best in England?

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Composers have always seen the link between music and nature, but now scientists have found it too. Like music, natural sounds can influence our mood: make us feel safe, relaxed and reduce our stress levels. Even digital versions can do us some good.

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Peel back the layers of tropical fruit, and what do you get? A mesmerizing stop motion video. Toronto-based animator Kevin Parry strips kiwis, mangoes and dragon fruit, revealing their curious insides. But, perhaps even more enrapturing is how he did it.

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Jamie Hawkesworth approaches his subject with no preconceived notions. Instead of seeking out pubs, rain and cups of tea, he captures moments as he finds them. His most recent collection, The British Isles, is the culmination of a decade’s worth of observations from around the country.

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Combatting climate change can feel like an impossible task. With so much to do, what can one person achieve? But, as climate activist Clover Hogan explains, challenging the stories that make you feel powerless can be the first step to taking action.

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Everyone has their rituals – little habits that make them feel better – and professional athletes are no different. For most tennis players choosing which ball to serve with is one such custom. (Just check out Wimbledon.) But is it all just luck? Or is there some science behind their choices?

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Now that summer’s truly underway, you might be in search of somewhere to cool off. To escape the crowds, forgo London’s lidos and head outside the city. Some of the best wild swimming spots around are only a train ride away. You can thank us later.

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What makes a pear taste like a pear? And how can you make something else taste like one? As a flavour inventor, Maria Wright tries to answer questions like this every day. She’s invented over 1,500 flavours – including some you might have tried.

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It’s time to evolve our working habits. At least according to design consultancy Arup, whose employees can work any day of the week. Extending the working week means they can take time off during the week or work extended hours to unlock a longer weekend.

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From a fresh glass of lemonade to a classic banana split, Andrea Love makes all the summer staples. In her miniature kitchen, Love makes tutorials for recipes that look more than good enough to eat. The catch? They’re made of wool.

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East London has been transformed into England’s largest outdoor gallery. Over 500 works of art from independent galleries are on display from now until the 27th of June. Art appreciators can spend a sunny afternoon winding their way through the numerous displays.

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Nestled away in rural Ontario, Footsteps Studio makes the sound effects for some of your favourite films. Using their extensive and eclectic collection of props, they can make sounds to fit any film: whether it’s creating the perfect splash or finding the ideal pair of shoes for footsteps.

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Creating more nuance and vulnerability than should be possible using unspun wool, Salman Khoshroo sculpts bold faces. The portraits, inspired by his experience in quarantine, have been like therapy for Khoshroo. He finds joy in the juxtaposition of using a traditionally feminine material to interpret the masculine condition.

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The preference for aesthetically pleasing plants doesn’t just exist in the general population; scientists have it too. Their bias towards pretty plants means less conventionally appealing species are less likely to be studied and could be disappearing without anyone noticing.

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What defined your lockdown? Endless jigsaws, multiple attempts to perfect banana bread, or maybe a love-hate relationship with your laptop? In Future Archaeology of a Global Lockdown, Paula Zuccotti compiles over 1000 images taken by people from around the world, representing their lockdown story through 15 objects.

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To celebrate the 50th edition of Shareables, we’ve found 50 curious facts to get your brain whirring. Click to discover: the dangerous consequences of sneezing too hard, the world’s most stolen book, and which is the only mammal that can’t jump.

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Exploring the world through Interest-Curiosity (the kind that makes you question who built the first snowman or decided to put milk in tea) can help you break bad habits and reduce anxiety. What a great reason to keep reading Shareables!

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Britain has hundreds of museums, and now that they’re open again, it’s time to immerse yourself in all the curiosities they have to offer. Indulge your fascination for farm wagons at The Museum of English Rural Life, or learn the history of Queen Victoria’s stockings in Framework Knitters Museum.

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For two months, from the 26th of May, Leadenhall Market will be alight with the glow of hundreds of neon signs as God’s Own Junkyard takes over the historic venue. The interactive display will be full of props from famous films like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. How many movies will you spot?

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If you’re too busy texting to watch where you’re walking, never fear, Third Eye can do it for you. The eye, which rests on the forehead, can alert you to upcoming obstacles. Pretty clever but, if you think you need one, perhaps it could be time to reassess your relationship with your all-consuming phone!

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In cities throughout France, mosaics have crept into public spaces. Cracks in the pavement and gaps in plaster have been filled with vivid geometric patterns. Boldly contrasting with their grey surroundings, artist Ememem’s mosaics bring colour to everyday life.

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Conrad Withey has designed a new way to find up-and-coming musical talent. His system tracks streaming and social media data to identify artists who already have an audience. But, as he readily admits, what’s popular isn’t always good.

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Since it dethroned Times New Roman 14 years ago, Calibri has been Microsoft’s default font. But now, they’re searching for its successor. Five custom fonts have been revealed as potential replacements, and Microsoft is asking the public for feedback. Always a risk!

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When the sun goes down, self-taught photographer Steven Kovacs heads down to the ocean. It might seem counterintuitive, but this is the best time to capture some of the sea’s more unusual inhabitants. The dark background highlights the most striking features of the life below the water’s surface.

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Nowadays we’re turning our homes into urban jungles. But, once upon a time, fairytale-like forests spread over the countryside. Many were lost long ago, but some still survive in secluded and wild pockets of the world, and they need to be protected.

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The right soundtrack can set up your day. Up-beat, down-tempo, old school or new wave: there’s music for every mood. And, for when you need to be inspired, there’s Brainstorm Radio. A collection of tunes curated by the great and the good of the creative industry.

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In search of a better ending, Pamela Mishkin re-examines her last relationship in the form of an interactive essay. Co-written by GPT-3, a virtual text generator, the essay blurs the lines between artificial and emotional intelligence. Find your own version of this interactive adventure.

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Just in case you ever find yourself about to take off, Megan McArthur shares her advice on how to prepare to shoot for the stars. Megan has already logged more than 500 million miles in space and so who better to share their experience.

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London’s parks have provided a literal breath of fresh air for many in the past year. For those of us confined to the capital, they’ve become outdoor gyms, places to gather with friends and a welcome connection to nature. It’s no surprise they’re some of the country’s favourites.

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The Curious Film Club is proud to recommend Conor Finnegan’s new short film ‘Fear of Flying’. The charming animation follows Dougal as several setbacks scupper his plans to hunker down for the winter. Left with no other options, Dougal confronts his fears and flies south – but not in the way you’d expect.

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The Design Museum’s Supermarket installation is motivated by the idea that creativity should be accessible to everyone. The aisles of the ’80s inspired shop will be stocked with essentials from kidney beans to loo roll, all wrapped up in packaging designed by emerging artists. Doors opened on April 21st.

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14.5% of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions come from livestock, and cows make up two-thirds of that figure. But there’s a solution: seaweed. A sprinkle of Asparagopsis taxiformis in a cow’s dinner will reduce their methane production by 85%. Holy cow that’s a lot less methane!

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Described by its creator, Pascal Schelbli, as ‘simultaneously stunning and filthy’, short film The Beauty imagines the world on the ocean floor is made entirely of plastic. Bubble-wrap pufferfish swim serenely through coral made from plastic straws and cutlery, highlighting the extent to which we have already damaged a delicate ecosystem.

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Coronavirus restrictions have limited our opportunities for social interaction. Dinner parties? Cancelled. Post-work drinks? Online only. Zoom quiz? Please, not another one. So, it’s not surprising that one year on, certain friendships have fallen by the wayside. But is prioritising who we spend time with actually a bad thing?

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Have you heard of a medlar? It featured in the Canterbury Tales and Romeo and Juliet, but now it’s not available in a single British supermarket. How did one of medieval Europe’s favourite fruits go from a dietary staple to a distant memory in less than a hundred years?

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Art lovers rejoice! The world’s most visited museum has made almost 500,000 works from its collections available online. Now you can wander through the Louvre’s virtual galleries admiring the art while you wait for their doors to reopen IRL. Merci beaucoup le Louvre!

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In the past, mosaics depicted epic tales, gods and objects of value. Ruaidhri Ryan has taken a different approach. His mosaics feature items most would consider mundane, typical of contemporary life. He finds humour in the juxtaposition of his subjects’ perceived value and the time and labour he puts into honouring them.

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The star of Anna Matzaris’ new stop motion short film displays increasingly improper workplace behaviour from stealing food to cutting someone’s tie off in a meeting – none of which will stand you in good stead for a promotion. But beneath the humour, the film highlights how becoming a mother can actually trump every inappropriate action when it comes to career progression.

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Chemical engineer turned artist Masayoshi Matsumoto creates sculptures from balloons. He can twist and fashion any animal you can imagine, from a hummingbird to a jellyfish. His Instagram feed, where he documents his work, could convince anyone that balloons are not just for children.

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Chemical engineer turned artist Masayoshi Matsumoto creates sculptures from balloons. He can twist and fashion any animal you can imagine, from a hummingbird to a jellyfish. His Instagram feed, where he documents his work, could convince anyone that balloons are not just for children.

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Shake off the lockdown blues by taking a look at some of the most colourful destinations from across the world. This is a golden opportunity to start planning a trip that will make your friends green with envy. So, when travelling becomes more than a rose-tinted memory, you can head straight to Rainbow Mountain.

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‘Where do you see yourself in five years?’ An innocent question with the power to send you spiralling. Most people don’t have their whole life planned. But, if you’re asking yourself, ‘what’s next?’, Professor of design, Bill Burnett, has five tips for how applying design-based thinking can help you re-envision your life.

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If grapes can survive in space, they can survive anywhere. That was Space Cargo Unlimited’s thought when they sent 320 grapevines to the International Space Station. They hope the grapes will evolve up there to then be able to grow in harsher conditions on Earth. So, in the case of climate disaster, at least there will be wine.

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Love it or hate it, working from home has been part of the ‘new normal’ for nearly a year. And while we’ve enjoyed the extra half hour in bed, we’ve missed the hustle and bustle of the office. Sam Mellish’s new photography collection holds up a mirror to the reality of working from home.

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Have you ever wondered how Stockholm Syndrome got its name? The film industry portrays it as romantic (we’re looking at you Beauty and the Beast), but ultimately illogical. Yet, in the original case, defending the kidnappers might have been the most rational course of action…

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Even your washing has the potential to become a masterpiece. Visual artist Helga Stentzel makes art from the everyday objects around her. Her latest works of ‘household surrealism’ are Pegasus and Smoothie; animals made out of unwanted clothes. More animals coming soon.

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Not literally. But food is an important part of culture. In Singapore, the hawker markets are a physical representation of the country’s identity. They sell food from the Chinese, Malay and Indian communities that live there and have grown and changed alongside Singapore. So much so, that they’re now UNESCO recognised.

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It’s easy to get lost in big questions. We know, we ask them all the time. What if we make the wrong decisions? Should we be doing more? Does what we do even matter? This charmingly illustrated short film reminds us all to stop, breathe, and enjoy the moment. No one knows all the answers.

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When Christoph Niemann looks at an apple, he sees a whisk. As part of his Sunday Series on Instagram, Niemann, who is well known for playing with scale and position, incorporates everyday objects into his illustrations. The result is a collection of quirky and clever compositions.

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Experience your travel plans vicariously through the winning entries of the Sony World Photography Awards 2021. From awe-inducing ariel shots to striking portraits, the images from more than 50 countries capture the earth’s beauty and diversity. So you can explore the world from your own home.

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Graphic artist Anthony Burrill has been busy in lockdown. He’s brought his signature style to a seven-story high mural in central Leeds. In a behind the scenes documentary, Burrill explains how he decided on the design and why it signifies to him “a particular moment and a particular time” during the global crisis.

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The ‘overview effect’ describes how astronauts’ perspectives change when they look down on Earth from space. Benjamin Grant and Timothy Dougherty want everyone to be able to experience this. Their new book uses satellite and aerial imagery to show readers the world from high above.

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Ladybird’s ‘What to Look for’ series has a new look. The books, which were published in the 1950s, have been modernised to teach a new generation of children about the world around them. The new illustrations both celebrate nature and warn of the dangers that threaten it.

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With meticulous attention to detail, Thomas Duke has been recreating famous film scenes in London and beyond. By matching stills from films to the locations in which they were shot, Duke has brought characters from the distant past and magical worlds to familiar modern-day sites.

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The Great Big Art Exhibition is open! From now until April, renowned artists including Ai Weiwei and Sonia Boyce are setting the nation new themes to respond to every fortnight. Everyone is encouraged to draw, sculpt, paint or build their own works of art and display them in their windows. Time to dig out your watercolours.

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No, we’re not a month late – the Chinese New Year begins next Friday. It will mark the start of the Year of the Ox believed to be a symbol of hard work, intelligence and honesty. Did you know that more than a billion people celebrate Chinese New Year, with more fireworks set off in celebration on this night than any other all year round?

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In the UK, 60% of wasted food is still safe to consume: Solveiga Pakštaitė created Mimica Touch to combat this problem. While best before dates provide a worst-case scenario, Pakštaitė’s temperature-sensitive labels give a more accurate indication of whether food is safe to eat combined with a fun tactile twist.

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In partnership with Mailchimp, It’s Nice That presents a new animated series detailing the ups and downs of entrepreneurial life. Brought to life with humour, energy and emotion, the situations the characters find themselves in are easy to relate to, even if you aren’t a business owner.

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It’s curious which things stick in our minds. Why is it that you can remember your 5th birthday party but not what you ate for dinner last week? Whatever the reason, if you want to improve your memory, it might be as simple as chewing gum while you work. Try these tips and see what works for you.

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Over 150 years before the first animated GIF, Belgian physicist Joseph Plateau invented the phenakistoscope. This device showed users a series of images in rapid succession. To viewers, these appeared to be a single moving picture. Colossal has curated a collection of digitised phenakistoscope images.

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As many of us are spending more time at home than ever before, our houses should be somewhere we feel comfortable. The Modern House has put together a list of suggestions for turning your house into a safe haven. While installing a wine tap might seem like a pipe dream, their other ideas are infinitely more doable.

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Tatsuya Tanaka has been crafting scenes from everyday items and tiny figures for 10 years. His work has featured Oreos as pianos and melons as bridges. Recently his art has featured objects that have become synonymous with coronavirus. Facemasks and toilet rolls have transformed from objects that represent the pandemic to ski slopes and camping grounds.

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Complaining about life and society is not a recent development. Renaissance-era Venetians had a unique system for registering complaints. Instead of taking to Twitter, they could post their rantings in the bocche di leone (or Lion’s mouths) scattered around the city. A great comms channel for getting citizens’ issues directly to their government.

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There’s no getting around it 2020 was a difficult year for everyone, but small things made it better. With the promise of a vaccine roll out this year, we can begin to think about a time after coronavirus. Planning ahead and having nice things waiting for us is vital for mental health and with that in mind here are 21 things to look forward to in 2021.

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Over the years the Ghent Altarpiece has been burned, pawned and stolen. To this day, the disappearance of one of its panels is under investigation. Curious to know more, art historian, Noah Charney’s TED video provides a short history of this much-coveted masterpiece.

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Matching festive flavours and designs, Sugar Lab, the LA-based digital bakery, has created a series of 3D candies and ornaments perfect for the holidays. Each design is the result of collaboration between designers and chefs so you can be sure they taste as good as they look.

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The Christmas show is a time-honoured tradition. You might not make it to your local pantomime this year (Oh no you won’t!), but the wonder of technology means the theatre can come to you. Timeout has put together a guide of the best shows available to stream in December. An enjoyable way to support the Arts to make sure your theatre-going days aren’t behind you.

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Government advice warns against playing games outside your bubble. But, if a recent Netflix series has awoken your passion for chess, don’t fear; there are plenty of ways to improve without in-person competition. So, this time next year you might be winning opens, regionals, and grudge matches against close family members.

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Pressure on big department stores to outdo themselves and each other year on year has led to Christmas window displays becoming bigger, brighter and more creative than ever before. Highlights from this year’s offerings include a Santa following government guidelines, a reimagining of Wind in the Willows and some tongue-in-cheek Scrooge spirit.

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Patagonia is well known for its creative calls to action. The company has been challenging consumers to practice smarter shopping habits since their ‘don’t buy this jacket’ advert in 2011. This year’s Black Friday ad uses clever wordplay to challenge attitudes towards climate change. Curious about the content? Here’s a hint. meop elbasrever.

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Life is full of cringe moments that make you want to disappear into thin air. Like waving back at someone who is waving to the person behind you. Or forgetting the name of someone you’re talking to. It’s what makes us endearingly human. As this award-winning animation by Nata Metlukh shows.

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Los Angeles is literally paving the way to a greener future. Using plastic waste, otherwise destined for landfill, to replace the oily sludge called bitumen that is normally used to hold roads together. While there’s some doubt about long term effects, it’s encouraging to see governments looking for environmentally friendly solutions.

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Previous editions of Daniel Gebhart Koekkoek’s annual calendar have focused on leaping cats and llamas in unexpected places. This year it’s guinea pigs that have captured his attention. Elevated from nostalgic childhood pets to pin-up stars, Glynis, Belissa, and friends will put a smile on your face in 2021. Curious about his inspiration, find out more below.

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‘Did you see this?’ Brits send 64 million pointless emails every day. And every one requires electricity consumption from devices, networks and data centres. Sending fewer emails could reduce carbon emissions by 16,433 tonnes a year. So, be an eco-hero and think before you send that email. Cheers.

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‘Tis the season for Christmas ad competition. We’re curious to see how 2020 has shaped this year’s festive offerings. After a difficult year for retail, these ads have provided some Christmas cheer. From a determined carrot to a reimagining of Singing in the Rain and an invitation to spread some kindness, here’s a selection of this year’s best ads.

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Not an easy question, but one that Clemens Wenger has tried to answer. With live music and events cancelled for the foreseeable future, Wenger has looked for alternative ways to present his new album. His solution is an interactive website where the audience can interact with graphics inspired by his love of physics. Have a play.

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How do you get better and better at the things you love to do? It’s hard to keep motivated if improvement isn’t driving you forward. We found this TED Talk from Eduardo Briceño really inspiring. Especially the bit about ‘Zones’ – the learning zone and the performance zone. Discover more about his helpful techniques.

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What we all need to do is stay curious – there’s never a dull moment when you do. So, follow the link to step back in time, head off on safari, join Nasa in space, dive into fiction or simply learn something new. From insightful podcasts to livestreams, we love a bit of lockdown fun.

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‘Tis true! Give yourself a constraint – time, money, word count – and your brain leaps into action; becoming more inventive than ever before. Look at Dr. Seuss who was challenged to write a children’s book using only 50 different words. The result was Green Eggs and Ham – say no more!

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The International Space Station is easy to see if you know where to look. (It orbits our planet 16 times a day.) It’s hard to believe humans have lived onboard for 20 years. What on earth must life be like? We were curious to explore the extraordinary detail of the interior space.

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Halloween and astrology lovers are about to get very excited. A full moon on Halloween only happens once in a blue moon – every 18 to 19 years, to be exact. Needless to say, you won’t want to miss this tomorrow. The next blue moon on Halloween is in 2039! Happy pumpkin day.

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Would you enclose yourself in a huge plastic bubble to see your favourite band? You can sing along safely. Everyone is protected. What’s not to love. This is exactly what American rock band Flaming Lips has been testing out for future concerts. It could catch on.

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From “I hope this email finds you well” to “thanks in advance”, the same well-worn phrases, “I’m just reaching out”, there’s another, are plain insincere. Why have we got ourselves into such a clichéd way of communicating? Is it easier? What can we do about it? For starters, let’s be aware.

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Hello, little one. Tell us what’s so amazing about you. Found in wooded areas of the US west coast, this beetle can survive loads of about 39,000 times its body weight. Close examination revealed an interlocking exoskeleton and inspiration for next-generation materials.

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We seem born to do it. Words are flowing, then whoa! Eleven seconds in – seems to be the average time – our colleagues interrupt. Just as solutions are forming, apologising as they do it! The world would be so different if only we had the luxury of finishing our sentences. What can we do?

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If you’re someone who takes ages to change a light bulb, refill the windscreen wiper fluid, or oil a squeaky door, may we point you in the direction of this highly illuminating article. Great news! Procrastination doesn’t have to plague your life. It just needs looking at differently.

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Avanti West Coast want to shout loud and proud about the launch of their new Pride train. Now a permanent part of the fleet and wonderfully displaying all the colours of the Pride flag, this represents a deep commitment to diversity and inclusion. And the new nameplate for the train? Progress.

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On 26th April 1986 at 1:23 am in Control Room 4, a malfunction occurred, causing the worst nuclear disaster in world history. Thousands abandoned their homes, leaving the area desolate to this day. Writer and photographer Darmon Richter ventures into the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone.

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Product design seems to have overlooked the humble toilet roll holder. The Marta Gallery in LA put out a great brief to raise its stature in the bathroom while drawing attention to the impact of tree-derived products. Here, the curators present some re-imaginings from the functional to the conceptual.

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In this work-from-home era, Zoom has kept us connected so we can gather and share ideas. We’re grateful for the tech but it’s limiting at times. You can’t collaborate on projects, file share, see each other clearly…we were curious to learn how these designers were fixing it.

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In a curious way, the pandemic has given us a glimpse of a quieter world. With a drop in noise levels, urban male birds have switched to a different song. Sweeter, purer, a more complex sound – more attractive to female birds. For a while, birds didn’t need to sacrifice song quality to be heard above all our din. Every cloud.

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Here’s the brief. If you had to redesign our cities to accommodate a world in which we could no longer live in close proximity, what would you do? Build socially distanced outdoor meeting rooms? Transform streets into miniature greenbelts? Turn cities into a collection of little villages? Four architects share their visions.

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With winter drawing near, sorry to mention, we could take inspiration from Norway and their positive mindset when dealing with the long ‘polar night’. They see the situation not as stress but as a challenge. Outdoor (safe) socialising, long walks, comfort food… winter is to be enjoyed. As they say, there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothes.

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Good question. Half a million tonnes of rubber tyre particles are produced across Europe every year from cars braking, accelerating or turning a corner. These plastic emissions enter our waterways, polluting our oceans and the air we breathe. The Tyre Collective are doing something about it. Discover more about their innovative solution.

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Sir David Attenborough made his Instagram debut last week and the world loves it. In just four hours and forty-four minutes, he broke Jennifer Aniston’s record for the fastest time to reach a million followers. Looking after our planet is everyone’s responsibility. He’s taken to Insta to explain the problems and inspire change. What a great man!

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Our desire to see the world hasn’t gone away but, at the moment, we also want to stay at home. We’ve all got so many questions. Is it safe? Where can I go? To learn how the landscape has changed, here are answers to 14 of the most pressing questions about the future of travel.

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Did you know 87% of unwanted clothing ends up in landfill? Our throwaway culture is trashing the planet. Chemical engineer Alina Bassi hopes to change the landscape of clothing waste using a low-energy process to turn clothing fibres into an alternative to oil-based plastic.

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The comedy wildlife photography awards have announced the finalists, including 44 images for 2020. A smiley fish, a photo-bombing giraffe…these shortlisted images highlight the similarity between humanity and nature. As well as promoting the extremely important message of wildlife conservation. Enjoy!

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Forbes listed Jacqueline Novogratz as one of the World’s 100 Greatest Living Business Minds. CEO and Founder of Acumen, Jacqueline has made it her life’s work to understand poverty and bridge the gap between rich and poor. Here she shares how we can create big, positive change.

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A sword-billed Hummingbird captured in flight. A sleepy owl camouflaged by tree bark. A great crested grebe on the attack. Incredible moments caught on camera by the 2020 bird photographer of the year competition winners. We just had to share.

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It’s no surprise we’re finding it hard to concentrate. Now many of us are working from home, distractions are always within easy reach. Our focus has been affected by the pandemic and it’s not easy to go on holiday and recharge. Where are those concentration hacks when you need them? They are right here. Hope they help.

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Neuroscientist and sleep researcher, Matthew Walker, says “sleep is our superpower”. Compromised sleep means a compromised immune system and we don’t want that. So go to bed at the same time, wake up at the same time, weekdays and weekends, and sleep yourself to good health.

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Soho has always encapsulated Rock ‘n’ Roll, so Carnaby Street is the perfect location for The Rolling Stones to open their world-first flagship store. You can get what you want from merchandise to chairs and glassware. Doors are opening on September 9th. See you there.

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If something is blue surely we all see that it’s blue. But what if it’s not that straightforward? Cultural historian Kassia St Clair and artist Emyr Williams go head-to-head debating whether colour is purely subjective or an objective force. Curious?

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We wanted to end this issue of Shareables on a high. We’re excited to share our shiny new website with people we’d go to a remote island with – let’s drink to that (inspiration below). We can order drinks safely through QR codes and if we forget our masks (let’s not), someone might launch one directly onto our faces! Curious world!

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We like this question very much. It’s making us think about who we love, who we want to spend time with, who we value and who values us. Being with the people with whom you feel you really belong “enhances a sense of meaning in life”. Thank you to Frank Martela, philosopher and psychology researcher, for asking.

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Apprehensive about picking up menus? Ahhhh so that’s what a QR code is really for. The funny black, barcode-like square has finally come into its own, enabling us all to interact with the world around us – without touching anything but our smartphones. Now you can eat out safely.

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This is certainly a radical solution for those still reluctant to wear face masks. We were intrigued. It’s a mask launcher that, er…launches masks onto people’s faces. Definitely gets the message across if you happen to leave yours in the car. You can discover more about the prototype here.

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Clean water and sanitation were recognised as human rights by the United Nations on 28th July 2010. 1 in 10 people still lack access. This thought-provoking collection of visual art commissioned by WaterAid calls on governments to invest more to help those in need.

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If we are to live on Mars one day (or wherever?), this seems quite a necessary experiment to do. Eight people living within a self-sealed environment with its own tropical vegetation. This documentary explores whether we could live sustainably in a geodesic dome.

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Nike’s new ad is goosebump inducing. Its powerful imagery compels you to watch it over and over again. With 72 sports and 36 split-screen slides, you don’t know what to marvel at first. The mastery of the editing or the powerful messages as the world comes together as one.

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Fancy being a space tourist onboard Virgin Galactic’s VSS Unity? You’ll experience weightlessness in zero gravity. Observe the curve of the Earth. And the blackness of the cosmos beyond the atmosphere. Seats are a mere $200,000.

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“Can I go on holiday this year?” “Will I have to quarantine?” Summer. Is. Not. Cancelled! The most incredible wild scenery and epic coastal roads are begging to be explored. And all just a stone’s throw from our own front doors. Waterside castles and traditional pubs here we come.

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Memorising speeches, names of people, birthdays… why don’t they ever stay in your head? Nelson Dellis, four-time Memory Champion, teaches us how to hack your brain to remember almost anything – using “juicy mental images” and storing them in your “Memory Palace”.

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Sometimes words alone aren’t enough to convey a deep level of emotion. In this compelling short film, powerful interviews are mixed with imaginative and dynamic movement to tell the story of two brothers dealing with their struggles growing up on a Hackney council estate.

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Kyoto Garden full of Japanese Maple trees, tiered waterfalls and resident peacocks. Abney Park Cemetery teaming with wildlife. Roof gardens in the heart of Canary Wharf. Hampstead Pergola overgrown with vines and flowers…how we’ve missed you London.

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With no outside family or friends allowed, keeping the Residents at Sydmar Lodge Care Home in good spirits has never been more crucial. Activities Co-ordinator Robert Speker had a plan: to recreate 12 classic album covers from Bowie to Madonna. Come and see the results. They’ve gone viral.

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Fed up with your glasses steaming up while you talk through material? These innovative face masks have sorted that for us. Besides letting you communicate more easily, this transparent mask claims to kill pathogens. Others can record, make calls or even light up into a smile. Where can we get one?

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Remember restaurants? Sitting outside enjoying long summer evenings, catching up with friends. Hold that thought because Soho is being pedestrianised, giving businesses from Bar Italia to The French House the space to set up their tables outside.

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A good clear out does more than re-organise your environment. According to psychotherapist Dana Dorfman, “Our brains can process information more clearly and efficiently in an organised space.” That’s good because we’re in the office decluttering this week.

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Have you discovered The Do Lectures? Remarkable Doers and change makers share their amazing stories, ideas, adventures, experience, creativity, thinking in the hope they will inspire you to go and do amazing things too. Do immerse.

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This animated poem beautifully written by best-selling author Tom Rivett-Carnac and narrated by UN Messenger of Peace, Dr Jane Goodall, is a positive message of hope as we emerge from lockdown. Here’s to a new way of looking at things.

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Step into your own private gallery space and experience the BP Portrait Award 2020 virtually from your living room. View 48 contemporary works of art on the wall. And explore each artist safely away from the crowd. Which is your favourite?

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We’ve all adapted seamlessly to setting up office at home so now for a bit of fun. What if you could invite a goat to your next virtual meeting. (Yes, a goat!) Talk to Cronkshawfold Farm and for £5 you can choose a goat to join you. All proceeds to renewable technologies.

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Amazing things are happening around us. But they can go unseen. That’s why imaginative infographics are so important and why we love this! Information is Beautiful has transformed how we see data. Beautifully visualising news, facts, trends and stats in positive and uplifting ways.

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Chances are you’ll be pointing in front of you. That’s where the future lies. Right? You might wave over your shoulder if you’re talking about yesterday. The past. Different cultures express ‘time’ in fascinating ways. So if you’re learning a second language, be prepared to have your brain re-wired.

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You can’t beat a good book and a garden hammock. The whole nation is reading right now – Waterstones has reported a 400 per cent increase in online book sales. Sshhh little tip to cut your reading bill. Get the free Libby app, sign in with your library card, you’ll save loads.

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You won’t need reminding that Glastonbury’s 50th anniversary would’ve been this weekend. Moving on…there’s still fun to be had! Get your wellies out, pour your wine into paper cups, and praise the BBC for bringing Worthy Farm straight to our living rooms.

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There are many ways we can show our support. Donate to causes that need funding. Sign a petition. Show solidarity on social media to raise awareness. Expand our knowledge. This is a great resource that we found useful.

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Written for all to see. Big, yellow letters in permanent paint on the very street leading to the White House in Washington, D.C. A message the city’s mayor Muriel Bowser clearly wanted Donald Trump to see: Black Lives Matter

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Following the death of George Floyd, the world is witnessing an unprecedented amount of activism and support for racial equality. Many artists and designers are drawing attention to Black Lives Matter through their talent and creativity. Check out these 3D scans showing solidarity with those protesting.

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To highlight films that focus on Black Lives, the Criterion Channel has taken down the paywall on as many titles as they can in support of Black Lives Matter. You can now watch important classics such as Down in the Delta by Maya Angelou – the only film she directed – even if you aren’t a subscriber.

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This historical collection of essays including 17 original literary works by contemporary black writers ‘examines the many aspects of American life that can be traced back to slavery’. If there’s anything we believe in the most, it’s the power of sharing and learning.

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We are working very hard on this at Curious. Checking in on each other to make sure home and work life don’t blur into one. Wellbeing is important during this time; we discovered this TED Talk 10-day challenge and hope it helps keep you happy and sane.

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In New York City, Domino Park has made it safe for people to enjoy being together outside. All you need is white chalk paint and a steady hand to mark out circles for your family members to sit inside. Looks quite arty. Curious times.

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To celebrate his 68th birthday, Kevin Kelly, co-founder of Wired magazine, shares 68 pieces of advice with the “young ‘uns”. We hope you’ll take time out to listen. We did and discovered these are words to live by. Happy birthday Kevin Kelly.

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2,186 projects, 4,211 meetings, 209 clients, 917 collaborators, 21 countries, 41,528 cups of coffee all add up to 18 years of being Curious. We’ve been curious about everything from beer and ovens to fintech and law. We’re immensely proud of our people, our clients and our work. We’re taking a moment to reminisce.

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Could you tell one London Borough from another? The clues lie in the street sign fonts. If it’s Franklin Gothic, you’re in Camden. Note the style of the bollards. The street lights. And if the tarmac stops suddenly in the middle of the road, you’ve crossed the boundary. It’s potty. It’s nuts. And it’s all in this great video.

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Honestly, who would’ve thought you could recreate Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper? Or Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring from home. Lockdown has inspired us all to bake sourdough, cut our own hair, exercise more… and now turn ourselves into masterpieces. The ingenuity of people.

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The fragile but powerful resilience of mankind is beautifully expressed by author Neil Gaiman. “We are tougher than we seem. We are tougher than we think. Our stories will outlive us. Let’s make them good. May that which has been broken be restored.” We love his every word in this TED Talk on Twitter.

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Must do this! The National Portrait Gallery is asking us all to send them a photographic portrait taken during these strange times. It can be a quick snap on your phone of a helper, a hero, your new normal, or an act of kindness. We think this is an amazing way to capture what we’re going through.

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Design initiatives like these “virus slogans” from Annie Atkins remind us to do the simple things. Created to look like fake public health service posters, we like them because they are insightful and true. Screen prints will be sold to raise money for the hospice that cared for her mum.

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Everyone’s baking it so why the trend? One explanation – it’s a simple way of avoiding food waste. (Also, there’s nothing more comforting.) When bananas go mushy, they’re perfectly ripe for repurposing… who would’ve thought we’d be connecting over banana bread? Curious times.

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Noise everywhere! The more you try to focus, the louder it becomes. Or is it simply that we have become hypersensitive to the slightest sound? We’re yearning for peace right now, in our home offices, so we can think and work. As it turns out, the quest for quiet has been going on for centuries.

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What if the word pink didn’t exist? Or if left and right were replaced with east and west? And why do English speakers get to the point quicker than those who speak Chinese? Language and the way we experience it changes depending on where we are in the world. So what can we learn from it?

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This is the perfect time to follow your true passion. Screenwriting, filmmaking, interior design, photography, cooking… Masterclass gives you access to the Masters in their field through hundreds of online classes as they share their stories, skills, and successes. Lockdown is for learning.

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Rio de Janeiro paid tribute to health workers in Brazil and across the world by illuminating the 125-foot-tall Christ the Redeemer statue with hope. Cutting edge technology transformed the giant Jesus into a Doctor with the words “stay home” written in various languages.

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We just love these classic album covers reimagined for our social distancing era by LA agency Activista. Using a bit of graphic design magic, we see Blondie, The Beatles, U2, N.W.A sticking to the Government 2-metre rule. A real smile in the mind.

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Isaac Newton had to WFH during a pandemic. With time to sit musing under apple trees, he became a great mathematician, developing his theories on optics and gravity. Fitzgerald needed isolation to turn out great fiction. Shakespeare wrote King Lear, Munch painted… it’s curious how social distancing stimulates invention.

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Everyone wants to help. Ricky Gervais is telling jokes live on Twitter. Patrick Stewart recites a sonnet a day. Robbie Williams is livestreaming ‘Corona-oke’ on Insta. You can take free yoga classes, join Bootcamps, hang out with Madonna, go to the National Theatre every Thursday 7pm on YouTube… thank you for doing this.

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Ideas, as we know, have the power to change the world. We must become one global creative department and use our imaginations to help spread impactful public health messages – across social media, digital, streaming, broadcast, print and radio. The brief from the UN is clear: use creativity to flatten the curve.

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Human connection is our superpower. It makes us happier, smarter, and more productive. So how do we stay close while maintaining physical isolation? Without feeling zoomed out. Unheard. Or our privacy invaded? We were curious to know what author Priya Parker had to say on ‘The Art of Gathering’.

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Our office desks 2-metres apart. Lunchtime in twos. Staggered commute times. Wearing face masks on the bus. How will we work? How will we party? How will we travel? Let’s start by looking at the future of holidays – because we will all deserve one.

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Thank you to photographer Kristian Laine for giving us a glimpse of this special underwater creature. The only known pink manta ray spanning about 11 feet and nicknamed Inspector Clouseau after The Pink Panther.

We just wanted to remind ourselves of the beauty in the world. Please take care and let’s look after each other.

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If we can’t be surrounded by inspirational people for a while, we can certainly listen to them. What makes a good leader? How do they inspire action? What makes us really happy? TED Talks are just what we need right now to learn new skills, feel empowered and broaden our horizons.

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Thank goodness for the digital age and collaborative technology; we’re all for a connected world and seamless sharing. We do understand though that WFH, especially if we have no choice, isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. For those tempted to put Netflix on, here’s how to focus on the job and stay mentally healthy.

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We refuse to let the ‘C’ word get us down. We can still be curious; we can still fill our minds with creativity and culture. We just need to think differently (which we are all very good at) and go to famous museums, art galleries, interesting exhibitions and talks from the best seat in the house. Our sofas.

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What happens when a frozen food brand takes a stand against palm oil production? A sports brand fights for equal rights? Or a chocolate brand celebrates LGBTQ+ pride? This exhibition showcases the brands that have become powerful influencers. Come and see their much-debated creative work.

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We’re taught to make a possessive by adding an apostrophe ‘s’. The King’s crown. But then the possessive pronoun ‘its’ doesn’t have an apostrophe. Waterstones, Boots and Reuters are brands that have chosen to break the rules – no apostrophe in their wordmark. Do we even need this tricky little high-up comma anyway?

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If you haven’t seen these already, take a quick look. The Olympics has never had animated pictograms before – so these are the first ever in its history. 73 kinetic icons ‘subtly communicate the characteristics and athleticism of each sport’. And show how dynamic, innovative and special these games will be.

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What is inspiration? Where do we get it? How can we keep getting it? How can we stop it from going away? Is it a thing that just happens to a person? Research shows you can generate your own pathway to creativity. This article debunks the myth that it’s not about sitting under a tree waiting for ideas to strike.

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Does branding have the power to create a better world? Unite people. Reflect our beliefs. Shape cultures. Brands are no longer limited to products. They can stand for something so meaningful, become a powerful voice and effect change. Debbie Millman takes us back to where it all began 13.8 billion years ago. We were curious.

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It’s true. If you’re not learning you’re standing still so what is the best way to learn? Richard Feynman, our favourite professor and champion of all things curious, sets out the best way to learn things – in 4 simple steps. Follow his formula and it will help you learn anything faster and with greater understanding.

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You have to do something and, instead of putting it off, you just do it. Yesokasity. Or you tangle yourself up in an elaborated lie to avoid a social invitation. Nitwhoppering. Or you speak in public and don’t make any sense. Idioschlock. Great article here identifying new emotions and what they’re called. We love Name-nailing.

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You’re probably too busy jostling for a seat on the tube or bus to notice the fabric design you’re actually sitting on. ‘Moquette’, an intricately woven carpet lines all the seats, you’ll notice it now! In fact, you’ve been sitting on over a hundred years of London history. Which design and colour palette transports you back?

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The sight of empty shelves is panicking everyone into buying toilet roll. It’s sensible to stock up on essentials most definitely. The advice is to buy enough for two weeks, not 12 years like that family in Australia. What are they doing with it all? This video has some ideas.

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Valentine’s Day. Let’s get creative about this. And be slightly more original than delighting with a box of chocolates. Or a bunch of red roses. Immerse yourselves in a colourful light spectacle. Make salted caramel truffles together. Get arty and crafty at a potter’s wheel. Toast your partnership with innovative cocktails. Read on for inspiration. You’re welcome!

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Artist, outdoor enthusiast and cartographer Simon Beck has done just that. Walking up to 12 hours a day through snow, creating striking geometric designs in the untouched powder with his footsteps. Incredible land art on desolate mountainscapes. Inspirational. Hope it snows soon so we can have a go.

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It’s one thing designing a new brand identity, quite a different brief if your solution has to withstand hurricanes, extreme heat and sub-zero temperatures. We were fascinated with the innovation and ‘co-creation’ required to create UNICEF’s new emergency tents. After five years of development, they present the solution to the world.

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The new Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope located on the Haleakala volcano in Hawaii has taken its first photo and video of the sun. The shots are the highest resolution of the sun’s bubbling 5,600°C plasma surface ever taken. Each cell-like structure is the size of Texas. Yes really! Take a closer look.

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Our brains can only build ideas from the information we put in them. We need to “broaden horizons and look outside our own life context”. Go beyond our desks! To the bright spring festivals of Amsterdam, the Purim street parties in Tel Aviv, the Holi celebrations in Mauritius, Irish dancing in Argentina…never stop exploring.

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When we looked deeper (as we do), we discovered this amazing French woman was a hugely important pioneer of early cinema. One of the first to use close-ups, hand-tinted colour, synchronised sound – she wrote, directed and produced over 1000 films. So why haven’t we heard of her? Curious?

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Put away your computer. (Not forever!) Pick up a pen (the nib has to glide) and let your thoughts flow. Handwriting allows us to listen to what the mind has to say, “it’s like talking to yourself” observed neurologist Oliver Sacks. Ideas, unique to all of us, take shape on the page – away from the delete button.

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January! You can never feel blue with this much to do. ‘Picasso and Paper’ starts tomorrow at the Royal Academy. Who knew paper had limitless possibilities? And if you’re quick, you can still catch Bridget Riley at the Hayward until the 26th. Rembrandt, Pre-Raphaelites, the Future of Fungi – stay curious.

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Hands up. Who was born in 1960? 1972? 1984? According to the Chinese zodiac, you’re a Rat. That’s good! Because you make excellent business people. Instinctive, acute, alert, decisive and if you’re a single Rat this is your year for love. Mozart and Shakespeare were also Rats – you’re in good company.

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Easy. Download an app. Done. You’re all set for 2020 with the year ahead portable and in your pocket. But it’s not the same is it as having this retrofuturistic, space-themed pet calendar by Otavio Santiago adorning your kitchen wall. Get something different and enjoy amazing design.

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What’s next for photography, graphic design, animation, advertising, and technology? Curious to find out what we can expect from the world of creativity? Here’s a heads-up for the year ahead. We hope you have a curious 2020!

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Not to be missed, this major retrospective is the first Warhol exhibition at Tate Modern for almost 20 years. We’re very excited. It includes works never seen before in the UK – from his Ladies and Gentlemen series. We’re saying it now so you can put this date in your new calendar.

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Exercise more. Eat less. Take on a new hobby. When resolutions are vague and motivated by guilt, you’re unlikely to make it past mid-January. True? We were curiously wondering what’s the key to successful habit-breaking – these suggestions take resolutions to another level.

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Who knew! We can ‘hear’ the universe. Sea turtles have a ‘third eye’. What we eat may have changed how we talk. Bees stop buzzing during solar eclipses. We never stop learning which keeps us fresh and inspired. So, what amazing discoveries did the last decade bring?

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For many, the new year is a time of reflection to look back at what you achieved the year before and make plans for the year ahead. It’s also a time for resolutions – giving up chocolate or joining the gym, but however pure your intentions, resolutions can be hard to stick to. Here’s some advice for making and sticking to your goals this year.

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Egg drop soup with lemonade. Really? Think we’ll settle for fresh air and a glass of milk thanks! Definitely no to cold Chinese food and swimming. If you’ve got a hangover favourite, you know what to do: Share. Have a great Christmas and stay curious folks.

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There’s a lot of opportunity for burnout on Yuletide classics. So we’ve had a think (over a few Fitzmas’es) and compiled a curious playlist for you. Hope it helps your cocktail party go with a swing. Where’s our invite?

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You’ve had a narrow escape because we nearly chose the Sprouting Gin Fizz – yes that’s right with a spike of caramelised Brussels sprouts. (We thought you’d prefer a cinnamon stick to garnish.) We hope you’ve got amaretto and vermouth? This is right on brief; it’s festive and it’s yum.

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A carol is a joyful song. We all know the words – from school – and when you hear carols, emotions stir and there’s an irresistible urge to join in. So why not sing loudly along on a wave of seasonal happiness within the most spectacular of settings; St Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Royal Albert Hall – see you there.

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Some people just don’t want the faff. Chestnuts to peel, turkey to prep, veg to chop. Personally, we love Christmas dinner with ALL the trimmings but if you’re looking to stay out of the kitchen then this is for you. Three festive culinary courses layered into one tin. Great stocking filler.

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Anything ‘paper’ and we sit right up. (Having worked with the leading paper manufacturer Sappi, we are fascinated with how paper brings ideas to life.) No wonder the Japanese visual artist, Atsushi Adachi, caught our curious eye magically creating miniature artefacts from history using old newspapers. Paper is such an inventive tool for creative people.

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If you can pronounce it, you’re cured of the fear of Friday 13th so they say. Given that’s today we were rather curious about the origins of this superstition. Why is it to be avoided and best spent hidden away under the duvet? And is there any evidence that it is even unlucky at all? For most of us, it’s simply another normal Friday or is it…

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Have a listen. You’ve heard this stock sound effect before in blockbusters from Star Wars and Indiana Jones to Toy Story. Usually in scenes when someone falls from a great height. Recognise that distant yelp? We love this sound designer’s in-joke. We’re determined to get one into a client film!

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We won’t let you! We’re all creative people; we can think beyond socks and scarves surely. Think differently, think experience. Rather than a photo frame, what about a photography lesson. Instead of separate pressies for everyone, wrap Christmas all up in one with a private cookery class for seven. Here’s some more inspiration. You’re very welcome.

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What forms of transportation will we use? Will we have ventured to other planets? How will we find love? What will we wear? How will we earn a living? In the absence of a crystal ball, click the link below and we’ll whizz you 50 years ahead to the future. Let’s see what some of the world’s brightest and curious minds predict for us.

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You’ve written a beautifully crafted email, given it a few days – as you don’t want to double email! No reply. Nothing. If only you could increase your response rate. A little behavioural science should do it. Tactics like ‘thanks in advance’ (the most effective sign-off). Who actually ever means ‘Yours sincerely’ and ‘Best wishes’.

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Who’s excited? Or are you yet to feel the Christmas vibe? Nothing says start ordering the turkey like London’s iconic window displays. So which flagship store will stop you in your tracks? Selfridges, Liberty, Fortnums, Harrods, Harvey Nichols…each storefront is quite literally a work of art. It’s Christmaaaaaaaaaas!

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What an amazing creative buzz around London – thanks to Steve McQueen’s Year 3 “portrait of citizenship” at Tate Britain, featuring portraits of more than 76,000 London school children to promote art education. Together with 600 billboards dotted about the capital, the message is powerful: Creativity Matters. We couldn’t agree more.

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Feeling stressed? Try this. The Dutch call it “Uitwaaien” or “outblowing” – the practice of spending time in the wind. Walking, running, riding a bike, seek out some windy Uitwaaien and let the gusts “blow out the bad air” leaving you feeling fresh and re-energised. Ahhhhh that’s so much better. The next windy day, you know what to do.

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Did you get to see the film Ad Astra? Brad Pitt is amazing as McBride but the solar system is the real star of the show. The movie incorporates actual NASA imagery and footage of space. How did the filmmakers get the surface of the moon and the vehicles chasing around on it in lunar gravity to look so jaw-droppingly real? Curious?

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We love the fact that photographer Pennie Smith decided to do something different that night of September 21st 1979 at the New York Palladium and swapped to the other side of the stage (not Mick Jones side), in time to capture the best rock and roll shot of all time. Paul Simonon smashing his bass guitar at the frustration of playing to a lame crowd. Change is good!

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Can’t quite believe we’re talking Christmas already! But when we saw the design skills that have gone into the new Royal Mail collection, we just had to bring it up. 10 layers of A1 paper beautifully cut into Nativity scenes magically scaled down to give each stamp an amazing three-dimensional quality. First class!

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Soho will always have a place in our hearts. Curious started life in Poland Street in 2002; we loved “the world’s wickedest square mile” for luring the bohemian and the curious. Now there’s a unique opportunity to experience Soho, before its gentrification, through the lens of renowned photographers such as William Klein.

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There’s no denying real bookshops are “time travel and escape and knowledge and power”. We must preserve these endangered species. Not use them for “showrooming” – researching purchases to be made cheaper online. Bookshops offer so much more than books. To keep them on our high streets shouldn’t they monetize browse time?

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“All truly great thoughts are conceived by walking.” Nietzsche is not the only genius to associate walking with creative inspiration. Steve Jobs insisted on “walking meetings”. Many famous authors say it’s the only cure for writer’s block. What is it about walking that fires up the imagination?

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Did you know there was an underground aircraft factory in 2.5 miles of tunnels on our Central line? Or that Churchill took shelter in his secret subterranean dining room at Down Street Station? What led to these spaces being abandoned? And why were some never completed?

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We have avoided the B word – we want to be inspirational, not political – but actually, this got us thinking. If there’s a no-deal, a toilet paper shortage could be a likely event. Great news for our planet! So what environmentally preferable alternatives exist?

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Breathing new life into old buildings is pure genius in our curious book. (Bit like a brand refresh really). We love how Space&Matter has turned redundant canal-side bridge keeper’s houses in Amsterdam into hotel suites – for us all to immerse in the history. Waterways for corridors, what an imaginative hotel.

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Interest in food photography has mushroomed thanks to social media. Posting your meal out has become a must. But let’s look deeper at how food can be used to comment on such issues as wealth, poverty, gender, race, desire, tradition. Having worked with Food Photographers, we savoured this artistic exhibition.

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Over 40% of millennials would like to work in dog-friendly workplaces. Canine colleagues increase productivity, promote mental well-being and encourage an active lifestyle. Bringing a dog to work is a valuable employment perk. You’ll find no bone of contention at Curious.

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Bright sunny yellow. The right oval eye larger than the left. Mouth slightly off centre. What a great client brief: “can you design something that makes my workforce smile”. (The next employee engagement branding to us please!) Harvey Ball’s world-changing smiley face for State Mutual became an icon and the inspiration for his World Smile charitable trust. Help one person smile today.

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We’ve heard of putting a knot in the corner of your hanky (a memory aid in days gone by). But a knotted post box? Now a permanent installation along Caxton Street in London. The artist Alex Chinneck definitely caught our curious eye. Naturally, we’ve got questions. Why post boxes? Why now? What’s the thinking?

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That’s the trouble with being curious. You’re continually questioning everything. But if you want to get to a much deeper level of conversation, you can’t ask just any old question such as “what’s the longest non-technical word in English”? Because there’s only one answer: “Floccinaucinihilipilification”. Here’s how to generate a more thought-provoking response.

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Roll out the red carpet. It’s BFI London Film Festival time every October. If you want a richer film experience, LLF is great for discovering the world’s best new films and getting up close to the filmmakers and stars invited to talk about their films. New tickets are released all the time – get the most from the festival here.

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Famed pop artist Sir Peter Blake, who else! It’s got to be. Imagery from popular culture. Bright, distinctive, colourful, graphic. This is the artwork for ‘Who’ (for, you’ve guessed it, The Who) – the band’s first new album in thirteen years. Who better than the godfather of pop-art to announce: The Who. Are. Back.

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Inspired thinking from McDonald’s to save the bees – turning the back of their billboards into beehive hotels. Honey bees are dying at an alarming rate due to loss of habitat; now our yellow buzzy friends have a comfortable place to stay. We love ideas that solve problems.

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You’re welcome to step inside some of the most fascinating buildings in London. Roman, Georgian, Modern… houses, churches, remains… walks, talks, tours – pick an era and borough, and let curiosity be your guide. Enjoy free entry to this architecture festival every September. Don’t mind if we do.

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Who doesn’t love a good movie? Thriller, feel-good, tearjerker… stories stimulate our senses and involve us emotionally and intellectually. They are a powerful way to connect with audiences and get a message across. Brands use a narrative to evoke an emotional response – but that’s a different story.

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Our world is so loud, hyperconnected and busy. Enough! (For one day at least.) It’s official. Today is Read a Book Day. Time to sit in your favourite chair and lose yourself in a page-turner. Here are some must-reads.

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Everything! Personality. Outlook. Attitude to life. There’s a process to naming (we’ve got a good one) if you want to avoid names that have already gone. We’re surrounded by major brands – they’re embedded in our lives. Ever wondered how these names: Google, Ikea, Starbucks… came about?

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Nothing like a comedy festival full of popular stand-up laughter masters to bring us real comments about the world. If you’re near Greenwich in September everyone’s there – from Reginald D Hunter to Shappi Khorsandi. It’s a great way to unplug.

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Everyone has to work with guidelines. They shouldn’t restrict you. Quite the opposite, they set the parameters in which to fly. This is why the artist Max Siedentopf caught our curious eye – showing you can move outside the boundaries and still be on brief.

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We all do. Record and play it back. “That’s not me!”. Our voice plays a massive role in forming our identity – the same goes for brands. Hear a warm, friendly tone, you engage, you buy. If your brand is sounding cringey, come to us for some fine-tuning. If you hate your own voice, this will be why.

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We. Are. Very. Excited. What a design icon. A powerful influence. The embodiment of style. From his famous ‘I ♥ NY’ logo to the cool identity for Brooklyn Brewery – there’s no one we admire more. Curious who?

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This is doing the rounds and rightly so it’s hilarious. We won’t give you any clues but go and make a cuppa and gather round some other curious people. Advertisers must be falling over themselves to use this somehow.

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Nooooo! If you’re handed a receipt on shiny paper, chances are it’s not recyclable. And did you think recycled materials are used to create the same product? Also wrong! Here’s the truth behind the UK’s biggest recycling myths.

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If you’re curious how a skip can democratise the way art is experienced, check out this exhibition of seven skips transformed into artworks. Presented by the Skip Gallery within Finsbury Park’s famous Arts Building from 5th-15th September. We love how they are ‘placing art in people’s way’.

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Journaling – have you tried it? It’s about capturing your stream of consciousness. Nothing like keeping a diary, it brings out thoughts and ideas you never thought you had. We were curious about it as a way of unlocking creativity, but we discovered all these other surprising benefits too. All you need is 15 minutes a day.

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April 15th and a massive fire engulfed Notre-Dame. How do you ever recover from this? The 850-year-old Gothic landmark is irreplaceable. Creativity has the power to put forward a sensitive, respectful and positive temporary solution and show “hope can be born from disaster”.

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With more than 55,000 performances of 3,548 shows in 317 venues wow! where would you begin. Really big names have started out here – Steve Coogan, Rowan Atkinson, Phoebe Waller-Bridge… so you want to be in the right place witnessing the next exciting star. Have a look and see if anything would have taken your fancy…

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We were intrigued too. 100% sustainable, biodegradable and made entirely, you got it, from plants. Millions of shoes end up in landfills taking more than 50 years to fully decompose. Compostable shoes are a great step forward. Thank you!

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Happy birthday Bank of England! To mark the occasion, they exhibited an object for each year of the bank’s history. Curiosities galore!. On from July 2019 until May 2020.

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In vacuum cleaners, cars, video games, software, medical research… and now specifically at this exhibition in the Barbican where you can fully immerse, discover more and play. Aren’t you just that little bit curious about what’s in store for the future?

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Stay curious. Ask questions. Try something new. That’s how we arrive at exciting places…that’s how we landed on the moon 50 years ago. Are you curious to see artefacts photographed within the security-sealed NASA archive? We certainly are.

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We have vowed not to groan about the sizzling weather and soaring temperatures in our studio. It’s Britain; not everyone has air con! We can all cope with this! Great excuse to eat lots of Calypsos! Not a fan (get it?) here are some other cooling tips.

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Once a “favoured mode of cultural expression for the city’s creative young and poor”, graffiti, or street art, is now pushing property prices right up. How times change.

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Our work for migrant charity, Consonant, is a celebration of uniqueness and identity. Exploring the multiplicity of voices that form modern Britain was the focus of this photography exhibition at Somerset House too.

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Have you been following Wimbledon? Can you ever imagine running around a court wearing high collars, petticoats, and a corset? How did they do it? Curious?

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Curious to hear the latest thoughts on fashion / tech / politics / business / architecture / history / space exploration…? Open your ears to some of the most interesting ponderings in this curated list of inspiration.

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f you’ve been pondering this (funny what gets you curious) then you’ll find this really cool. And, in a way, reassuring that order can be restored.

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Edible water bottles. Insect pâté. Cheese cultivated from bacteria. The V&A reimagined our food future from growing to eating in this sensory exhibition that ran from May to October 2019.

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Glasto, we can’t wait! Head over here to Matthew Joseph’s photographs of life beyond the main stages. The glitter, the flags, the wellies (hopefully not!) are back.

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