March 10th, 2010

10 Famous Literary Characters and the Real People Who Inspired Them

When you connect with a literary character or get lost in a story, you’re reading in a truly fulfilling way. And when you realize that some of your fictional friends are actually based on real people, it brings the story to life even more.

Take this quiz to test your knowledge on the real lives of people who have inspired some of the most iconic works of fiction in literary history. You might be surprised to discover that some of your favorite characters had lives beyond the page.

1. Robert Louis Stevenson’s Long John Silver is a complex character who has been portrayed in Disney films, book adaptations, TV movies and more. But the famous peg-legged pirate is partially based on an English-born poet. Which one?

a. Samuel Coleridge

b. William Ernest Henley

c. John Keats

d. John Milton

2. Many of Charles Dickens’ characters are loosely based on his own life and personal qualities. But which young character — forced to live as a beggar — is supposedly based on Dickens’ sister-in-law?

a. The Marchioness, The Old Curiosity Shop

b. Little Em’ly, David Copperfield

c. Lucie Manette, A Tale of Two Cities

d. Little Nell, The Old Curiosity Shop

3. Jane Austen’s classic novel Pride and Prejudice has been reinvented many times, including in a partially fictionalized biographical film of her own life, Becoming Jane, in which Jane falls in love with a real-life judge Tom Lefroy, and who is intended to portray Mr. Darcy. In fact, a more exact model for Elizabeth Bennett’s (and Jane Austen’s) love interest is probably based on a summer romance with which of the following men?

a. Dr. Samuel Blackall

b. Jonathan Swift

c. Edmund Burke

d. Horace Walpole

4. The famous dancer and dance and fashion critic Kitty Cannell lived in Paris in the 1920s with famous expats and artists like Ernest Hemingway and his wife Hadley. Cannell was a dynamic woman and is said to have inspired two of Hemingway’s strong, though complex, female characters. Which ones?

a. Lady Brett Ashley and Catherine Barkley

b. Frances Clyne and Helen Ferguson

c. Margot Macomber and Catherine Barkley

d. Helen Ferguson and Pilar

5. Twentieth-century writer Thomas Wolfe was known for writing autobiographical fiction like Of Time and the River, but he himself was the inspiration for which novel about a troubled writer?

a. Youngblood Hawke, by Herman Wouk

b. Pale Fire, Vladimir Nabokov

c. The Finishing School, Muriel Spark

d. Remembrance of Things Past, Marcel Proust

6. Which cult classic novel about a modern American social revolution is based on the lives, philosophies and influences of several famous writers, poets, artists and musicians?

a. The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger

b. The Bell Jar, Sylvia Plath

c. On the Road, Jack Kerouac

d. Valley of the Dolls, Jacqueline Susann

7. Many authors like Charles Dickens, Leo Tolstoy and Proust used their own lives as inspiration for some of their most famous works, but which author created a recurring character based on two famous writers, including himself/herself?

a. F. Scott Fitzgerald

b. Ayn Rand

c. Jack London

d. Kurt Vonnegut

8. Fantastical children’s books often include magic, talking animals and parallel worlds, but which iconic story was named after a real-life family friend? The child could also claim responsibility for making the author write down and publish the story.

a. Peter Pan

b. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

c. Matilda

d.Tuck Everlasting

9. Muses are immortalized in fiction in all kinds of ways, including as over-romanticized and even harsh, abusive characters. Which controversial writer used his own wife as a model for the cheating spouse of one of his most famous characters?

a. D.H. Lawrence

b. Aldous Huxley

c. James Joyce

d. George Orwell

10. Another famous work of fiction follows the troubled marriage of a couple living in Europe, and is loosely based on the author’s own temperamental relationship with his mentally unstable wife. Who is the author, and what is the novel?

a. Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina

b. Ernest Hemingway, The Sun Also Rises

c. Alexandre Dumas, The Count of Monte Cristo

d. F. Scott Fitzgerald, Tender is the Night

Answers

1. b. William Ernest Henley: Invictus writer Henley — whose leg was amputated when he was 12 — was friends with Robert Louis Stevenson and Rudyard Kipling, whom he met while editing the Scots Observer, today known as the National Observer.
2. d. Little Nell: Little Nell from The Old Curiosity Shop is said to be modeled after Dickens’ beloved sister-in-law Mary Hogarth. Hogarth died when she was just 17.
3. a. Dr. Samuel Blackall: Called "the real-life Mr. Darcy" by The Daily Mail, Dr. Samuel Blackall was a theology student and fellow at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, who met Austen when he summered with family friends in Hampshire. After Austen felt that Blackall had snubbed her, the two met again years later, when literary historians believe she fell in love with the clergyman. Blackall, however, ultimately married someone else.
4. b. Frances Clyne and Helen Ferguson: Frances Clyne from The Sun Also Rises and Helen Ferguson from A Farewell to Arms — two of Hemingway’s greatest novels — are said to be based on the personality of Kitty Cannell, though Cannell denied any similarities between herself and Clyne.
5. a. Youngblood Hawke, by Herman Wouk: Wouk’s novel was controversial when it was published in the 1960s because his use of Wolfe as a model for his main character, Arthur Youngblood Hawke is historically inaccurate.
6. c. On the Road, Jack Kerouac: One of the most famous works of modern American literature, On the Road only vaguely disguises the real-life personalities of Alan Ansen, Neal and Carolyn Cassady, Allen Ginsberg, Frank Jeffries and even the writer himself behind memorable characters.
7. d. Kurt Vonnegut: Kurt Vonnegut’s character Kilgore Trout appears in several major works, including Slaughterhouse-Five, Jailbird and Breakfast of Champions. Vonnegut admitted after his friend Theodore Sturgeon’s death that Sturgeon was the initial inspiration for Trout, but many critics and readers believe that Vonnegut began adding more of his own qualities to the character as time passed.
8. b. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland: Lewis Carroll — whose real name was Charles Dodgson — was a family friend to the Liddell family, which included a girl named Alice. Dodgson often made up stories for Alice and her sisters, who convinced him to write down his first version of Wonderland. Much of the fictional Alice is made up, but she and Liddell do share the same birthday (and half-birthday.)
9. c. James Joyce: James Joyce’s Ulysses tells the story of Leopold Bloom and his dynamic wife Molly, who is partially based on Joyce’s own wife Nora Barnacle. While Nora never cheated on James as Molly is unfaithful to Leopold, Bloomsday takes place on the day of Nora and James’ first date.
10. d. F. Scott Fitzgerald, Tender is the Night: Tender is the Night tells the story of Dick and Nicole Diver, an American couple living in the south of France. Nicole struggles with anxiety and a form of depression, and Fitzgerald’s wife Zelda — with whom he moved to Paris during the 1920s — was eventually diagnosed with schizophrenia.

If you love literature, check out our comprehensive Open Education Library to learn more about your favorite works and discover all the FREE, open educational resources on the web.

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March 9th, 2010

How much do you know about our nation’s leaders? Take our quiz to learn more about some of the longest-running congressmen of the twentieth century.

Questions

1. This U.S. senator was elected in 1973 as the sixth-youngest senator and represented his state until just recently, when he received a worthy promotion during a historical election.
2. When this senator passed away, many Americans felt that it was the end of an era — or dynasty — for a prominent U.S. family with a strong liberal background.
3. Sometimes called "Mr. Sam," this Texas congressman was also the longest running Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, when he was appointed in 1940 at the age of 58.
4. This Democratic senator is continuing a family tradition of serving in Congress, and is currently the senior senator and the longest running member in congressional history. He is also third in line to succeed the president.
5. As a governor, former Presidential candidate, and long-time U.S. senator, this controversial, conservative politician supported segregation at one point, and even conducted a 24-hour filibuster against the Civil Rights Act of 1957.
6. This San Antonio native lost the Senate race to replace Lyndon B. Johnson, but won a special election a few months later, and stayed in the Senate for over 37 years.
7. This man is the longest-serving Republican senator in congressional history. He served Alaska in the Senate, until a major ethics scandal involving financial disclosure forms caused him to lose his seat in 2008.
8. After the death of Ted Kennedy, this senator became the second senior senator in Washington. He has represented his home in Congress since it became a state in 1959, and in the Senate since 1963.
9. Besides being a long-running U.S. senator, this man was once named by Time magazine as the "most eligible bachelor" in the Senate. He has served in Congress since 1940, first in the House of Representatives, and then in the Senate, and twice ran for the Democratic presidential nomination.
10. This Florida Republican has served in the House of Representatives since 1971, making him the longest-serving Republican in Congress at present.

Answers

1. Joe Biden: Vice-President Joe Biden was a U.S. senator from Delaware 1973-2009, making him the 14th-longest serving senator in history.
2. Ted Kennedy: Edward M. Kennedy past away in 2009 while serving as the second most senior member of the Senate, in which he had served since 1962. Kennedy, brother of Robert F. and John F. Kennedy, ran for the Democratic candidacy for president in 1980 but lost, most probably because of his car accident scandal resulting in the death of Mary Jo Kopechne.
3. Sam Rayburn: Sam Rayburn was elected to the House of Representatives in 1913, when he was 31. Rayburn served for over 48 years and was one of the first congressmen to refuse to affect payment or gifts from public service corporations.
4. Robert Byrd: Robert Byrd was named the President pro tempore for the Senate in 2007, making him third in line to replace the President. The former KKK member was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1952 and to the Senate in 1958.
5. Strom Thurmond: Strom Thurmond was the longest running senator in history until Robert Byrd beat his record. He is still the only senator to reach the age of 100 while in office.
6. Henry B. Gonzalez: Gonzalez was a Democratic senator who served as chair for the United States House Select Committee on Assassinations to investigate the deaths of JFK and Martin Luther King, Jr.
7. Ted Stevens: Ted Stevens was elected to the Senate in 1968. He is the longest-serving senator to lose a re-election bid.
8. Daniel Inouye: Daniel Inouye is also the first Japanese-American to serve in the House of Representatives and in Congress, and has a Medal of Honor for his service during WWII.
9. Henry M. Jackson: Jackson did not serve an uninterrupted term in Congress: when the U.S. entered WWII, he enlisted in the Army. He returned on orders from FDR, but he did visit the Buchenwald concentration camp and was elected president of the International Maritime Conference in 1946.
10. Bill Young: Bill Young has been reelected 20 times and served as the Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations for six years, from 1999-2005.

If you consider yourself a true politico, check out our comprehensive Open Education Library to learn more about political science and discover all the FREE, open educational resources on the web.

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March 7th, 2010

If you thought buying textbooks for your college classes cost too much, then take a look at the prices attached to these books, some of the most valuable in the world. From the first book ever printed to the most valuable comic book to the children’s picture book worth the most money, check out these ten books that will bring a pretty penny to anyone lucky enough to have one in their collection.

1. The Gutenberg Bible. In 1456, the Gutenberg Bible was the first book ever printed with moveable type. About 180 versions are believed to have been printed originally. Many of the remaining Bibles have been broken down into sections. Only 21 are believed to be completely intact. A fully-intact Gutenberg Bible is valued at $25-35 million.
2. Codex Leicester. This 72-page notebook contains the scientific writings and sketches of Leonardo da Vinci. In 1717, Thomas Coke, who was named the Earl of Leicester, bought the notebook. It was bought from the Leicester estate in 1980 and renamed Codex Hammer, after the art collector who purchased it. In 1994, Bill Gates purchased the notebook for $30.8 million and renamed it Codex Leicester. Gates’ purchase of this notebook made it the most expensive book ever sold.
3. First Folio. The first edition of Shakespeare’s plays, published in 1623, is widely considered one of the most important books in the world. This first published work by Shakespeare contained 36 of his plays and was 900 pages long and was published seven years after Shakespeare died. In 2008, a British man was accused of stealing one of the 228 remaining copies of the First Folio, that copy’s worth being estimated at £15 million, or about $22.6 million.
4. Birds of America. This book by John James Audubon contains scientific descriptions and illustrations of native birds of North America set in their natural surroundings. The book was published between 1827 and 1838 by a British publisher and was well-received. In March of 2000, one of the last 120 remaining copies was sold for $8.8 million to Sheikh Saud of Qatar, making it the most expensive printed book sold.
5. Traité des Arbres Fruitiers. Translated to "Treatise on Fruit Trees," this book was published in 1768 and was the most successful work by French botanist Henri-Louis Duhamel du Monceau. The book detailed 16 different fruit species as well as multiple varieties and accompanying illustrations. It went to auction in Brussels in 2006 where it sold for 3,360,000 euros, or about $4.5 million, at that time.
6. Geographia. Ptolemy’s Geographia was a compilation of cartography as it was known in the 2nd century. In 1477 these maps were printed in what was the first atlas. In 2006, one of only two known to exist in private ownership was sold at auction for $3.9 million dollars. It was previously owned by Lord Wardington, a British map and atlas collector, who died in 2005.
7. Mercator’s Atlas of Europe. Gerardus Mercator was a Flemish cartographer who created the cylindrical world map projection that is still used today. In 1967, a Dutch schoolmaster on vacation in Belgium discovered a stack of old maps bound in folio style. They were later determined to be Mercator’s maps of Europe from the 1500s. In 1979, Sotheby’s sold this atlas to the British Rail Pension Fund, then it was later sold to the British Library in May of 1997 for a reported $1,243,000.
8. Tamerlane and Other Poems. This was the first book written by Edgar Allan Poe and was published anonymously with the author named as only "a Bostonian." The book of poems was said to be written when Poe was only 14 years old. In December of 2009, a copy of this rare book (one of only 12 known) was sold at Christie’s auction house for $662,500, making it the most valuable piece of American literature ever sold.
9. Action Comics #1. Published in June of 1938, this comic book introduced Superman, considered to the be first superhero, to the world. In February 2010, a copy of this rare comic book sold from an anonymous seller to an anonymous buyer for $1 million dollars, making it the most valuable comic book in the world.
10. Where the Wild Things Are. This 1963 first edition of Maurice Sendak’s popular children’s book is estimated to be worth $10,200, if it is in excellent condition and has the original dust jacket. As far as children’s picture books are concerned, this is the most valuable one, with the next closest being And To Think That I Saw It On Mulberry Street, a 1938 first edition by Dr. Seuss worth $8,400.

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March 4th, 2010

The economy has put many of us in a sour mood lately, as the employment spectrum looks pretty grim and college costs are constantly rising.  Fortunately, the online college scene has provided us with a cost efficient alternative in which we can take classes, earn extra degrees, for nearly half the price of a traditional university.  In a recession, this is welcome news for the thousands of employees who have been let off and the thousands more who are looking for jobs but lack educational qualifications.  Online education now allows these individuals to take online classes to earn a useful degree, while still working at their job.  Even more beneficial, the advances in technology have led to new course offerings that are applicable for employees who may have been in the workplace for several years. 

The increasing number of online colleges has led to competition between the for-profit institutions, resulting in an economic gain for its students, as prices remain cost-efficient for students.  Even more surprising is the fact that many traditional schools have now begun to offer degree programs to distance learning students for much less than their traditional classes, encouraging more online students to enroll.  The demand for online education has encouraged the growth in these programs and technological advances has made enrollment easier than ever.  While many online education programs originally catered to working adults, the younger generation of students has begun to consider online courses as their first option in getting a college education.

The cost benefits of online education has reigned supreme within the education sector as more and more traditional universities have begun to shift their degree programs to the internet and appeal to a wide array of students.  Many of these universities have more than doubled their student population as a result of their online course offerings and have managed to keep their costs low when compared to their traditional courses.  While this may not seem fair to students who still participate in traditional classrooms, it is undisputed that online education does not have the direct contact that these traditional students experience.  Therefore, online education and online colleges are typically better for students who can work independently and do not need professors or classmates to constantly help them with assignments. 

The high amount of courses that online colleges offer has also increased in the past years as the online education industry has boomed.  You can now find degree programs in any type of field in any level of degree (from Associates to Doctoral degrees).  Now it is only a matter of deciding what the future holds for you and what path you want to take in your education. 
 

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March 3rd, 2010

While physics can be a fascinating subject, some of the concepts it presents aren’t always the easiest for students to understand or for teachers to convey to their classes. That’s where the web can come to the rescue. Here you’ll find a list of some great videos that both clearly demonstrate the major ideas of physics for beginners as well as provide insights in more complex topics for those who are more familiar with the subject matter. Check through the list to see if there’s something that can facilitate your teaching or learning process.

Physics Fun

These videos will help show the lighter side of physics with amazing experiments, funny raps and explanations of concepts in terms students can understand.

1. Musical Tesla Coil: Check out this video to hear the amazing noises the high-voltage sparks emitted by this Tesla coil produce.
2. Large Hadron Collider Rap: Have some fun with this great rap video about CERN’s hadron collider.
3. How Superconducting Levitation Works: Think levitation is impossible? This video will show you otherwise using magnets.
4. Fun with Ferrofluid: See the bizarre ferrofluid in action in this video and what effect magnets have on it.
5. Water Droplets in Zero Gravity: This video shows you an experiment done on the International Space Station, letting you see how water acts in a low gravity environment.
6. Sound Waves on Fire: You may not be able to see sound waves normally, but in this video they’re more than evident.
7. Halo of Water Vapor Appears Around Supersonic F-14 Jet: See what effect breaking the sound barrier has on water condensation through this video.
8. Helium Superfluid: What happens when you get helium into a liquid form? Watch this video to find out.
9. Boomerang in Zero Gravity: No matter where you go, a boomerang will always come back as this video filmed in space shows.
10. Mythbusters Play with Sulfur Hexafluoride: In this short but fun video, you’ll see the effect different gasses have on vocal sounds.
11. The Physics of Superheroes: Watch this video to have superheroes explained using real life physics concepts.
12. The Physics of Baseball: Get a more concrete and fun explanation of physics concepts by seeing them applying to baseball in this video.

Physics Basics

Learn the essentials of understanding physics through these instructional videos for students at all levels.

13. Photons: Corpuscles of Light: You may be wondering what the heck a corpuscle is, but you’ll learn soon enough when you watch this video.
14. Fits of Reflection and Transmission – Quantum Behaviour: Check out this video to have quantum physics explained by Richard Feynman.
15. Electrons and Their Interactions: Another video lecture given by Feynman helps gives some clarity to the way particles interact with one another.
16. Polarization: Physics professor Walter Lewin explains polarization, rainbows, smoke and sunsets in this video that even elementary students can understand and appreciate.
17. The Wonders of Electricity and Magnetism:Walter Lewin is back in this video, showing off some fun experiments in order to explain the bigger physical properties behind them.
18. Atoms and Heat: Here, Professor Richard A. Mueller of UC Berkeley explains the fundamentals of applying heat to atoms.
19. ForceMan: While created with kids in mind, this video is a fun way to learn about the physics of force for all ages.
20. Planetary Forces Rap: Make learning about planetary forces a little more fun and easier to remember with this clever rap.
21. Speed of Light: This video uses a microwave and some eggs to teach students about the speed of light.
22. Classical Mechanics: This video from MIT will give you a good primer in the basics of Newtonian physics.
23. Fundamentals of Physics: If you want something a little more in-depth, you can check out this lecture series from Yale to get a crash course in physics fundamentals.
24. Vibrations and Waves: Give this lecture series a try to learn about a wide range of topics related to vibrations and waves–from sunsets to musical instruments.
25. Electricity and Magnetism: Through these video lectures you’ll build a strong foundation of knowledge in how electricity and magnetism work in the world.
26. The Mystery of Light: Starting with the basics, this video will engage you in exploring the special properties of light.

Experiments and Demonstrations

Few things make an abstract concept clearer than seeing how it works in real life. These videos will do just that, making things like light, motion and friction easier to understand.

27. Double-Slit Electron Experiment: In this video you’ll see an experiment that demonstrates both the wave and particle properties of light and other quantum particles.
28. Galileo’s falling bodies experiment re-created at Pisa: Go back to physics basics in this video that recreates the famous experiment done by Galileo to illustrate ideas of mass, inertia and gravity.
29. Millikan Oil Drop Experiment: Learn how Millikan did his famous experiment and understand the meaning of it all by watching this great animated clip.
30. Isaac Newton’s decomposition of sunlight with a prism: Light may look white or colorless, but this experiment with prisms will expose its true nature.
31. Interference and Diffraction of Light Experiment: Get a look at some of the most amazing properties of light in this high-tech experiment.
32. Cavendish’s torsion-bar experiment: Learn how the gravitational constant (or G) was first calculated using a simple experiment in this video.
33. Eratosthenes calculates Earth’s circumference: How did a man living in ancient times manage to fairly accurately figure out the circumference of Earth? Watch this video to find out.
34. The Inclined Plane: This fun, if a little retro, video shows how distance and force are affected by an inclined plane.
35. The Rutherford Experiment: Check out this video to see how the parts of an atom were discovered from Professor Harman at the U of Virginia.
36. Foucault Pendulum: Want to see Earth’s rotation in action? Watch this video for more info.

Perfect for the Classroom

If you’re trying to teach students, or if you’re the student yourself, these videos can go a long way towards illustrating concepts in a fun, informative way.

37. Atoms: The Space Between: Here you cannot only watch a great video on the structure of atoms, but will get accompanying explanations and class materials as well.
38. Light Particles Acting Like Waves: This video attempts to make the behavior of light a little more clear for students (and yourself).
39. Quantum Mechanics: Quantum mechanics can be a tough subject to learn, let alone teach, so get some help from this excellent PBS produced video.
40. Strings to the Rescue: Through this video, you’ll be able to better teach and learn about string theory and Einstein’s late-in-life work.
41. That’s My Theory!: This game will quiz you or your students on which scientist held which physics theory.
42. Gravity: The Odd Man Out: This NOVA video will add on to your understanding of string theory by explaining the strong and weak nuclear forces.
43. Beautiful Physics: This video series from Teachers.tv offers fun, inspiring ways to look at fundamental physics concepts.
44. The Building Blocks of Matter: Try out this video for a great explanation of what the Large Hadron Collider is and what it is designed to figure out.
45. Physics Demo Videos: No matter what principle you’re trying to explain in class, you’ll find a great corresponding demo video here.
46. The Wonders of Physics: In this video series by Professor Clint Sprott you’ll get a fun and almost circus-like look at physics which can keep even the most physics-phobic students engaged.

Television Programs

Check out these excellent TV programs and series to learn more about physics.

47. The Elegant Universe: This three-part mini-series from NOVA explains the physics of the universe.
48. Carl Sagan’s Cosmos: Sagan’s series may be old, but much of the data it presents still holds true and it can be a wonderful program to learn about the beauty and the mystery of the Cosmos as we know it.
49. Absolute Zero: This episode of NOVA gets chilly, with discussions of Absolute Zero and how to get there.
50. Wright Brothers’ Flying Machine: Get a better idea of how flight, even the earliest ones, actually works in this episode of NOVA.
51. The Universe: Learn more about our home solar system, galaxy and the universe beyond in this great series.
52. Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity: Use this video as a chance to teach and learn more about black holes.
53. Cosmic Journeys: This television series will help you to learn more about space exploration and what we’ve garnered from it.
54. Wired Science: You’ll find all kinds of physics and general science videos in this helpful series.
55. Milestones in Science and Engineering: This series of videos will explain things like manned flight, the phonograph, cathode-ray tubes and more.
56. How Long Is A Piece Of String?: It may seem like a simple question but this physics-focused show demonstrates that true length is a much more complex matter.
57. Monster of the Milky Way: How much do you know about the black hole that is theorized to lie at the center of our galaxy? This video is a great primer on the subject.

Documentaries

These documentaries address some of the major questions in physics and entertain while they educate.

58. The Quantum Revolution: In this video, physicist Michio Kaku explores where physics may be headed in the coming decades.
59. Cold Fusion: Fire from Water: Through this movie you can learn about the potential of this source of energy.
60. Uncertainty Principle: This short film will fill you in on quantum mechanics and Einstein’s surprising dislike for the subject.
61. ATOM: Nuclear physicist Professor Jim Al-Khalili explores the history, present and future of the atom in this mini-series.
62. Exploring Einstein: Life of a Genius: Watch this video to learn more about the life and work of one of the greatest thinkers of our time.
63. The Atom Smashers: This film follows the scientists at Fermilab for a little over a year as they hunt for the mysterious and elusive Higgs boson particle.
64. Stephen Hawking and the Theory of Everything: Take a look at this short film to better understand the work of famed cosmologist Stephen Hawking.
65. Time Trip: Those intrigued by the idea of time travel will love this film that takes a look at the sometimes zany but always scientifically rooted attempts at discovering how to travel through time.
66. The Pleasure of Finding Things Out: Filmed in 1981, this film follows Richard Feynman as he talks about his life, his work and physics in general.
67. The Secret Life of Chaos: In this video, you’ll learn more about the real Chaos Theory that most people only know from a reference in the movie Jurassic Park.

Explaining and Illustrating Concepts

These lectures and videos focus on explaining or elaborating on more specific concepts in physics, both at a basic and more advanced level.

68. Particles, Protons and Quarks: In this question and answer session, you’ll hear Professor Jerome Friedman talk about the atom during a tour of the MIT Museum.
69. Monsters, Dwarfs and Everything In-Between: Astronomer Sally Baliunas talks about the ways in which physics enables scientists to study the wide range of stars in the universe in this video.
70. The Birth and Death of Stars: In this video, Walter Lewin gives an excellent and easily understood lecture on where stars come from and where they go when they die.
71. The Origin of Mass and the Feebleness of Gravity: Try out this lecture where theoretical physicist Frank Wilczek shares his expertise on the origins of mass.
72. String Theory, Black Holes and the Fundamental Laws of Nature: If you’re looking for a great overview of physics topics, this lecture from Andrew Strominger at Harvard is a treat.
73. Spooky Actions at a Distance: Spooky actions aren’t spooky in the way we usually understand the term to mean, as you’ll learn from watching this informative lecture at Princeton.
74. Elliptical Orbits: In this video from a course on classical mechanics, you’ll learn the basics of elliptical orbits and the laws of motion.
75. The Second Law of Thermodynamics and Entropy: Check out this lecture for an in-depth explanation of entropy that is perhaps best suited for more advanced physics students.
76. Torque: Take a closer look at some of Newton’s work in this excerpt from a course given at Yale.
77. The Physical World: Explore the world around you using physics with a little help from this free iTunesU video.
78. The Second Law and Cosomology: This video expands on the basics of entropy and asks some tough questions about how it’s applied to the study of the universe.
79. Quantum gravity in three dimensions: Get an ivy league discussion of quantum gravity through this video.

Cutting-Edge Research

Keep up with new work that’s being done in physics through these inspiring lectures.

80. Lisa Randall: String Theory and Multiple Dimensions: Lisa Randall, a professor at Harvard, discusses the possibility of multiple dimensions in space in this incredibly interesting lecture.
81. Frank Wilczek: Mass, Ether, and the Unification of Forces: Hear from Nobel Prize-winning physicist Frank Wilczek as he discusses his life and his work in this video.
82. New Queries: See where physics is headed in the coming decades in this video.
83. A New Kind of Science: Stephan Wolfram talks about the exciting prospects for using computers to map out our universe in this video.
84. Matchsticks, Scramjets, and Black Holes: Numerical Simulation Faces Reality: Elaine Oran gives listeners and insight into the gap that sometimes occurs between what should happen and what does happen when it comes to science.
85. John Ochsendorf: Redesigning Communities and Carbon Neutrality: Learn more about how science can be applied to technologies that help the world in this lecture.
86. X-rays from comets: a surprising discovery: Learn about a discovery that shocked scientists, that comets actually emit X-rays, in this great video.
87. The Black Hole at the Center of Our Galaxy: Check out this video to learn about the research that’s being done about the black hole that scientists think lies at the heart of our own Milky Way.
88. Loop Quantum Gravity: In this lecture by Carlo Rovelli you’ll learn more about this interesting and engaging theory devised by the speaker himself.
89. Transitioning from the Space Shuttle to the Constellation System: William Gerstenmaier has worked at NASA for over 30 years and shares his thoughts on addressing problems and issues with space travel that have cropped up in recent years.
90. Bose-Einstein Condensates: The Coldest Matter in the Universe: Learn about how theory led to discovery and a whole new way of looking at matter in this lecture.

Engaging Lectures

These lectures capture scholars, thinkers, and the world’s greatest physicists as they discuss a wide variety of topics.

91. Michio Kaku: Physics of the Impossible: Only a few centuries ago, many of the things we use everyday were seen as impossibilities of science. This video lecture discusses how, in the future, things like time travel may become less of a science fiction and more of a reality.
92. 20th Century Physics: In this lecture you’ll learn more about the evolution of science and religion.
93. A Universe from Nothing: Through this lecture you’ll hear from Lawrence Krauss on where our universe came from and where it will end up.
94. Observing the Birth of the Universe: Learn more about the Big Bang in this Princeton lecture given by Professor Lyman Page.
95. Who Needs Physics?: Why bother learning physics? This lecture explains how understanding physics could help us learn about the true nature of the universe.
96. Forty years of high energy string collisions: Hear from scientists at CERN on the history and future of string theory physics in this discussion video.
97. What is the simplest quantum field theory?: If you want to know more about this topic, then the scientists giving this talk at CERN are the best people to learn from.
98. The Universe is a Strange Place: Get inspired by the beauty, paradox and, yes, sometimes strangeness of our universe in this talk from Frank Wilczek.
99. Stephen Hawking asks big questions about the universe: In this TED lecture, Professor Hawking asks some of the most important and nagging questions about our universe, including where it all began and whether or not we are alone in the universe.
100. Challenge in Astrophysics: Physicist Sarah Bridle talks about the new work being done using gravity to map out the universe and the challenges that will still test scientists in the coming years.

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March 1st, 2010

Open courseware has become a popular endeavor for online colleges in recent years in order to attract new students to their programs.  Open courses are free courses that contain written and audio versions of lectures from courses at schools in the past years, available for the public to download in order to learn more about a subject or simply decide whether they want to take the course at the university for credit.  While free courses sound like an enticing offer, students need to keep in mind that they will not receive any credit for these courses and will only receive a broad painting of the overall course.  MBA open courses at online universities have additionally increased in recent years as the demand for MBA degrees has risen and students are willing to take a simple flavoring of the class before enrollment.

Universities that offer free courses in MBA degree programs are not as few as you would think, but involve schools as prestigious as MIT.  MIT was one of the first schools to offer open courses and since their original course offerings, the school has expanded to include a range of open courses in nearly every subject.  With the jump in the demand for MBAs, students are more willing than ever to receive more knowledge about the subject even without a degree to show for it.  Many employers additionally do not require proof of a degree, but simply require proof that their students have earned some background knowledge about the subject. 

MBA degrees are applicable in many different types of work environments, and are a new way for employees to secure their position with their company during a recession.  Students of MBA programs have a more direct understanding of the business model and are able to apply their business background to different aspects of their company.  Additionally, the recent demand in MBA programs has led to more graduates than ever from MBA programs, leading to new courses that are offered to produce competitive graduates.  Since many of the larger businesses have become more selective in their hiring process, MBA programs have begun to offer unconventional courses such as independent small business classes or “green” classes as related to business. 

While open courses in MBA only offer a mere taste of the actual course, they can allow potential students to understand the backbone of business education or employees to understand the intricacies of business. 
 

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February 22nd, 2010

While seeing art in person always offers that special something that pictures just can’t, sometimes you just can’t travel around to see all the famous works you want. Not to worry, however, as there are numerous places to see and learn about amazing art without leaving the house by perusing the web. Here are 100 sites that offer a wealth of culture and aesthetic appeal so you can get your fix of beautiful art and an online education without the budget to travel the world.

Galleries

Search through these galleries for up-and-coming artists and where to go to see artists you love.

1. One Art World: Find out about galleries, shows, artists and more on this site and see a great collection of images to whet your appetite as well.
2. Agora Gallery: Browse through the works on exhibition at this New York gallery on this site.
3. Gallery Nucleus: Look through online exhibits of contemporary artists and find merchandise to spruce up your home or dorm room on this site.
4. Matrix Fine Art: Check out this New Mexico gallery for some of the latest work by contemporary artists.
5. Chicago Art Galleries: If you’re going to be in Chicago and want to check out the River North gallery district or just want to browse galleries online, this site is a great resource.
6. Art Net Fine Art Galleries: On this site, you’ll find a listing by type of art of hundreds of galleries in the U.S. and around the world.
7. Art Collecting NY Art Galleries: This site provides you with easy access to the websites of hundreds of galleries located in downtown New York.
8. ArtScene: Head back to this site regularly to see what’s going on in the Los Angeles art scene, and see what’s up at local galleries.
9. Saatchi Gallery: Here you’ll find access to some of the works displayed at this relatively new British gallery.
10. Palazzo Grassi: Learn more about this public gallery supported by Francois Pinault on this site.

Museums

Take a virtual field trip to these huge museums through the resources they offer on their sites.

11. The Louvre: Home to the famous Mona Lisa, this museum houses the largest collection of fine art in the world. If you don’t want to brave the travel or the long lines, check out their website instead.
12. Metropolitan Museum of Art: Take a virtual trip to New York to take in some of the famous works held by this large museum.
13. The Getty Museum: Located in Los Angeles, this museum is home to works by some of the world’s most well-known artists.
14. Musee D’Orsay: With an impressive collection of Impressionist works, this museum is a must-see for those who love French art.
15. Uffizi Gallery: This gallery, designed by Vasari, has been around since the 1500’s and today houses some of the most famous works of European art.
16. Art Institute of Chicago: After opening it’s modern wing in 2009, this museum now boasts one of the largest collections of art in the world.
17. Tate Modern: If modern art is more your style, check out this museums’ architecture and impressive collection of art.
18. Prado Museum: Get a glimpse into the great art collection of Spanish royalty at the Prado, with works by Titan, Goya, Valazquez and more.
19. National Gallery of Art: See some great works of American art on the highly interactive site of this museum.
20. Guggenheim Museum: If modern, avant garde and contemporary art is what you love best, consider seeing what’s on exhibit at this world-renowned museum.

Portfolios

If you’re looking to find some less famous artists to inspire you, these free online portfolios are a great place to start.

21. artspan: Use this site to find websites and portfolios created by contemporary artists.
22. deviantART: Users can post their own work and comment on that of others on this site.
23. Art Break: Through this site, you’ll be able to browse artwork that a wide variety of artists have for sale.
24. AskART: This site will not only help you find artwork to look at, but tell you how much it’s worth as well.
25. Coroflot: See some truly great design portfolios on this site.
26. ArtistPortfolio.net: Look through the portfolios on this site to pinpoint artists that may have a chance at being well-known in the future.
27. Mosaic Globe: With photos, paintings, sculptures and more, this site is a great place to look for high quality art.
28. VoodooChili: Use this site to find portfolios by artists who are just emerging as talents.
29. Absolute Arts: Through this resource, you’ll find artist portfolios from artists who are more established as well as those who are just starting out.
30. Artist Listing: Look through the featured artists on this site to see a sampling of the talent that can be found.

Artist Sites

These sites will help you to learn more about individual artists, including some big names in contemporary work.

31. Damien Hirst: Visit this site to learn about the work and publications put out by this sometimes-controversial artist.
32. Norman Rockwell: Return to the spirit of classic Americana with the work of this famous artist.
33. FridaKahlo.com: See surrealism with a twist on this site.
34. David Hockney: From landscapes to cutting edge art, you’ll see all the images and writing created by this artist on his site.
35. Vik Muniz: With works constructed to fool the eye, this artist’s work is often more than it first appears to be.
36. John Currin: This artist’s works aren’t always on the safe side, with many sparking controversy by conservative groups.
37. Chuck Close: As one of the best known contemporary artists, you’ll get a glimpse inside the mind and the work of Chuck Close here.
38. Lisa Alisa: Check out modern, graphic work on this artist’s site.
39. Franck de Las Mercedes: Here you can learn more about the work of this Nicaraguan abstract painter.
40. Olafur Eliasson: See the work, much of which involves public space, of this Danish-Icelandic artist on his site, including his latest work and exhibitions.
41. Jenny Holzer: Holzer’s work employs text in a whole new way, integrating into it displays of light, technology and traditional materials. See her work on this site.

Image Collections

Visit these sites to see large collections of artwork from around the world.

42. Olga’s Gallery: Search by artist, country, movement or title to find works of art on this site that collects a wide range of art images.
43. Mark Harden’s Artchive: On this site you’ll find a collection of thousands of images as well as a number of online exhibitions.
44. VADS: This site is a free online resource for the visual arts, containing thousands of free images.
45. World Images: Art and Architecture: Try out this site to find images of art from a range of periods as well as some of the world’s most famous architecture.
46. Web Gallery of Art: Here you’ll find a gallery and a searchable database for European art.
47. CARLI Digital Collections: Use this search site to find images of artwork held at institutions around the world.
48. Courtauld Art and Architecture: On this site you can browse through the holdings of the Courtauld Institute in London.
49. Collage: The City of London Libraries, Archives and Guildhall Art Gallery have put their sizeable collection of images online using this site.
50. Visual Collections: Check out this site for over 300,000 images from 50 different art collections.
51. Art on File: Geared towards students and professors, this site is an excellent resource for anyone studying art.
52. Art Promote: This site is home to a wide range of image collections, including those of fine art and architecture.

Criticism and Reviews

Take a more critical approach to viewing art through these sites where you can hear from experts and everyday people alike.

53. London Arts Review: This site is home to reviews on just about everything that could be considered art, from The Office to museum marketing.
54. Contemporary Art Criticism: Check out this blog to hear one blogger rant and rave about the art world.
55. Aesthetics On-Line: The American Society for Aesthetics maintains this site, full of very scholarly and professional work.
56. Culture Vulture: No matter what kind of culture you love, you’ll find information and reviews here.
57. Aristos: This online arts review magazine is a great place to look for notes on artists, curators, exhibitions, museums and more.
58. Akrylic: Find information about the latest gallery exhibitions on this blog.
59. The Brooklyn Rail: This New York site turns a critical eye towards art, politics and culture at large.
60. Artspeak: This site aims to promote a greater dialogue between visual art and writing.
61. Painters NYC: Try out this site to try your hand at critiquing art.
62. Artopia: Art critic for the Village Voice and the Soho News John Perreault shares his thoughts on the NY art scene here.
63. ArtCritical.com: This online magazine is full of stories, ideas and even criticisms of contemporary art.

Blogs

These blogs offer great commentary, images and insights into the art world.

64. Gallery Hopper: Find out what galleries are showing what and which exhibits are worth your time on this blog.
65. Dali House: Learn more about Salvador Dali and other, more contemporary artists on this site.
66. Wooster Collective: This blog brings together images of ephemeral and often public art from around the world.
67. Art News Blog: Keep up with what is going on in the art world through this blog.
68. Arts Journal: This blog brings together art news from hundreds of journals, websites and blogs around the web.
69. Art Ravels: If you’re looking for intelligent discussions about the art world, bookmark this blog.
70. Younity: Get a refreshing female take on the urban arts scene on this blog.
71. Edward Winkleman: Check out this blog to get opinions on everything from art to politics.
72. NYC Art: Artist and writer Chris Rywalt shares his take on the art world on this site.
73. Art Fag City: While not always safe for work, this blog is always entertaining to read and will point you in the direction of great films, art and more.

Online Exhibitions

If you can’t make it out in person, you can take in these art exhibitions online instead.

74. World Art Treasures: See the hundreds of thousands of images art enthusiast and world traveler Jacques-Édouard Berger brought back with him on this site.
75. Library of Congress Exhibits: Through this site you can see art exhibits that trace the history of America.
76. James McNeill Whistler Interactive: This online exhibition from the Smithsonian lets you see into the life and work of this famous American artist.
77. Glenn Ligon: Annotations: This work by contemporary artist Glenn Ligon was made to be seen online, and asks you the viewer to participate.
78. Outsider Art: Use this site to see a wide range of outsider art, something major galleries might not be willing to carry.
79. Art Crimes: The Writing on the Wall: If you love graffiti, give this site a try to see the best works from around the world.
80. The Visual Front: This exhibition displays some of the most provocative propaganda images created during the Spanish Civil War.
81. Design and the Elastic Mind: Take an amazing, interactive look into the way design works with the brain in this exhibition from the MOMA.
82. Without Bounds or Limits: An Online Exhibition of the Plan of Chicago: See Chicago as it was originally designed to be, with mile after mile of beautifully landscaped lakefront, with this great online showing of Burnham’s plans.
83. The Making of a Polychrome Sculpture: With this site, you’ll be able to see not only the artwork, but how it was made as well.

Journals and Publications

Keep yourself in the art world loop with these great publications.

84. Art Forum: One of the best known, albeit not the most accessible, art magazines out there, this publication is a must for the budding art scholar.
85. Art in America: Check out this great publication for news on exhibitions and artists working in America.
86. CR Blog: This site is the home of the Creative Review, a good source of information on art shows and galleries.
87. Scene 360: Learn more about contemporary film and arts from this magazine.
88. Art Signal: While no longer regularly updated, the back issues of this magazine make for good reading nonetheless.
89. ARTnews: This popular fine arts magazine is accessible in an online format as well, allowing you to read some of the stories without buying a copy.
90. Juxtapoz: Read this magazine to learn about artists that are outside of the mainstream.
91. Artnow Online: Here you’ll be able to learn more about artists, galleries, the latest shows and more.
92. Arts and Letters: This online magazine collects stories about politics, news and art.
93. ArtNet: On ArtNet’s magazine, you can read reviews, find out the latest art news and learn which galleries to head to.
94. CultureHall: See some of the up and coming contemporary art through this helpful, curated resource.
95. Art Review: This contemporary art magazine gives you insight into the art world and lets you know what artists to watch.

Miscellaneous Tools

Use these tools to find and better understand the art you love.

96. Artcyclopedia: If you need to look up an artist, period or work, this site is the ideal place to find resources on it.
97. History of Art Virtual Library: Learn more about the history of art through this site.
98. Art History Research Centre: Those doing any kind of art research will find this reference link collection a lifesaver.
99. World Wide Arts Resources: On this site you’ll find links to research information and images that can help you study art.
100. All the Time Art: Find out where to go to see and buy art from this site.

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February 17th, 2010

Maybe the semester has passed and you forgot to sell back your text books, or perhaps you just held on to too many books over the years and now you need to figure out what to do with all of them. You don’t want to throw them away, so what is left to do with them all? Here are 80 awesome ideas that will have you realizing that books aren’t just for education.

Around the House

Use your old books around the house in creative ways with these ideas.

1. Step aerobics. Don’t buy expensive equipment to do step aerobics at home. Use old books instead. Tape or cover them in fabric to keep them in place.
2. Yoga block. Use a book or two as a yoga block.
3. Coasters. Use small books as coasters for drinks. If you have a set, such as from a children’s book series, you can have a matching set of coasters for an eye-catching statement.
4. Kneeling pad. Put some padding on an old book and tape it or wrap it in fabric to make a kneeling pad you can use while gardening.
5. Table legs. Use a stack of old books to replace a missing table leg rather than throwing both the books and the table away.
6. Book safe. Cut out the center of old books to hide valuables, such as extra cash or jewelry, in plain sight.
7. Headboard. Choose the books with the best covers and make a headboard with them.
8. Door stop. Are your doors never staying open? Use a heavy book to keep it in place.
9. Step stool. If you have a hard time reaching the top shelves in your kitchen, tape books together to make a handy step stool.
10. Make cheese. Homemade cheese, like the type used in Indian food, is easy to make. Use an old book to press the cheese after it has drained.
11. In the freezer. Place pages from old books between foods in the freezer to keep them from freezing together.
12. Paper towel substitute. Instead of using paper towels for absorbing grease off bacon or fried foods, use pages of a book. They can also be used in the same way to separate baked goods.
13. Trivets. If you feel like you never have anyplace to safely put those hot pots and pans, try using an old book as a trivet.

Decorate

There’s no need to spend tons of money to decorate your apartment or house when you can reuse old books.

14. Lamp. Use three books to make this fun lamp.
15. Picture frame. Using a children’s board book, you can alter it slightly to create a custom-sized double picture frame.
16. Wall art. Turn eye-catching covers or brightly-colored pages into wall art to decorate your home.
17. Create art. Check out these art projects done with old books to spark your creativity for your own project.
18. Make a hymnal angel. If you have an old hymnal lying around, make this stunning hymnal angel.
19. Tabletop. If you have an old table that could use a facelift, use the pages of a book to decoupage a table top.
20. Word plates. Use old plates and text cut out of old books to decorate in an unusual way.
21. Wreath. Make an attractive wreath from an old paperback book.

School and Office

From desks to pen holders to art journals, you’ll find great ways to reuse old books in your office or for school.

22. Lap desk. Use an old book that is big enough to rest your laptop or papers on for a great, portable lap desk.
23. Paper weight. Don’t let important papers get lost. Put them under an old book to keep them in place.
24. Wall book shelf. Make a book shelf on your wall from a few old books.
25. Book case. If you need more shelves for your books, make a book case out of hardback books like this one.
26. Book ends. Lay stacks of books at either end of your upright books to keep them from sliding over.
27. Pen holder. Make a pen holder out of the spine and pages of a phone book or other soft back book.
28. Art journal. Gesso over the pages and you have an art journal ready to use.
29. Magazine reader. Take the pages out of a book and recycle them, then slip a magazine into the hardback left behind to have a handy way to hold your magazines.
30. Desk. If you have tons of books but no desk, then you are in luck. Stack your books and put a piece of wood or an old door on top to make a desk of your own design.

Reuse the Pages

While hardcore book lovers may have a hard time tearing out the pages of any book, for those less faint of heart, use the pages of your old books in these creative ways.

31. Recycle. Recycle them any place that takes old phone books for recycling. If they are hardback, tear out the pages for recycling, then reuse the covers for some of the great ideas here.
32. Kindling. Use them as kindling to get your fireplace or camp fire started.
33. Mulch. Shred them to make a great mulch for your garden or landscaping.
34. Origami. If you are learning how to do this ancient Japanese art, practice with pages from your unwanted books.
35. Packing material. If you need to send something through the mail, use the pages for packing material in your box. If your box is too big for the item you are shipping, you might even be able to wedge it between books to keep it from sliding in the box.
36. Moving. If you have a move in your future, use the old pages to wrap breakable items for packing and moving.
37. Cat litter. Use shredded pages for cat litter that is easy on the paws and the wallet.
38. Wrap gifts. If you have small gifts that need wrapping, use a page or two from an old book.

Crafts

Make crafts from unwanted books like the ideas here.

39. Make an envelope. You will want to have one side blank so you can address the envelope, but you can use pages for making envelopes for personalized notes or cards.
40. Flowers. Make paper flowers from the pages to create a sweet gift for the book lover in your life.
41. Basket. Instead of magazine pages, use book pages to weave a paper basket.
42. Gift tags. Make unique gift tags from comic books or even the regular pages of any book.
43. Stationary. Use pages of a book as the recycled paper needed here to create your own stationary.
44. Gift bag. Instead of using expensive gift bags, make your own from book pages when it comes time for gift giving.

For Kids

Teach kids the importance of reusing when you utilize these awesome suggestions.

45. Booster seat. If you know a toddler who can’t quite reach the dinner table, use big books as a booster seat. If you need to use more than one, tie them together to ensure they don’t slide off or cover the stack in old fabric.
46. Leaf press. Have kids put leaves inside or under old books for pressed leaf art projects. This also works with flowers.
47. Paper mache. Let the kids use pages from old books for paper mache projects.
48. Confetti. Shred the pages of a book to make confetti for cascarones.
49. Easter basket. Use shredded pages for lining Easter baskets instead of using plastic "grass."
50. Paperback apple. Help your kids create a cute paperback apple that would make a great decoration for the house or unique teacher’s gift.
51. Clock. You and your child can make a unique clock from an old children’s book for your child’s room.
52. Reuse text books. Teachers and homeschool parents can use these great ideas for reusing old text books in resourceful and educational ways.
53. Paper clay. Use book pages as the recycled paper in this recipe for making paper clay.
54. Supply box. Cut out the middle of an old book and make an awesome box for the kids to keep their art or school supplies in.

Clothing and Accessories

Find out how to reuse books as clothing and accessories that will definitely turn a few heads.

55. Paper dress. If you are feeling really creative, read about paper dresses and try your hand at making one.
56. Brooch. Make a one-of-a-kind brooch from pages of a book and paper mache.
57. Earrings. Fold a book page into an origami earring that will truly be eye-catching.
58. Bracelet. Use your book pages and glue you make yourself to create a bracelet.
59. Jewelry box. After you’ve made your jewelry from an old book, why not use another book to make a jewelry box to keep it in.
60. Party hat. Make your own party hat from pages in a book. This works best if you have an old coffee table book with larger pages.
61. Handbag. Use an old book with a cover you really like to create a fun handbag like this or this.
62. iPod case. Make an iPod case from an old book.

Phone Books

It seems hardly anyone wants those phone books, even if they are current, but these keep showing up on doorsteps everywhere. Here are some great ways to put them to good use.

63. Clean paint tools. Use the pages from a phone book to clean the paint off your brushes and other painting tools.
64. Clean your windows. Tear out the pages and use them along with a mixture of vinegar, dish soap, and water to have a great window and glass cleaner.
65. Gift bows. Cut strips of phone book pages to create fun bows to put on gifts.
66. Wallet. Using the pages of a phone book and some tape, you can make a wallet in a matter of minutes.
67. Flip book. Draw on the corners of a phone book to make a flip book.
68. Coffee table. Check out this creative way to make a phone book coffee table.
69. Cutting mat. Use a phone book as a cutting mat that will not harm your cutting blade.
70. Toilet paper. It may not be as soft as what you buy in the store, but this toilet paper alternative sure won’t cost much.
71. No phone books. Register to be taken off the list for phone book distribution and make sure they never make it in to your house or sign a petition to stop widespread distribution altogether.

Getting Rid of Them

Find lots of creative ways to get rid of your old books without just throwing them away.

72. Book swap. Have a book swap in your neighborhood to find new ones and get rid of old ones.
73. Library. Donate your books to the local library when you are finished with them.
74. Sell on the Internet. It’s easy to sell your books on the Internet, and it might even bring in a little extra cash.
75. BookCrossing. Give your books away through a fun project like BookCrossing.
76. Leave them at a coffee shop. Put a little "free" sign next to a stack of books and leave them at your local coffee shop.
77. Hospital. Give your old books to hospitals. They will give them out to patients.
78. Trade. Many used book stores will let you trade your old books for different books or for CDs or video games.
79. Freecycle. Give them away through Freecycle.
80. Gifts. Give them as gifts to the readers in your life–especially if you have old hardbacks that book collectors might appreciate.

 

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January 27th, 2010

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January 26th, 2010

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