Matt Alldian

Research shows that different languages are spoken at varying speeds, but the same amount of information is conveyed in a given timeframe. via kottke.org

Chess@home is a distributed computing project that aims to build the largest Chess AI ever, similar to how SETI@home uses distributed computing. via sylvainzimmer

Jason Kottke shares a video excerpt where Kurt Vonnegut explains the shapes of stories using a "good fortune-ill fortune" axis on a chalkboard.

Israeli strikes in Gaza leave dozens dead, prompting rocket fire from Hezbollah and sparking global protests. via Al Jazeera.

A new Android phone is being developed in China with impressive specs and a low price of $310. The phone boasts a dual core 1.5Ghz chip, 1GB of RAM, a 4-inch LCD screen, and a large battery. via OSNews

FEMA uses the Waffle House Index as an informal metric to assess the severity of a natural disaster based on if the restaurant is fully operational, on a limited menu, or closed. via kottke.org

Hubski, a news aggregator, aims to be a Reddit replacement by emphasizing social connections over community-based aggregation. via The Daily Dot

Moving a boat proves to be no problem for Max Tobiasen, who shares the story on his blog, along with other thoughts on technology and startups.

via Maximise

This blog post lists the author's top ten recommended readings for learning more about nonviolent resistance. via Rationalinsurgent.

Freakonomics explores how the market reacted to Steve Jobs' retirement as Apple CEO in 2011, comparing it to reactions during his previous health-related absences. via Freakonomics