Converting Solar Energy to Electricity

Here is a brief and straightforward explanation of how the sun's energy can be converted into electricity using photovoltaic panels:



(If the video does not play or display properly above, click here to view it on YouTube.)

Dramatic Video of Hawaii's Kilauea Volcano

Kilauea Volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii put on quite a show on the Fourth of July, some of which is recorded on this Associated Press video. The video depicts lava from the east rift zone of Kilauea entering the Pacific Ocean. As soon as the lava hits the water, it creates a huge steam plume.

Next, the video shows bursts of lava shooting skyward and then splashing back down to the surface. The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory website explains that these are lava bubble bursts, caused by water seeping into the lava tube system through cracks. The water quickly flashes into steam, which expels lava into the air.

Near the end of the video there is a brief sequence that shows lava flowing through and igniting an area of vegetation.



(If the video does not play or display properly above, click here to view it on YouTube.)

A Lion Called Christian

I'm a sucker for animal stories that tug at the heartstrings, and especially when those stories are about a cat. This video, sent to me by someone who knows those predilections of mine, is about a big cat -- a lion called Christian. He was raised by two people in their home until he became too big for domestic life. He was returned to the wild, but his human 'family' had a reunion with him after a year, and that's what this video is about.

Animal lovers -- and especially cat lovers -- should get out their hankies now, and prepare to say, "Awwwwww."



(If the video does not play or display properly above, click here to view it on YouTube.)

Evolution of the Human Eye

Have a look at this brief but very interesting video from the National Center for Science Education about how the human eye evolved:



(If the video does not play or display properly above, click here to view it on YouTube.)

Tip of the hat to Brad Cavanagh at canspice.org, where I first spotted the video.

Birdtown (a Funky Town)

This video has been on YouTube since June of 2007, and only had 31,000-something views as of today. I can't believe something as cute as this hasn't gained more currency. It should have 'gone viral' ages ago, in my humble opinion.



(If the video does not play or display properly above, click here to view it on YouTube.)

Video: War history portrayed as food fights

Here's a novel take on war. Filmmaker Stefan Nedelman (touristpictures.com) stages a series of food fights to represent the history of war, from World War II to the present day. The 'combatants' are ethnic foods from the various warring countries and groups. Have a look:



(If the video above does not display or play properly, you can view it here on BoingBoing TV.)

In case you couldn't identify some of the combatants, the filmmaker provides this cheat sheet.

I thought the video did a great job of characterizing ethnic groups in terms of emblematic foods, but I'm wondering if some groups -- or individuals in groups -- will take offense at being portrayed this way. For what it's worth, although I'm American, I've never thought of myself as either a hamburger or a chicken nugget! Nevertheless, I get the stereotype.

I found the video to be both amusing and surreal. It also made me squirm a bit, although I'm having a hard time putting my finger on exactly why.

In any case, it's a true original, and if it doesn't go rampantly viral around the Web, it should! What do you think?

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Tip of the hat to Stefan Nadelman, who produced this video, to BoingBoingTV for hosting this version of the video, and to John Battelle's Searchblog, where I first saw it.