Popcorn Shorts
Cool stuff that’s too small for a big article
Just like it says, Popcorn Shorts is about the kind of things we think are really interesting, but don’t really need a large article to explain them. From the sublime to the ridiculous, check in here for crunchy bits of info you’ll love to munch. By the way, much (but not necessarily all) of our delicious Popcorn comes from articles we’ve posted on our Facebook page. If you’re on Facebook, please stop by and “Like” us and we’ll keep a fairly-constant-but-not-frequent-enough-to-be-annoying stream of these coming to your virtual door!
Bonhoeffer’s Theory of Stupidity
Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a Protestant clergyman in 1940’s Germany who became an outspoken voice against the Nazis before he was executed for plotting against Hitler in 1945. He was known for his theological and philosophical writings as well as his politics but we met him through his Theory of Stupidity. It argues, quite persuasively, that “stupid people are more dangerous than evil ones”, and this video from Sprouts explains further. If you’re interested more in Bonhoeffer’s own words then his Letters from Prison is a good place to start. His Stupidity Theory has gained other adherents as well, and if you’re interested in them then you might try here, here, or here.
Permits and Payments in the Columbia River Gorge
from PDXMonthly.com– “Driving on the Historic Columbia River Highway between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. will require a timed-use permit starting May 24 and running through September 5. The newly permitted area runs along US 30 between I-84 exits 28 and 35, part of the Historic Columbia River Highway, and includes Wahkeena, Horsetail, and Multnomah Falls, the Oneonta Falls trailhead, and Ainsworth State Park. Sites west of exit 28, including Vista House, Angel’s Rest, and Bridal Veil Falls, are outside of the affected area and do not require a permit to access. Permits do not guarantee parking. Drivers can expect checkpoints on Historic Columbia River Highway near the Bridal Veil I-84 off-ramp on the west end and Ainsworth State Park on the east…”
Your perspective can make all the difference
from AwsomeByte.com– “French sculptor Matthieu Robert-Ortis is gaining attention for his moving wire sculptures that change shapes. No, the sculptures themselves don’t move, but your perspective changes as you move around it! In one of his works, a pair of elegant giraffes turn into a giant elephant, as you walk past. Which creatures you see depends on the angle you’re viewing the wire sculptor from. He has aptly termed this work ‘The Revolution of Giraffes’…”
We were utterly amazed by Robert-Ortis’ work, so here are a couple of other sources for you to explore… a gallery of his sculptures on Pinterest, and “10 things about French wire sculptor Matthieu Robert-Ortis” on Malaymail.com. (He doesn’t seem to be big on self-promotion!)
Is this the future of the I-5 Bridge?
from Ryan Packer at BikePortland.org, 4/14/22– “Earlier this month, elected officials overseeing the Interstate Bridge Replacement (IBR) project got a look at new renderings showing what a remade I-5 could look like on Hayden Island and its connection to the rest of Portland. Within the last few months, the IBR has taken all but two alternatives for interchanges on the mainland Portland side off the table. On a website that details next steps and the latest design renderings for the project, we can now see a “full” and “partial” interchange option. These images come after startling renderings of how the new highway would impact downtown Vancouver were revealed earlier this year…”
