Nerds Republic

Much of what makes photography such an incredible craft is the fact that skilled photographers can bring a sense of permanence to what would otherwise be a fleeting moment. Photography is one skill that revels in the idea of stasis. It is one of few methods through which we can challenge the relentless march of time.

But what if we could capture the essence of that onward march without the use of motion pictures? What if we could illustrate the passage of a day in one still image? Acclaimed photographer Stephen Wilkes set out to answer those questions a few years ago, and the resulting series is a permanent interpretation of life’s transience.

To achieve this effect, Wilkes photographs the same location from a fixed angle 1,500 times over the course of 24 hours.

The Americas Cup, San Francisco

He then chooses the best photos from each session and blends them together seamlessly into one image.

Central Park View from Essex House, New York City, 2014

The transition from day to night and back again dictates much of the human experience. Because this is a shared phenomenon, Wilkes decided to choose subjects that people around the world could relate to in a similar way.

Flatiron, New York City, 2010

“I photograph from locations and views that are part of our collective memory,” he writes.

Coney Island, New York City, 2011

According to the artist, these images help us visualize “our conscious journey with time.”

Millennium Park, Chicago, 2013

The photographs illustrate concepts of shared time and space with the refreshing concision of still images.

Trafalgar Square, London, 2014

It’s easy to get lost in abstract ideas when considering the ways in which we’re affected by time. These images cut down on all of that abstraction with a visual representation of the idea.

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, 2015

While many try and fail to wrap their minds and their words around what it means to watch time pass us by, Stephen Wilkes articulates the idea with poignant images that need no explanation.

Shanghai, China, 2012

(via BoredPanda)

If you live in the New York area and want to see these incredible images up close, be sure to stop by the Bryce Wolkowitz Gallery sometime between now and January 9, 2016. You can check out more of Wilkes’ work on his website, and keep up with his latest projects on Instagram.

Remember when conservatives used a man nicknamed “Joe the Plumber” as a representative of the everyman back in 2008? Well, I’m no political expert, but I think candidates would be wise to take advantage of 2015’s version of the everyman. Politicians, meet “Pizza Rat.”

Watch as this New York City rat dutifully carries a large slice of pizza down the subway stairs in order to bring it home to its family. Anything for the ones you love, right? If Norman Rockwell were still around, he’d immortalize this devoted critter.

video-player-present

But in true everyman fashion, even the dedicated Pizza Rat had to leave its spoils behind to pursue more practical options.

In many ways, we’re all Pizza Rat.

Twelve-year-old Malory Steiner was playing outside her home in Royalton, NY, when she saw an SUV toss a black garbage bag out its window and drive off. It might have been just a bad case of littering, but then something strange happened.

“The bag started walking down the road,” she told her local news station. She quickly realized that there was a small dog inside the bag, and that it was not in good shape. “I saw that it was starting to rip and it was around his neck.”

Tearing open the bag, Steiner and her family saw that inside was an elderly pug in poor health.

Once he was removed from the bag, the family called the Buffalo Pug & Small Breed Rescue team, who arrived shortly. “It is just disgusting,” Steiner’s mother said of the dog’s treatment. “I still can’t believe somebody would do something like that.”

The pug, named Teddy, was taken back to BPSBR’s headquarters, where it was discovered he was in even worse shape than anyone had realized.

Besides being starved and dehydrated, Teddy also had some kind of severe skin condition (it wasn’t mange, they think it may be an allergy), as well as an old spinal injury, a broken tail, infections in both ears, poor teeth, a very bad case of dry eyes, and possible partial kidney failure. The good news, though, is that he didn’t show any signs of cancer.

They set to work immediately, dosing him with antibiotics, special shampoos, and eye drops.

Teddy has been eating and drinking, which is a good sign, and the rescuers hope that he’s feeling a bit more comfortable.

Despite everything he’s been through, Teddy is a warm, friendly dog who loves snuggling.

See the news coverage of Teddy’s story here:

(via The Dodo, WKBW)

Local authorities are still searching for the person who dumped Teddy like trash, but for right now, the BPSBR’s energies are focused on getting him the medical attention he needs, both for his injuries and his advanced age. Steiner, who witnessed Teddy’s ejection from the car, is being hailed as a hero for her part in his rescue.

I used to think sinkholes weren’t real. But when they started appearing in Florida and parts of South America, I thought they were just isolated incidents that were confined to these locations. Boy, was I wrong.

A terrifying sinkhole just appeared on my New York City block, and it’s only about a mile away from my home. Having just biked past this intersection the day before, I could have easily ended up being swallowed by this force of nature.

Check out the damage below, and see just how these random, destructive events can literally tear the ground out from under you.

The Guardian

I guess I’ll have to follow the detour now.

Massive sinkhole on border of Sunset Park & Bay Ridge, Brooklyn – police, fire dept, helicopters on scene, 64th & 5th pic.twitter.com/jp1v7wemDc

— Sean Dennison (@SeanDennisonMLS) August 4, 2015

Twitter / Sean Dennison

I wonder how long it’ll be until this is fixed.

Sinkhole, Sunset Park, Brooklyn, NY August 4, 2015 #sinkhole #sunsetparksinkhole #brooklyn #sonya6000 #a6000 #photojournalism #brooklyn #sunsetpark #nyc #ny #newyork #newyorklife #newyorkcity #ilce6000 #sony #news #construction #news #worldnews #journalism

A photo posted by Bobby Plasencia (@op204) on Aug 4, 2015 at 4:13pm PDT

Instagram / OP204

(via The Guardian)

I think I’m going to have to find a new bike route. To be honest, though, I don’t really feel like going outside anymore. This is just too much.

How many times have you flown a private jet across the country?

If you’re response is something along the lines of laughter, jealousy, or even a little bit of anger towards those who enjoy this luxury often, you’re not alone. But private planes aren’t just for the rich and famous.

Not long ago, we introduced you to an incredible organization called Wings of Rescue. The group of pilots donate their time and private planes to fly rescue dogs facing terrible conditions or even death in overcrowded California animal shelters. Recently, we got to see them in action.

As the plane flew into a local airport in New York, it looked like any other small luxury jet. You’d think someone with an entourage was about to step onto the tarmac. Two pilots deplaned and the jet was soon swarming…you’ll never believe why.

The sad fact that hundreds more dogs face euthanasia every day only makes places like North Shore all that important. Not only do they rescue and adopt dogs out in the tri-state area, but they also travel around the country, working with shelters in every state. The goal is to find every animal a loving forever home.

If you want to learn more about adopting at North Shore Animal League of America, go here. You can also donate to their very worthy cause here and follow them on Facebook here!

You can find more inspiring rescues in the links below!

If you know anyone who lives in New York City, you know they’re always prattling on about their craziest NYC moments (apologies to my friends and family who have to hear my subway hobo stories). Rarely does the crazy leave Manhattan.

In upstate New York, a resident named Clover Forsythe posted this photo of nine brains found near a train line in Gouveneur (which is apparently a town in New York and not just how to say “governor” in a New York accent). I would say “only in New York,” but honestly, I don’t think this has ever happened in the city itself.

Nobody knows for certain where the brains came from, but authorities are sure they were preserved for educational study and not to serve as the trophies of a psychopath. I guess Manhattan can’t take all the crazy credit anymore.