Misc Visuals
The Dark Side and the Light – An Awe-Inspiring Star Wars Character Connection Map
The Star Wars universe is an ever-evolving masterpiece of imagination and storytelling. One of the most celebrated and captivating facets of the Star Wars universe is the eclectic cast of characters woven into sprawling history. From swashbuckling smugglers and shrewd princesses to fearsome Sith lords and gritty bounty hunters, there are countless unforgettable characters that transcend fiction and win our hearts. Data artist Dr. Kirell Benzi has created this hypnotic visualization that is more than meets the eye. It captures the connections between different characters in the Star Wars universe – 20,000 of them, in fact! The more you look at it, the more connections and correlations emerge.
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Each character is represented by a single node, which are connected by color-colored lines (or edges) to represent an association between the characters. The shades of blue represent the Jedi, the Republic, and the light side of the Force. The darker shades of red represent the Empire and Sith. The yellow nodes expose bounty hunters and other criminals. For example, when a bounty hunter and a Jedi interact, the line appears more green. When a Sith lord and a criminal interact, the line appears more orange. The designer states: “If you pay attention to the center of the picture, you can see the two most influential characters of the whole galaxy: Anakin Skywalker and Emperor Palpatine.” All together, it crystallizes the conflict that rages across the galaxy in a stunning and ethereal way. There truly are infinite ways for data to be beautiful. May the Force be with you!
Maps
Study Reveals the Most Sexually Adventurous States in America
Ever wondered which states are the most daring behind closed doors? A recent Too Timid survey of 1,427 Americans sheds light on the most sexually adventurous states in the U.S. The study ranked states based on four key factors: the average number of sex toys owned, sexual partners, sexual experiences, and fantasies that turn people on.
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Here are the top 10 most adventurous states:
- Montana
- Iowa
- Oklahoma
- Arkansas
- Minnesota
- New Jersey
- Oregon
- Nevada
- Alaska
- Indiana
Meanwhile, the least adventurous states include Rhode Island, North Dakota, Maine, and South Dakota.
Beyond state rankings, the study uncovered some intriguing trends in American bedrooms. The most common sexual experience is watching porn with a partner, followed by one-night stands. When it comes to fantasies, most people keep it simple, dreaming about sex with their current partner and enjoying some steamy dirty talk.
The Too Timid team highlights the positive effects of sexual openness, noting that people who embrace their sexuality often report better body image, stronger relationships, and more satisfying sex lives.
While this survey offers a fascinating glimpse into America’s intimate habits, more data and future studies could reveal even more surprising trends. Whether your state made the top ten or not, one thing’s clear—America’s curiosity about sex is alive and well!
Misc Visuals
Exploring Science Fiction Technology That Became a Reality
Science fiction often features futuristic technology that once seemed unimaginable. Yet, many sci-fi stories have accurately predicted innovations that eventually became real. Throughout history, countless fictional inventions have transitioned from mere ideas to actual advancements. This fascinating work from AI PRM illustrates the time gap between when these imaginative concepts first appeared in fiction and when they were finally brought to life.
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Their research examined sci-fi technology that exists today in these categories:
- Space Exploration
- Communication
- Robotics and AI
- Health and Biotechnology
- Weapons and Defense
When the 1927 film Metropolis became a hit, it was difficult to imagine that the video calls in the movie would ever become a reality, but today, this is a commonplace technology we rely on. The team shows us that the first real-world video phone was created by AT&T in 1964. In 2003, Skype made video calls widely accessible.
As for artificial intelligence in our lives, E.M. Forster’s The Machine Stops depicted a world where people had automated phones that could respond to their commands and help them manage their lives. This became a common trope in science fiction, but today, with the rise of devices like Alexa and Google Home, this technology doesn’t seem unusual at all. Believe it or not, when Jules Verne’s Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea was released in 1870, submarines seemed like a feat of imagination to the reading public. But the Nautilus was inspired by a French sub prototype. The first submarine was launched just a few years later by Isaac Peral in 1888. Explore more technology once thought impossible throughout the team’s article.
Charts
Study Determines Cities with Biggest Home Price Increases After COVID-19
The team at Mortgage Calculator released a study examining COVID-19’s impact on the American housing market. The pandemic hugely impacted the global economy, creating shifts in the prices of groceries, cars, gas, and homes. Generally, home prices skyrocketed all around the country. Their research showed that these ten U.S. cities had the largest home price increases:
- Irvine, CA
- Detroit, MI
- Fayetteville, NC
- Miami, FL
- Tampa, FL
- Buffalo, NY
- Port St. Lucie, FL
- Newark, NJ
- San Bernardino, CA
- Petersburg, FL
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There are many reasons that home prices rose so much between 2020 and 2024. The economy was chaotic and uncertain during the pandemic, with average people feeling unequipped to navigate the changes. Many people lost jobs, especially those who held public-facing positions. Others switched to remote work, forcing them to make their home their workspace. For some, this was an ideal situation; others wished for a new home to accommodate their new way of working. Unemployment rose to a higher rate than it had in 80 years. This situation left many seeking new situations, but just as many felt they should plant deeper roots instead.
There were not enough houses to fit the number of people searching for a move or first-time home ownership. Interest rates soared. People moved out of city centers to rural and suburban communities. This left the housing market in flux with skyrocketing prices, as we can see from the in-depth research presented in this chart.
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