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!
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.
The team at Sightmark offered us a look into the world’s most impressive sniper shots with a chart showing how the longest shots ever made measure up. Their display is rich with details, including the sniper’s origin country, the weapon and ammo used, and, of course, the length of the shot with handy comparison visuals that highlight the skill needed to make these incredible shots.
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These were the longest sniper shots made, according to their research:
- Viacheslav Kovalskyi (Ukraine) – 2.36 mile shot
- JTF 2 Sniper (Canada) – 2.2-mile shot
- 2 Cdo Regt Sniper (Australia) – 1.75-mile shot
- Ukrainian National Guard Sniper (Ukraine) – 1.68-mile shot
- Corporal of Horse Craig Harrison (United Kingdom) 1.54 mile shot
- Corporal Rob Furlong (Canada) – 1.51 mile shot
- Master Corporal Arron Perry (Canada) – 1.44 mile shot
- Sergeant Brian Kremer (United States) – 1.43-mile shot
- Gunnery Sergeant Carlos Hathcock (United States) – 1.42-mile shot
- South African Special Forces Sniper (South Africa) – 1.32-mile shot
We can see that some of the names of the top snipers have been withheld from public records for reasons of military confidentiality. Many of these snipers belong to their nation’s most elite military units, undertaking dangerous and highly secretive missions. The data shows us the precision skill it takes to be one of the world’s best long-distance marksmen. Helpful context provides further jaw-dropping statistics. For example, Kovalski’s shot over 2.36 miles was longer than the Washington Mall. He had a spotter helping him with conditions, but he missed his first shot, breaking the record with his second.
The United States is home to a wealth of incredible amusement parks, offering experiences for both families and adrenaline junkies. With so many options, deciding where to go can be overwhelming. Fortunately, a new chart from the Florida Rentals team ranks the nation’s top parks, making it easier to plan your next adventure.
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The rankings are based on several key factors:
- Park size
- Total attractions available
- Number of roller coasters in operation
- Themed areas within the park
- Ticket pricing
- Reviews from Google, Yelp, and TripAdvisor
Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, claimed the top spot. Known as the second-oldest theme park in the country, Cedar Point boasts the highest number of mechanical rides worldwide that earned it a Guinness World Record. This iconic destination is celebrated for its legendary roller coasters, including fan favorites like Raptor, Millennium Force, Maverick, Gatekeeper, and Steel Vengeance.
The top ten parks featured in the chart include:
- Cedar Point
- Six Flags Great Adventure
- Six Flags Great America
- Kings Island
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom
- Hersheypark
- Disneyland
- Magic Kingdom
- Disney’s California Adventure
This chart serves as a handy resource for anyone planning a theme park getaway. With insights on locations, ticket prices, and standout features, it’s the ultimate tool for choosing your next thrilling escape.
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