This livestream of a Dutch canal lock has a virtual doorbell viewers can ring to snap a picture and let the operator know fish are waiting to be let through. It doesn’t really open on demand, but the idea is very charming. If you scroll down you can see all the fish that have been recently spotted. I found it in the Deepculture newsletter, just back from my first trip to Amsterdam where I rented a boat and navigated the canals. It felt synchronistic, like a souvenir from my trip. — CD
Uri at Atom Vs Bits has written up the 21 essentials of hosting great parties. Tested tips include starting at quarter to the hour for better timing, using party apps to display guest lists, and having close friends arrive early to set the mood. Parties are a “public service” — good gatherings create meaningful connections that can change lives. Top tip: Don’t stress out; “it’s better to have mediocre pizza from a happy host than fabulous hors d’oeuvres from a frazzled one.” — MF
This website generates random adjective–noun combinations and then pulls up corresponding Wikipedia and Google results. Some exist as entries, while others don’t because they’re too nonsensical. Either way, it feeds my curiosity and sparks new creativity. — CD
Bullshit Remover is a fun tool to play with. Paste any block of text into the box and it will remove the “crap” and give you back the truth behind all the words. — CD
My mental image of country sizes has been wrong. The True Size Of... is an interactive website that lets you drag countries around a world map to compare their actual sizes without the distortion caused by standard map projections. It's shocking to see how countries change shape as you move them — drag Greenland into Africa and watch it shrink to a small fraction of its map projection! — MF
If you’re seeking a bit of serenity during your workday, check out this web project that features one-minute videos of parks from around the world. The creator’s goal is to fill every minute of the day with park scenes and is currently accepting contributions. Thanks to Johnny Webber for introducing me to this website in his most recent Link Dump. — CD