Cool tour of the Nitto Bicycle Parts factory.

Found here.

Like reading a catalog from the future

Just check here and browse.  I love that suction cup tape.

Great article about Japan and decline

Found here via Marginal Revolution.

More on Google's breakdown

http://paul.kedrosky.com/archives/2011/01/curation_is_the.html

Is google broken?

I've had similar thoughts to these myself.

http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/2011/01/trouble-in-the-house-of-google.html

and

http://paul.kedrosky.com/archives/2009/12/dishwashers_dem.html

My pouring methods, vindicated

If you like fizzy sodas, the pour down the side method works well for that too. I'd also advise against plastic glasses/cups and adding ice first.  Always add the ice (slowly) after you pour the drink.

Details here