In 1998 the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage published an international call for tenders for MAXXI, the new museum of contemporary art on the outskirt’s of Rome’s historic quarter. Among 273 candidates Zaha Hadid Architects convinced the jury yet another time with a spectacular concept to integrate the modern architecture perfectly into the city’s urban structure. The museum opened last Saturday.

More pictures on the NYTimes webpage.

(via NYTimes)

Reporters Without Borders just released its 2009 Press Freedom Index, a ranking of countries based on how shamelessly they screw with the Fourth Estate.

Obama has had a positive effect: America leapt up 20 places to number 20. Italy, Spain, and France are all in the 40s and each slipped a few places. Israel sank 47 places and, for the first time, lost its lead among Middle Eastern countries thanks to its crack down on the media last winter. Iran is now down in North Korea territory. And the Scandinavian countries lead the pack.

I could think of a reason why Italy lost position.

1-20	150-175

(via good.is and rsf.org)

Verizon Wireless’s commercial for the Motorola Droid which is said to be released November 6th, 2009:

.. and the answer to it:

Wow, this info graphic made look – this is stunning! Captured on the graphic are nearly 200 both failed and successful missions in our planetary system.

[view it in original size]

(via stevey.com, orignal source: national geographic)

If I think of a Swiss Army Knife a remember my time at the army (an obligation in Switzerland).. not good this is. But hey, it is at the same time a solid Swiss product and can be very practical if you think of MacGyver. Further, Wallpaper* now shows in a cooperation with the designers James Joyce and Jamie Cullen, that a Swiss Army Knife can even look quite fancy. Run to the Victorinox store at Bond Street in London and buy one (£70)!

Online advertising spending in the UK has overtaken television expenditure for the first time, a report has said. Online spending grew 4.6% to £1.752bn in the first half of 2009, while TV spending shrank 16.1% to £1.639bn. […]

Quite impressive to see that companies spent more on online advertisement than on the TV channel. Justin Pearse from NMA pointed out that this overtake is mainly due to the stormy times companies currently face. However, in the end what really matters is the effectiveness of every spent pound.

(via bbc news)

Currently, more than half the world’s population lives in cities. And the complex collection of systems that make up a city’s infrastructure have evolved, creating new and efficient ways to sustain and support a significant concentration of people. But inside all cities are problem areas that can be optimized and made smarter—improving the function of the metropolis and the lives of its citizens.

Read more >

More great comics of Alex Noriega here.. and here.

The following flow chart might help you finding your personal ringtone – it is important!

(via wired.com)

(via thisisindexed.com)