Afternoon Links of Awesomeness: Feb. 9, 2012 | Sojourners

Afternoon Links of Awesomeness: Feb. 9, 2012

On February 7, the White House Science Fair convened to “recognize the importance of scientists, engineers, and inventors.” Take a look at President Obama interacting with an eighth-grader, who demonstrates a “Marshmallow Air Cannon” in the State Dining Room. [Gizmodo]

This week’s episode of The Moth featured a solid piece by Judy Gold, told live at the event “OMG – Stories of the Sacred.” Her piece titled “From Judaism and Back” was told a few years ago, and is still an engaging narrative of religious life in America. [The Moth]

New Banksy-esque street art found in New Orleans, and it pays tribute to The Simpsons. [Banksy Street Art]

What do steroids in baseball have to do with climate change? See for yourself in this metaphorical look into the world of substance abuse. [On Earth]

Don’t play with fire… unless you’re making art. “Fire Drawings” is a new collection of work in which flammable paint is applied to wood and then lit to create a slow burning image with an authentic smoky look. See the art in action below. [Have You Seen This]   

Jack White’s debut solo record is slated to release in April on his label, Third Man Records. This week he released the first single titled, “Love Interruption.” Take a listen over at his site. [Jack White]

Have you seen the droids? Can’t grow a mustache? These and other questions have been asked on completely useless flyers found around cities. Amuse yourself with 12 golden picks from some expert sign-spotters. [Mental Floss]

Watch 14 years of weather in 33 minutes. With 120,900 images of U.S. weather patterns, taken one hour apart, you can see a visual history of nature from May 1997 to December 2011. [Guardian]

OPPOSITE OF AWESOMENESS: This week, L.A. county raised fines to $1000 to anyone caught throwing a football or Frisbee outside of “predestinated beach areas” any time between Memorial Day and Labor Day. [CBS]

The world’s largest dodge ball game saw nearly 5,000 competitors at the University of Alberta last week. The group broke the Guinness World Record for the third year in a row. [MSNBC]

Joshua Witchger is an online assistant at Sojourners. Follow him at hail fellow well met.