You Dirty Rat // The Pleasure Bar

An experiment was conducted on rats where they were placed in a cage with some food at one end and a ‘pleasure bar’ at the other. The pleasure bar released endorphins (the happy chemical) into their brain whenever they touched it. The rats stayed at the pleasure bar touching it relentlessly until they collapsed. There is no moral to this story but it’s an interesting way to look at heroin addiction, the internet or any other form of ‘pleasure bar’ us humans tap on a nightly basis. Please do not send this post to children or buy them a pleasure bar for Christmas.

Desktop-Desktop #8

Luis Mendo from GOOD Inc. (Netherlands)

It’s really nice when you don’t have to ask for things, and it’s even better when a submission comes from someone like Dutch designer and founder of GOOD Inc. Luis Mendo. Recently chosen as one of the Top 10 Art Directors in Holland he also runs BLAD BLOG a site, which despite being in Dutch, is a valuable resource for anyone into magazines. His desktop submission on the other hand definitely speaks a universal language. Thanks Luis!

(click images to enlarge)

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Help McSweeney’s // Now Would Be A Good Time

Through The Believer, Wholphin, and their eponymous releases, independent publishers McSweeney’s are a source of infinite inspiration. So, if you’re reading this, don’t just pat your pockets and shrug or say you’re in a “rush” like we did to the charity representative on the street this morning. Due to the bankruptcy of their distributor McSweeney’s are in a spot of financial trouble. About $130,000 worth of trouble and to raise funds they are selling everything they’ve got like original artwork from Chris Ware and David Byrne and Wholphin DVDs doodled on by Spike Jonze (pictured). Everything you need to know is here. Give to get back.

Hamburger Eyes 011 // Hamburger Ears

Why didn’t we see this one coming? Probably because the crew at Hamburger Eyes are like magicians, constantly commanding your attention in order to further surprise you. The freshly released ‘Hamburger Eyes 011: Hamburger Ears - the continuing story of music’ has photography by the following:

TED PUSHINSKY, ESTEVAN ORIOL, SHEM ROOSE, CHARLES PETERSON, PETER FREY, BILL DANIEL, PETER DEAN RICKARDS, STEFAN SIMIKICH, MICHAEL JANG, MARK MURRMANN, RYAN FURTADO, DAVID POTES, URI KORN, SANDY CARSON, JANETTE BECKMAN, BILL BURKE, BOOGIE, ALISSA ANDERSON, JASON ROBERTS DOBRIN, AMANDA LOPEZ, RAY POTES, AARON REAGAN, BRIAN DAVID STEVENS, ED TEMPLETON, HEATHER RENEE RUSS, DAVID UZZARDI, JOHN ECKHOFF, MATT WEBER, JIM JOCOY, KEITH SIRCHIO, ANGELA BOATWRIGHT, RICKY POWELL, RICK VALENZUELA, OSKIE MENDOZA, JASON FISHER, ALEXANDER MARTINEZ, PATRICK GRIFFIN, JESSE POLLOCK, JON MCGRATH, ANDREW MCCLINTOCK, AND PAUL SCHIEK.

Wait, where’s my watch…

Interview // Anthony Smyrski - Megawords Magazine

When it comes to a free, non-commercial magazine as impressive as the Philadelphia based Megawords the first question that comes to mind is “but…how?” Yet, rather than get tied up with logistics we spoke to co-founder Anthony Smyrski about the reasons why they do it. If you’re not already familiar with the title then we recommend you visit their recently relaunched website before reading the interview. www.megawordsmagazine.com

above images // cover of Megawords # 6 and Anthony in Luxembourg during Colophon International Magazine Symposium

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