Los Angeles is a focal point for earthquakes and it’ll be no surprise to scientists when another one hits the San Andreas Fault in the future. When it comes to ground trembling geological faults, you’ve got to be prepared.

That’s where Aftershock comes in. Aftershock is a game based on a 300-page U.S. Geological Survey that details how screwed L.A. would be if another devastating earthquake hit. The Institute for the Future and Art Center College of Design does not want L.A. to be caught with its pants down. So, Aftershock has been created as an interactive training system that will not only increase awareness, but change people’s behavior towards earthquakes.

“Think of the scenario as DOS,” said Jason Tester, the lead game designer at the IFTF. “[Aftershock] is like the GUI to the scenario.”

Well put, Mr. Tester.

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Every now and then there comes a lamp that makes me tingle. I’m not referring to the Smoon Ombrella or the Centipede Lamp, though those two are weird in their own right. Designer Chris Natt was fed up with varying levels of light in his work environment, so he made this lamp, the Stimuli 3.0, that will keep the light level constant. When asked, “What the hell is this thing you made, Chris?”

His response, “It’s a lighting system whose shape and therefore light output sensitively varies inversely with the surrounding natural light intensity. For example, at dusk, illumination gradually increases as natural light recedes. At the heart of this device is a unique 3 axis gear box which enables this subtle alteration of lighting through an attractive and striking change in form of the device.”

Very cool, indeed. It’s like a chameleon but instead of color-changing skin, it’s camouflage is the light and it adjusts accordingly. I can’t imagine skulking in front of my Hot Pocket-infested desk in the office of my Mother’s basement without one of these to keep the light level just right.

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