Blue Skies as Information

Check this out. Sometimes data streams aren't just about better efficiency vs. information overload. Here's one that combines information and beauty. By artist Ken Murphy, it's entitled A History of the Sky a dynamic time-lapse visualization of the sky for the entire year

Read more about the technical setup here.

Sorta captivating huh? But I love the data—the instant visual access to, say, how many cloudy mornings San Francisco typically has, or what portion of the year has fewer hours of daylight.

Artists must have a leading role in visualization design if we are to start adapting and surviving in an information-overload culture. The constant complaints we hear about how difficult it is to buy plane tickets or track status feeds or undig from the bottom of the Inbox are in-part due to our early, amateur attempts to present the information.  This is a glimmer of hope.