Mad Quickies: the New Year’s Eve pre-Hangover Edition

You guys- HOLIDAYS ARE COMPLICATED! I have no idea what time it is or what day it is. I’m sure that will all even out somewhere around the 10th of January. On a related note, I’m glad I can pay most bills by phone or direct debit and save myself the embarrassment of writing 2014 well into February like I did in the olden days. Oh and by the way, I have some cool links for you.

Van Gogh was a genius. Turns out, he was also a scientific genius unawares. Seriously, you have GOT to read this piece … and at least watch the video below, “Math and Van Gogh’s ‘The Starry Night.'” {via Surly Amy}

Cinimated holds the collection of animations by Alex Belancourt. These are movie scene recreations and the animation style varies. Side scroll through these fantastic pieces and don’t forget to check out The Matrix scene.

In 2004, Steve Jobs and Michael Eisner had a famous falling out. In 2006, Bob Iger replaced Eisner as Disney’s new CEO. Within that two-year interim, Disney tried to emulate Pixar with what they deemed a similar animation studio. In that endeavor, here is the original Toy Story 3 that was never made.

If you celebrate the holidays late, have some January birthdays coming up, or if you are looking for a justifiably indulgent way to spend some Christmas moolah, then I’ve got something quite awesome for you. Actually, io9 does. Here are their choices for The Best Science Books of 2014 and it’s superb.

Featured image is the drawingCypresses in Starry Night, a reed pen copy executed by Van Gogh after the painting in 1889. Originally held at Kunsthalle Bremen, today part of the disputed Baldin Collection.