links for 2010-08-30

by Allan Jenkins on August 30, 2010

The rise and fall of quicksand. – By Daniel Engber – Slate Magazine

Quicksand once offered filmmakers a simple recipe for excitement: A pool of water, thickened with oatmeal, sprinkled over the top with wine corks. It was, in its purest form, a plot device unburdened by character, motivation, or story: My god, we're sinking! Will we escape this life-threatening situation before time runs out?