The BLT Episode 3: The Winner Techs It All
![](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52f27f54e4b06e715ce0bf53/951fe63c-d6f1-44d5-9591-c1a51becf37b/EP+03+-+THUMBNAIL.jpg)
It’s been a big week in the news, full of terrible events and big announcements. All of which need full coverage and thorough explanation. That’s why the BLT will stick to the lighter side of the news, with our trademark style and joined up visual thinking.
Every week we love seeing the layers of connection that run through the news stories that the team bring to our writer’s room. Despite being from every corner of the news, they all fit beautifully into a visual narrative. Connecting and layering ideas is something we are big fans of at We are Cognitive.
This week we tackle the virtual and the real, going under the sea and back to dry land. If you see a story you think we should include, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us!
Hologram technology giving some the chance to retire, and bringing others out of retirement
Holograms still feel like something straight out of science fiction, but it’s brought some very real benefits to circus animals in France and to ABBA! The French circus L’Écocirque has created holographic animals, using them as an ethical way to include animals in their shows. Spectators will be treated to lions, elephants and even whales! ABBA on the other hand, have embraced the technology (also used to create digital effects in Star Wars) for their ABBA Voyage tour, creating ‘ABBAtars’ to tour for them until 2026.
How long until you’re watching a holographic version of the BLT?!
How do you take a remote swimming test?
COVID lockdowns have changed many things about our lives, who even knew what Zoom was three years ago? The latest part of life forced to adapt has been swimming tests. Shanghai University have asked students to complete an online ‘Basic Theory of Swimming’, instead of their 50-meter swimming test as the city responds to a COVID outbreak.
Maybe there are even more uses for holograms than we first thought.
The meaner side of goldfish
Pets helped many of us get through lockdown, and goldfish were a popular choice. As life returns to something like normal though, some pet owners have been releasing their goldfish into rivers. This is very bad news for our native fish species, Dr James Dickey of Queen’s University Belfast has found that these released goldfish combine insatiable appetites with bold behaviour, making them a real threat to biodiversity.
When hamsters get hostile
Staying with pets, hamsters found their way into the news this week. Georgia State University scientists were left in shock as gene-editing designed to make hamsters more peaceful and social made them hyper-aggressive instead. While this wasn’t what the scientists intended, GSU professor H. Elliot Albers explained that it does provide a startling conclusion about the Avpr1a receptor.
Does anyone else remember the Adolescent Radioactive Black Belt Hamsters?
The case of the missing ape
Back in the world of the virtual, this week saw the theft of Seth Green’s NFT ape Fred Simian. Part of the Bored Ape Yacht Club, the loss of the Fred is even greater, as he was due to be the star of Green’s new hybrid series White Horse Tavern. One of four NFTs stolen in a phishing scam, the loss of Fred has raised questions about the future of White Horse Tavern, which had got as far as having a trailer made.
Monkeypox cases are on the rise
Although human monkeypox cases are usually rare, they’ve been spreading across Europe, North America, Australia and Israel. The symptoms usually clear up on their own and the virus is transmitted through close contact. If you have any concerns, the NHS have provided advice.
Jackdaws are democratic
Anyone that has been following the BLT will know we love a good bird story, and this week did not disappoint! Alex Thornton, Professor of Cognitive Evolution at University of Exeter, has been researching jackdaws and discovered that they use a democratic process to decide when it’s time to leave in the morning, casting votes with their calls.
It’s always nice to see democracy in action.
What does a coral reef sound like?
It’s an interesting question, and the answer is a chorus of clicks, clacks and pops. The discovery by Senior oceanographer, Lauren Freeman and her team at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center is good news for the coral reefs because it provides an unobtrusive way to check on them. However, it also raises questions about human noise pollution.
There’s good news for anyone thinking of touring the Bermuda Triangle
Have you ever dreamed of touring the Bermuda Triangle, but held back in case your ship disappears? Well, thanks to the Norwegian Prima liner, you’ll now get a full refund if the ship vanishes. And if the ship does go missing, we’re not sure the money will be any good to you, but is there a price for peace of mind?
The sharkcano
There’s no need to get in the water for this next item, you can see it from space! The Kavachi volcano is near the Solomon Islands, and NASA have observed two species of shark living in its crater in high numbers. Known as ‘Kavachi’s oven’, it recently erupted, prompting NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Centre to tweet ‘you’ve heard of sharknado, now get ready for sharkcano’.
Life imitates art
Romance novelist Nancy Brophy is not new to the idea of murdering their husband. She wrote about the topic in a 2011 blog post, and took her speculation a step further by actually doing it. Despite saying a fictional version of her case would not stand up to scrutiny, Brophy will be sentenced on the 13th June.
Giving back to the earth after we’re gone
Thanks to the creation of a ‘living’ coffin, we can now do that in a very literal sense. Described as ‘the Tesla of coffins’, start-up Loop have developed the fully biodegradable mycelium caskets, which transform bodies into compost with the help of mycelium.
We’ve included a cameo from Ray Liotta. Ray played some iconic characters and he will be missed.
We love using visual thinking and visual storytelling to create connected and layered whiteboard animations like this. We’d love to talk to you about how your message could look as a whiteboard animation, contact us today!
![The BLT Episode 28: Grub's up, Dog's Down and Italian's Across](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52f27f54e4b06e715ce0bf53/1680533810262-HH29BN0ZIBJA39T53C8S/Artboard+1.jpg)
When it comes to your brand, video offers a whole range of ways to feature your brand both subtly and more directly.
Whiteboard videos can be a powerful way of telling your story, but their effectiveness very much depends on their quality. When picking the right whiteboard video production company, there are some essential steps and considerations.
In today’s digital era, explainer videos have become indispensable tools for businesses, educators, and creatives to convey complex ideas in a clear and engaging manner. These videos, whether animated or utilizing techniques like whiteboard animation, captivate audiences and simplify intricate concepts.
As visual aids go, whiteboards are like old friends. Whiteboard videos have developed from them, making ideas and messages understandable, clear, engaging and memorable.
In today's digital era, businesses are constantly seeking innovative ways to engage their audience and effectively communicate their messages. One such powerful tool that has gained popularity is whiteboard animation videos.
We’ll explore the captivating world of animation and how it unleashes the power of storytelling. Join us as we delve into the mesmerising world of animation and uncover the magic that lies within its animated tales.
In a world inundated with news and information, it's becoming increasingly difficult to separate fact from fiction. That's where BBC Explainers come in. With a commitment to demystifying complex topics, the BBC uses We Are Cognitive explainer videos to provide a deeper understanding of the world we live in.
Not everything is better remote, as we’re sure anyone who has tried to deliver remote training sessions will agree. We’re happy to announce that there is a better way to deliver remote training: whiteboard explainer videos.
Explainer videos are visually dynamic and captivating videos. They excel not only in distilling complex messages into easily understandable narratives but also in etching a lasting imprint on the minds of viewers. This makes explainer videos a must for any marketing strategy!
Creating a successful explainer video takes detailed planning. Done well, they supercharge stories and messages, giving them a lasting impact and high engagement rates.
One emerging and innovative tool that has gained significant popularity is whiteboard animation. By combining simplicity, creativity, and visual storytelling, whiteboard animation offers numerous benefits that can help companies improve their communication strategies.
By combining simplicity, creativity, and visual storytelling, whiteboard animation offers numerous benefits that can help companies improve their communication strategies. In this blog post, we will explore some of the key advantages that whiteboard animation brings to the table.
Before you type in ‘free whiteboard animation software’ straight into google, there are some very good reasons why working with a professional studio team creates a much stronger explainer animation.
Marketing explainer videos capture the attention of viewers and drive audience engagement. They make your message meaningful and memorable!
At We Are Cognitive, we’ve pioneered whiteboard animation videos and established them as the communication tool they are today.
Explainer videos are a dynamic tool that has been revolutionising the way we communicate. Whether it's through animated explainer videos or captivating whiteboard animations, these visual storytelling marvels are transforming the communication landscape in seven key ways.
Vertical video is making its mark, but is it right for you? Is a landscape video still the best way to share your message?
What psychological principles make explainer videos so effective in engaging audiences? Let's delve into the psychology behind effective explainer animations and understand how they captivate, persuade, and leave a lasting impact on viewers.
Whether you're an educator striving to make lessons memorable or a business professional aiming to simplify intricate concepts, harnessing the power of explainer videos can be a game-changer.
Explainer videos and engaging whiteboard animations, have emerged as powerful tools to convey complex messages with simplicity and creativity. Here, we explore nine innovative ways to integrate explainer animations into your marketing strategy, enhancing your brand's visibility, engagement, and conversion rates.
In the modern workplace, where attention spans are short, and information overload is common, utilizing innovative internal communication strategies is crucial. This article explores creative internal comms ideas, focusing on the power of animated explainer videos and whiteboard animations.
One effective way to captivate your audience and convey complex ideas in a simple, engaging manner is through explainer videos. In this blog post, we'll explore five great explainer video tips to help you create compelling animated explainer videos that leave a lasting impression.
Whiteboard animation explainer videos have emerged as storytelling wizards in the realm of business communication. Join us on a journey as we unravel the enchanting tapestry of storytelling and unpack how it can help all organisations share their messages with the world.
Meet the Explainer Video. With the power to distill complex ideas into digestible bites, it has become the darling of marketers and educators alike.
Once upon a time, in a world brimming with words and numbers, there emerged a powerful form of communication that transcended the boundaries of language - visual storytelling. Our story begins in the heart of a bustling city, where images and visuals narrate tales more compelling than words ever could.
The whiteboard video recipe is a complex one, when done right it can turn our messages and stories into highly engaging, entertaining and memorable animations. We’ve put together a list of ten whiteboard video mistakes and creation tips to keep in mind as you create your whiteboard video.
As technology advances and creative techniques evolve, several exciting trends have emerged in the realm of whiteboard animation. In this article, we will explore five whiteboard animation trends that you need to know to stay ahead in the ever-changing landscape of visual storytelling.
With the cost-of-living crisis raging, only Rudolph has the solution to stop Christmas ‘22 from being cancelled - but how can he explain it to Santa?
Animated explainer video services have emerged as a powerful solution to capture attention, simplify complex ideas, and leave a lasting impact on viewers. In this article, we’ll explore the significant benefits of leveraging animated explainer video services, highlighting how they can unlock the full potential of your marketing strategy.