Here's What's Awesome: Iceberg Art, Superintelligent Scalpels

It happened to Twitter, it happened to Pets.com, and now it's happened to us. Like so many sites that have grown almost overnight into internet institutions, Here's What's Awesome is facing a backlash - from jealous types, mostly, but we are nothing if not accommodating. So this week, I'll take you behind the scenes at our weekly compendium of awesome links. You'll get to see the template we use to build each week's column. And you'll see that the links we choose here are as awesome as they come. Because when it comes to awesome links, we have nothing to hide.

Template part 1: Intro! Share a funny story, anecdote or cultural reference that introduces the premise of the "Here's What's Awesome" brand. Be open, honest and FUN! Use a little irony to show you "get it" just like the audience.

Post the first awesome link with a brief but thoughtful explanation. Add a photo to give a visual cue for a more aesthetically pleasing display, and to provide a richer multimedia experience for readers.

No, it's not a band led by Jack and Meg Ice
Nature often makes the best art - right, leaf peepers? - and so places where nature's mostly left alone can really put on a show. That's what's happening in parts of Antarctica, where gorgeous photos of massive ice stripes are making the rounds. Just to reiterate, these aren't Photoshopped remixes - the stripes are caused by nature, which makes them that much cooler. (No pun intended.) [Inhabitat]

Now add two more awesome links and descriptions. Provide as wide a variety as possible, so there's something for everyone.

Cuts like a knife, or at least a scalpel
Scalpels are part of plenty of diagnostic procedures; now there's a scalpel that helps do the diagnosis itself. These electroscalpels analyze the byproduct of their, um, electroscalpeling to give real-time information on what's a tumor and what isn't. This gives the surgeon more accurate data than the pre-operative info normally used today. Human testing is set to begin soon. [Popular Science]

Game NOT Over
Everything is customizable these days, from my avatar to my eyeballs - so why is it that I can't find a video game that doesn't frustrate me and my limited hand-eye coordination after 30 seconds of play? Soon I might find one - researchers in Denmark want to start building adaptive games - that is, games that get easier if you're having trouble or challenge you more when you're doing well. Which means there's a chance I might actually be able to finish Super Mario Brothers after all these years. [NewScientist]

Let the reader know it's "your turn" to share links. This invites readers to become active participants in the "Here's What's Awesome" process. Come "full circle" by tying this last comment to the introduction.

Now that you know how it's all done, it's your turn: share an awesome link in the comments.

Don't forget to provide credit for any Creative Commons photos. In the e-conomy, links are currency.

(Photo courtesy Rita Willaert via Flickr/Creative Commons)