Digital Digest: 19/07/2010

The Best Of The Web

Literature

NPR.org

In the 1950s, Nobel Prize-winning American author William Faulkner spent two years as the writer-in-residence at University of Virginia, where he gave lectures, readings and took questions from students. The lectures were recorded on reel-to-reel tapes, which have now been digitised and published online. Listen to them here: Ind.pn/bE3sZU

Economy

Economist.com

Europeans fear for their jobs and savings, their governments and companies cannot easily borrow money, banks are struggling. Why is Europe's economic might not what it once was? 'The Economist' asks if the region has the resolve to overcome adversity or has its time come and gone? Scary stuff. Ind.pn/a2G5kF

Environment

WWF.org.uk

Worried about your impact on the environment but too lazy to do anything about it? This handy footprint calculator asks you questions about food, travel, home and "stuff" to ascertain your carbon footprint. It will take you less than five minutes to complete and it might make you think twice about turning on light switches or driving to work. Ind.pn/cUUVc5

Music

UrbanOutfitters.com

Best Coast's debut album, 'Crazy For You', is the perfect summer soundtrack and Urban Outfitters are kindly streaming the entire album of dreamy lo-fi pop on their website ahead of its release in August. There's even an interview with the bandmates, Bethany Cosentino and Bobb Bruno on there too. Ind.pn/ad7pVr

Film

TotalFilm.com

The trailer for Ben Affleck's directorial debut, 'Town', looks like the latest peak in the actor's undulating career. Affleck plays criminal mastermind Doug, who falls in love during a heist. Most notably for his female fans, the flick sees 'Mad Men' muscle-man John Hamm step up to the silver screen. Ind.pn/d2KQxQ

Technology

Epicwinapp.com

This app, complete with delightfully-retro trailer, promises to combine the fun of a role-playing games with a "to-do" list; players get awarded points for completing certain tasks. You can also share your diligence through Twitter: though expect any domestic smugness to be met with online derision. Ind.pn/9LYtZF

Society

Brickmag.com

La culture en clandestins: L'UX, a shady network of Parisian artists, first came to the public's attention when the police uncovered a makeshift cinema beneath a Paris street in 2004. Various hacks have tried to get to them since; but Sean Michaels, has come the closest. Read his account in 'Brick' magazine. Ind.pn/a56pE4