Explore the world's economy in Harvard's trippy 3D map
Wrapping your head around the planet's economic activity isn't easy, even if you study economics for a living. However, Harvard's Owen Cornec (he of WikiGalaxy fame) believes he can help. He built the Globe of Economic Complexity, a web-based map that lets you explore Earth's economic relationships through 3D "confetti." It looks more than a little psychedelic, but it's incredibly detailed. You'll not only see the range of exports in a given country, but their volumes, their destinations and the intricate connections between products. Frankly, it could be helpful even if you're outside of academia -- it can provide important context for news stories and otherwise explain machinations that would normally remain confusing.
