October 31, 2010
Remember, remember the Month of Movember!
The manliest month is here! Stop shaving. NOW! Previously and Even More Previously. Also on Twitter.
This man is not by brother.
Not Fit for Human Consumption
Mr. Llewellyn [ . . . ] boasts that his safety testing method is foolproof: He and several colleagues sit in a room and take a new product "almost to overdose levels" to see what happens. "We'll all sit with a pen and a pad, some good music on, and one person who's straight who's watching everything," he says. [more inside]
We all love robot pancakes.
You've seen them here before: serving ice cream, pole-socking, with teddy bear heads, climbing trees, and sporting hands. But now robots are truly Metafilteranean, because they want to know: Who here likes pancakes? [more inside]
Drácula
It was 1931. Subtitles weren't practical, dubbing had yet to catch on, but Universal Studios wanted their lavish new production of Dracula to play in Latin America. The solution? Shoot a separate film in Spanish on the night shift. [more inside]
Pack Horse Librarians
The Pack Horse Librarian (Photo Gallery) was a welcomed and much anticipated sight in the isolated and hard-to-reach mountains and hollers of Eastern Kentucky between 1935 and 1943. They brought books and magazines, retrieved already-read materials for delivery at another stop on the route, read to residents, took requests, and generally served homes, schools, villages, mining camps, and anywhere there were people who wanted to read. [more inside]
Crossbones Graveyard
Crossbones Graveyard (YT) is a disused graveyard in Southwark, London. Lying outside the old city walls, it became the last resting place for 15,000 paupers and prostitutes (the latter known as the 'Winchester Geese' because they were licensed by the Bishop of Winchester). The history of Crossbones is being rediscovered by local playwright John Constable, and is becoming a place of pilgrimage to remember the outcasts in London society (audio/slide). A ritual is held there every Halloween.
Bell System Technical Journal Archives
The entire run of the Bell System Technical Journal, from 1922-1983, is available online for your reading pleasure. Bell Labs on the blue previously
Has Sanity Been Restored?
With crowd estimates between 150,000 and 250,000, the Rally To Restore Sanity And/Or Fear has inspired a variety of reactions. NYMag's Vulture blog has a summary and round up of reactions. Huffington and Armey disagree about the meaning of the rally. But Jon Stewart offered a heartfelt analysis of the event just before it ended. [scroll down for video] And the Flickr photo pool of signs is growing and growing.
No creaking gates, no gothic towers, no shuttered windows...
Broadcast on Halloween night 1992 Ghostwatch - a live investigation into a haunted house - was one of the most controversial and terrifying programs the BBC has ever shown. [more inside]
"This is the more agreeable one..."
How To Explain It To My Parents: a video series from Lernert & Sander where conceptual artists explain their work to their parents. [more inside]
Science requires braiiiins
A four part series on the science of zombies: ethics of the undead, how zombie biology would work, can you kill the undead, everything you ever wanted to know about zombies. From Discover Magazine's blog Science Not Fiction
Glocks Are Recommended
Tired of using plain old knives to carve your pumpkins? Gregg, from Nashville, Tennessee, has the answer. And he has a youtube channel!
Swiss Family Robinson tree found
Original Swiss Family Robinson Tree Found! Kevin, I stumbled upon your post of March this year "Some Really Big Roots" which mentioned the original Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse from the movie of 1960. I live on the island of Tobago in the Caribbean and did research on the tree and actually found it still very much alive in Goldsborough!
You know who else liked Halloween?
From National Geographic News, October 29, 2010 — Halloween Costume Pictures: Spooky Styles a Century Ago. In 1918, American kids, witches, and swastikas were cute.
A Fortean in the Archives
Historian Mike Dash's schtick is writing lengthy, well-researched blog posts about obscure mysteries that often draw on archival sources. Read about the Monster of Glamis Castle, the strange miniature coffins of Arthur's Seat, the (supposedly) murderous landlords of the Ostrich Inn, or the case of the time-tripping Scotswoman.
Boba Fett: dire straits, or starving artist?
Happy Halloween! Here's a guy in a Boba Fett helmet playing the accordion: Star Wars, Megaman, Zelda one / two / three, Mario Level 2-2, Amelie, Indiana Jones, Back to the Future, Macguyver (sans helmet), Punchout.
Hide Yo Kids, Hide Yo Wife & Hide Yo Husband!
It's the BED INTRUDER COSTUME! The perfect last minute Halloween costume. Who is the brilliant inspiration behind the bed intruder? Antoine Dodson. Previously.
The gentleman shows himself a good time
Once Upon a Title - "pervy little stories made entirely from children's book titles"
Traumatising your neighbour's kids since October 2010
A friendly Halloween warning: do not go trick or treating at this badass house [SLYT]
Could you really care less?
"I couldn't care less" vs. "I could care less"... A letter to Ann Landers in October 1960 is credited with starting the debate over "one of the great language peeves of our time." Via. [more inside]
the devil's music
Happy Halloween, y'all! The Devil has some music he'd like you to hear today... Me and the Devil Blues - Devil Is Watching You - Devil's Got The Blues - The Devil's Woman - The Evil Devil Blues - Devil Got My Woman.
« Previous day | Next day »