Thought-provoking NY Mag essay on the consequences of living in an age of perpetual distraction. Been thinking about this one a lot, in the context of MeFi and other addictions.
posted by jcruelty on May 26, 2009 - 52 comments

Gina Trapani's Invisibility Cloak is a GreaseMonkey script for Firefox that blocks time-wasting websites while you're working. Conveniently, MetaFilter is included by default. Previously: Temptation Blocker.
posted by russilwvong on May 16, 2007 - 13 comments

Scientists claim that cosmic rays from outer space play a far greater role in changing the Earth's climate than global warming experts previously thought. For a demonstration of how cosmic rays affect cloud formation, you can build a Cloud Chamber.
posted by augustweed on Feb 22, 2007 - 54 comments

The New Yorker suggests that Bush is being pushed by his advisors to fight against gay marriage when he really has no strong feelings either way. According to Bush's close unnamed friend, "I don't think he gives a shit about it." An inspired take on strategic political distraction.
posted by JPowers on Jun 14, 2006 - 39 comments

Driving down the street in my Panzer tank,
sittin’ drinkin’ Cris’ with my bitch Anne Frank.
And when I step into the club’s you know I’m steppin with style!
Raise my left hand, party people say “Heil!”
posted by jcterminal on Jul 3, 2005 - 24 comments

Truly mind blowing! First, you must follow the rules. Watch this short video. You are only allowed to watch it once. Seriously, do not cheat! In the video you will see a group of basketball players, some in white and some in black passing two balls around. Your goal is to count how many times the ball is passed by those wearing white shirts. It’s that simple. Remember, count just the passes of the ball by those wearing white. Once the movie is over, write down the number of passes you have counted, Do not watch the video again-- proceed to step two. (via)
posted by limitedpie on Nov 14, 2004 - 131 comments

doodlebug ... create and playback doodles, online. The doodle linked here is of Clint Eastwood (kinda). [note: flash] via j-walk
posted by crunchland on Sep 10, 2004 - 13 comments

happy pencil [note: flash, safe for work, portfolio]
posted by crunchland on Jul 7, 2004 - 8 comments

2 Fast + 2 Curious [note : flash]
posted by crunchland on Jul 3, 2004 - 9 comments

pencilmation [note: flash]
posted by crunchland on Jun 30, 2004 - 6 comments

sink ya drink [note: flash]
posted by crunchland on Jun 26, 2004 - 13 comments

cool flame - the game "Join the cool reporter and the amazing singer as they embark on the game of their lives." [note: flash, subtle advertisement]
posted by crunchland on Jun 25, 2004 - 6 comments

moccu [note: flash]
posted by crunchland on Jun 21, 2004 - 6 comments

nyctalopia --- an interactive portfolio. Part puzzle, part artwork. I can't tell you what the payoff is because I got stuck on, like, the 5th page. [note: flash]
posted by crunchland on Jun 18, 2004 - 7 comments

splinter -- despite an 11pm curfew imposed by your girlfriend, you have returned home very late from a drink fest with your mates. You've forgotten your keys and you must now gain entrance to your flat and get into bed without upsetting your light sleeping girlfriend. [note: shockwave, alt link <--- nsfw banner ads]
posted by crunchland on Jun 17, 2004 - 23 comments

outbreak [note: flash, advertisement] play this sim and struggle to protect your network from a hacker onslaught.
posted by crunchland on Apr 30, 2004 - 6 comments

How much of the Earth's resources do you use?
posted by crunchland on Apr 19, 2004 - 53 comments

kill bill [note: flash, foreign, violent]
posted by crunchland on Apr 14, 2004 - 10 comments

Web of Distraction. Does the web cause you to lose time, having a hard time stopping browsing, and starting working? I know for me, the sheer inertia of browsing, it's hard to start working.
posted by patrickje on May 9, 2002 - 12 comments

The emotional toll of last week's tragedy may be greater than the physical losses. This certainly raises a case for distraction.
posted by ttrendel on Sep 20, 2001 - 5 comments

The best offense is a good defense? With all the halting of sporting events and the outspokenness of some athletes, Tuesday's tragedy certainly puts our pasttimes in perspective. But this column's perspective sort of irked me, just from statements like this: "When Monday morning comes, let our enemies know that we are coming after them the way the Baltimore Ravens go after a ball carrier." Come on. Should sports have continued this weekend?
posted by crunchybird on Sep 15, 2001 - 11 comments

Conclusive evidence that cell phones distract drivers What did this say? I was busy chatting on my cell and missed some of this. Could it be? What should we do? Ah, I am aa good driver; it is the other person who can't drive and talk.
posted by Postroad on Jul 27, 2001 - 26 comments