Everybody likes earning badges. It's what built scouting and what drives the Khan Academy. Now Google has introduced "Google News Badges". Is this a benevolent attempt to get more people to be aware of what's going on in the world, or is something deeper and/or darker going on? It's an unusual move, whatever the reason.
posted by strangeguitars on Jul 14, 2011 - 41 comments

Merit badges for nerds, mothers, and Etsy hipsters. [more inside]
posted by zamboni on Jan 28, 2011 - 18 comments

Mike Snook collects police patches from all over the United States, including state, local, federal, and many K-9 units. Yes, the site design is unfortunate but the collection is really cool.
posted by Gator on Aug 25, 2010 - 11 comments

Fifty matchbooks, from when smoking was cool. Fifty Halloween masks. Fifty birds. Fifty personals. Fifty other things.
posted by mudpuppie on Jan 21, 2010 - 11 comments

The Fovant badges , "an historic and unique cluster of military badges cut into the chalk hills of Wiltshire", are one of many hill figure sites in the UK. [more inside]
posted by Mitheral on Jan 31, 2009 - 4 comments

OK girls, what have you done to earn a merit badge? Learned about underarm hair or menstrual cramps? Made it through a preganancy test? And boys, what have you done to earn your merit badges?
posted by alms on Jun 5, 2003 - 14 comments

"Badges? We Don't Need No Stinking Badges!" Your number one web destination for the timeless "badges" quote, including comic strips, video, and cartoons
posted by owillis on Feb 23, 2003 - 18 comments