September 14, 2011
Bogan Ipsum
A Message To Women From A Man: You Are Not "Crazy"
You are now *Happy Campers*
After a long dormant period, the newest version of the Ur-Quan Masters has been released for basically every operating system. The game is a legal port of the original code of Star Control 2, a space-based RPG/shooter/adventure hybrid which, despite being two decades old, maintains a strong cult following, including for its alien races and their distinctive theme music. You really should play it.
"I'm gonna do it freehand, whereas he can only stencil..."
Metropolitan stencilsmith Banksy certainly doesn't lack predecessors, possible auxiliary identities, or rival "street artists." (or MeFi posts: 1, 2, 3, etc.) His biggest rival, a shoe repairman from the East End called ROBBO, has gained an extensive support network, calling itself Team Robbo (music upon loading).
"Graffiti Wars [47:00]," part of (UK)Channel 4's "Street Summer" series, documents the rattle-can battle between Banksy and Robbo, as well as the debates among Councils and residents over what to do with it all. Robbo's art career was taking off; he was commissioned to promote, and attended the Berlin Film Festival (in disguise), displayed and sold his work at the revered Pure Evil Gallery, all the while sparring with Banksy... [more inside]
"Graffiti Wars [47:00]," part of (UK)Channel 4's "Street Summer" series, documents the rattle-can battle between Banksy and Robbo, as well as the debates among Councils and residents over what to do with it all. Robbo's art career was taking off; he was commissioned to promote, and attended the Berlin Film Festival (in disguise), displayed and sold his work at the revered Pure Evil Gallery, all the while sparring with Banksy... [more inside]
Who took our jobs?
The Economist reports on 40% youth unemployment in Spain. While Europe's bankrupt countries are making the headlines, Der Spiegel claims that the real problem is a lack of entry-level jobs across the continent which is giving rise to violent protests. The Guardian points to reemphasis on manufacturing as a way to save Europe's (and America's) economy. But will this work in the long term?
America's Tragic Theater
'Few Americans today can name more than one or two current boxers, but boxing once stood at the center of American life. It has become a ghost sport, long discredited but still hovering in the nation’s consciousness, refusing to go away and be silent entirely. But there was a time when things were very different. Boxing's history winds a thread through the broader history of the nation.'
in such manner as the legislature thereof may direct
"Change Proposed for State's Electoral Vote Process." Gov. Tom Corbett and state Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi are proposing that Pennsylvania divide up its Electoral College votes according to which candidates carried each Congressional district, plus two votes for the statewide winner. Talking Points Memo says that under the proposed plan Obama would have received only 11 of the state's 20 electors in 2008; Dave Weigel and Nick Baumann say gerrymandering could mean that in 2012 Obama could actually wind up with a minority of the state's electors even if he carries the state. GOP-led legislatures in other states, such as Wisconsin and Michigan, could make similar moves. But could this be a bridge too far for some members of the state's GOP caucus? [more inside]
Come sail your ships around me
"The Ship Song Project - Sydney Opera House reinterprets Nick Cave's iconic song." (SLYT) Performed by Neil Finn, Kev Carmody and The Australian Ballet, Sarah Blasko, John Bell, Angus and Julia Stone, Paul Kelly and Bangarra Dance Theatre, Teddy Tahu Rhodes and Opera Australia, Martha Wainwright, Katie Noonan and The Sydney Symphony, The Temper Trap, Daniel Johns and the Australian Chamber Orchestra. [more inside]
Brother, Can You Carve a Nickel?
Hobo nickels, while apparently especially popular with hobos, are a form of art involving recarving coins. Some are quite the works of art. Some people are very particular about them. People form organizations to collect and discuss them. Previously and previously.
Cat telecom company
If cats ran the telecom company (in a world of cats), it would sort of look like look exactly like this. (via the boing)
One of you will spend the evening either transcribing this into English, or putting subtitles on it, I just know you will. Please let me know when you're done.
Oh my gosh
21 year old Brandon Wright found himself trapped under a burning BMW after his motorcycle collided with it on a highway outside Salt Lake City. What happened next has to be seen to be believed.
Someone once told me those were the two worst things anyone could be
"As a black woman, I don’t identify with and relate to most of the non-black characters I see on TV, much less characters of my own race. When I flip through the channels, it's disheartening. I don’t see myself or women like me being represented. I’m not a smooth, sexy, long-haired vixen; I’m not a large, sassy black woman; an angry Post Office employee. I’m an awkward black girl." [more inside]
NSFW Rugby - Naked New Zealand Fellows
NSFW Rugby - Naked New Zealand Fellows (Action Shot Slideshow from Norway's largest newspaper) [more inside]
Back to Stars Hollow, LORELAI
“He was making a comment both about culture at Wash U. and the representation of Wash U. by the PR department.”
"Wash U Photo Captions" back online after copyright challenge. Washington University in St Louis redesigned their website, and senior Alex Christensen found the photos kinda cheesy. So he started the Wash U Photo Captions Tumblr to poke fun. ("On Thursday mornings, the nerds are allowed to leave the lab.") But Tumblr shut it down, citing copyright violations, until Christensen got legal help. Now it's back, with gems like this and this. [more inside]
What does a Higgsless universe mean for science?
What does a Higgsless universe mean for science? The Higgs Boson is quite important to the standard model of physics. If it exists, it plays a major role in explaining how particles acquire mass. There’s a distinct possibility that the Higgs Boson may not even exist. Stephen Hawking made a famous bet that the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) wouldn't find it. So far both the LHC and Tevatron, another massive particle accelerators have both searched much of the energy ranges we expected to find the Higgs with no luck. So, then, what does it mean if we don’t find the Higgs at all?
Racebending: Yellowface Edition
Yellowface: A Story In Pictures - A chronicle of Asian/Middle Eastern characters as performed by white actors. (Previously on MeFi)
Training the Immune System to Fight Cancer
At first, nothing happened. But after 10 days, hell broke loose in his hospital room. He began shaking with chills. His temperature shot up. His blood pressure shot down. He became so ill that doctors moved him into intensive care and warned that he might die. His family gathered at the hospital, fearing the worst.
A few weeks later, the fevers were gone. And so was the leukemia. - (NYT Link)
Flash all the way down
That’s when I lost my country
Three days late, The War Nerd looks back on 9/11 and mourns.
How many offspring can/should one man have?
Sperm Donors: Limited or Limitless? And who should decide? Is it an ethical question, a biological question, a social/political question, an economics question, or something all about money?
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