October 8, 2013
K E L O I D II
In a not too distant future, societies of all countries come to rely on an intricate network of artificial intelligence devices designed to bring efficacy to man's life. Yet, man continues to devour himself in useless wars. A strong political hierarchy now divides all powers into three factions, and A.I. devices rapidly gain ground as efficiency becomes a priority.
As social revolts grow worse everyday, authorities seek ways to control their citizens. They decide to carry out a series of tests that will determine not only whether some crucial powers can be transferred to non human entities, but also whether man is ready to yield those powers.
The world has become a cell for all man and women, who withstand and endure their lives, rather than living them. Machines might have found a solution. From now on, you are set free. [more inside]
We want to have Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Can you make us a reservation?
"There were some good looking chickens there, Jack."
"Midnight Run" celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, so its prime time to take a look at what may be the pinnacle of the Action-Comedy genre. [more inside]
The Walking Dead of Riverdale
Afterlife with Archie is a gorgeous new horror comic featuring Archie, Jughead, Sabrina, and the gang in zombie-filled Riverdale.
Author. Dreamweaver. Visionary.
Garth Marenghi's Darkplace, the legendary sci-fi hospital horror romance drama from the 1980s, is now available in its entirety on Youtube. The timeless tale of hospital doctor/occasional occultist Rick Dagless and his handsome friend Lucien Sanchez, the stunning and occasionally psychic Dr. Liz Asher, and hospital director Thornton Reed (played memorably by first-time actor and occasional talk-show host Dean Learner), Darkplace spawned a number of hit singles, including the rocking ballad I'm a One-Track Lover and the heartbreaking Skipper's Song, sung from Rick Dagless to the one-eyed sexual molester that he has adopted as his new son. An episode guide follows: [more inside]
ALL HAIL THE MULTICOLORED GLOW CLOUD
Welcome to Night Vale, the most popular podcast in the US, has an openly queer narrator (Cecil) with a (requited?) crush on a person of color (Carlos, a scientist). There's no physical description of Cecil, so fans have filled in the blanks. There is a lot of debate over whether he's white or should be portrayed as such. Fuck Yeah Brown Cecil explores various options; this blogger explains why a Native Cecil matters. Night Vale of Color celebrates the characters of color and this fan-made trailer envisions a diverse cast.
But what is Welcome to Night Vale about? If you have a few minutes, the PBS Idea Channel will try to explain the unknown; if not, try this Buzzfeed primer. Or just listen to the podcast already! [more inside]
INTERNET 1897: A Series of Pneumatic Tubes, Some of Which Contain Cats
Between 1897 and 1953, the New York City post office used a system of pneumatic tubes to move up to 30% of its mail around the city. Among the first things sent whizzing across Manhattan during the inauguration of the system: a black cat. Via the links in that Atlantic article, you can find other strange aspects to the story. For example, there was a pneumatic subway in use in NYC by 1870 — The Beach Pneumatic Transit covered an entire block for three years!
What is was like to fall asleep in your car at night as a child.
An animated comic that tries to capture what it was like to fall asleep in the car at night as a child. (via)
I am underage yet I can still list drinks!/How sophisticated is that?
Long Promised Road: The 1967-1971 Beach Boys
"Isn't it an essential component to the Beach Boys myth that Brian Wilson retreated to a coma-like state after the Smile sessions?" Edwin C. Faust reviews Smiley Smile (1967), Wild Honey (1967), Friends (1968), 20/20 (1969), Sunflower (1970) and Surf's Up (1971).
Your Moment Is Waiting
Were the First Artists Mostly Women?
Were the First Artists Mostly Women? The National Geographic outlines a recent study on those handprints found near Neolithic Cave Art. By looking at finger length of the hand outlines on those walls, researchers hypothesize that 75% of the artists of iconic cave painting were women. Some adherents to other theories (the jubilent male hunter as artist; the hopeful male hunter as artist, the shaman as artist, the exploring young boy as artist) are not so convinced.
*Pop*
Wish they would let me go home
Here is the video for the J Mascis (of Dinosaur Jr) and Sharon Van Etten cover of John Denver's song Prisoners (from the tribute album The Music Is You), featuring Aimee Mann and Superchunk's Jon Wurster as two eerily committed John Denver fans. If this sounds like the kind of thing you like, you'll really like this.
It Can Wait
The Superior Court of New Jersey's Appellate Division ruled on August 27 that if, as you text someone, you have special reason to know that the intended recipient is driving and is likely to read the text message while driving, you as the texter have a duty to users of the public roads to refrain from sending the driver a text at that time. [more inside]
Ich bin ein King of Pop
The biggest controversy of the election!
It all started with a simple tweet. Nova Scotia commentator Parker Donham wanted to show his support of a local candidate by taking a picture of his marked ballot and posting it to his Twitter followers. Elections Nova Scotia took a dim view of this violation of the Elections Act, and tweeted a reply: "please be advised that your action is being referred to the RCMP for investigation", stating it is illegal to bring a recording or communication device into the polling station. Donham defends his action, and much controversy ensues. [more inside]
Pennsylvania, you get field hockey
If every US state got one sport what would it be?
Macaroni's ready
When you're back here, assume that everything is hot, sharp & poisonous
Making realistic weapons from earlier time periods* is all fine and dandy, but what about watching a blacksmith make Cloud's ridiculously large Buster sword from Final Fantasy VII, or the diamond sword from Minecraft? You can also browse all of Man At Arms videos as sorted into playlists, or watch the complete series. [more inside]
Milk: it does a body good
Do you like classic pin-up girls? Do you like milk? London based photographer Jaroslav Wieczorkiewicz put the two together in these mind-boggling high speed photos featuring dresses made of milk.
Telekinetic Coffee Shop Surprise
"What if telekinesis was real? How would you react? Our hidden camera experiment captures the reactions of unsuspecting customers at a New York City coffee shop as they witness a telekinetic event." (SLYT, viral marketing)
The thrillsville of it all...
Gay Talese's "Frank Sinatra Has A Cold" appeared in Esquire Magazine in April 1966. Sinatra had turned down interview requests from Esquire for years and refused to be interviewed for the profile. Rather than give up, Talese spent the three months following and observing the man and interviewing any members of his entourage who were willing to speak -- and the final story was published without Sinatra's cooperation or blessing. In 2003, editors pronounced it the best article the magazine had ever published. Nieman Storyboard interviewed Talese last month about the piece and has annotated it with his comments. [more inside]
Mud, Concrete, Glass, Home
A Short History of the Highrise A four-part NYT interactive documentary by Katrina Cizek on apartment buildings through the ages, part of the National Film Board of Canada's HIGHRISE project (Previously).
We're going to need some more cards
Airboarders is the true story of every rags-to-riches based on a true story you've ever seen (SLYT).
Scientists Confirm Sheeple Safe to Eat
With 2000+ global studies confirming safety, GM foods among most analyzed "Environmental impact studies are predominant in the body of GM research, making up 68% of the 1,783 studies. These studies investigated environmental impact on the crop-level, farm-level and landscape-level. Nicolia and his team found “little to no evidence” that GM crops have a negative environmental impact on their surroundings." [more inside]
Slurp slurp
Back Streets of the Internet
#indie #delorean #kidnapping #safe #:)
Spanish Indie Rockers Delorean Safe After 'Virtual Kidnapping' in Mexico City [spin.com]
After two days' disappearance and a ransom call to family members, the group is safe, but police aren't saying more.More info here [Article in Spanish].
100% Renewable Energy Worldwide is Possible by 2030
Stanford University Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Mark Z Jacobson, claims that worldwide re-powering with Wind, Water, and Solar (WWS) energy, rather than continuing the use of fossil fuels and nuclear power, would save millions of lives per year from pollution, help avert disasters related to global warming, and increase worldwide economic, social, and political stability. He has a plan to achieve this goal. [more inside]
It’s a double-bind: consume, but look like you don’t
The Unique Thelonious Monk
Angel music
Tom Waits (on Robert Wilson): "Wilson, he's always playing with time. I heard a recording recently of crickets slowed way down. It sounds like a choir, it sounds like angel music. Something sparkling, celestial with full harmony and bass parts - you wouldn't believe it. It's like a sweeping chorus of heaven, and it's just slowed down, they didn't manipulate the tape at all. So I think when Wilson slows people down, it gives you a chance to watch them moving through space. And there's something to be said for slowing down the world."
Gotta keep the devil way down in the hole
"Here’s what was off-limits, according to many of the people I grew up with: books about witchcraft, the writings of Anton LaVey, Ouija boards, New Age crystals, pentagrams, albums with backward masking, and the music of most heavy-metal bands. ... Yet here’s what was okay to enjoy, according to those same chums and acquaintances: The Omen. The Amityville Horror. Rosemary’s Baby. The Exorcist. These movies passed muster because they didn’t encourage people to dabble in the dark arts; they warned people." The Exorcist And The South's Love Of Devil Movies.
Funny business names
Betty loves her Band-Aids.
The Australian Red Cross has released a slightly warped and brilliant short: Band-Aids can't fix everything. Learn First Aid. [slyt | via]
Prêt-à-Jouer and Videogame Couture
Administrators Ate My Tuition
Washington Monthly examines the rapid increase in the numbers of middle managers at universities and the correlation to the rampant increase in tuition costs at American universities.
Buffering
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