May 18, 2017
Like U̶b̶e̶r̶"Where's Waldo," but for dildos
Neural net invents new paint colors (and names!)
Sticks Red. Ghasty Pink. Navel Tan. Paint colors (and names) invented by a neural net.
"Nick, this changes everything!!!"
After 37 episodes of hilarity, existential horror, and good good splosions, Car Boys (previously)--hosted by Nick Robinson and Griffin McElroy of Polygon--has finally come to a close with a thrilling finale.
Technology for the Youth
WIZARDS
Did you know there are many kinds of wizards? There are at least a Hundred kinds. There are Camp wizards, Skateboard wizards, Impossible wizards, Pizza wizards, and Very Loud Wizards. Sometimes wizards have Bros. Sometimes they're even on a Team. [more inside]
“There. We have a female. That’s sorted.”
Every year or two, someone writes another article about a genre that women have just now entered, which used to be the province of male writers. Usually it’s some form of science fiction. Lately it’s been fantasy, especially epic fantasy (which strikes me with fierce irony, because I remember when fantasy was pink and squishy and comfy and for girls). And in keeping with this week’s theme, space opera gets its regular turn in the barrel.Judith Tarr: Yes, Women Have Always Written Space Opera. [more inside]
On the mineralogy of the “Anthropocene Epoch”
We already know that humanity is having significant effects on the atmosphere and the biosphere, but it turns out that we're changing the lithosphere too. Well, kind of: Humans have caused an explosion of never-before-seen minerals all over the Earth. [more inside]
So I just mosey on down to the Metropolitan Museum of Art
"A half-century ago, a girl and brother ran away to New York City from their suburban Connecticut home. And the Metropolitan Museum of Art hasn’t been the same since." [more inside]
“Mr. Ailes exerted wide influence on American politics...”
Roger Ailes, Who Built Fox News Into an Empire, Dies at 77 [The New York Times] “Roger E. Ailes, who shaped the images that helped elect three Republican presidents and then became a dominant, often-intimidating force in American conservative politics at the helm of Fox News, which he created with Rupert Murdoch’s money and guided for two decades until he was forced out in a sexual predation scandal, died on Thursday morning. He was 77. No cause of death or other details were given in an announcement by Mr. Ailes’s wife, Elizabeth. Mr. Ailes was a hemophiliac long plagued by obesity and arthritis.”
Thanks, Betsy.
Trump's budget could eliminate Public Service Loan Forgiveness....the proposed budget would reportedly cut funding in half for the federal work-study program, and would sharply reduce grants focused on career and technical education. The most drastic change, however, may be the budget’s proposed elimination of the public-service loan forgiveness program, which was initially designed to benefit people who work in the public interest.
Party Affiliation: Republican (kidding!)
While it once looked like a quiet race, drawing only a single challenger, the 2017 Seattle Mayoral election has become a free-for-all. Incumbent Ed Murray will not be running for re-election, following a series of allegations that he sexually abused teenagers in the 1980s. This has resulted in a flood of more than 15 declared candidates. Who are all these candidates for mayor? Is it possible that you are one of them? If so, be sure to complete the announcement form and select a good slogan. See you in the primary! [more inside]
Every civilization was built off the back of a disposable workforce
With little editing, the audio from the Blade Runner 2049 trailer overlaid onto the new Google Assistant ad. (subtitles, video on Gizmodo, previously)
The flawed logic of scientific racism
Three behavioral scientists debunk Charles Murray's junk science on race and IQ, and take Sam Harris to task for showcasing them so uncritically on his podcast.
King Arthur Made Me Puke
Comic Book Girl 19 did not have a nice time watching King Arthur: Legend of the Sword and the choppy editing and intense music didn't help.
Are you a bad enough dude to write for the Doctor?
Big Finish Productions, producers of Doctor Who audio plays and audiobooks since 1999 (including New Series content since 2015 - guess an obstructive BBC higher-up died or something), on May 8th began accepting submissions for the second annual Paul Spragg Memorial Short Trip Opportunity - a contest whose winner gets to write a Doctor Who short story audiobook that will be made available for free (the first winner: Forever Fallen, a look at what happens to a villain after he fails). The rules and entry format are listed here. Entries close June 30. [more inside]
Taking it out to the woodshed
I'm afraid I just Pepsi blue myself.
RIP Chris Cornell
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