So, I am innocently surfing the CNN tech page today (no comments, please.) and I come across this article about how scientists have found the believed to be extinct, pygmy tarsiers. These things have not been seen in more than 80 years. And do you know why? They are evil! The article compares them to a Furby or a Gremlin, but it most reminds me of one of those scared ass things from the Quizno Subs commercials. Giant soulless eyes, disproportionate claws that look like witch hands . . . and “the animal can swivel its head around 180 degrees . . . have pointy triangular teeth.” (shiver) I could just imaging about about 20 of these things flying at me from under the bed or falling on my from a closet. Aaahh!
Category Archives: Geekery
Technology, gadgets, science fiction, basically all things geek.
You’ve got mail
Please read this article from the Chicago Tribune. Hilarious.
Google’s drunk e-mailing protection is nice, but won’t save you
When you go mobile, you’re on your own
By Wailin Wong
Chicago Tribune reporter
October 9, 2008
Think Google’s new program to prevent you from drunk e-mailing will save you from saying something you’ll regret in the morning? Think again.
Yes, the new Gmail feature, Mail Goggles, requires you to solve five math problems in 60 seconds before it will send a message. That should cut back on one ill-advised form of digital correspondence: drunk e-mailing from a computer.
Get the math problems wrong and Mail Goggles generates this admonition: "Water and bed for you."
But even if Google deems you too inebriated to correspond with your boss or your ex, what about all the other ways to communicate something stupid?
Mail Goggles isn’t available for Gmail on cell phones, so bar-hopping BlackBerry and iPhone users are on their own. There’s no mention of whether the feature will be on the T-Mobile G1, the mobile phone with Google’s software platform that goes on sale at the end of next week.
As one person in an online discussion group for Google Labs pointed out: "I find my biggest problem with drunk e-mailing is from my mobile device. However, the mail goggles don’t seem to work from the BlackBerry."
Other companies have tried to tackle drunk dialing in the last few years. In Australia, Virgin Mobile let customers block outgoing calls to certain numbers during late-night hours. LG introduced a cell phone in Korea with a built-in Breathalyzer.
But there’s still no technological catch-all solution for drunk dialing and texting. And no one’s tackled some of the other foolhardy activities associated with a night out, like consuming a gross burrito at 3 a.m.
So watch out for your drinking buddies. Remember, friends don’t let friends send their exes e-mails like "OMG i miss u plz take me back."
wawong@tribune.com
Copyright © 2008, Chicago Tribune
“Eyes will bankrupt you”
The Japanese are weird. Case in point, these ball-and-joint dolls (BJDs) that are supposed to be the latest craze. These hand-sculpted, hand-painted, anatomically correct and eerily lifelike dolls are huge in Japan and South Korea and are gaining popularity here in the US with those weirdo doll collectors. BJDs are super hot right now because they are totally customizable: wigs, hands, feet, uh . . chest size, and eyes. I quote this NPR article: “Eyes will bankrupt you . . . anywhere from $30 to $100.” What about these things bankrupting your SOUL!! Dolls are scary enough without having customizable genitalia. Ick.
BTW, doesn’t this thing look like one of the creatures from the Dark Crystal!? Total heebie jeebies right now.
Face Your Manga
Presented to me by a friend as an exercise in weirdness, I just created a manga version of myself online. Why is it that I look better in avatar form than in real life?? The weirdest thing about this is that I actually had to get up to look in the mirror a few times to figure out what I look like. If you are up for it, make yourself over in your own image. (Whuh?)
So cool!
This is one of those reasons why I sometimes wished I lived in New York. There is an exhibit that is currently going on at The Metropolitan Museum of Art that I would LOVE to see. “Superheros: Fashion and Fantasy” It is exhibiting actual costumes of superheroes from the movies as well fashion designs that were inspired by them through the years. It sounds like a fascinating show that would be a lot of fun to see. The above article is very interesting as well. It explains the theory behind the show and also goes in depth in the eight different “bodies” that are represented in both the superhero genre and in fashion.
Now all I need is to find a pair of Wonder Woman UnderRoos!
Image: Alex Ross – JLA – Secret Origins – Justice League of America
But can they make sweaters?
So I read this really interesting article in NYT today about a group that has been crocheting forms to recreate the Great Barrier Reef. Think of it as an environmental version of the AIDS quilt. It sounds like a really creative way to blend art and activism and awareness.
I personally have never crocheted, but have always been interested in the process. What a great way to relax, meditate, and make things! I would love to try it, but hate to admit that I am a bit intimidated. I have never been that good at learning those types of things. Possibly because I am left-handed and all instructions are for you dominating righties. Try having to mentally reverse all of the directions in your head to make sense to you. Hard! Maybe if I could find some leftie directions or find someone to teach me. . . any suggestions?
This is hilarious. . .
Ok, just a quick post on the site Stuff White People Like. This is hilarious. Period. Go check it out and laugh your face off.
Want to get Steampunk’d?
I was reading this article on NPR’s website today and found this really interesting. It deals with an artist that is “steampunking” computer monitors, keyboards, and other technological gadgets with brass fittings, leather casings, and Victorian finishes. Think Steve Jobs meets Jules Verne or something that you would see in a 1930’s science fiction movie. It is an interesting response to the sleek, minimalistic designs of today, however I am not sure how practical it would be typing away on one of his keyboards. Definitely would look nice on one’s desk than a beige hunk of plastic.
If you are interested in seeing more of these creations, visit The Steampunk Workshop.
Just so crazy, it might just work . . .
Ok, so this is one of the weirdest things I have seen in a while. It is called a numbrella. It is this weird Jetsons looking umbrella bubble looking thing that is supposed to be the “umbrella of the 21st century.” It is like a bubble of plastic around your head. Intriguing, but will strangers want to pop you?
Please note that the model for this thing is insane or a robot from The Stepford Wives. No?
Polaroids soon to be thing of the past.
I came across this article on the Chicago Tribune’s website. It made me so sad to think that this iconic film is going to no longer be produced. While it sounds like it will be a burden in many technical fields, I am more saddened by the nostalgia. We had a polaroid camera growing up and Roz and I had so much fun with it. It was so great to dance around waving that little square of film waiting to see what you captured. Sometimes this newer, better, faster technology gets in the way of some of the little joys in life. I hope that they are able to find a company to take over the production..
Widdershins 