http://boingboing.netBrain candy for Happy Mutantsen-USMon, 04 Jan 2016 09:55:28 PSThttp://wordpress.org/?v=4.2.4hourly1http://boingboing.nethttp://boingboing.net/icons/bb144.jpgThis is an XML content feed. It is intended to be viewed in a newsreader or syndicated to another site.http://feeds.boingboing.net/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/EC88mUGSsJM/an-amazing-tale-of-interspecie.htmlPodcastPostfutility closetFutility ClosetMon, 04 Jan 2016 09:52:32 PSThttp://boingboing.net/?p=441925
The lyrebirds of Australia were highly mysterious and rarely seen until one fell in love with an elderly widow in 1930. In this episode of the Futility Closet podcast we'll trace the development of their surprising friendship and how it led to an explosion of knowledge about this extraordinary species.
We'll also learn how Seattle literally remade itself in the early 20th century and puzzle over why a prolific actress was never paid for her work.
(more…)]]> <p><img width="600" height="470" src="http://media.boingboing.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/wilkinson.jpg" class="attachment-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="wilkinson" /></p> <p><iframe style="border: none" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/4054146/height/100/width/500/theme/custom/autoplay/no/autonext/no/thumbnail/no/preload/no/no_addthis/no/direction/backward/no-cache/true/render-playlist/no/custom-color/000000/" height="100" width="500" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe></p><p>The lyrebirds of Australia were highly mysterious and rarely seen until one fell in love with an elderly widow in 1930. In this episode of the Futility Closet podcast we'll trace the development of their surprising friendship and how it led to an explosion of knowledge about this extraordinary species.</p><p>We'll also learn how Seattle literally remade itself in the early 20th century and puzzle over why a prolific actress was never paid for her work.</p><p><a href="http://www.futilitycloset.com/2016/01/04/podcast-episode-88-mrs-wilkinson-and-the-lyrebird/">Show notes</a></p><p><a href="http://www.patreon.com/futilitycloset">Please support us on Patreon!</a></p> <a href="http://boingboing.net/2016/01/04/an-amazing-tale-of-interspecie.html#more-441925" class="more-link">(more…)</a>http://boingboing.net/2016/01/04/an-amazing-tale-of-interspecie.html/feed0http://boingboing.net/2016/01/04/an-amazing-tale-of-interspecie.htmlhttp://feeds.boingboing.net/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/LwA5UxMbXRc/raccoon-tries-to-wash-cotton-c.htmlVideocandyDelightful CreaturesraccoonsMark FrauenfelderMon, 04 Jan 2016 09:18:32 PSThttp://boingboing.net/?p=441972This raccoon found a chunk of cotton candy. When the animal dipped the cotton candy into a puddle to wet it, the chunk dissolved, and the raccoon was like, wtf?
Why do raccoons dip their food into water? It's not to clean it, and it is not to soften it. How Stuff Work says raccoons wet their food as a way to give them "a more vivid tactile experience and precise information about what they're about to eat."]]> <img src="http://i1.wp.com/media.boingboing.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/dissolve.jpg?w=600" class="attachment-medium wp-post-image" alt="dissolve" /> <p> <p>This raccoon found a chunk of cotton candy. When the animal dipped the cotton candy into a puddle to wet it, the chunk dissolved, and the raccoon was like, wtf? <p>Why do raccoons dip their food into water? It's not to clean it, and it is not to soften it. How Stuff Work says raccoons wet their food as a way to give them "<a href="http://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/raccoons-wash-food1.htm">a more vivid tactile experience and precise information about what they're about to eat</a>."http://boingboing.net/2016/01/04/raccoon-tries-to-wash-cotton-c.html/feed0http://boingboing.net/2016/01/04/raccoon-tries-to-wash-cotton-c.htmlhttp://feeds.boingboing.net/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/NftLvSUqWXI/which-u-s-president-would-win.htmlPostStabbingsRob BeschizzaMon, 04 Jan 2016 08:58:03 PSThttp://boingboing.net/?p=441969
This is from way back in 2012, but Geoff Micks determined which U.S. president would win in a massive knife fight and it is essential reading.
The scenario had a few rules—the combatants are in the best health of their presidencies, they're in the Colosseum, each are issued with a standard Gerber Combat Knife, FDR is permitted a motorized wheelchair—but they are otherwise left to their stabby devices.
Each president's chances are individually discussed. [via JWZ]]]> <p><img width="998" height="623" src="http://media.boingboing.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/obama-knife.jpg" class="attachment-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="obama-knife" /></p> <p>This is from way back in 2012, but Geoff Micks determined <a href="https://faceintheblue.wordpress.com/2012/08/22/in-a-mass-knife-fight-to-the-death-between-every-american-president-who-would-win-and-why/">which U.S. president would win in a massive knife fight</a> and it is essential reading. <p>The scenario had a few rules—the combatants are in the best health of their presidencies, they're in the Colosseum, each are issued with a standard Gerber Combat Knife, FDR is permitted a motorized wheelchair—but they are otherwise left to their stabby devices. <p>Each president's chances are individually discussed. [via <a href="https://www.jwz.org/blog/2016/01/in-a-mass-knife-fight-to-the-death-between-every-american-president-who-would-win-and-why/">JWZ</a>]http://boingboing.net/2016/01/04/which-u-s-president-would-win.html/feed0http://boingboing.net/2016/01/04/which-u-s-president-would-win.htmlhttp://feeds.boingboing.net/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/CMLFV5MBHfA/20-minute-uber-ride-cost-111.htmlPostfree marketprice gouginguberMark FrauenfelderMon, 04 Jan 2016 08:51:15 PSThttp://boingboing.net/?p=441967
After Matt Lindsay celebrated New Year's Eve in Southwood Community Centre near Edmonton, he hailed an Uber to take him and his friends home. The driver who picked up Matt warned him that the "surge rate" was 8.9 times the regular fare. Lindsay accepted the surge and took the ride, which lasted 20 minutes. From CBC:
Lindsay said he was using his previous trips with Uber as a base understanding of what the trip would cost.
"Generally Uber is very affordable. I can get from northside to downtown for under $20."
He has taken a couple of rides at a surge rate of two times the regular amount, which he said tallied $77.
"With the amount of people in the vehicle and a similar distance, I figured it would be a similar fare."
Lindsay said people are vulnerable after they've been drinking and surge rates can be confusing.
Lindsay said Uber had offered to reduce his fare by half.
Image: Prathan Chorruangsak / Shutterstock.com]]> <p><img width="600" height="400" src="http://media.boingboing.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/uber.jpg" class="attachment-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="uber" /></p><p>After Matt Lindsay celebrated New Year's Eve in Southwood Community Centre near Edmonton, he hailed an Uber to take him and his friends home. The driver who picked up Matt warned him that the "surge rate" was 8.9 times the regular fare. Lindsay accepted the surge and took the ride, which lasted 20 minutes. From <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/uber-cab-ride-on-new-year-s-eve-pinches-customer-for-1-114-71-1.3387808">CBC</a>: <blockquote> <p>Lindsay said he was using his previous trips with Uber as a base understanding of what the trip would cost. <p>"Generally Uber is very affordable. I can get from northside to downtown for under $20." <p>He has taken a couple of rides at a surge rate of two times the regular amount, which he said tallied $77. <p>"With the amount of people in the vehicle and a similar distance, I figured it would be a similar fare." <p>Lindsay said people are vulnerable after they've been drinking and surge rates can be confusing.</blockquote> <p>Lindsay said Uber had offered to reduce his fare by half. <p>Image: <a href="http://www.shutterstock.com/gallery-2535049p1.html?cr=00&pl=edit-00">Prathan Chorruangsak</a> / <a href="http://www.shutterstock.com/editorial?cr=00&pl=edit-00">Shutterstock.com</a>http://boingboing.net/2016/01/04/20-minute-uber-ride-cost-111.html/feed0http://boingboing.net/2016/01/04/20-minute-uber-ride-cost-111.htmlhttp://feeds.boingboing.net/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/oZ6f0QVY7jY/this-man-is-drawing-one-butt-e.htmlPostbuttsRob BeschizzaMon, 04 Jan 2016 08:32:22 PSThttp://boingboing.net/?p=441956
Charles Vestal has pledged to draw one butt a day throughout 2016. He's doing very well so far. The butts are archived at butts.lol.
https://twitter.com/charlesv/status/682792402952663045 ]]> <p><img width="1280" height="1280" src="http://media.boingboing.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/tumblr_o0cvc32nyc1v2g4yuo1_1280.jpg" class="attachment-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="tumblr_o0cvc32nyc1v2g4yuo1_1280" /></p><p><a href="http://www.charlesvestal.com/">Charles Vestal</a> has pledged to draw one butt a day throughout 2016. He's doing <a href="https://twitter.com/butts_dot_lol">very well so far</a>. The butts are archived at <a href="http://butts.lol/">butts.lol</a>. <p> https://twitter.com/charlesv/status/682792402952663045http://boingboing.net/2016/01/04/this-man-is-drawing-one-butt-e.html/feed0http://boingboing.net/2016/01/04/this-man-is-drawing-one-butt-e.htmlhttp://feeds.boingboing.net/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/jOQWpqRgWwc/the-art-of-eating-through-the-2.htmlPostapocalypse cookbookcookbookszombiesWinkMon, 04 Jan 2016 08:31:35 PSThttp://boingboing.net/?p=441942
See more sample pages from this book at Wink.
A delightfully funny and punny read, The Art of Eating through the Zombie Apocalypse: A Cookbook & Culinary Survival Guide isn’t merely humor, it actually provides sound advice for the survivalist. The book begins with “entry level preparedness” and runs through the gamut of various apocalyptic survival scenarios, providing illustrated information, advice and recommendations for further reading in every section.
This book is one part apocalypse prepper, one part outdoor survival guide and one part apocalypse cookbook. No reason not to eat well, even in a zombie apocalypse, right? Humor is found in the flowing narrative that is sprinkled with puns, amusingly titled recipes as well as bloodstains and spatters that decorate the introduction of major sections of the book. The pages are a textured grey-green to simulate age and mold.
Humor aside, sandwiched between recipes with titles such as Going Ginko Nuts, Dead Easy Peas and Who’s Got Your Back Tuna Mac, are instructions on diverse projects including making SIPS (Self-Watering Planters) out of soda bottles or storage bins, and practical advice on various how-tos such as drying, curing, smoking, and brining. – Carolyn Koh
The Art of Eating through the Zombie Apocolypse: A Cookbook and Culinary Survival Guide
by Lauren Wilson and Kristian Bauthus
Smart Pop
2014, 320 pages, 6 x 8.2 x 1 inches (paperback)
$15 Buy a copy on Amazon
]]> <p><img width="1200" height="1200" src="http://media.boingboing.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/tumblr_nzf9heHdrR1t3i99fo1_1280.jpg" class="attachment-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="tumblr_nzf9heHdrR1t3i99fo1_1280" /></p><p><a href="http://winkbooks.net/post/135704735523/the-art-of-eating-through-the-zombie-apocolypse-a">See more sample pages from this book at Wink.</a> <p>A delightfully funny and punny read, <em>The Art of Eating through the Zombie Apocalypse: A Cookbook & Culinary Survival Guide</em> isn’t merely humor, it actually provides sound advice for the survivalist. The book begins with “entry level preparedness” and runs through the gamut of various apocalyptic survival scenarios, providing illustrated information, advice and recommendations for further reading in every section. </p><p>This book is one part apocalypse prepper, one part outdoor survival guide and one part apocalypse cookbook. No reason not to eat well, even in a zombie apocalypse, right? Humor is found in the flowing narrative that is sprinkled with puns, amusingly titled recipes as well as bloodstains and spatters that decorate the introduction of major sections of the book. The pages are a textured grey-green to simulate age and mold. </p><p>Humor aside, sandwiched between recipes with titles such as Going Ginko Nuts, Dead Easy Peas and Who’s Got Your Back Tuna Mac, are instructions on diverse projects including making SIPS (Self-Watering Planters) out of soda bottles or storage bins, and practical advice on various how-tos such as drying, curing, smoking, and brining. <em>– Carolyn Koh</em></p> <p><em>The Art of Eating through the Zombie Apocolypse: A Cookbook and Culinary Survival Guide</em> <br>by Lauren Wilson and Kristian Bauthus <br>Smart Pop <br>2014, 320 pages, 6 x 8.2 x 1 inches (paperback) <br>$15 <a class="amazon-button" href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1940363365/thebooklab-20">Buy a copy on Amazon</a></p> <p><img src="http://media.boingboing.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/tumblr_nzf9heHdrR1t3i99fo7_12803.jpg"> <p><img src="http://media.boingboing.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/tumblr_nzf9heHdrR1t3i99fo3_12803.jpg">http://boingboing.net/2016/01/04/the-art-of-eating-through-the-2.html/feed0http://boingboing.net/2016/01/04/the-art-of-eating-through-the-2.htmlhttp://feeds.boingboing.net/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/KtqWScYUUio/twitter-reinstates-politiwoops.htmlPostbad tweetsRob BeschizzaMon, 04 Jan 2016 08:24:16 PSThttp://boingboing.net/?p=441941
Twitter has reinstated Politiwoops' access to the site.
Politiwoops, which tracked tweets published and subsequently deleted by politicians, aimed to help keep government honest. But Twitter said that it was an invasion of politicans' privacy and cut its access to the Twitter API last year.
Such access enabled more reliable tracking of often fast-deleted but revealing statements uttered off-hand by politicans and their staff.
“Politwoops is an important tool for holding our public officials, including candidates and elected or appointed public officials, accountable for the statements they make, and we’re glad that we’ve been able to reach an agreement with Twitter to bring it back online both in the US and internationally.” said Jenn Topper, communications director for The Sunlight Foundation, in a press release issued by Twitter.
The restoration was expected after a shake-up at Twitter last fall, in which co-founder Jack Dorsey took the helm from longtime CEO Dick Costolo.
Previously.]]> <p><img width="800" height="534" src="http://media.boingboing.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/ROA-twitter.jpg" class="attachment-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="ROA-twitter" /></p><p>Twitter <a href="https://blog.twitter.com/2015/holding-public-officials-accountable-with-twitter-and-politwoops">has reinstated Politiwoops' access to the site</a>. <p><a href="http://twitter.com/politiwoops">Politiwoops</a>, which tracked tweets published and subsequently deleted by politicians, aimed to help keep government honest. But Twitter said that it was an invasion of politicans' privacy and cut its access to the Twitter API last year. <p>Such access enabled more reliable tracking of often fast-deleted but revealing statements uttered off-hand by politicans and their staff. <p>“Politwoops is an important tool for holding our public officials, including candidates and elected or appointed public officials, accountable for the statements they make, and we’re glad that we’ve been able to reach an agreement with Twitter to bring it back online both in the US and internationally.” said Jenn Topper, communications director for The Sunlight Foundation, in a press release issued by Twitter. <p>The restoration was expected after a shake-up at Twitter last fall, in which co-founder Jack Dorsey took the helm from longtime CEO Dick Costolo. <p><a href="http://boingboing.net/2013/12/21/politwoops-which-us-politicia.html">Previously</a>.http://boingboing.net/2016/01/04/twitter-reinstates-politiwoops.html/feed0http://boingboing.net/2016/01/04/twitter-reinstates-politiwoops.htmlhttp://feeds.boingboing.net/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/Zb3Sy-BB0Js/my-maker-dad-book-is-on-sale-o.htmlPostactivitiesmakersMark FrauenfelderMon, 04 Jan 2016 08:14:33 PSThttp://boingboing.net/?p=441550
My book, Maker Dad: Lunch Box Guitars, Antigravity Jars, and 22 Other Incredibly Cool Father-Daughter DIY Projects is on sale for $1.99 as part of Amazon's January Kindle Holiday Store Deal. I'm not sure how long the deal lasts.
]]> <p><img width="444" height="500" src="http://media.boingboing.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/51bizVWsJSL1.jpg" class="attachment-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="51bizVWsJSL1" /></p><p>My book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00FL3YLHE/boingboing">Maker Dad: Lunch Box Guitars, Antigravity Jars, and 22 Other Incredibly Cool Father-Daughter DIY Projects</a> is on sale for $1.99 as part of Amazon's January Kindle Holiday Store Deal. I'm not sure how long the deal lasts. <blockquote><p>As the editor in chief of MAKE magazine, Mark Frauenfelder has spent years combing through DIY books, but he’s never been able to find one with geeky projects he can share with his two daughters. <em>Maker Dad</em> is the first DIY book to use cutting-edge (and affordable) technology in appealing projects for fathers and daughters to do together. These crafts and gadgets are both rewarding to make and delightful to play with. What’s more, <em>Maker Dad</em> teaches girls lifelong skills—like computer programming, musicality, and how to use basic hand tools—as well as how to be creative problem solvers. The book’s twenty-four unique projects include: <ul> <li>Drawbot, a lively contraption that draws abstract patterns all by itself</li> <li>Ice Cream Sandwich Necklace</li> <li>Friendstrument, an electronic musical instrument girls can play with friends</li> <li>Longboard skateboard</li> <li>Antigravity Jar</li> <li>Silkscreened T-Shirt</li> <li>Retro Arcade Video Game</li> <li>Host a Podcast</li> <li>Lunchbox Guitar</li> <li>Kite Video Camera</li> </ul> <p>Innovative and groundbreaking, <em>Maker Dad</em> will inspire fathers to geek out with their daughters and help girls cultivate an early affinity for math, science, and technology.</blockquote>http://boingboing.net/2016/01/04/my-maker-dad-book-is-on-sale-o.html/feed0http://boingboing.net/2016/01/04/my-maker-dad-book-is-on-sale-o.htmlhttp://feeds.boingboing.net/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/jW205urcXkI/young-girl-plays-incredible-or.htmlPostVideoback to the futuremusicstar warsDavid PescovitzMon, 04 Jan 2016 08:00:31 PSThttp://boingboing.net/?p=441878As the editor in chief of MAKE magazine, Mark Frauenfelder has spent years combing through DIY books, but he’s never been able to find one with geeky projects he can share with his two daughters. Maker Dad is the first DIY book to use cutting-edge (and affordable) technology in appealing projects for fathers and daughters to do together. These crafts and gadgets are both rewarding to make and delightful to play with. What’s more, Maker Dad teaches girls lifelong skills—like computer programming, musicality, and how to use basic hand tools—as well as how to be creative problem solvers. The book’s twenty-four unique projects include:
- Drawbot, a lively contraption that draws abstract patterns all by itself
- Ice Cream Sandwich Necklace
- Friendstrument, an electronic musical instrument girls can play with friends
- Longboard skateboard
- Antigravity Jar
- Silkscreened T-Shirt
- Retro Arcade Video Game
- Host a Podcast
- Lunchbox Guitar
- Kite Video Camera
Innovative and groundbreaking, Maker Dad will inspire fathers to geek out with their daughters and help girls cultivate an early affinity for math, science, and technology.
If you're wondering, that's a Yamaha Electone electronic organ. Above, the Star Wars Theme. Below, from a few years back, Back To The Future. Many more performances: 826aska
https://youtu.be/NRBqsJNxMfk]]> <img src="http://i2.wp.com/media.boingboing.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/o2Q4Kk.gif?w=600" class="attachment-medium wp-post-image" alt="" /> <p> <P> If you're wondering, that's a <a href="http://asia.yamaha.com/en/products/musical-instruments/keyboards/electone/">Yamaha Electone</a> electronic organ. Above, the Star Wars Theme. Below, from a few years back, Back To The Future. Many more performances: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBvWfh5pkiCdApbtS0eaMIg">826aska</a> <P> https://youtu.be/NRBqsJNxMfkhttp://boingboing.net/2016/01/04/young-girl-plays-incredible-or.html/feed0http://boingboing.net/2016/01/04/young-girl-plays-incredible-or.htmlhttp://feeds.boingboing.net/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/dD5aixjBPPU/they-dont-have-to-tell-you-w.htmlPostVideomystery meatRob BeschizzaMon, 04 Jan 2016 07:42:22 PSThttp://boingboing.net/?p=441930
Responding to overwhelming consumer demand to be kept in the dark about where meat comes from, the government has relaxed the relevant labeling requirements.
After more than a decade of wrangling, Congress repealed a labeling law last month that required retailers to include the animal's country of origin on packages of red meat. It's a major victory for the meat industry, which had fought the law in Congress and the courts since the early 2000s.
… The bill was "a holiday gift to the meatpacking industry from Congress," complained the advocacy group Food and Water Watch. Meatpackers who buy Mexican cattle were some of the law's most aggressive opponents.
If they don't want you to know where the meat came from, maybe you don't want to know where the meat came from.
They almost banned labeling of genetically-modified food, too:
Still, there was some good news for food labeling advocates in the spending bill. Despite an aggressive push by the food industry, lawmakers decided not to add language that would have blocked mandatory labeling of genetically modified ingredients. Also, a provision by Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, would require labeling of genetically modified salmon recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
The embedded music presentation above is titled Some sort of machine pooping out big blobs of meat. ]]> <img src="http://i0.wp.com/media.boingboing.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/meat-pixel-art.jpg?w=600" class="attachment-medium wp-post-image" alt="meat pixel art" /> <p> <p>Responding to overwhelming consumer demand to be kept in the dark about where meat comes from, the government has <a href="http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_CONGRESS_MEAT_LABELING?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2016-01-04-03-59-19">relaxed the relevant labeling requirements.</a> <blockquote><p>After more than a decade of wrangling, Congress repealed a labeling law last month that required retailers to include the animal's country of origin on packages of red meat. It's a major victory for the meat industry, which had fought the law in Congress and the courts since the early 2000s. <p>… The bill was "a holiday gift to the meatpacking industry from Congress," complained the advocacy group Food and Water Watch. Meatpackers who buy Mexican cattle were some of the law's most aggressive opponents. </blockquote> <p>If they don't want you to know where the meat came from, maybe you don't <em>want</em> to know where the meat came from. <p>They almost banned labeling of genetically-modified food, too: <blockquote>Still, there was some good news for food labeling advocates in the spending bill. Despite an aggressive push by the food industry, lawmakers decided not to add language that would have blocked mandatory labeling of genetically modified ingredients. Also, a provision by Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, would require labeling of genetically modified salmon recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration.</blockquote> <p>The embedded music presentation above is titled <em>Some sort of machine pooping out big blobs of meat</em>.http://boingboing.net/2016/01/04/they-dont-have-to-tell-you-w.html/feed0http://boingboing.net/2016/01/04/they-dont-have-to-tell-you-w.htmlhttp://feeds.boingboing.net/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/tNuk9SP7-fw/what-is-the-most-interesting-s.htmlPostedgemediaNewsScienceTechnologyDavid PescovitzMon, 04 Jan 2016 07:00:01 PSThttp://boingboing.net/?p=441874
It is time once again for the Edge Annual Question, a mind-bending and boundary-busting online convening of scientists, technologists, and other big thinkers all responding to a single question at the intersection of science and culture. From physicists to artists, cognitive psychologists to journalists, evolutionary biologists to maverick anthropologists, these are people who Edge founder, famed literary agent, and BB pal John Brockman describes as the "third culture (consisting) of those scientists and other thinkers in the empirical world who, through their work and expository writing, are taking the place of the traditional intellectual in rendering visible the deeper meanings of our lives, redefining who and what we are."
This year, John asked: What do you consider the most interesting (scientific) news? What makes it important?" Nearly two hundred really smart people responded, including Steven Pinker, Nina Jablonski, Freeman Dyson, Stewart Brand, Marti Hearst, Philip Tetlock, Kevin Kelly, Lisa Feldman Barrett, Douglas Rushkoff, Lisa Randall, Alan Alda, Jared Diamond, Pamela McCorduck, and on and on.
"Science is the only news," writes Stewart Brand in the introduction. "When you scan through a newspaper or magazine, all the human interest stuff is the same old he-said-she-said, the politics and economics the same sorry cyclic dramas, the fashions a pathetic illusion of newness, and even the technology is predictable if you know the science. Human nature doesn't change much; science does, and the change accrues, altering the world irreversibly.' We now live in a world in which the rate of change is the biggest change." Science has thus become a big story, if not the big story: news that will stay news."
2016 : WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER THE MOST INTERESTING RECENT [SCIENTIFIC] NEWS? WHAT MAKES IT IMPORTANT?]]> <p><img width="450" height="253" src="http://media.boingboing.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/TyP5EK9.gif" class="attachment-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="" /></p><P> <P>It is time once again for the <a href="http://edge.org/contributors/what-do-you-consider-the-most-interesting-recent-scientific-news-what-makes-it">Edge Annual Question</a>, a mind-bending and boundary-busting online convening of scientists, technologists, and other big thinkers all responding to a single question at the intersection of science and culture. From physicists to artists, cognitive psychologists to journalists, evolutionary biologists to maverick anthropologists, these are people who Edge founder, famed literary agent, and BB pal John Brockman describes as the "third culture (consisting) of those scientists and other thinkers in the empirical world who, through their work and expository writing, are taking the place of the traditional intellectual in rendering visible the deeper meanings of our lives, redefining who and what we are." <P>This year, John asked: What do you consider the most interesting (scientific) news? What makes it important?" Nearly two hundred really smart people responded, including Steven Pinker, Nina Jablonski, Freeman Dyson, Stewart Brand, Marti Hearst, Philip Tetlock, Kevin Kelly, Lisa Feldman Barrett, Douglas Rushkoff, Lisa Randall, Alan Alda, Jared Diamond, Pamela McCorduck, and on and on. <P> "Science is the only news," writes Stewart Brand <a href="http://edge.org/contributors/what-do-you-consider-the-most-interesting-recent-scientific-news-what-makes-it">in the introduction</a>. "When you scan through a newspaper or magazine, all the human interest stuff is the same old he-said-she-said, the politics and economics the same sorry cyclic dramas, the fashions a pathetic illusion of newness, and even the technology is predictable if you know the science. Human nature doesn't change much; science does, and the change accrues, altering the world irreversibly.' We now live in a world in which the rate of change is the biggest change." Science has thus become a big story, if not the big story: news that will stay news." <P> <a href="http://edge.org/contributors/what-do-you-consider-the-most-interesting-recent-scientific-news-what-makes-it">2016 : WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER THE MOST INTERESTING RECENT [SCIENTIFIC] NEWS? WHAT MAKES IT IMPORTANT?</a>http://boingboing.net/2016/01/04/what-is-the-most-interesting-s.html/feed0http://boingboing.net/2016/01/04/what-is-the-most-interesting-s.htmlhttp://feeds.boingboing.net/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/NuCW6lept3Y/watch-mark-hamill-host-the-tv.htmlVideostar warstelevisionDavid PescovitzMon, 04 Jan 2016 06:30:17 PSThttp://boingboing.net/?p=441870
In 1984, Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope made its television debut on CBS. Mark Hamill himself hosted the introduction to the film, sporting a sharp tuxedo. Classy. Most classy. (Thanks, UPSO!)
]]> <img src="http://i0.wp.com/media.boingboing.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/R6oGLq.gif?w=600" class="attachment-medium wp-post-image" alt="" /> <p> <P> In 1984, Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope made its television debut on CBS. Mark Hamill himself hosted the introduction to the film, sporting a sharp tuxedo. Classy. Most classy. <em>(Thanks, <a href="http://in.ternet.pro/fessional">UPSO</a>!)</em> <P> <img src="http://media.boingboing.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/R6oGLq.gif" alt="" width="480" height="270" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-441872" />http://boingboing.net/2016/01/04/watch-mark-hamill-host-the-tv.html/feed0http://boingboing.net/2016/01/04/watch-mark-hamill-host-the-tv.htmlhttp://feeds.boingboing.net/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/MmcuyNYFtqM/natalie-cole-beautiful-1975-p.htmlVideomusicDavid PescovitzMon, 04 Jan 2016 01:30:44 PSThttp://boingboing.net/?p=441882
The late, great Natalie Cole, who passed away last week, bares her beautiful soul on The Midnight Special in 1975.
]]> <img src="http://i0.wp.com/media.boingboing.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/BBL07W.gif?w=600" class="attachment-medium wp-post-image" alt="" /> <p> <P> The late, great Natalie Cole, who <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/02/arts/music/natalie-cole-grammy-award-winning-singer-dies-at-65.html?_r=0">passed away</a> last week, bares her beautiful soul on The Midnight Special in 1975. <P> <img src="http://media.boingboing.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/BBL07W.gif" alt="" width="360" height="270" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-441884" />http://boingboing.net/2016/01/04/natalie-cole-beautiful-1975-p.html/feed0http://boingboing.net/2016/01/04/natalie-cole-beautiful-1975-p.htmlhttp://feeds.boingboing.net/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/ej7S_6BFNrw/armed-domestic-terrorists-take.htmlPost#blacklivesmattergwotoregonraceyallqaedaCory DoctorowSun, 03 Jan 2016 07:21:35 PSThttp://boingboing.net/?p=441854
A group of white separatist domestic terrorists have occupied the Malheur National Widlife Refuge Building in Burns, Oregon, fronted by the racist terrorist leader Cliven Bundy, who organized supporters to point sniper rifles at federal officers without any consequence in Nevada last year. (more…)
]]> <p><img width="1280" height="853" src="http://media.boingboing.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/1280px-MalheurNWRHeadquarters.jpg" class="attachment-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="1280px-MalheurNWRHeadquarters" /></p><p> A group of white separatist <a href="https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/2331">domestic terrorists</a> have occupied the Malheur National Widlife Refuge Building in Burns, Oregon, fronted by the racist terrorist leader <a href="http://boingboing.net/2014/04/24/defiant-rancher-in-nevada-belo.html">Cliven Bundy</a>, who organized supporters to point sniper rifles at federal officers without any consequence in Nevada last year. <a href="http://boingboing.net/2016/01/03/armed-domestic-terrorists-take.html#more-441854" class="more-link">(more…)</a></p>http://boingboing.net/2016/01/03/armed-domestic-terrorists-take.html/feed0http://boingboing.net/2016/01/03/armed-domestic-terrorists-take.htmlhttp://feeds.boingboing.net/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/b6rCdj8uaoM/paypal-rolls-out-the-welcome-m.htmlPostBusinesscargo cult securitycrimeinfosecpaypalCory DoctorowSun, 03 Jan 2016 07:00:00 PSThttp://boingboing.net/?p=441851It's not bad enough that Paypal is prone to shutting down your account and seizing your dough if you have a particularly successful fundraiser -- they also have virtually no capacity to prevent hackers from changing the email address, password and phone numbers associated with your account, even if you're using their two-factor authentication fob. (more…)
]]> <p><img width="595" height="420" src="http://media.boingboing.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/online_payment-2.jpg" class="attachment-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="online_payment (2)" /></p><p> It's not bad enough that Paypal is prone to shutting down your account and seizing your dough if you have a particularly successful fundraiser -- they also have virtually no capacity to prevent hackers from changing the email address, password and phone numbers associated with your account, even if you're using their two-factor authentication fob. <a href="http://boingboing.net/2016/01/03/paypal-rolls-out-the-welcome-m.html#more-441851" class="more-link">(more…)</a></p>http://boingboing.net/2016/01/03/paypal-rolls-out-the-welcome-m.html/feed0http://boingboing.net/2016/01/03/paypal-rolls-out-the-welcome-m.htmlhttp://feeds.boingboing.net/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/A1v2fifqNZ8/hong-kongs-dissident-publish.htmlPostbookschinadangerous wordshong konghuman rightspublishingCory DoctorowSun, 03 Jan 2016 06:21:43 PSThttp://boingboing.net/?p=441848Five employees of the publisher Mighty Current and its retail arm, Causeway Bay Bookstore, have disappeared from Hong Kong, and pro-democracy leaders say that they were kidnapped to the mainland by PRC security forces in retaliation for publishing books critical of the Chinese government. (more…)
]]> <p><img width="666" height="405" src="http://media.boingboing.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/056c026d-1c66-4d42-9fae-a8e96df290c5-1020x915.jpg" class="attachment-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="056c026d-1c66-4d42-9fae-a8e96df290c5-1020x915" /></p><p> Five employees of the publisher Mighty Current and its retail arm, Causeway Bay Bookstore, have disappeared from Hong Kong, and pro-democracy leaders say that they were kidnapped to the mainland by PRC security forces in retaliation for publishing books critical of the Chinese government. <a href="http://boingboing.net/2016/01/03/hong-kongs-dissident-publish.html#more-441848" class="more-link">(more…)</a></p>http://boingboing.net/2016/01/03/hong-kongs-dissident-publish.html/feed0http://boingboing.net/2016/01/03/hong-kongs-dissident-publish.htmlhttp://feeds.boingboing.net/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/CUSDNUdcL3w/breaking-the-drm-on-the-1982-a.htmlPost1201apolloapplearchive.orgCopyfightdrmGamesOld schoolpaleocomputingwar on general purpose computingCory DoctorowSun, 03 Jan 2016 05:22:48 PSThttp://boingboing.net/?p=4418384AM is a prolific computer historian whose practice involves cracking the copy protection on neglected Apple ][+ floppy disks, producing not just games, but voluminous logs that reveal the secret history of the cat-and-mouse between crackers and publishers. (more…)
]]> <p><img width="1097" height="786" src="http://media.boingboing.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/056c026d-1c66-4d42-9fae-a8e96df290c5-1020x914.jpg" class="attachment-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="056c026d-1c66-4d42-9fae-a8e96df290c5-1020x914" /></p><p> <a href="https://twitter.com/a2_4am?lang=en">4AM</a> is a prolific computer historian whose practice involves cracking the copy protection on neglected Apple ][+ floppy disks, producing not just games, but voluminous logs that reveal the secret history of the cat-and-mouse between crackers and publishers. <a href="http://boingboing.net/2016/01/03/breaking-the-drm-on-the-1982-a.html#more-441838" class="more-link">(more…)</a></p>http://boingboing.net/2016/01/03/breaking-the-drm-on-the-1982-a.html/feed0http://boingboing.net/2016/01/03/breaking-the-drm-on-the-1982-a.htmlhttp://feeds.boingboing.net/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/OqhEdr4FISo/last-chance-to-get-the-world.htmlPostshopBoing Boing's StoreSun, 03 Jan 2016 01:00:56 PSThttp://boingboing.net/?p=441503This tiny flyer is the smallest drone of its kind to carry its own camera for taking epic shots in the smallest places. Four fast blades make this new quadcopter omni-directional, which in layman’s terms means it can dip, dash, zip, spin, and flip anywhere you tell it to via remote control. Plus its decked out with LED lights so you can embark on night flights and document it all the while. Tote it anywhere you go and let it rip.
- Includes a 2GB camera memory card
- Captures crystal-clear video & photography (rare for a drone of this size!)
- Includes LED lights for night flying
- Provides 3 speed flight modes
- Delivers superior flying stability
- Takes less than 30 minutes to fully charge up
- Moves up, down, left or right
- Includes side flight, hover, flip & hand launch capabilities
This deal is expiring soon so don't miss out on the world's smallest camera drone in the Boing Boing store.
To purchase in orange, click here!
]]> <p><img width="630" height="473" src="http://media.boingboing.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/a2d7aa81fef9a49f1c325017e62c960b05655484_main_hero_image1.jpg" class="attachment-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="" /></p><p><a href="https://store.boingboing.net/sales/cheerson-cx-10c-nano-drone-with-camera-2gb-microsd-card?utm_source=boingboing.net&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=cheerson-cx-10c-nano-drone-with-camera-2gb-microsd-card">This tiny flyer is the smallest drone</a> of its kind to carry its own camera for taking epic shots in the smallest places. Four fast blades make this new quadcopter omni-directional, which in layman’s terms means it can dip, dash, zip, spin, and flip anywhere you tell it to via remote control. Plus its decked out with <span class="caps">LED</span> lights so you can embark on night flights and document it all the while. Tote it anywhere you go and let it rip.</p><ul><li>Includes a 2GB camera memory card</li><li>Captures crystal-clear video & photography (rare for a drone of this size!)</li><li>Includes <span class="caps">LED</span> lights for night flying</li><li>Provides 3 speed flight modes</li><li>Delivers superior flying stability </li><li>Takes less than 30 minutes to fully charge up</li><li>Moves up, down, left or right </li><li>Includes side flight, hover, flip & hand launch capabilities</li></ul><p>This deal is expiring soon so don't miss out on the <a href="https://store.boingboing.net/sales/cheerson-cx-10c-nano-drone-with-camera-2gb-microsd-card?utm_source=boingboing.net&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=cheerson-cx-10c-nano-drone-with-camera-2gb-microsd-card">world's smallest camera drone</a> in the Boing Boing store.</p><p><i>To purchase in orange, click <a href="https://store.boingboing.net/sales/cheerson-cx-10c-nano-drone-with-camera-orange-2gb-microsd-card?quantity=1&skipPrompt=true">here</a>!</i></p>http://boingboing.net/2016/01/03/last-chance-to-get-the-world.html/feed0http://boingboing.net/2016/01/03/last-chance-to-get-the-world.htmlhttp://feeds.boingboing.net/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/fO9Rs7WrYWc/spam-fighting-mail-rule.htmlPostspamto unsubscribe just dieCory DoctorowSat, 02 Jan 2016 16:12:32 PSThttp://boingboing.net/?p=441834If body contains "unsubscribe" and From: is not any of my addressbooks, then move message to folder "Spam." You're welcome.]]> <p><img width="1063" height="1043" src="http://media.boingboing.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Spam-Can.jpg" class="attachment-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="Spam-Can" /></p><p> If body contains "unsubscribe" and From: is not any of my addressbooks, then move message to folder "Spam." You're welcome.http://boingboing.net/2016/01/02/spam-fighting-mail-rule.html/feed0http://boingboing.net/2016/01/02/spam-fighting-mail-rule.htmlhttp://feeds.boingboing.net/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/vCEgV_Og0OE/help-identify-the-science-fict.htmlPostfan are slanfanacnycOld schoolphotosscience fictionCory DoctorowSat, 02 Jan 2016 15:23:49 PSThttp://boingboing.net/?p=441823
Cate writes, "I came across a collection of snapshots at a thrift store and recognized the historic nature of the photos, which documented the 14th World Science Fiction Convention. I purchased the photos from a thrift store in Santa Barbara, California on December 31, 2015. I am looking for help to identify attendees featured in the photos." (more…)
]]> <p><img width="1024" height="745" src="http://media.boingboing.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/23836518990_5a555a5ac8_b.jpg" class="attachment-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="23836518990_5a555a5ac8_b" /></p><p> Cate writes, "I came across a collection of snapshots at a thrift store and recognized the historic nature of the photos, which documented the 14th World Science Fiction Convention. I purchased the photos from a thrift store in Santa Barbara, California on December 31, 2015. I am looking for help to identify attendees featured in the photos." <a href="http://boingboing.net/2016/01/02/help-identify-the-science-fict.html#more-441823" class="more-link">(more…)</a></p>http://boingboing.net/2016/01/02/help-identify-the-science-fict.html/feed0http://boingboing.net/2016/01/02/help-identify-the-science-fict.htmlhttp://feeds.boingboing.net/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/DCMf-AkJA8o/charlie-brookers-2015-wipe.htmlVideolaugh the pain awaymedia theoryvideosyoutubeCory DoctorowSat, 02 Jan 2016 06:18:25 PSThttp://boingboing.net/?p=441817https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJHTZLTLPho
As always, Charlie "Screen Wipe/Nathan Barley/Black Mirror" Brooker manages to sum up every single terrible thing about the year that was with gut-busting hilarity. (more…)
]]> <img src="http://i2.wp.com/media.boingboing.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/animation-1.gif?w=600" class="attachment-medium wp-post-image" alt="animation (1)" /> <p> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJHTZLTLPho <p> As always, Charlie "<a href="http://boingboing.net/2007/12/04/charlie-brookers-scr.html">Screen Wipe</a>/<a href="http://boingboing.net/2015/02/11/nathan-barley-old-comedy-turn.html">Nathan Barley</a>/<a href="http://boingboing.net/2013/02/14/black-mirror-is-back-and-it.html">Black Mirror</a>" Brooker manages to sum up every single terrible thing about the year that was with gut-busting hilarity. <a href="http://boingboing.net/2016/01/02/charlie-brookers-2015-wipe.html#more-441817" class="more-link">(more…)</a></p>http://boingboing.net/2016/01/02/charlie-brookers-2015-wipe.html/feed0http://boingboing.net/2016/01/02/charlie-brookers-2015-wipe.htmlhttp://feeds.boingboing.net/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/I5bX7PhBuyM/free-stanford-course-on-survei.htmlPostb-sidebsideeducationlawmoocnofrontdoornsaspookssurveillanceCory DoctorowSat, 02 Jan 2016 06:12:19 PSThttp://boingboing.net/?p=441813
Aw, crap, this was last year
Stanford is offering a free online course by computer scientist/law professor Jonathan Mayer that surveys the baroque, interleaved world of US surveillance law through the Coursera MOOC platform.
(more…)]]> <p><img width="1452" height="884" src="http://media.boingboing.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/056c026d-1c66-4d42-9fae-a8e96df290c5-1020x913.jpg" class="attachment-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="056c026d-1c66-4d42-9fae-a8e96df290c5-1020x913" /></p><p> <b>Aw, crap, this was last year</b> <s> <p> Stanford is offering a free online course by computer scientist/law professor Jonathan Mayer that surveys the baroque, interleaved world of US surveillance law through the Coursera MOOC platform.</p></s> <a href="http://boingboing.net/2016/01/02/free-stanford-course-on-survei.html#more-441813" class="more-link">(more…)</a></p>http://boingboing.net/2016/01/02/free-stanford-course-on-survei.html/feed0http://boingboing.net/2016/01/02/free-stanford-course-on-survei.htmlhttp://feeds.boingboing.net/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/7S12KzayCbM/indias-telcoms-regulator-say.htmlPostastroturfconsultations aren't opinion pollscorruptionfacebookindianet neutralitypetardpoor internet for poor peopletelcomsCory DoctorowSat, 02 Jan 2016 06:03:36 PSThttp://boingboing.net/?p=441809Facebook's misleading, high budget astroturf campaign sent over 14 lakh (1.4m) comments to TRAI, the Indian telcoms regulator, almost none of which responded to the questions raised in the regulator's Net Neutrality consultation paper. (more…)
]]> <p><img width="640" height="360" src="http://media.boingboing.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/2582211-2582210-lazlo-1.png" class="attachment-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="2582211-2582210-lazlo (1)" /></p><p> Facebook's misleading, <a href="http://boingboing.net/2015/12/27/facebooks-fuddy-full-page-a.html">high budget</a> <a href="http://boingboing.net/2015/12/30/indian-net-neutrality-vs-faceb.html">astroturf campaign</a> sent over 14 lakh (1.4m) comments to TRAI, the Indian telcoms regulator, almost none of which responded to the questions raised in the regulator's Net Neutrality consultation paper. <a href="http://boingboing.net/2016/01/02/indias-telcoms-regulator-say.html#more-441809" class="more-link">(more…)</a></p>http://boingboing.net/2016/01/02/indias-telcoms-regulator-say.html/feed0http://boingboing.net/2016/01/02/indias-telcoms-regulator-say.htmlhttp://feedThis entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service - if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read the FAQ at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php#publishers.