firehose

Oklahoma will stop processing all military spouse benefit applications at state-owned National Guard facilities rather than begin accepting the applications from same-sex spouses, Gov. Mary Fallin said Wednesday.

Original Source

Dear dead spider that has been living in the corner of my ceiling,

WHERE DID YOU GO??? OMG YOU WEREN’T DEAD WERE YOU, YOU CLEVER LITTLE BASTARD. YOU’RE ALIVE AND YOU’RE GONE WHERE DID YOU GO???

Sincerely, Zoe

P.S.

WASHINGTON—In a move that has caused a nationwide stir among the first daughter’s extensive fan base, White House officials announced at a press briefing Thursday that starting next week, Sasha Obama will be played by up-and-coming actress Bri...

The data shown above come from the Facebook dating app, Are You Interested (AYI), which works like this: Users in search of someone for a date or for sex flip through profiles of other users and, for each one, click either “yes” (I like what I see) or “skip” (show me the next profile). When the answer is “yes,” the other user is notified and has the opportunity to respond. It’s very similar to another dating app, Tinder.

The graphic shows what percentage of people responded to a “yes,” based on the gender and ethnicity of both parties (the data are only for opposite-sex pairs of people). Unsurprisingly, most “yes’s” go unanswered, but there are patterns: For example, Asian women responded to white men who “yessed” them 7.8% of the time, more often than they responded to any other race. On the other hand, white men responded to black women 8.5% of the time—less often than for white, Latino, or Asian women. In general, men responded to women about three times as often as women responded to men.

Unfortunately the data reveal winners and losers. All men except Asians preferred Asian women, while all except black women preferred white men. And both black men and black women got the lowest response rates for their respective genders.

Perhaps most surprising is that among men, all racial groups preferred another race over their own.

AYI analyzed some 2.4 million heterosexual interactions—meaning every time a user clicked either “yes” or “skip”—to come up with these statistics. Its users skew older than Tinder’s—about two-thirds of AYI users are older than 35, according to a spokesperson.

Read This Next: Neither Apple nor Samsung should be playing the race card in their patent trial

toothy -

Daito Giken Koushiki Pachi-slot Simulator (Paon Corporation - DS - 2007)

(via Area Man Caught Up In Meaningless Fantasy Game | The Onion - America’s Finest News Source)

What's the capital of Canada? Don't know? Don't worry, you're not alone. Students at Harvard University were asked the same question on camera by the Harvard Crimson, the Ivy League school's newspaper.

I appreciate this kind note.

I have to say, I am fine with some comics being aimed at 14 year old boys. I just don’t want ALL comics to be aimed at any one group.

And there’s no reason why you can’t make a book that 14 year old boys like that still manages not to exclude everyone else, I think!

This weekend, Doctor Who returns, continuing a rich history of time travel and wild adventures. But which of the over 250 Doctor Who stories is the best, and which is the worst? Here’s our stab at ranking every single Doctor Who story, in order of quality.

Read more...

In his book Athlete, photographer Howard Schatz documents the different body shapes of elite athletes. Being place side by side, the athletes provide sharp contrast to one another; each respective shape formed by singular dedication to each chosen sport.

Working primarily with dancers, Schatz has been particularly attracted to form shaped by function. Now, in Athlete, he reaches the zenith of his photographic paean to the human body, creating an astonishing record of the specialized forms both adapted to the wide spectrum of sport and shaped by fiercely focused effort.

images via imgur, Howard Schatz

via reddit, Bored Panda,

Viral Vigilantism: Russian Neo-Nazis Take Gay Bashing Online - SPIEGEL ONLINE:

A Russian neo-Nazi who films attacks on gay men and posts the clips on social networks has a growing following and encourages others to imitate his methods. Although he is known to the authorities, they have long turned a blind eye to his activities.

I don’t normally provide trigger warnings. I am with this - the photos are as disturbing as the story.

The world cannot stay silent on this; the culture of state-sponsored homophobia in Russia is cancerous, vile, and must be stopped.

Please join the Human Rights Campaign, Love Conquers Hate. 

Volvo Van Damme Epic Splits Rob Ford Parody (by Artjail VFX)

Rodriguez is upset that the independent arbitrator refuses to force Bud Selig to give testimony.

New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez angrily left in the middle of his appeal hearing Wednesday and says he "will not participate any further" in the process, reports Wallace Matthews of ESPN.

Rodriguez's frustration stems from independent arbitrator Fredric Horowitz's refusal to force baseball commissioner Bud Selig to take the witness stand and testify. When Horowitz made that decree, Rodriguez allegedly yelled, "This is ridiculous."

Neither Selig nor Rodriguez have been reported to take the witness stand to answer questions at this point. Rodriguez missed an investigatory meeting with MLB officials on Friday when he claimed he was sick. Because of this, the MLB is expected to ask that Rodriguez not be allowed to take the stand.

During the hearing, Rodriguez reportedly slammed his hand onto his table, pointed to MLB COO Rob Manfred, and told him that he is "full of shit." Manfred was the one who directed the investigation into the Biogenesis lab that resulted in the suspension of Rodriguez and 12 other players. Three weeks ago, Manfred called Rodriguez's career "tarnished" and said his efforts to protect other young players "rings very hollow". Joe Tacopina, the attorney for Rodriguez, has called for Manfred to be removed from the arbitration panel, where he is representing the league.

Rodriguez issued a brief statement to reporters through a spokesman after walking out:

I am disgusted with this abusive process, designed to ensure that the player fails. I have sat through 10 days of testimony by felons and liars, sitting quietly through every minute, trying to respect the league and the process. This morning, after Bud Selig refused to come in and testify about his rationale for the unprecedented and totally baseless punishment he hit me with, the arbitrator selected by MLB and the Players Association refused to order Selig to come in and face me. The absurdity and injustice just became too much. I walked out and will not participate any further in this farce.

Neither Selig nor Manfred would answer questions from reporters. Rodriguez is appealing a 211-game suspension issued to him by MLB for his connection to the Biogenesis clinic. The other 12 suspended players did not appeal their punishments. Rodriguez has issued lawsuits against the MLB for, as he claims, conducting a "witch hunt".

Rodriguez could lose up to $32 million if his suspension is upheld.

More from SB Nation MLB:

• Yankees, Cano "have nothing to talk about" | Mets interested

• Neyer: Yankees should pay (double) for Tanaka

• Goldman: Rockies sign Hawkins, get suckered by saves

• MLB trade rumors | Nathan "loves" Detroit | Wieters wants Mauer money

• Death of a Ballplayer: Wrongly convicted prospect spends 27 years in prison

TW for transphobia, violence.

Today is a day to remember and memorialize the trans lives lost to violence in the past. Last year, at least 13 people lost their lives in the US alone, with hundreds more globally.

The justice system is notoriously lax on offenders who kill trans victims and often blame the victims for their own deaths.

For the love of everything decent, please don’t condone, tacitly or explicitly, ANY form of transphobia, under any circumstances. If you see it, speak out, and speak loudly. Try to listen and educate yourself. Try to be a decent human being.

Thank you.

hodad

People, can we please cut it out with these shitty Asian theme parties? Several people have forwarded me this ridiculous invitation for Madam Wu's Good Luck Banquet of the Senses, happening next weekend in Brooklyn. Basically, it's an excuse for ignorant, misguided people to get their Orientalist thrills for the night.

Presented by hipster party purveyor Rubulad, the evening promises there will be "Open Sesame Noodles," "Ancient Chinese Secrets" and other culturally insensitive bullshit, and guests are encouraged to dress in "coolie couture, dragon dancing, silk pajamas" -- whatever the hell that means:

Rubulad presents

on Saturday, Nov. 23

Madam Wu's Good Luck Banquet of the Senses

-or-

Last Ride on the Orient Express

with live music by:
Morricone Youth
The New York Fowl (New York Howl reunion)

with your dj's:
$mall ¢hange
DJ Dirty Finger
Kount Zyr0
plus special guests from faraway lands

in the Cabaret Room:
CornMo
The Mysteries of Solomon
Nate Hill in “Trophy Scarves”
The Mourning Glories
Vintage Cartoons on Film by Thomas Stathes

plus:
Aerial Amazement by Kae Burke
Modern Dance Awareness Society
Light Circus Extraordinaire by Norm Francouer
Visuals by The Sperm Whale
Open Sesame Noodles
Ancient Chinese Secrets
and much, much more!

Dress for travels along the Silk Road, tea with the Emperor, coolie
couture, dragon dancing, silk pajamas.

10 Yuan before 11:00 or way late; 20 Yuan otherwise. Doors 10:00; show 11:00.

At The Red Lotus Room - 893 Bergen Street bet. Franklin and Classon.
C train to Franklin Ave. Walk with traffic on Franklin, take a right
on Bergen.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1375730006007120/

Our rules apply, but smoking in the yard or on the roof, pls. Please
have I.D. that says you’re 21+.

For best results at the door, we do recommend arriving before 12:30 or
after 1:30.

Confucius say fun is good.

Please forward wildly!

To anyone seriously thinking about attending this party, allow me to pre-emptively give you the middle finger.

Original Source

The attorney of the alleged victim says police advised the woman not to pursue the case.

The attorney of a woman allegedly sexually assaulted by Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston is claiming Tallahassee police declined to investigate Winston and even advised the accuser not to go forward with the case, through a statement made to the Tampa Bay Times.

The Times is reporting that the woman was advised by police officers that going through with the case would ultimately be harmful for her.

"When the attorney contacted Detective (Scott) Angulo immediately after Winston was identified, Detective Angulo told the attorney that Tallahassee was a big football town and the victim needs to think long and hard before proceeding against him because she will be raked over the coals and her life will be made miserable," the family said.

The family is also claiming police officers refused to collect Winston's DNA or interview a potential witness for fear of the case going public.

Winston has not been officially charged for any crime nor been named as a suspect. Reports have said he's declined to speak with police. Winston has remained Florida State's starter at quarterback, performing his usual duties in practice and talking to the media, although he has declined to talk about the case publicly.

The Tallahassee Democrat reported Tuesday that the alleged victim told the police that she had declined to pursue the case.

"Shortly thereafter a representative of the young woman's family who is an attorney contacted TPD and said the young woman had changed her mind and did not wish to prosecute," the email said.

More from SB Nation college football:

Follow @SBNationCFBFollow @SBNRecruiting

• Full Week 13 TV schedule, including five ranked games

• Start hot: this week’s best stats in The Numerical

• TWIS: Georgia fans react to Auburn’s insane Hail Mary

• Bowl projections: Bama-FSU, Clemson-Wisconsin and more

• Long CFB reads | Has Baylor crafted the ultimate football offense?

i was asked by the russian edition of interview magazine to interpret a few paintings. check ‘em out here. 

 

Artist and filmmaker Richard Swarbrick has created “50 Years in Time and Space,” a stunning animation that captures some of the best moments in the history of Doctor Who.

via Mark Gatiss

Nineteen-year-old Simon Tian said he was going to launch a smartwatch as powerful and capable as a smartphone, and it appears he’s on the cusp of actually doing it. A recently launched Kickstarter campaign for the Neptune Pine smartwatch reveals what appears to be a production-ready device that will ship as soon as Tian’s company has FCC approval and the funds to mass produce the Pine.

When I first interviewed Tian in February—he was 18 at the time—he claimed to have connections with manufacturers in China, giving me details that he asked me not to disclose. His Kickstarter campaign lends at least some credibility to that claim: It includes a video of a fully functioning prototype, and photographs of the watch’s innards. Tian dropped out of the pre-college program typically attended by students in his home province of Quebec. All of the initial funding for the Pine came from friends and family.

The Pine is large for a smartwatch: Its frame, measuring 2.6 inches (6.6 cm) diagonally, looks like a Star Trek-style wrist communicator in a promotional video for the watch. That bulk contains everything you’d typically see in a mid-range Android smartphone, including front- and rear-facing cameras—making the Pine the only smartwatch on which you can conduct video calls. The Pine can make and receive calls, can browse the web over WiFi and 3G, has a headphone jack, and will even be water-resistant.

With a list of specifications that would be respectable for a phone, let alone a watch, and a promised battery life of seven hours of internet use over Wi-Fi and 120 hours of standby—better than most smartphones—there has to be a compromise. It’s in the display. The Pine’s screen is 320×240 pixels, which gives it about the same resolution as the original iPhone, but on a much smaller screen. That’s fine on a laptop, but on a screen this small, will maps and web pages be decipherable?

There’s no telling whether the Pine will live up to its own hype until reviewers get their hands on one. As of this writing, the Pine blew past its C$100,000 funding target in just the first two days it was on Kickstarter, and is on pace to be one of the best-funded Kickstarter campaigns ever.

The other unanswerable question is: Will anybody buy one? Plenty of people argued that the ungainly phone/tablet hybrids known as phablets would never take off, but they did, suggesting there’ll always be a market for a gadget with a new screen size. On the other hand, the lure of a phablet is that it can replace your phone or tablet, or even both. Would you replace any of your gadgets with one that has a screen this small? And if not, why buy yet another device that basically does the same thing as the ones you have?

theodp writes "Google takes Scroogling to new heights with its just-patented Automated Generation of Suggestions for Personalized Reactions in a Social Network, which not only data mines "e-mail systems, SMS/MMS systems, micro blogging systems, social networks or other systems" to get the buzz on your social circle, but also uses the data it collects to make like ELIZA and formulate appropriate responses for you to send as if they were your own (e.g., 'Happy Birthday, Mom!). Wouldn't Turing be so proud! From the patent: 'In a third example, a friend, David, sends Alice public or private message of a particular but regularly encountered message type (e.g., "how are you doing?" a common way to greet someone in the United States). The suggestion generation module suggest a good set of reactions to David, for example, based on the professional profile of David from the social network indicating that David has changed employers. The suggestion generation module generates a reply message such as "Hey David, I am fine, You were in ABC corp. for 3 years and you recently moved to XYZ corp., how do you feel about the difference, enjoying your new workplace?" The content of this suggestion are based on 1) prior conversations between Alice and David, 2) previous messages sent by Alice to other friends and 3) messages (sent by other connections in Alice's friend circle to David) which are either publicly or privately accessible to Alice, or some combination of these. Thus, the suggestion generation module generates messages that are personalized based upon both the sender and recipient using information that is accessible (public or private) to the sender.' Looks like Facebook may not be the only one strip-mining human society!"

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

The student group that invited him to the university's Graduate School of Design tells the story of the rap superstar's surprise visit.

Stephanie Warren of Test Tube Kitchen explains the chemistry behind baking delicious cookies in this TED-Ed animation by Brooklyn-based Augenblick Studios.

You stick cookie dough into an oven, and magically, you get a plate of warm, gooey cookies. Except it’s not magic; it’s science. Stephanie Warren explains via basic chemistry principles how the dough spreads out, at what temperature we can kill salmonella, and why that intoxicating smell wafting from your oven indicates that the cookies are ready for eating.

Portugal are headed to the World Cup, thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo's hat trick. The Portuguese commentary on Tuesday's game was perfection.

Steel yourself against cold and flu season with boozy, steaming-hot drinks that double, however arguably, as preventive medicine.

Brees: "I can tell you how it felt when I got hit. It felt like my head got ripped off and I get up and I’ve got a mouth full of blood. There was no doubt in my mind that it was going to be a penalty."

Harebrained Schemes revealed more details for its Berlin-based expansion to Shadowrun Returns, now known as Shadowrun: Dragonfall. Originally expected to land in October before being delayed to January, the expansion will place players in the stable anarchy of the Free City of Berlin, offering a new "full-length" campaign to play.

The expansion will include new weapons such as grenade launchers, long-range sniper rifles and tasers as well as new enemies like gargoyles. Dragonfall will feature a few gameplay improvements as well, such as added options in the game editor like a scripting system to control in-game lighting, keypad passwords and custom strings of dialog. Those toying around with the game editor will have access to the new Berlin art, characters and items as well. Harebrained Schemes noted that it will add the ability to save your game anywhere in the adventure, a helpful feature that will be included in the original Dead Man's Switch campaign.

Shadowrun: Dragonfall will launch on PC, Mac and Linux in January 2014 for $14.99 and will be bundled in with the original game in a Shadowrun Campaign Pack for $24.99. Harebrained Schemes will provide free Steam keys for the expansion to those that backed Shadowrun Returns on Kickstarter.

Shadowrun Returns' Berlin expansion called 'Dragonfall,' arriving January originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 Nov 2013 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This ram (Barbary sheep) sounds a lot like a human yelling. He would definitely get my attention.

video via Animal Area

via Tastefully Offensive

In a case that's lasted five years, the Supreme Court of Ohio upheld the termination of John Freshwater, an eighth-grade science teacher who refused to remove religious content from his class. But the decision was reached for a different reason than you may think.

Read more...