Monday, August 31, 2009

Learn Something Every Day

Learn Something Every Day is a submission-fuelled website that illustrates trivia in thick black line drawings set to monochromatic bright colors. (Though sometimes they use white on black).

They ask for submissions (fact@learnsomethingeveryday.co.uk) and the best fact is be made into a super special poster at the beginning of each month, with the winner getting a free poster. The site runs on Cargo (web publishing and community-building platform.)

(From Peggy Feed)

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Blogs.com Top Ten

This is the most meta article ever.  Especially considering that 10 lb. weight banner I chose. (I picked it because I leave on the past 10 TOTIs. Also, because I happened to photograph a 10 lb. weight.) I digress:

Blogs.com Top Ten is a running list of top ten lists. That's right. They feature lists such as: "Top 10 Web 2.0 Blogs," "Top 10 Trading and Investing Blogs," and "10 Popular Blogs about Blogging."

Whoa. Think about that.  This is so meta it's practically evolved cognition.  

(From Justin, who's on fire!)

Saturday, August 29, 2009

World Science Festival 2009: Notes & Neurons, Part 4 of 5

World Science Festival 2009: Notes & Neurons, Part 4 of 5 is a video about music and the brain.
In their own words,
"Is our response to music hard-wired or culturally determined? Is the reaction to rhythm and melody universal or influenced by environment? Join host John Schaefer, Jamshed Barucha, scientist Daniel Levitin, Professor Lawrence Parsons and musical artist Bobby McFerrin for live performances and cross cultural demonstrations to illustrate music’s note-worthy interaction with the brain and our emotions."
In my friend Justin's words, "music + neuroscience + a capella + audience participation = awesome. (This is part 4 of 5 - with the other parts being either music theory heavy or neuro heavy.)"

Enjoy!
(From Justin)

Friday, August 28, 2009

Pregnant Women are Smug

Pregnant Women are Smug is a cracked.com video showing a singing duo Riki "Garfunkel" Lindhome and Kate "Oates" Micucci.  It takes a jibe at clichés women use when they're pregnant.

This song is true. 

Excep for my friend Lolita. She's a warrior.  

(From mjg)

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Death to All But Metal

Death to All But Metal is a music video by Steel Panther. I'm just posting it here because of 1) why stop the juvenile jokes and 2) the Sarah Silverman bit at the end.

According to wikipedia, Steel Panther (formerly known as Danger Kitty, Metal Shop and Metal Skool), is,

"a Los Angeles, California parody glam metal band.
Originally formed as Metal Shop, they have the longest running heavy metal show on the Sunset Strip. Onstage, the band both pays tribute to and lampoons the heyday of 80's glam metal. The band's between-song comedy includes jests at conflict between band members, discussions of drugs, sex, and improvised humor with the crowd."

(From mjg, bb, rl )

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Because everything's funnier. In The Butt.

"Because everything's funnier. In The Butt." is a tumblr blog that shows various public signs defaced with an orange sticker that says, "in the butt." Because everything is funnier... in the butt.

According to my friend Stef, the best entries are "July 2, May 15, May 8."

Yeah, it's totally immature, and probably not safe for work. Unless you work... in the butt.




(From my equally immature and awesome friend, Stef)

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

OMG, how embarrassing: Lamebook


OMG, how embarrassing: Lamebook is an entry on the omgblog that is probably fake but entertaining nonetheless. Basically, a schmoe replies to all and admits infidelity to a string of acquaintances.

(From Buzzfeed Week)

Monday, August 24, 2009

Awkward Jamie-Lynn Sigler Interview

Awkward Jamie-Lynn Sigler Interview is a video on Break.com of a disastrous ABC interview.

Lazy day, I'll let Buzzfeed explain:

"This ABC reporter decided to interview Jamie-Lynn Sigler about her Entourage plotline (in which she dates Turtle, the 'fat' guy), not knowing that she is dating Jerry Ferrara (who plays Turtle) [in real life]. This is the most entertaining thing Entourage has yielded in 4 seasons."

(From More Buzz)

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Personas

Personas is an MIT website that shows your footprint on the web. According to the authors, it's how the interwebs sees you. You type in your name (kind of like googling yourself) and pretty colors flash showing what the interwebs can piece together about you.

For me, nothing came up, but it pegged several of my more accomplished friends rather well. You can also try it with famous people.
(From Justin)

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Health Care Explained on the Back of a Napkin

 By Dan Roam.
Health Care Explained on the Back of a Napkin is a slide show that explains what all the hullaballoo on health care is all about. There are 4 parts, and it's painful but worth the reading. Like your vaccinations! READ IT.

(From Buzzfeed)

Friday, August 21, 2009

If The Internet Named Movies

If The Internet Named Movies is a college humor picture/photoshop article about how movies would be titled if the interwebs had a say in it. Requires some knowlege of movie posters, interwebs speak.

Lovely.
(From Buzzfeed)

Thursday, August 20, 2009

In B flat

In B flat is a collaborative music and spoken word project that utilizes YouTube videos tiled side by side. You can play them all at once or set them in motion individually. Very interesting. And soothing.  

According to the authors,

"In Bb 2.0  is a collaborative music and spoken word project conceived by Darren Solomon from Science for Girls, and developed with contributions from users.  The videos can be played simultaneously -- the soundtracks will work together, and the mix can be adjusted with the individual volume sliders."

The instructions for video submissions were as follows:

-Sing or play an instrument, in Bb major. Simple, floating textures work best, with no tempo or groove. Leave lots of silence between phrases.-Record in a quiet environment, with as little background noise as possible.-Wait about 5-10 seconds to start playing.-Total length should be between 1-2 minutes.-Thick chords or low instruments don't work very well.-Record at a low volume to match the other videos.-You can listen to this mix on headphones while you record.-After you upload to YouTube, play your video along with the other videos on this page to make sure the volume matches.
Enjoy!(From Guy )

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Stolen Lyrics


Today on the (Musical) Interwebs presents Stolen Lyrics. The site plays out like Post Secret but mainly with the emo postcards that make you say, "Oh, that's sad, but pretty." The big, obvious twist is that Stolen Lyrics utilize lyrics to add a one-line kick to the images. It's cute, it's kitsch, it only has 16 entries at this point in writing, but some pictures will bring a small smile to your face. Plus it's always fun to play the "Which Song Is This?" game. So far, I'm at 7/16.

And now back to your regularly scheduled Today on the Interwebs...

(From Buzzbands.LA.)

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

I Am Friends with Sluts [NSFW]

I Am Friends with Sluts is a blog about trashy women and barely hidden misogyny. People submit photos of slutty women and the authors make snarky comments about them.

Choice comments include,
  • "When all three stars light up you win a free coupon for Valtrex," [herpes medication]
  • "Not so much as an AA degree between the lot of us," and
  • "What do you mean that I 'sort of look like a dude?' I’m all woman. And silcone. And manface."

  • Enjoy!

    (From Buzzfeed. More specifically, Peggy. Whenever I really like a link, it's usually by Peggy. )

    Monday, August 17, 2009

    King of Crayons

    King of Crayons is a blog about children's coloring books when colored in the "wrong" way. Love it.

    This brings me back memories of 2nd grade, when, newly arrived in the U.S., my ESL teacher yelled at me for coloring "wrong." I thought the soldiers looked good in green-mustard camouflage. Turns out civil war garb was not that advanced. And teachers can be mean. I'm looking at you, Ms. Kaiser.

    (From I forget, sorry.)

    The Guild - Do You Wanna Date My Avatar

    The Guild - Do You Wanna Date My Avatar is a promotional music video for "The Guild" on Youtube. It speaks of geekyness of the record-breaking type.

    As my friend Justin almost cogently explains,
    "Felicia Day + Music + Video Game References + Whedon Blood = Awesome... i mean "4\/\/350/\/\3"

    Enjoy!

    (From Justin)

    Sunday, August 16, 2009

    The 35 Worst Celebrity Tattoos

    The 35 Worst Celebrity Tattoos is a photo-list-article on Buzzfeed about the worst poorly planned celebrity tattoos. I have a soft spot in my heart for terrible tattoos (and decisions), so nothing warmed my heart more than the sight of this bounty.

    Special mention to Kate's Pooh tattoo (bad taste AND bad execution), Reggie Miller's faux belly button hair, Dennis Rodman's FTM fantasy, Hayden Panettiere's lack of Italian proofreading, and Eminem's furious daughter.

    Saturday, August 15, 2009

    How NOT to Make Kids Costumes

    How NOT to Make Kids Costumes is an article on costume pop that shows the best of the worst kid's costumes. The two best pictures are actually from the buzzfeed article about this link, shown here. This is all just a ruse to repost this picture, enjoy:

    (From Buzzfeed)

    Friday, August 14, 2009

    Google Opt-Out Village

    Google Opt-Out Village is an Onion News Network video for wry people.  They make fun of the search giant by reporting on an opt-out option where people are relocated to a village.
     

    (From Buzzfeed)

    Thursday, August 13, 2009

    Wednesday, August 12, 2009

    Is Google Voice a Threat to AT&T?

    Is Google Voice a Threat to AT&T? is an article by David Pogue about how Apple took away the google application that lets you send free text messages and call internationally for cheap.


    (From the NYT)

    Tuesday, August 11, 2009

    Steepster

    Steepster is a rating and community website for tea drinkers.

     If you've noticed the quality has gone down the last couple of days it's because 1) yesterday was my birthday and 2) I'm supposed to get the Internet today leading me to 3) pre-write way ahead of time. Sorry, and things should be better soon!


    (From Metafilter)

    Monday, August 10, 2009

    Today on the Interwebs: IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY

    Correction: 

    This entry on Crisostomo Design is the best thing on the interwebs today.  It's full of inside jokes, so I think it's only really funny to me. :) :( :) 

    (From Justin )

    Pixel

    Pixel is a Kongregate game where you move with the mouse and click to shoot. You collect points by destroying enemies and collecting pixels. Hitting a pixel will cause it to shoot back out of your ship.

    Comes with bonus pixely-sounding electronic intro music, and exciting drum music later on. It's more fun than that picture looks.


    PS: Yeeeeeey birthday! (From Kottke)

    Sunday, August 9, 2009

    Mary Roach: 10 things you didn't know about orgasm

    Happy TED SUNDAY!Mary Roach: 10 things you didn't know about orgasm is a TED talk where author Mary Roach talks about all those dirty things: masturbation, sex, and orgasms.

    According to TED,
    " 'Bonk' author Mary Roach delves into obscure scientific research, some of it centuries old, to make 10 surprising claims about sexual climax, ranging from the bizarre to the hilarious. (This talk is aimed at adults. Viewer discretion advised.)"


    (From my love of TED)

    Saturday, August 8, 2009

    The Last Abortion Doctor

    The Last Abortion Doctor is an Esquire magazine article by John H. Richardson about the last late abortion doctor left in America (Dr. Warren Hern). Pretty dramatic words. I usually try to keep it light on TOTI, but I think we can all agree you shouldn't shoot doctors.

    Exerpt:

    "The young couple flew into Wichita bearing, in the lovely swell of the wife's belly, a burden of grief. They came from a religious tradition where large families are celebrated, and they wanted this baby, and it was very late in her pregnancy. But the doctors recommended abortion. They said that with her complications, there were only two men skilled enough to pull it off. One was George Tiller, a Wichita doctor who specialized in late abortions.

    They arrived in Wichita on Sunday, May 31. As they drove to their hotel, a Holiday Inn just two blocks from the Reformation Lutheran Church, they saw television cameras. They wondered what was going on, a passing curiosity quickly forgotten.

    But when they got to their room, the phone was ringing. Her father was on the line. 'There was some doctor who was shot who does abortions,' he said.

    They turned on CNN. Dr. Tiller had just been killed, shot in the head as he passed out church leaflets. In their shock, they mixed up the clinic and the church: We were supposed to be there. What if it had happened while we were there? What if he couldn't complete the procedure?

    Now there is only one doctor left.
    ...

    This is the day he sees patients for the first of three visits, giving them the seaweed laminaria, which slowly dilates the cervix, and his normal caseload has been doubled by Dr. Tiller's patients — including two with catastrophic fetal abnormalities and a fifteen-year-old who was raped, all in the second trimester, all traumatized by the assassin who calls himself pro-life, a phrase he cannot utter without air quotes and contempt. "

     

    (From the web )

    Friday, August 7, 2009

    Slaughter Your World

    Slaughter Your World is a Youtube video showing a violent cartoon parody of the song "Part of Your World" from The Little Mermaid. It introduces/builds up the character. The short is supposedly part of the "Looking For Group" Feature Film.


    (From my cousin D.)

    Thursday, August 6, 2009

    How Different Groups Spend Their Day

    How Different Groups Spend Their Day is an infographic by the New York Times. According to the Gray Lady: "The American Time Use Survey asks thousands of American residents to recall every minute of a day. Here is how people over age 15 spent their time in 2008.

    According to Jen, who sent this in:
    "This is a prime example of an interesting reseach question, as well as a lesson on graphic design. I don't dispute the results, or the design, just the color choice.

    Honestly, the colors chosen represent what I imagine to be the inside of a septic tank, mixed with a barren dessert, and then a dark blue. Still, if you can get past the lack of catchy colors, it's worth looking at."


    I loved clicking around. Good find.
    PS: I was disappointed to find that "Not in lab..." was not actually about the 5% of time scientists are sleeping at home.

    (From JenK)

    Wednesday, August 5, 2009

    C'est la vie

    C'est la vie is a webcomic by Jennifer Babcock.

    In her own words:
    I graduated from UCLA in June 2004 with a BA in history and art history and have no idea what I’m going to do for a living. Currently, I'm a graduate student at NYU's Institute of Fine Arts studying Ancient Egyptian art history. I'm hoping that by continuing my education, I can buy some time before I find a "real" job.



    While enrolled at UCLA, I wrote “C’est la Vie” for the university newspaper, The Daily Bruin, where it was discovered by Universal Press Syndicate in its first year of publication. “C’est la Vie” as it exists today is a result of the partnership between me and UPS, in the hopes of creating a feature that could be embraced by a wide audience. I signed a contract with Uclick, the online division of UPS in March of 2005, and "C'est la Vie" is now a daily feature on www.ucomics.com.


    (From Guy)

    Tuesday, August 4, 2009

    There, I Fixed It

    There, I Fixed It is a website about epic jury-rigs kludges. One image after another of things that really should not exist. According to the authors, "We celebrate these iconic images of mankind’s eternal struggle to hammer square pegs into round holes (with duct tape.)" 

    You can contribute pictures of your handiwork to thereifixedit@gmail.com.

    (From Rolf)

    Monday, August 3, 2009

    Baby pictures in lost wallets increase the chance they will be returned

    Baby pictures in lost wallets increase the chance they will be returned is an article on Boing Boing explaining that Edinburgh researchers report that "lost" wallets which included baby pictures had the highest return rate, with 88 per cent of the 40 wallets being sent back.

    I would print out and place this very picture in my wallet right now, if only I hadn't just burnt my father's new printer due to my forgetting that the printer is 110V, and the wall plugs here are 220V. WHOOPS. 

    (From Boing Boing, picture from here.)

    Sunday, August 2, 2009

    Alain de Botton: A kinder, gentler philosophy of success

    Happy return of the TED Sundays! Alain de Botton: A kinder, gentler philosophy of success is a TED talk about the downsides of meritocracy and a nicer view of success.

    I like it, but maybe I just have a thing for the accents. Bonus: 3 funny literary jokes in there. Enjoy!

    (From my ipod)

    Saturday, August 1, 2009

    'Fountains of Wayne Hotline,' by Robbie Fulks

    'Fountains of Wayne Hotline,' by Robbie Fulks is an article on Spinner.com. Okay, article is a little generous. It's more like an explained link to a song about how to make a Fountains-of-Wayne-style song (in the style of Fountains of Wayne, of course). Click through for the song.  Or fine, you know, take the FLV file from here. 

    Spinner epxlains the tune:
    "In 'Hotline,' Fulks imagines himself calling a telephone crisis line where panicked songwriters and producers in a pinch can get access to Fountains of Wayne-sanctioned operators. The pop technicians on the other end proceed to talk the distraught songsmiths down from their musical ledge, suggesting solutions such as "employ the radical dynamic shift" and "slather the holy hell out of the thing with a semi-ironic Beach Boys vocal pad." All this is set to music, including an announced "slightly distorted melodic solo," that would fit snugly on the Fountains' resplendent 'Welcome Interstate Managers' album from 2003 (with Fulks twisting his usual twang into a dead ringer for FOW's Chris Collingwood)."
    The whole thing kind of caters to musicians and Fountains of Wayne enthusiasts. The telegraphed vs. gratuitous inside joke is explained by Metafilter reader unSane:
    "The ninth is a whole tone above the octave, so a C9 would be C-E-G-D (usually with a Bb thrown in there) and a CAdd9 would be a straight C-E-G-D. In either case the D is the ninth. A telegraphed ninth would mean the D had been established as a strong tone before the ninth chord was hit whereas gratuitous coloration would be a ninth chord where the D had never featured as a significant tone in the melody before.

    It's an insidery joke because most non-musicians (and a lot of musicians) would have no idea whether the ninth had been telegraphed or not, but to anal harmonizers it would be equally obvious whether the ninth was a throw-in or if it was an integral part of the melody.

    I can remember an similar bitch-session in the pages of either NME or Melody Maker where Roddy Frame was ripping Edwyn Collins a new one for simply moving a diminished shape up the neck of the guitar, which is kind of a neat trick the first time you discover it but gets old pretty fast even if you are only about 17 at the time, as Roddy must have been."
    Now you  know, and it's probably not funny anymore. Oh well.

    (From Metafilter)