Photographer Neil Girling of The Blight is posting photos on Flickr of the 2013 Burning Man festival, which runs until September 2nd in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert. Last year we posted about Girling’s photos from the 2012 festival.
Coming to Kindle and Smashwords
November 2013
Aug 30, 2013
Photos of Burning Man 2013 by Neil Girling
Photographer Neil Girling of The Blight is posting photos on Flickr of the 2013 Burning Man festival, which runs until September 2nd in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert. Last year we posted about Girling’s photos from the 2012 festival.
Aug 29, 2013
Museum Quality Specimen Boxes of Popular Breakfast Cereals
CerealBoxes is a purveyor of handcrafted breakfast cereal specimen boxes that are of museum quality. Each framed specimen box includes a selection of 9 cereals, from Grape-Nuts to Froot Loops. The boxes appear to be for sale, though the tongue-in-cheek copy on the website does make one wonder. Witness their instructions for transporting a CerealBox:
When transporting from city to city we recommend 3 people accompany the cereal box. We advise you to take surface streets and avoid highway driving. Contact us for a list of recommended roadways.
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Celebrity Face Mashup Featuring Peter Dinklage and Nicki Minaj
FaceMashups has released this video of Peter Dinklage and Nicki Minaj mashed together. Previously, we wrote about FaceMashups’
Aug 25, 2013
Nicolas Cage Gets Around, A Parody Where Nic Cage is Digitally Implanted Into Classic Movie Scenes
By on August 22, 2013
“Nicolas Cage Gets Around” is a parody video
Aug 24, 2013
Cosplay Music Videos From Otakon 2013 Feature a Dance Party and More Amazing Costumes
By on August 23, 2013
Cosplayers show off their hard work dressing up as characters from video games, television shows, movies, and even webcomics in these music videos created by Beat Down Boogie at Otakon 2013 in Baltimore, Maryland. The first video includes a cosplay dance party and some impressive breakdancing skills, and you can spot a Samurai Darth Vader in the second video.
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Game of Thrones Season 3 Visual Effects Breakdowns
By on August 23, 2013
Spin VFX has released an amazing demo reel with visual effects breakdowns showcasing the work that they did on season 3 of Game of Thrones.
Five-time Emmy nominated VFX Supervisor Jeff Campbell and three-time Emmy nominated Supervising Producer, Luke Groves led Spin’s team to deliver over 200 shots for the season, including Mance Rayder’s Camp, the Direwolves compositing sequences in the Northern Forest, CG crows, the 3D Unsullied Army, the Twins matte painting and The Wall 3D environment.
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Lord of the Rings Characters Illustrated as Tarot Cards
By on August 23, 2013
Russia-based artist SceithAilm has illustrated various characters from The Lord of the Rings as tarot cards. To see the rest of the collection, head over to her DeviantART gallery.
images via
Aug 23, 2013
Remember 2006, A Video Compilation of Popular Culture From 2006
By on August 22, 2013
Siminz, also known as
World’s First Vending Machine To Make Hot Belgian Frites
By on August 22, 2013
In just 95 seconds, this coin-operated vending machine can fry up an individual serving of hot frites –using beef fat not vegetable oil– on demand. Each serving comes in a paper cup with a fork and is offered with either mayonnaise or ketchup. The machine is a creation of Belgian company BreakTime Solutions and is located at the entrance of a supermarket in Brussels.
photo 1 by Nicolas Maeterlinck
Aug 22, 2013
The Video Dating Tape of Desmondo Ray, Aged 33 & 3/4, A Live-Action and Animated Short Film by Steve Baker
By on August 21, 2013
“The Video Dating Tape of Desmondo Ray, Aged 33 & 3/4” is a combination live-action and animated short by Steve Baker about the video dating tape of Desmondo Ray. Steve says, “I met a very interesting fellow recently. His name is Desmondo Ray, and this is his video dating tape
Artist Plans To Transform Bridges Into ‘Human Harps’
By on August 21, 2013
For her “Human Harp” project, artist and researcher Di Mainstone plans to transform bridges around the world into instrumental sculptures that will allow anyone to “play” them. In collaboration with Queen Mary University of London, she is hoping to bring this unique sound and movement installation to the reopening of New York City’s Brooklyn Bridge in 2014. The Creators Project recently featured Mainstone in a short documentary film that describes her project more in-depth.
Aug 16, 2013
Serial Taxi, Short Animated Film About a Woman Afraid She is Riding With the Notorious Taxi Killer
By on August 16, 2013
“Serial Taxi” is a short animated film by 3D artist Paolo Cogliati about a “young business woman who takes a chilling ride and realizes her cab driver could be the notorious Taxi Killer.” Paolo produced his film at the Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida. The “Serial Taxi” soundtrack is available to download for free on SoundCloud.
The film took approximately one year to produce, starting from concept and story to final render and composite.
The story of “Serial Taxi” was actually based on a real experience Paolo had while visiting Russia. Although he came across no killers, a particular taxi driver that was supposed to take him to the airport (and eventually, thankfully did) behaved very much like Boris from the film.
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8 Bit Cinema – Blade Runner Retold in 120 Animated Seconds
By on August 15, 2013
CineFix has released a new episode of 8-Bit Cinema where the classic 1982 Ridley Scott sci-fi thriller film Blade Runner is retold in 120 animated seconds. It was created by filmmakers Norwood Cheek and David Dutton.
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ah,,,,,,,,yeah........
Religious People Branded As Less Intelligent Than Atheists In Provocative New Study
Are religious people less intelligent than atheists?
That's the provocative conclusion of a new review of 63 studies of intelligence and religion that span the past century. The meta-analysis showed that in 53 of the studies, conducted between 1928 to 2012, there was an inverse relation between religiosity -- having religious beliefs, or performing religious rituals -- and intelligence. That is, on average, non-believers scored higher than religious people on intelligence tests.
What might explain the effect?
Scientists behind studies included in the review most often suggested that "religious beliefs are irrational, not anchored in science, not testable and, therefore, unappealing to intelligent people who 'know better.'”
But the researchers who conducted the new meta-analysis say the answer is a bit more complicated. They suspect intelligent people might have less of a "need" for religion.
"Intelligence may also lead to greater self-control ability, self-esteem, perceived control over life events, and supportive relationships, obviating some of the benefits that religion sometimes provides," study co-author Jordan Silberman, a graduate student of neuroeconomics at the University of Rochester, told The Huffington Post in an email.
So if you're a believer, does this mean you're a dope?
"I'm sure there are intelligent religious people and unintelligent atheists out there," Silberman said in the email. "The findings pertain to the average intelligence of religious and non-religious people, but they don't necessarily apply to any single person. Knowing that a person is religious would not lead me to bet any money on whether or not the person is intelligent."
The researchers acknowledge the limitations of the meta-analysis. It did not look at type of religion, for example, or at the role culture might play in the interaction between religiosity and intelligence.
In addition, The Independent pointed out that the researchers used a narrow definition of intelligence. In the paper, intelligence is defined as “the ability to reason, plan, solve problems, think abstractly, comprehend complex ideas, learn quickly, and learn from experience." This excludes other forms of intelligence, like creative and emotional intelligence.
That's the provocative conclusion of a new review of 63 studies of intelligence and religion that span the past century. The meta-analysis showed that in 53 of the studies, conducted between 1928 to 2012, there was an inverse relation between religiosity -- having religious beliefs, or performing religious rituals -- and intelligence. That is, on average, non-believers scored higher than religious people on intelligence tests.
What might explain the effect?
Scientists behind studies included in the review most often suggested that "religious beliefs are irrational, not anchored in science, not testable and, therefore, unappealing to intelligent people who 'know better.'”
But the researchers who conducted the new meta-analysis say the answer is a bit more complicated. They suspect intelligent people might have less of a "need" for religion.
"Intelligence may also lead to greater self-control ability, self-esteem, perceived control over life events, and supportive relationships, obviating some of the benefits that religion sometimes provides," study co-author Jordan Silberman, a graduate student of neuroeconomics at the University of Rochester, told The Huffington Post in an email.
So if you're a believer, does this mean you're a dope?
The researchers acknowledge the limitations of the meta-analysis. It did not look at type of religion, for example, or at the role culture might play in the interaction between religiosity and intelligence.
In addition, The Independent pointed out that the researchers used a narrow definition of intelligence. In the paper, intelligence is defined as “the ability to reason, plan, solve problems, think abstractly, comprehend complex ideas, learn quickly, and learn from experience." This excludes other forms of intelligence, like creative and emotional intelligence.
Shittens......
“‘Cause poop is gross.”
In February 2013, we wrote about a concept for disposable mittens that protect your hands from poop called Shittens. Lo and behold, these fecal-free moist wipe mittens are now available to buy online
Aug 15, 2013
Cory Doctorow at 12:55 pm • 12 
• 
An anonymous Internet fellow had the back of his scalp tattooed with a rather fetching angry monkey. I'm not sure if he had his head shaved and inked, or if this is male-pattern baldness, but I would appreciate any background you could provide in our comments.
• An anonymous Internet fellow had the back of his scalp tattooed with a rather fetching angry monkey. I'm not sure if he had his head shaved and inked, or if this is male-pattern baldness, but I would appreciate any background you could provide in our comments.
Cory Doctorow at 6:13 pm • 9 •
This pair of striking images of teeth colonized by ambitious antiquarian architecture are part of a campaign for Maxam toothpaste from JWT Shanghai; the slogan is "Don't let germs settle down."
• This pair of striking images of teeth colonized by ambitious antiquarian architecture are part of a campaign for Maxam toothpaste from JWT Shanghai; the slogan is "Don't let germs settle down." Aug 14, 2013
Elaborate Dioramas Populated by Fish-Headed Figures
By on August 13, 2013
In her ongoing series “Les Temps Modernes” (“Modern Times”), French artist Anne-Catherine Becker-Echivard creates elaborate dioramas of everyday life that are populated by human-like figures with fish heads. Each diorama takes up to three months to build. When the diorama is finished, Becker-Echivard purchases fresh fish, decapitates them, and adds them to the scene. The fish bodies are sent to the kitchen, where they become dinner. Becker-Echivard has been working on the series since 1997.
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Nihilist Toothpaste Has ‘No Flavor, No Color, Nothing’
By on August 13, 2013
Nihilist Toothpaste is a tube of plain, flavorless toothpaste wrapped up in stark minimalist packaging. If you’d like to brush with a “big dollop of reality,” it’s available at Archie McPhee.
We don’t believe in dental hygiene
Nihilism is a philosophy defined by what it doesn’t believe. At its most extreme, Nihilists don’t believe in anything. So, when we decided to make toothpaste for nihilists, we decided that it shouldn’t taste like anything because they don’t believe in flavor. Brushing your teeth with Nihilist Toothpaste is really brushing them with a big dollop of reality. This is a perfect present for your favorite philosopher, a moody teenager or a fan of The Big Lebowski.
Aug 9, 2013
Better Book Titles For Children’s Books With Questionable Morals
By on August 8, 2013
Comedian Dan Wilbur has renamed a number of children’s books that contain questionable and sometimes downright unsavory morals for his blog, Better Book Titles. Previously we posted about the website, which “improves” famous book titles with jokes relevant to the text. You can find more Better Children’s Book Titles at the blog.
images via Better Book Titles
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Guillermo of ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ Crashes Matt Damon Interview
By on August 8, 2013
Earlier in the week, Matt Damon took over Jimmy Kimmel Live and renamed the show “Jimmy Kimmel Sucks.” To get his sweet revenge, Jimmy sent show regular Guillermo Rodriguez out to crash an interview with Matt Damon while he was promoting his upcoming sci-fi film Elysium.
Here is the clip of Matt Damon taking over Jimmy’s show:
Aug 8, 2013
Bad Chemistry, Chemical Diagrams Break Down Characters From ‘Breaking Bad’
By on August 7, 2013
Walter White | Tyrant
The creative folks at Shutterstock have made “Bad Chemistry,” a series of chemical diagrams that break down the characteristics of individual characters from Breaking Bad. You can view more diagrams from this collection, which were created “using assets from the Shutterstock library,” at The Shutterstock Blog.
Part two of Breaking Bad‘s final season kicks off in just a few days, and we’re growing increasingly anxious, wondering where the end will take us. For four-and-a-half seasons, we’ve watched the characters grow and change, with no transformation as significant as Walter White’s own personal journey from meek and innocent to ruthless and evil. Years of watching Breaking Bad has taught us which chemical elements combine to make meth, and now, as we await the show’s denouement, we decided to break down the characters in the same way.
Jesse Pinkman | Outcast
Walter White Jr. | Hungry
Gus Fring | Two-Faced Tyrant
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A White Walker and Other ‘Game of Thrones’ Characters as 1980s and 1990s Stereotypes
By on August 7, 2013
Tokyo-based graphic designer Mike Wrobel has continued his project of redesigning Game of Thrones characters as stereotypes from the 1980s and 1990s. All of the illustrations so far are available to purchase as prints, t-shirts, and iPhone cases from Wrobel’s society6 shop. Previously we’ve posted about several other installments of the project, and you can view more of the illustrations on Wrobel’s blog.
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