Here's one for Daiv:
Devo whips up classic tracks for kids
"A new generation of music fans will get hip to one of new wave's most iconic acts through Devo 2.0.
"For the project, all five members of Devo regrouped to re-record some of its best known songs, including the 1980 hit 'Whip It!' with vocals provided by a quintet of kids. Also included will be 'Cyclops' and 'The Winner,' the first new studio tracks from Devo in nearly two decades.
"The 'Devo 2.0' CD is due March 17 via Disney Sound, a family-oriented division of Walt Disney Records. A companion DVD will feature animated and live-action videos for each of the tracks directed by Devo bassist Gerry Casale.
"Disney Sound was inaugurated with the January release of Grammy-winning alt-rock duo They Might Be Giants' 'Here Come the ABCs' on CD and DVD, which have sold more than 100,000 combined in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan."
Sunday, January 01, 2006
Wil McCarthy's Hacking Matter
Download a PDF copy of Wil McCarthy's science book Hacking Matter. There is sure to be something of interest for those of you who want a little bleeding edge ultratech in your games.
Wil McCarthy's Hacking Matter
"The Flick of a switch: A wall becomes a window becomes a hologram generator. Any chair becomes a hypercomputer, any rooftop a power or waste treatment plant.
"Programmable matter is probably not the next technological revolution, nor even perhaps the one after that. But it's coming, and when it does, it will change our lives as much as any invention ever has. Imagine being able to program matter itself--to change it, with the click of a cursor, from hard to soft, from paper to stone, from fluorescent to super-reflective to invisible. Supported by companies ranging from Levi Strauss to IBM and the Defense Department, solid-state physicists in laboratories at MIT, Harvard, Sun Microsystems, and elsewhere are currently creating arrays of microscopic devices called "quantum dots" that are capable of acting like programmable atoms. They can be configured electronically to replicate the properties of any known atom and then can be changed, as fast as an electrical signal can travel, to have the properties of a different atom. Soon it will be possible not only to engineer into solid matter such unnatural properties as variable magnetism, programmable flavors, or exotic chemical bonds, but also to change these properties at will.
"Wil McCarthy visits the laboratories and talks with the researchers who are developing this extraordinary technology; describes how they are learning to control its electronic, optical, thermal, magnetic, and mechanical properties; and tells us where all this will lead. The possibilities are truly magical.
"Wil McCarthy is a novelist, the science columnist for the SciFi channel, and the Chief Technology Officer for Galileo Shipyards, an aerospace research corporation."
Wil McCarthy's Hacking Matter
"The Flick of a switch: A wall becomes a window becomes a hologram generator. Any chair becomes a hypercomputer, any rooftop a power or waste treatment plant.
"Programmable matter is probably not the next technological revolution, nor even perhaps the one after that. But it's coming, and when it does, it will change our lives as much as any invention ever has. Imagine being able to program matter itself--to change it, with the click of a cursor, from hard to soft, from paper to stone, from fluorescent to super-reflective to invisible. Supported by companies ranging from Levi Strauss to IBM and the Defense Department, solid-state physicists in laboratories at MIT, Harvard, Sun Microsystems, and elsewhere are currently creating arrays of microscopic devices called "quantum dots" that are capable of acting like programmable atoms. They can be configured electronically to replicate the properties of any known atom and then can be changed, as fast as an electrical signal can travel, to have the properties of a different atom. Soon it will be possible not only to engineer into solid matter such unnatural properties as variable magnetism, programmable flavors, or exotic chemical bonds, but also to change these properties at will.
"Wil McCarthy visits the laboratories and talks with the researchers who are developing this extraordinary technology; describes how they are learning to control its electronic, optical, thermal, magnetic, and mechanical properties; and tells us where all this will lead. The possibilities are truly magical.
"Wil McCarthy is a novelist, the science columnist for the SciFi channel, and the Chief Technology Officer for Galileo Shipyards, an aerospace research corporation."
Saturday, December 31, 2005
What Celebrity Do You Look Like?
Upload a picture of yourself and let their facial recognition software tell you what celebrity that you look like.
What Celebrity Do You Look Like?
Happy New Year, folks!
What Celebrity Do You Look Like?
Happy New Year, folks!
Top Scientists Validating the Supernatural Universe
Top Scientists Validating the Supernatural Universe
"The Field tells the story of a group of frontier scientists who discovered that the Zero Point Field - an ocean of subatomic vibrations in the space between things - connects everything in the universe, much like the Force in Star Wars."
"The Field tells the story of a group of frontier scientists who discovered that the Zero Point Field - an ocean of subatomic vibrations in the space between things - connects everything in the universe, much like the Force in Star Wars."
Monday, December 19, 2005
Author of Roswell 'flying saucer' news release dies - Dec 19, 2005
Author of Roswell 'flying saucer' news release dies - Dec 19, 2005
"Army Lt. Walter Haut, who issued a news release in 1947 that said a flying saucer landed in Roswell, died there Thursday, his daughter, Julie Shuster, said. He was 83.
"Haut, a former spokesman for the Roswell Army Air Field, took dictation on July 8, 1947, as base commander Col. William Blanchard dictated a news release about a recovered flying saucer and ordered Haut to issue it.
"The Roswell Daily Record newspaper ran a bold headline on July 9, 1947: 'RAAF Captures Flying Saucer on Ranch in Roswell Region.'
"The same day, a statement was released saying it was only a weather balloon." [via Jonny] [CNN.com has popups]
"Army Lt. Walter Haut, who issued a news release in 1947 that said a flying saucer landed in Roswell, died there Thursday, his daughter, Julie Shuster, said. He was 83.
"Haut, a former spokesman for the Roswell Army Air Field, took dictation on July 8, 1947, as base commander Col. William Blanchard dictated a news release about a recovered flying saucer and ordered Haut to issue it.
"The Roswell Daily Record newspaper ran a bold headline on July 9, 1947: 'RAAF Captures Flying Saucer on Ranch in Roswell Region.'
"The same day, a statement was released saying it was only a weather balloon." [via Jonny] [CNN.com has popups]
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Lifehack Your Books: Dogear, Writing In Books, and Apologizing to Librarians
I'm really not sure if I would be able to do this myself, but it is something that is interesting to pass along. Pristine books are something of a fault among geeks, I think.
Lifehack Your Books: Dogear, Writing In Books, and Apologizing to Librarians
"First, I want to apologize to librarians and to make clear that what I’m about to say applies only to books you’ve bought for yourself. See, since libraries and books that our parents bought for us are our primary mode of book access in childhood, we grow up with a set of norms for how we interact with books. Because all of those books are expected to remain in as pristine of shape as possible for as long as possible, we have a set of rules in our heads.
"1. Never write in books
"2. Never dogear pages (fold over the corner)
"3. Keep dustjackets on the books and add them via bookcovers if they don’t have them.
"And, for textbooks, books that your younger siblings need to use later, and library books, those rules are necessary to ensure that the books last long enough to be useful to as many people as possible. However, for books bought for individual use, these rules aren’t necessary. If you adhere to them religiously for your own books (most of which couldn’t possibly wear out via normal use), you’re missing out on some of the best methods for getting the most out of books.
"I personally believe that there is no greater respect that can be shown a book than by using it."
Lifehack Your Books: Dogear, Writing In Books, and Apologizing to Librarians
"First, I want to apologize to librarians and to make clear that what I’m about to say applies only to books you’ve bought for yourself. See, since libraries and books that our parents bought for us are our primary mode of book access in childhood, we grow up with a set of norms for how we interact with books. Because all of those books are expected to remain in as pristine of shape as possible for as long as possible, we have a set of rules in our heads.
"1. Never write in books
"2. Never dogear pages (fold over the corner)
"3. Keep dustjackets on the books and add them via bookcovers if they don’t have them.
"And, for textbooks, books that your younger siblings need to use later, and library books, those rules are necessary to ensure that the books last long enough to be useful to as many people as possible. However, for books bought for individual use, these rules aren’t necessary. If you adhere to them religiously for your own books (most of which couldn’t possibly wear out via normal use), you’re missing out on some of the best methods for getting the most out of books.
"I personally believe that there is no greater respect that can be shown a book than by using it."
Dean Gray Tuesday
Edit: The nice folks at Webfeed Central are hosting the MP3s for American Edit here, on their website. Viva Internet freedom. This is a great piece of production work, I really recommend checking it out. (1/1/06)
"Dean Gray" is two talented DJs (Party Ben and Team9) who created an incredible mashup "album" (this album was released only as MP3s over the internet for non-commercial use) and was smacked down by Warner Records 10 days later, for copy-right infringement.
Please note, if you came to this site via a search engine Dorkland! is not hosting the American Edit MP3s, but you can find a link to the AmericanEdit.org site to direct you to the downloads. I've got a copy of American Edit that I burned to CD this past week, and I have to say that it is one of the most brilliant mashups that I have come across in quiet a while.
Today is Dean Gray Tuesday, and to protest the actions of Warner Records a number of websites around the world are hosting the files until midnight tonight. Check them out for yourself. Of particular interest to followers of Dorkland would be the song "Dr. Who on Holiday." Here is the press release about today:
"About Dean Gray Tuesday
"Only 10 days after its release, the mash-up album American Edit, which pays tribute to the acclaimed Green Day album American Idiot through some of the best mash-up productions of 2005, was shut down reportedly after received a cease & desist order from Green Day's label, Warner records, despite the fact that it was released as an internet only release with no commercial gain for the team of mash-up artists involved. In fact, the only possible profit to be made from the release was a plea from the creators of the album (known only by the shared alias Dean Gray) for fans who enjoyed the creation to donate to one of three possible charities that Green Day have been known to support. Furthermore, the mash-up versions were such fantastic productions that they were truly a departure from the standard Green Day performances and would not compete for consumptive dollars.
"We hope to mobilize the online Mash-Up community by organizing a simple one-day organized event. Participants would be asked to post the American Edit album online for 24 hours only starting on Tuesday, December 13, at 12:00AM. Doing so is not intended to be a mass organization of music piracy but, rather, one single display of the consumptive power of the mash-up and home remix community in the hopes of encouraging the labels, publishers and artists who are curious about the mash-up community to consider giving the high quality productions of 'illegitimate' music a legitimate consideration as a promotional avenue for all music.
"We also hope to encourage club DJs and radio DJs to air portions of the American Edit release on 'Gray' Tuesday and refer to this site by reporting their planned airplay in advance."
Check out the AmericanEdit.org site for the sites who are hosting the album, as well as more information about Dean Gray Tuesday and the American Edit phenomenon.
"Dean Gray" is two talented DJs (Party Ben and Team9) who created an incredible mashup "album" (this album was released only as MP3s over the internet for non-commercial use) and was smacked down by Warner Records 10 days later, for copy-right infringement.
Please note, if you came to this site via a search engine Dorkland! is not hosting the American Edit MP3s, but you can find a link to the AmericanEdit.org site to direct you to the downloads. I've got a copy of American Edit that I burned to CD this past week, and I have to say that it is one of the most brilliant mashups that I have come across in quiet a while.
Today is Dean Gray Tuesday, and to protest the actions of Warner Records a number of websites around the world are hosting the files until midnight tonight. Check them out for yourself. Of particular interest to followers of Dorkland would be the song "Dr. Who on Holiday." Here is the press release about today:
"About Dean Gray Tuesday
"Only 10 days after its release, the mash-up album American Edit, which pays tribute to the acclaimed Green Day album American Idiot through some of the best mash-up productions of 2005, was shut down reportedly after received a cease & desist order from Green Day's label, Warner records, despite the fact that it was released as an internet only release with no commercial gain for the team of mash-up artists involved. In fact, the only possible profit to be made from the release was a plea from the creators of the album (known only by the shared alias Dean Gray) for fans who enjoyed the creation to donate to one of three possible charities that Green Day have been known to support. Furthermore, the mash-up versions were such fantastic productions that they were truly a departure from the standard Green Day performances and would not compete for consumptive dollars.
"We hope to mobilize the online Mash-Up community by organizing a simple one-day organized event. Participants would be asked to post the American Edit album online for 24 hours only starting on Tuesday, December 13, at 12:00AM. Doing so is not intended to be a mass organization of music piracy but, rather, one single display of the consumptive power of the mash-up and home remix community in the hopes of encouraging the labels, publishers and artists who are curious about the mash-up community to consider giving the high quality productions of 'illegitimate' music a legitimate consideration as a promotional avenue for all music.
"We also hope to encourage club DJs and radio DJs to air portions of the American Edit release on 'Gray' Tuesday and refer to this site by reporting their planned airplay in advance."
Check out the AmericanEdit.org site for the sites who are hosting the album, as well as more information about Dean Gray Tuesday and the American Edit phenomenon.
Monday, December 12, 2005
Who watches the watchers?
I think that this is the telling line: When did entertainment turn so dark? I would further specify that question by asking When did comic books turn so dark? Obviously, the turning point came in 1986 with the Watchmen and The Dark Knight: Batman Returns.
Be warned that this is a review of a comic book that appears on a website with a pretty conservative political agenda to it. I would consider that on its own to be fairly ironic. However, when you add to this irony the fact that the reviewer complains about the lack of female characters in the story.
Who watches the watchers?
"Why do contemporary artists all seem to think the end of the world is nigh? Why has art become a thing of ugliness, instead of light? With all the beautiful things we see every day, the delicacy of a flower, the turn of a woman's arm, the grace of a bird in flight, we are treated only to the bizarre and horrid by our artists. These days we see sculptures that look like molecular mistakes writ large. We live in architecture that appears like a jumble of blocks thrown to the ground in the midst of a temper tantrum by a gigantic, petulant child. We view paintings that appear more accidental than planned. We have movies full of violence and anti-social behavior. On the radio we hear music that celebrates all the worst in man. We even have comic books that belittle heroism, that deconstruct the good and exceptional turning their heroes as cartoonishly flawed as the most obscene head case on the Jerry Springer Show.
"When did entertainment turn so dark?
"In the field of comic books, a 12 part series called Watchmen, created by the writer as a political commentary on its time, was hailed as having 'transcended its origins,' becoming a watershed in comics entertainment. This series, published in 1986, was at the front edge of a wave of comics in the early and mid 1980s that attempted to demolish the heroes of the past and replace them with a post-hero world of darkness and pessimism.
"So why talk about a comic book from 1986 now? With a motion picture under development and time Magazine placing the series on its top 100 novels Watchmen is being brought back into prominence, and now seems like a good time to re-visit the series. Since it is claimed that it had so changed the comic book industry, let's give it a look with fresh, more critical eyes."
Be warned that this is a review of a comic book that appears on a website with a pretty conservative political agenda to it. I would consider that on its own to be fairly ironic. However, when you add to this irony the fact that the reviewer complains about the lack of female characters in the story.
Who watches the watchers?
"Why do contemporary artists all seem to think the end of the world is nigh? Why has art become a thing of ugliness, instead of light? With all the beautiful things we see every day, the delicacy of a flower, the turn of a woman's arm, the grace of a bird in flight, we are treated only to the bizarre and horrid by our artists. These days we see sculptures that look like molecular mistakes writ large. We live in architecture that appears like a jumble of blocks thrown to the ground in the midst of a temper tantrum by a gigantic, petulant child. We view paintings that appear more accidental than planned. We have movies full of violence and anti-social behavior. On the radio we hear music that celebrates all the worst in man. We even have comic books that belittle heroism, that deconstruct the good and exceptional turning their heroes as cartoonishly flawed as the most obscene head case on the Jerry Springer Show.
"When did entertainment turn so dark?
"In the field of comic books, a 12 part series called Watchmen, created by the writer as a political commentary on its time, was hailed as having 'transcended its origins,' becoming a watershed in comics entertainment. This series, published in 1986, was at the front edge of a wave of comics in the early and mid 1980s that attempted to demolish the heroes of the past and replace them with a post-hero world of darkness and pessimism.
"So why talk about a comic book from 1986 now? With a motion picture under development and time Magazine placing the series on its top 100 novels Watchmen is being brought back into prominence, and now seems like a good time to re-visit the series. Since it is claimed that it had so changed the comic book industry, let's give it a look with fresh, more critical eyes."
Oh No Robot comics search
It was bound to happen sooner or later. Someone has come up with a search engine for webcomics. This probably means that it is time for one of my perrrenial catch-ups with Something*Positive.
Oh No Robot comics search
Let me know if you like how it works.
Oh No Robot comics search
Let me know if you like how it works.
Ultimate Avengers Animated Movie - Feb. 06
Here's some interesting news for fans of the Avengers/the Ultimates. I doubt if the storyline will be quite as extreme as the Ultimates comic, but it could still be good.
Here's also a link to some screenshots.
Ultimate Avengers Animated Movie - Feb. 06
"Press Release on the Animated Avengers DVD
"Source: Marvel Enterprises, Lions Gate Home Entertainment
"July 19, 2004
"Lions Gate and Marvel have made The Avengers DVD official with the following announcement this morning:
"Marvel Enterprises and Lions Gate's Family Home Entertainment, a division of Lions Gate Entertainment, have announced that the first title to be released through their recent made-for-DVD agreement will be 'The Avengers'(TM). The first installment of the multi-picture home video deal, the animated feature will cast some of Marvel's most popular Super Heroes including Captain America(TM), The Hulk(TM), Iron Man(TM), and Thor(TM). Production on 'The Avengers' home video release -- which will be based on the best-selling Marvel Comics series 'The Ultimates' -- has already commenced. The animated feature will be distributed by Lions Gate Home Entertainment and available in stores in early 2006.
"'The Avengers' are a super hero team for the ages which combines many of Marvel's most popular and enduring characters into one cohesive unit,' said David Maisel, President and COO, Marvel Studios. 'They are a natural choice to launch Marvel into the fast growing made-for-DVD marketplace.'
"Glenn Ross, President, Lions Gate Family Home Entertainment, added, 'Production on this new title marks the next chapter in our ongoing relationship with Marvel. We're excited to be able to bring high quality animation and compelling stories to a very rich cast of top Marvel characters that will satisfy both the hard core Marvel fan as well as a broader audience that is looking for great action hero entertainment.'
"Marvel and Lions Gate plan to develop, produce and distribute eight original animated made-for-DVD features based upon the extensive Marvel character library. Marvel is spearheading development and production with Lions Gate handling marketing and distribution. This agreement builds upon the existing theatrical relationship between Lions Gate and Marvel, under which Lions Gate released 'The Punisher'(TM) to theatres earlier this year, starring Thomas Jane, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos and John Travolta, and is currently developing theatrical film releases for Marvel's 'Iron Fist'(TM) and 'Black Widow'(TM) characters."
Thanks Jonny!
Here's also a link to some screenshots.
Ultimate Avengers Animated Movie - Feb. 06
"Press Release on the Animated Avengers DVD
"Source: Marvel Enterprises, Lions Gate Home Entertainment
"July 19, 2004
"Lions Gate and Marvel have made The Avengers DVD official with the following announcement this morning:
"Marvel Enterprises and Lions Gate's Family Home Entertainment, a division of Lions Gate Entertainment, have announced that the first title to be released through their recent made-for-DVD agreement will be 'The Avengers'(TM). The first installment of the multi-picture home video deal, the animated feature will cast some of Marvel's most popular Super Heroes including Captain America(TM), The Hulk(TM), Iron Man(TM), and Thor(TM). Production on 'The Avengers' home video release -- which will be based on the best-selling Marvel Comics series 'The Ultimates' -- has already commenced. The animated feature will be distributed by Lions Gate Home Entertainment and available in stores in early 2006.
"'The Avengers' are a super hero team for the ages which combines many of Marvel's most popular and enduring characters into one cohesive unit,' said David Maisel, President and COO, Marvel Studios. 'They are a natural choice to launch Marvel into the fast growing made-for-DVD marketplace.'
"Glenn Ross, President, Lions Gate Family Home Entertainment, added, 'Production on this new title marks the next chapter in our ongoing relationship with Marvel. We're excited to be able to bring high quality animation and compelling stories to a very rich cast of top Marvel characters that will satisfy both the hard core Marvel fan as well as a broader audience that is looking for great action hero entertainment.'
"Marvel and Lions Gate plan to develop, produce and distribute eight original animated made-for-DVD features based upon the extensive Marvel character library. Marvel is spearheading development and production with Lions Gate handling marketing and distribution. This agreement builds upon the existing theatrical relationship between Lions Gate and Marvel, under which Lions Gate released 'The Punisher'(TM) to theatres earlier this year, starring Thomas Jane, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos and John Travolta, and is currently developing theatrical film releases for Marvel's 'Iron Fist'(TM) and 'Black Widow'(TM) characters."
Thanks Jonny!
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