Clipmarks | Patty2007's CURIOSITIES collection

Banned Textbook in Brazil

Thu, 20 Sep 2007 21:35:21 GMT

clipped by: brazilnut72
clipper's remarks: The fact that this book was banned is amazing. It must have had some real off-the-wall stuff to get banned in Brazil. The leftists have almost total control of the educational system here.

Clip Source: www.businessweek.com

The editor of an eighth-grade text book that praises the Soviet Union, Mao Zedong and Cuba's communist government is crying foul after the Brazilian government stopped using the book in public schools.

Tags: brazil, brazilian, leftist, communist, mao, fidel castro

Meet Albert, the skinny albino badger

Wed, 19 Sep 2007 06:35:46 GMT

clipped by: michellezm

Clip Source: www.dailymail.co.uk

Sometimes you have to earn your stipes.

And it seems this aged badger has dramatically failed.

The elderly gentlemen - nicknamed Albert - is lacking the usual trademark decorations of his relatives.

He is, in fact, an extremely rare pure albino specimen.

Thought to be five years old, Albert - who is completely white with red eyes - was bought to a rescue centre two weeks ago severely underweight and suffering from a bite wound to his rear.

He also has worn-out teeth, deteriorating vision and a few aches and pains - but these are only to be expected in any mature individual.

Despite his ailments, staff at the Secret World Wildlife Centre near Highbridge, Somerset, are determined to nurse him back to health.

Fed on a calorific diet of peanut butter and jam sandwiches, custard creams and the odd can of dog food, Albert should reach the desired weight of 12kg in the next few weeks.

He'll then be sett to be released back into the wild - albeit in his unusual camouflage.

Tags: animals, badgers, fauna, zoology, creatures

Harvesting Power from the Ocean

Sat, 15 Sep 2007 09:21:59 GMT

clipped by: Moonowler

Clip Source: www.technologyreview.com

Researchers from SRI International, based in Menlo Park, CA, recently completed the first ocean tests of a system that uses a so-called artificial muscle to generate power from the motion of a buoy riding up and down on the waves. Although the prototype produces very little electricity, the researchers say that wave farms based on the technology could eventually rival wind turbines in power output, providing a significant source of clean energy.

Wave power: A buoy that generates electricity from the motion of waves. The clear cylinder in the middle of the buoy (see bottom image) contains a roll of rubberlike material that stretches and contracts as the buoy bobs up and down, separating and bringing together electrodes.
Credit: SRI International

Tags: computers, global warming, water

Top 10 physically modified people

Sat, 25 Aug 2007 18:17:21 GMT

clipped by: monstersmom

Clip Source: www.deputy-dog.com

top 10 physically modified people

10. leopard man

9. etienne dumont

8. rick genest

7. the illustrated lady

6. elaine davidson

5. kala kaiwi

4. pauly unstoppable (bme page)

3. the lizardman (website)

2. lucky diamond rich (website)

1. stalking cat (website)

Tags: body modification, tattoos, piercings, unusual people, top 10

Woman has 1896 map of home town tattooed on her back

Tue, 10 Jul 2007 03:45:31 GMT

clipped by: adamc
clipper's remarks: Talk about showing your love of home. I wonder how many times someone has approached her for directions and she's pulled up her shirt for them.

Clip Source: strangemaps.wordpress.com

“I wanted something unique, something nobody else had. But every idea I had – it had already been done,” says Britta Oelschlaeger. The 33-year-old photographer, who hails from the city of Hannover, knew she wanted a large tattoo on her back.

Oelschlaeger’s daughter is absolutely thrilled with her mom’s cool and original tattoo. Hannover is the capital city of Lower Saxony, one of Germany’s constituent Länder. 1896 happens to be the founding year of Hannover 96, Oelschlaeger’s favourite football club.

Tags: tattoo, hannover

Reality Lord of the Flies

Thu, 17 May 2007 04:30:44 GMT

clipped by: adamc
clipper's remarks: Drop a bunch of kids in an abandoned town and see if they get crazy enough to make some must-see TV. Yes, it's exploitative and a frightening snapshot of our voyeuristic society, but how can you not watch this?

Clip Source: www.variety.com

CBS is ready to unleash a reality take on "Lord of the Flies," quietly wrapping filming on a new skein in which a group of 8- to 15-year-olds will create their own society.

Rather than surviving on an island, the kiddies relocated to Bonanza City, N.M., a ghost town abandoned more than a century ago.

Goal for the kids is to build a functional society. They have to pass laws, choose leaders and build an economy.

Unlike most reality shows, there will be no mandated eliminations. Kids can go home when they want to.

Tags: tv, television, lord of the flies, cbs, kids, children, kid nation