Clipmarks | arifsali's Comments

Sixteenth-century "skyscrapers" in Yemen

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 01:56:17 GMT

clipped by: enbar
clipper's remarks: Mud-brick buildings, four to five hundred years old, mostly seven to nine stories. Good photos.

Clip Source: www.toxel.com

World’s Oldest Skyscrapers

Shibam, a town in Hadramawt, Yemen, is considered to have the world’s oldest skyscrapers. It has about 7,000 inhabitants and all of the town’s house are made out of mud bricks. Some of these structures rise 5 to 9 stories high.

This technique of building was implemented in order to protect residents from Bedouin attacks. While Shibam has existed for around 2,000 years, most of the city’s houses come mainly from the 16th century.

Shibam is often called “the Manhattan of the desert”.

Tags: via:friendfeed, architecture, photos, cool, random_sh!t, middle_east

Ideas for Clipmarks?

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 23:27:44 GMT

clipped by: arifsali
clipper's remarks: I think it's been a while since anyone has done it, so let me see if I can start something up. Others can follow.

I would like to see on Clipmarks....

A list of 'Most active Clippers'
A list of Clippers with most followers
Simple interface with less drop down lists
A list of Clippers currently browsing Clipmarks
Ways to further decrease time it takes to clip, i.e, reduce clicks anywhere possible.
More RSS integration, i.e., see if Clipmarks can auto-clip latest interesting news/feeds.

More later.

Clip Source: clipmarks.com

How to clipmark video

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 23:36:43 GMT

clipped by: Birchbark

Clip Source: clipmarks.com

[Video]

Tags: clipmarks

Residents Upset Over Group's Distribution of Qurans

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 21:20:07 GMT

clipped by: Smoke TNT
clipper's remarks: I see nothing wrong with the Quran distribution here, it's not being forced on anyone or given away in schools or such. This just a lot of unnecessary whining. Take it, read it, throw it away, whatever.

“If we went into a Muslim country and left a bible, we would be in prison and then decapitated a few years later,”

But we are not in a Muslim country!

Clip Source: www.myfoxhouston.com

HOUSTON -- The distribution of Qurans in a southwest Houston neighborhood has some residents worried about the motives of the group who dispersed the Islamic book.

An English translation of the Quran began appearing two weeks ago on the doorsteps of hundred of homes in the BraesTimbers neighborhood. The books came in plastic bags with a note attached from the ‘Book of Signs Foundation’ asking recipients to accept the Quran as a gift from the Muslim community.

Quran

But some residents, like Greg and Sue Ann Pieri, said they feared the group is imposing its beliefs on non-Muslims and found the gesture offensive.

“If we went into a Muslim country and left a bible, we would be in prison and then decapitated a few years later,” said Sue Ann Pieri, who chose not to destroy the book like other neighbors did.

The Book of Signs Foundation claims to have distributed 30,000 Qurans in Houston, targeting neighborhoods believed to be most receptive of the Quran

Tags: islam, muslims, texas

Limbaugh: I am defender of Corporate America

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 05:40:43 GMT

clipped by: masbury
clipper's remarks: An unashamed cadre of the corporatocracy

Clip Source: thinkprogress.org

Limbaugh: ‘I consider myself a defender of corporate America.’»

right-wing radio talker Rush Limbaugh declares himself “the intellectual engine of the conservative movement.” Described by reporter Zev Chafets as “less a theoretician than a popularizer”

“I consider myself a defender of corporate America.” Limbaugh’s claim is supported by the aggressive manner in which he acts as a “pitchman” for products on his show:

Some simply run their usual ads. Others use Limbaugh as their pitchman, which costs them a premium and a long-term commitment. And lately he has created a new option. At a much higher rate he will weave a product into his monologue (To a caller who said he took two showers after voting for Clinton in Operation Chaos, Limbaugh responded: “If you had followed my advice and gotten a Rinnai tankless water heater, you wouldn’t have needed to take two showers. And I’ll tell you why. . . .”)

Tags: limbaugh, media

Rafal Oblinski Images

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 08:56:46 GMT

clipped by: JohnWaterman

Clip Source: www.tendreams.org

Are Muslims allowed to hide their faith?

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 03:06:45 GMT

clipped by: missjackson

Clip Source: www.slate.com

Yes, if you're a Shiite; maybe, if you're a Sunni. According to Chapter 16, Verse 106 of the Quran, "Any one who, after accepting faith in Allah, utters Unbelief—except under compulsion, his heart remaining firm in Faith—but such as open their breast to Unbelief, on them is Wrath from Allah, and theirs will be a dreadful Penalty." Shiites cite this verse to justify taqiyya

The difference in interpretation may have to do with the historical relationship between the two Islamic sects. Since Shiites make up just 15 percent of the global Muslim population, they have sometimes faced persecution as a minority group.

As a result, Shiite leaders have for centuries allowed followers to dissimulate publicly rather than face discrimination.

Some Muslims would argue that it's better to run away than hide your faith, citing Chapter 4, Verse 97 of the Quran:

Outside the Islamic world, there are two major historical examples of Muslims practicing taqiyya.

Moriscos

Aljamiado

LIMBAUGH SIGNS THROUGH 2016;

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:13:49 GMT

clipped by: reddogiedog
clipper's remarks: $400 MILLION DEAL SHATTERS BROADCAST RECORDS

Clip Source: www.drudgereport.com

LIMBAUGH SIGNS THROUGH 2016; $400 MILLION DEAL SHATTERS BROADCAST RECORDS

The American broadcast industry is rocked, realigned and blasted into a new orbit, yet again, by Rush Limbaugh, the DRUDGE REPORT has learned.

In what is being described as an unprecedented radio contract, Limbaugh will keep his syndicated show on-the-air and e-v-e-r-y-w-h-e-r-e through 2016 with CLEAR CHANNEL and PREMIERE RADIO.

Already host of the most lucrative hours since radio's inception, Limbaugh's total package is valued north of $400 million, according to media insiders.

The NEW YORK TIMES will claim this weekend that Limbaugh, marking 20 years this summer as a national host, has secured a 9-figure signing bonus for the new deal, newsroom sources tell DRUDGE.

Tags: rush, limbaugh

Stunning Beijing Olympic Topiary Gardens

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:51:14 GMT

clipped by: Socratoad
clipper's remarks: More information at site.

For those of you who may wish to attend I'm quite sure you :will enjoy your visit to Beijing if you remember to take these tiny precautions: Don't drink the water and don't breath the air.

Clip Source: mail.google.com

Stunning Beijing Olympic Topiary Gardens

As the world’s gaze falls upon Beijing this summer, one of the most breathtaking sights to take in at the 29th Olympic Games is the dazzling botanical display for the Olympic Topiary Gardens of artistic garden sculptures — an exhibit depicting the beauty and value of biodiversity and ongoing efforts of 80 botanic gardens from more than 25 countries to preserve our natural plant heritage.

Infosys's Holographic Mobile Devices

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 19:31:53 GMT

clipped by: rj3sp
clipper's remarks: According a U.S. patent, granted by Infosys by 2010 the hansets will beam 3D films, games and virtual goods as holograpic images.
Infosys's device will be able to send and receive the 3D images, allowing for example 3D text messaging on an iPhone.

Clip Source: www.zdnet.com.au

ZDNet Australia - Where Technology Means Business

Holograms beamed to handsets by 2010

Holographic mobile handsets capable of projecting, capturing and sending 3D images have been developed by an Indian tech company.

The powerful onboard processor on the Infosys machine would build a series of 2D shots taken, for example, from a digital camera, into 3D holograms using algorithms called "Fourier" transformations to calculate the extra third dimension.

Clip Source: www.phonesreview.co.uk

Clip Source: patft.uspto.gov

United States Patent

Displaying holographic three dimensional images

Infosys Technologies Ltd. (Bangalore, IN)

Clip Source: www.futurenerd.net

How about sending and receiving text messages from your buddies in the holographic format on your iPhone (Steve Jobs sure has a futuristic mind). Take a look at this video you will get the idea.

[Video]

Tags: holographic, mobile, handsets, 3d, infosys, iphone

"Believe me, it's torture": Christopher Hitchens gets waterboarded

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 20:07:05 GMT

clipped by: enbar
clipper's remarks: Hitchens decided to experience waterboarding for himself. He lasts about twenty seconds and describes having nightmares and panic attacks ever since. Also check the video at http://snipr.com/2sv2d

Clip Source: www.vanityfair.com

The author catches his breath after undergoing his first waterboarding session. Photographs by Gasper Tringale.

Believe Me, It’s Torture

by Christopher Hitchens

You may have read by now the official lie about this treatment, which is that it “simulates” the feeling of drowning. This is not the case. You feel that you are drowning because you are drowning—or, rather, being drowned, albeit slowly and under controlled conditions and at the mercy (or otherwise) of those who are applying the pressure. The “board” is the instrument, not the method. You are not being boarded. You are being watered. This was very rapidly brought home to me when, on top of the hood, which still admitted a few flashes of random and worrying strobe light to my vision, three layers of enveloping towel were added. In this pregnant darkness, head downward, I waited for a while until I abruptly felt a slow cascade of water going up my nose.

I don’t want to tell you how little time I lasted.

Tags: torture, gwot, journalism, violence

Social networking site divulges child's personal data

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 04:01:25 GMT

clipped by: A53GG4

Clip Source: www.latimes.com

Social networking site divulges child's personal data

David Lazarus:

Consumer Confidential

The CEO of Reunion.com, which just bought a huge database from a private supplier, has 'no idea' how the information got online.

July 2, 2008

Jane Yang, a 30-year-old marketing coordinator, was curious the other day to see what would turn up if she searched for herself on Reunion.com, a Los Angeles-based social networking site.

Sure enough, there was her name, which didn't bother the Oregon resident all that much. Nor was she particularly troubled that her husband's name was included under her "Friends & Family."

What did startle Yang was seeing the name of her 4-year-old son.

"That made me really, really angry and really worried," Yang told me. "I'm scared about predators out there."

Jeff Tinsley, Reunion.com's chief executive, said the company recently purchased records on millions of people from a data broker.

Reunion.com is no stranger to privacy issues.

Tags: social networking

Best Older Science Fiction Movies

Sat, 28 Jun 2008 15:02:54 GMT

clipped by: Djiezes
clipper's remarks: A personal selection. I also added some that I haven't seen yet, but of which I heard good things.
Feel free to add yours in the comments.

Clip Source: www.google.be

best Old

Science Fiction

Clip Source: www.imdb.com

A Clockwork Orange (1971)

Clip Source: www.imdb.com

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

Clip Source: www.imdb.com

Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)

Clip Source: www.imdb.com

Solyaris (1972)

Clip Source: www.imdb.com

Stalker (1979)

Clip Source: www.imdb.com

Fahrenheit 451 (1966)

Clip Source: www.imdb.com

Soylent Green (1973)

Clip Source: www.imdb.com

Nineteen Eighty-Four (1984)

Clip Source: www.imdb.com

THX 1138 (1971)

Clip Source: www.imdb.com

Videodrome (1983)

Clip Source: www.imdb.com

Westworld (1973)

Clip Source: www.imdb.com

Brazil (1985)

Clip Source: www.imdb.com

Barbarella (1968)

Clip Source: www.imdb.com

Forbidden Planet (1956)

Clip Source: www.imdb.com

Logan's Run (1976)

Clip Source: www.imdb.com

Slaughterhouse-Five (1972)

Clip Source: www.imdb.com

Sleeper (1973)

Clip Source: www.imdb.com

TRON (1982)

Clip Source: www.imdb.com

The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)

Clip Source: www.imdb.com

When Worlds Collide (1951)

Clip Source: www.imdb.com

The War of the Worlds (1953)

Clip Source: www.imdb.com

Star Wars

Clip Source: www.imdb.com

Blade Runner (1982)

Tags: movie, film, list, scifi, science fiction

What’s So Bad About Information Overload?

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 11:03:35 GMT

clipped by: wildcat
clipper's remarks: Is today’s onslaught of information a bane or a boon?

Clip Source: discussionleader.hbsp.com

It’s a topic of particular interest at Xerox, which feels partly responsible for the problem. After all, the company created one of the earliest sources of information overload: the photocopy machine, which permitted limitless reproduction of printed information and resulted in towering piles of interoffice memoranda in people's (physical, in that bygone era, rather than digital) in-boxes .

Possibly to help assuage corporate guilt for this near-original sin, the company has developed an array of products and services that help organizations and individuals more effectively manage, filter, and share information. One of the more unusual ones in development is self-erasing paper, to be used for “transient” documents with a prescribed period of utility

When the information on the document is at the end of its useful life, the ink disappears and the paper can be reused -- saving trees but also eliminating a clutter of unnecessary information.

Tags: information overload

Michio Kaku explains collisions at CERN

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 19:16:57 GMT

clipped by: arifsali
clipper's remarks: Scaremongers have warned that the collisions at Cern could unleash incalculable danger and perhaps even destroy the Earth. Michio Kaku puts some fears to rest

Clip Source: www.guardian.co.uk

media is correctly reporting that some physicists believe that the Large Hadron Collider might produce mini black holes in its collisions, and that black holes are in general so powerful that they can swallow up not just the Earth, but whole star systems. The media also correctly reported that physicists, when pressed, cannot completely dismiss the chance of being eaten alive by these mini black holes from the LHC.

These headlines may sell newspapers, but the media conveniently downplay, or even omit, giving the full picture. First of all, mother nature can produce subatomic particles of greater energy than the puny LHC in the form of cosmic rays. These high-energy particles, which are accelerated to astronomical energies by huge magnetic and electric fields in space, have been raining down on Earth for billions of years, plenty of time to swallow up the planet - yet we are still here to write about it.

Tags: science