Clipmarks | patchworkthreads's clips

How H1N1 Will Spread Rapidly

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 01:51:24 GMT

clipped by: patchworkthreads
clipper's remarks: (Transcription)

Office worker 1: "You have the flu?! Why didn't you stay home?"

Office worker 2: "And look like a slacker in this economic climate?"

Clip Source: www.cagle.msnbc.com

Tags: comic, h1n1, office, economy

Simpsons contest lets winner create character

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 02:17:47 GMT

clipped by: patchworkthreads

Clip Source: news.yahoo.com

The new Springfield resident will appear in an early 2010 episode

The winner gets a trip to Los Angeles to work with producers and the show's animation director. The top entry will be announced in mid-November.

Entries are expected to describe the character's traits, including his or her name or nickname; age; appearance; occupation and catch phrases

The contest is a tip of the hat to fans, Jean said.

"We can't thank them enough," he said. "We're now in uncharted waters: We've gone longer than any scripted show in prime-time history. It's a cliche, but it wouldn't be so except for these people who've loved the show all these years."

The contest's winning character, to be drawn by series animators, has a reserved spot in the episode in which Homer disappoints wife Marge by arriving late at a wedding after stopping to buy a lottery ticket.

He encounters the new face while rushing to the ceremony, Jean said, adding that it's possible the character could pop up on the series again.

Tags: television

How our brains are hardwired to love Google, Twitter, and texting. And why that's dangerous.

Sat, 15 Aug 2009 00:52:43 GMT

clipped by: patchworkthreads
clipper's remarks: "The system is also activated by particular types of cues that a reward is coming. In order to have the maximum effect, the cues should be small, discrete, specific—like the bell Pavlov rang for his dogs. Panksepp says a way to drive animals into a frenzy is to give them only tiny bits of food: This simultaneously stimulating and unsatisfying tease sends the seeking system into hyperactivity. Berridge says the "ding" announcing a new e-mail or the vibration that signals the arrival of a text message serves as a reward cue for us. And when we respond, we get a little piece of news, making us want more. These information nuggets may be as uniquely potent for humans as a Froot Loop to a rat. When you give a rat a minuscule dose of sugar, it engenders "a panting appetite," Berridge says—a powerful and not necessarily pleasant state."

Clip Source: www.slate.com

Ever find yourself sitting down at the computer just for a second to find out what other movie you saw that actress in, only to look up and realize the search has led to an hour of Googling?

"Seeking is the granddaddy of the systems." It is the mammalian motivational engine that each day gets us out of the bed, or den, or hole to venture forth into the world.

humans can get just as excited about abstract rewards as tangible ones. He says that when we get thrilled about the world of ideas, about making intellectual connections, about divining meaning, it is the seeking circuits that are firing.

Wanting and liking are complementary. The former catalyzes us to action; the latter brings us to a satisfied pause. Seeking needs to be turned off, if even for a little while, so that the system does not run in an endless loop.

Actually all our electronic communication devices—e-mail, Facebook feeds, texts, Twitter—are feeding the same drive as our searches.

No wonder we call it a "CrackBerry."

Tags: brain, search, social networking, cell phone

Iowa Teen Wins US Text Messaging Competition

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 18:57:56 GMT

clipped by: patchworkthreads
clipper's remarks: 470 texts a day? How does that even work? That's one text message every two minutes, assuming a 16-hour day.

Clip Source: www.myfoxorlando.com

The nation's newest texting champion has a message for parents across the land

"Let your kid text during dinner! Let your kid text during school! It pays off," 15-year-old Kate Moore said Tuesday after winning

the competition prize of $50,000 just eight months after she got her first cell phone.

Moore, with a speedy and accurate performance, beat out 20 other finalists from around the country over two days of challenges such as texting blindfolded and texting while maneuvering through a moving obstacle course.

In the final showdown, she outtexted 14-year-old Morgan Dynda, of Savannah, Ga. Both girls had to text three lengthy phrases without making any mistakes on the required abbreviations, capitalization or punctuation.

she keeps good grades, performs in school plays and socializes with friends -- in person -- on the weekends

In between, she finds time to send about 400 to 470 texts a day.

The finalists, all 22 or younger, were among 250,000 people who tried to get spots in the competition.

Tags: communication, cellphone, text, cell phone, game, competition

Web site helps time mid-movie bathroom breaks

Sat, 01 Aug 2009 00:36:34 GMT

clipped by: patchworkthreads

Clip Source: news.yahoo.com

The site provides recommended opportunities to race to the restroom. It tells you when the action or romance wanes, and gives you a cue ("Baby O.J. is taken from Bruno") for your exit.

The site tells you how long you've got and even summarizes what you missed.

"Helping your bladder enjoy going to the movies as much as you do," the site boasts.

The site averages 3,000-6,000 visitors a day, Florio says. The iPhone app is available on iTunes for $1. It's not a huge moneymaker (Florio estimates he'll make $800 this month) but is providing him a little extra cash.

He believes that not only do moviegoers benefit from the service, but theater owners do, too.

Generally, the better the movie is, the harder it is to find a break. The 96-minute "Up," for example, is one film where no bathroom break is advisable. But there are suggested options

http://runpee.com

Tags: website, movie, movies

Bob Schieffer on the Real Teachable Moment

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 22:46:17 GMT

clipped by: patchworkthreads
clipper's remarks: (Subtitle: "An Arrest Incident Becomes a Lesson Not in Race But in Humility")

Clip Source: www.cbsnews.com

The President said he hoped the Gates incident would provide a teachable moment.

For sure, it was no shining moment for any of those involved

If the cop had told the scholar, "Sorry, I didn't mean to insult you when I asked you for identification, I was just trying to do the job you pay me to do," or if the scholar had told the cop, "You know, I shouldn't have popped off, it's just been a long, hard day," my guess if they had said that is none of this would have even made the local news.

We all have bad days, no one is perfect, and when we are willing to step back, take a breath and admit that - or at least concede the other guy may have a point - it generally makes things better.

Tags: virtue, president, obama, police

"It's A Personal Thing" (press conference, nomination, victory speech)

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 00:13:18 GMT

clipped by: patchworkthreads
clipper's remarks: A song by Steve Taylor.
Listen to it here: http://bit.ly/demtL (last.fm)

Catchy chorus omitted from clip, due to length.

Clip Source: www.sockheaven.net

Press Conference

It's a personal thing, and I find it odd
You would question my believing in a personal God
I'm devout, I'm sincere, ask my mother if you doubt it
I'm religious, but I'd rather not get radical about it

The old-time believers had timidity and grace
But this new generation doesn't know its place
You're entitled to believe, but the latest Gallup Poll
Says you mustn't interfere--that's the government's role

Nomination Speech

It's a personal thing, and I boldly state
That my views on morality will have to wait
'Til my personal life's out of the public eye
And the limitations statue can protect my alibi

I'm devout, I'm sincere, and I'm proud to say
That it's had exactly no effect on who I am today
I believe for the benefit of all mankind
In the total separation of church and mind

Victory Night

It's a personal thing, and I plainly speak
(From the same code of ethics that I held last week)
As I promised if elected this election day
With the help of God almighty, I'll do it my way

Tags: politics, political, music, song, ethics, democrats, republicans, elections, election

1975 had its own "O RLY" bird

Sun, 19 Apr 2009 03:30:22 GMT

clipped by: patchworkthreads
clipper's remarks: Okay, so she wasn't an owl.

Clip Source: muppet.wikia.com

Ohreally Bird was an orange bird with large plumes on her head and purple eyelids who first appeared in a The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence sketch. In that sketch, she only said "Oh, really."

Clip Source: muppet.wikia.com

The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence aired on ABC on March 19, 1975. It was one of the two pilots produced for The Muppet Show. The other pilot, The Muppets Valentine Show, aired in 1974.

In this half-hour variety special, the Muppets parody the proliferation of sex and violence on television.

Nigel, Sam the Eagle, and hippie guitarist Floyd prepare for the Seven Deadly Sins Pageant, featuring Muppets representing the sins -- Envy, Anger, Gluttony, Vanity, Lust, Avarice and Sloth.

Tags: meme, muppets, history, 1970s

Moe: He wound up buying 'Citrus Peacock'

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 05:11:17 GMT

clipped by: patchworkthreads

Clip Source: www.firmanproductions.com

Tags: webcomics, marketing, ukulele

Of Princesses and Dragons

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 00:24:04 GMT

clipped by: patchworkthreads
clipper's remarks: From the "If you're not having fun, you're not doing it right" node on Everything2.com, a site that, much like Wikipedia, can suck you in for hours with its hyperlinks and subject matter.

Clip Source: everything2.com

The Dragon is supposed to be the luckiest sign of the zodiac.

I found my princess; she was hurt, betrayed, sad. Her self-worth was crushed. I scooped her up in my strong dragon arms and took her to my lair. I nourished her with my care and my love. Slowly, she began to heal.

But Princesses and Dragons are not forever. And we both knew that, didn't we, Enchanted Girl? Eventually your hero showed up and I smiled a roguish smile and told you to take care of each other.

There is another Princess in a nearby kingdom, I think she may need my care.

As she rode away on his white horse, she looked back over her shoulder, hair vibrant in the sunset, and smiled at me and said this:

"There are too many wounded people out there and too few magical dragons."

Thank you, my Enchanted Princess. You know I will never forget the time I spent with you.

It's true—the Dragon really is the luckiest sign of the zodiac.

Tags: fiction, dragon, princess, love

There is a set of three words in the English language which contain great power.

Sat, 31 Jan 2009 02:16:34 GMT

clipped by: patchworkthreads
clipper's remarks: "Once you are comfortable with "I don't know" as three of the most powerful and positive words you can use to your loved ones, add to those another powerful set of three words:

I don't know. Let's find out."

Clip Source: www.irregularwebcomic.net

These three simple words, when uttered honestly to one you care about, open whole new worlds of possibility. They are the key to self-growth, and of a deeper and more positive relationship with those around you.

These words are: I don't know.

If someone - and particularly a child - asks you a question about how something works or why something happens, and you don't know the answer or feel confident to explain it properly, the most important thing you can do is to admit, "I don't know". Once this has been said, the two of you can seek out the relevant knowledge and learn from it.

At some point in our lives, we must learn that people in positions of power or authority don't know everything, and that seeking out knowledge from a wide variety of sources is the best way to learn about the world. Teach your children that, and they will be better equipped to deal with the world they grow up into.

Tags: knowledge, honesty, growth, power, world, love, words, relationships

Neil Gaiman, "Why defend freedom of icky speech?"

Sun, 21 Dec 2008 18:36:43 GMT

clipped by: patchworkthreads

Clip Source: journal.neilgaiman.com

People making art find out where the limits of free expression are by going beyond them and getting into trouble.

With all its faults, the US has Freedom of Speech. You can't be arrested for saying things the government doesn't like. You can say what you like, write what you like, and know that the remedy to someone saying or writing or showing something that offends you is not to read it, or to speak out against it.

It's worth noting that the UK, for example, has no such law

The Law is a blunt instrument. It's not a scalpel. It's a club. If there is something you consider indefensible, and there is something you consider defensible, and the same laws can take them both out, you are going to find yourself defending the indefensible.

Because if you don't stand up for the stuff you don't like, when they come for the stuff you do like, you've already lost.

you only realise how wonderful absolute freedom of speech is the day you lose it.

Tags: neil gaiman, free speech, freedom, law, usa, uk

Snowflakes as you've never seen them before

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 05:28:35 GMT

clipped by: patchworkthreads
clipper's remarks: "By growing snow crystals in the lab under controlled conditions, scientists have discovered that their shapes are determined largely by temperature and humidity."

Clip Source: www.newscientist.com

These snowflakephotos were taken by Kenneth Libbrecht of CalTech, using a specially-designed snowflake photomicroscope. They show real snow crystals that fell to earth in northern Ontario, Alaska, Vermont, the Michigan Upper Peninsula, and the Sierra Nevada mountains of California.

By growing snow crystals in the lab under controlled conditions, scientists have discovered that their shapes are determined largely by temperature and humidity. This picture summarises the crystal shapes formed under different conditions.

See more snowflakes photographed by Kenneth Libbrecht.

Tags: snow, science

Buildings That Blog

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 02:13:22 GMT

clipped by: patchworkthreads
clipper's remarks: "Less invasively (but less interestingly) perhaps the building sprays free wifi, and the landing page for the wifi connection is that blog."

An idea from the mind of Warren Ellis.

Clip Source: www.warrenellis.com

I’ve been kicking this idea around for a few years, and have never really gotten it to settle.

It once occurred to me that buildings could cast a digital shadow.

Imagine an old building still in use, or an old shop location recently renovated

Imagine walking past this place, and, say, the place finds a bluetooth connection on your phone and pings you a message

Which leads to, for example, a history of the building you’re just passing, structured in blog format. Or maybe

a building being used as offices for several start-ups, and they all contribute to a groupblog for the building.

This actually occurred to me on a walk

where lots of old buildings were being re-rented

And I was looking up at one of them and trying to remember what it’d been

And I got to thinking — why aren’t I being pinged a link to the history of this structure?

Can you imagine what a walk

would be like, if almost every building you saw was capable of talking to your internet device?

Tags: blog, blogs, blogging, urban, history, bluetooth, internet, idea, ideas

Change or Reform

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 01:20:16 GMT

clipped by: patchworkthreads
clipper's remarks: Via "Dr. Goodword's Language Blog".

Clip Source: www.alphadictionary.com

An interesting development has arisen in the two political campaigns in the United States. Senator Barack Obama has been running a campaign on the platform of bringing change to the US government. Senator McCain has recently shifted the focus of his campaign to reform. The difference in meaning of these two words, change and reform, could be critical to the decision reached in the November presidential election.

Change means to shift to something different but reform means to improve on what is already in place. Senator McCain has been a consistent supporter of deregulation, privatization, and the war in Iraq, policies Senator Obama promises to end outright. The term reform suggests that McCain wishes to continue with these policies but with, as Governor Palin recently put it, some “shakin and fixin”.

I find the distinction reflected in the careful choices of these words interesting.

Tags: language, semantics, politics, rhetoric