Glass Wings Blog: April 2014

The Dark Power of Fraternities

Tue, 01 Apr 2014 15:50:12 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
http://www.theatlantic.com/features/archive/2014/02/the-dark-power-of-fraternities/357580/

"A yearlong investigation of Greek houses reveals their endemic, lurid, and
sometimes tragic problems—and a sophisticated system for shifting the blame."

(More...)

Snow Leopard hunt by Adam Riley

Tue, 01 Apr 2014 15:51:44 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
http://10000birds.com/snow-leopard-hunt-by-adam-riley-indri-ultimate-wildlife-tours.htm

"Seeing a wild Snow Leopard is every wildlife enthusiast’s dream, probably the
ultimate and most elusive wildlife experience on the planet."

(More...)

Gabe Newell: Reflections of a Video Game Maker

Tue, 01 Apr 2014 15:54:20 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
https://plus.google.com/+WayneRadinsky/posts/SRUwwcqJ6hc

'Gabe Newell of Valve discusses Valve's "non-hierarchical" organizational
system. Valve has much greater revenue per employee than Apple or Google or
Microsoft and grows revenue 50% per year, and generates more internet traffic

(More...)

Why Is The Copyright Monopoly Necessary, Anyway?

Wed, 02 Apr 2014 15:47:09 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
http://torrentfreak.com/copyright-monopoly-necessary-anyway-140223/

"The copyright industry is amazing at pretending the copyright monopoly has
always been there in its current form. But international copyright monopolies
didn't exist in practice across the Western world before 1989."

(More...)

Live-Action Kiki's Delivery Service Film's On-Set Footage Posted

Wed, 02 Apr 2014 15:50:07 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-06-10/live-action-kiki-delivery-service-film-on-set-footage-posted

"Cast answer questions, elaborate set shown from Friday's press presentation"

Great to see that Satoko Okudera (who also wrote the marvelous Summer Wars and

(More...)

State libraries need our support and participation to survive

Wed, 02 Apr 2014 15:51:23 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
http://theconversation.com/state-libraries-need-our-support-and-participation-to-survive-23420

"What is the role of a library at a time when so much information can be
accessed in digital form? Is it to be a research site, an archive, or something
more? Is a library even a library if it has no books?"

(More...)

Are the robots about to rise? Google's new director of engineering thinks so…

Thu, 03 Apr 2014 15:09:32 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/feb/22/robots-google-ray-kurzweil-terminator-singularity-artificial-intelligence>

"Ray Kurzweil popularised the Teminator-like moment he called the
'singularity', when artificial intelligence overtakes human thinking. But now
the man who hopes to be immortal is involved in the very same quest – on behalf

(More...)

What the Most Violent Nations in the World Have in Common

Thu, 03 Apr 2014 15:12:16 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
David Brin originally shared:

In The Atlantic
What the most violent nations in the world have in common: income inequality,
gender inequality & high on 'macho index'

(More...)

The Cleverlys "Gangnam Style"

Thu, 03 Apr 2014 15:14:45 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9s57UBMWdk

These guys are great!  Check out the The Cleverlys other videos, too:

http://www.youtube.com/user/thecleverlys/videos

(More...)

How a tiny airport town near Seattle led the new movement against low wages

Fri, 04 Apr 2014 17:14:02 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/02/22/how-a-tiny-airport-town-near-seattle-led-the-new-movement-against-low-wages/>

"The issue of chronic low pay has been thrust into the spotlight over the last
year by Barack Obama, whose proposal for a hike in the federal hourly minimum
wage — from $7.25 to $10.10 — would mean a direct pay rise for more than 16

(More...)

Watch The Swedish Chef Explain What Curling Is

Fri, 04 Apr 2014 17:14:59 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
http://jezebel.com/watch-the-swedish-chef-explain-what-curling-is-1529302859

"NAILED IT. After listening to this, I now, finally understand what curling is
and how it works. Also, if you listen closely, the Swedish Chef also explained
quantum physics, and now I totally am a master of that as well. "

(More...)

Why YouTube’s Automated Copyright Takedown System Hurts Artists

Fri, 04 Apr 2014 17:16:17 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<http://torrentfreak.com/why-youtubes-automated-copyright-takedown-system-hurts-artists-140223/>

"For some, getting a copyright claim on their YouTube video might be an
inconvenience. For others, it’s a massive headache that ignores copyright law…
in the name of enforcing copyright law."

(More...)

Hero-Glyphics

Sat, 05 Apr 2014 15:05:41 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
http://choualbox.com/LmVEu

The great tales of our era.

Via Malek Misuari Mazlan, Rosa Guillén and Joshua Kiley.

(More...)

Tunisia's revolutionary constitution

Sat, 05 Apr 2014 15:08:26 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<http://www.summer-foundation.org/en/News/Tunisia%27s-revolutionary-constitution>

"This week, the Tunisian parliament passed a truly historic constitution
widely heralded as a progressive and monumental document. The document
is the result of lengthy negotiations between a government dominated by

(More...)

Just a small thing that made me wonder a lot...

Sat, 05 Apr 2014 15:09:49 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
http://imgur.com/gallery/spsFQdy

Some interesting commentary in cartoon form.

Via Shival Wolf.

(More...)

BBC to launch refreshed Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy Game

Sun, 06 Apr 2014 12:11:42 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<http://www.comedy.co.uk/news/story/000001384/hitchhikers_guide_to_the_galaxy_game_2014/>

"BBC Radio 4 Extra is to publish a new 30th anniversary edition of The
Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy Game. The online interactive website
will feature refreshed illustrations and graphics, with additional

(More...)

Free book: The best of Quora 2010-2012

Sun, 06 Apr 2014 12:13:13 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
http://blog.quora.com/Top-Writers-2012-Book-Available-for-Download

"As you may have already heard, one thank-you gift we sent this year's
Top Writers was a book with some of the best writing on Quora from 2010
through 2012. Over a hundred answers and four hundred pages of the best

(More...)

A guest post from Brad Willis: Wheaton’s Law Revisited

Sun, 06 Apr 2014 12:14:33 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<http://wilwheaton.net/2014/02/a-guest-post-from-brad-willis-wheatons-law-revisited/>

"If you’re reading this, you likely know Wheaton’s Law. You know it
tells you exactly how not to act.  What it doesn’t say outright is what
you should do next. Wil Wheaton knows the next part, and it’s how he has

(More...)

Hazel The Sugar Glider

Mon, 07 Apr 2014 15:50:01 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjDzHG2XkUA

"Hazel glides back into the camera for a full on face plant."

Adorable!

(More...)

Top 75 Spaceships in movies and TV

Mon, 07 Apr 2014 15:51:16 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
http://www.denofgeek.com/movies/286589/top_75_spaceships_in_movies_and_tv.html

"With exclusive insight from the creators, here are some of the best means for
getting around the galaxy..."

(More...)

Project Ara: Inside Google’s Bold Gambit to Make Smartphones Modular

Mon, 07 Apr 2014 15:52:19 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
http://time.com/10115/google-project-ara-modular-smartphone/

"The two-year quest to create the ultimate customizable phone, inside and out."

A good article on Google's modular mobile phone project. I like the idea a lot

(More...)

'Mummy, I could have done that' - new book pokes fun at modern art

Tue, 08 Apr 2014 15:21:16 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/features/mummy-i-could-have-done-that--new-book-pokes-fun-at-modern-art-9112523.html>

"It may look and sound like a Ladybird Book, but We Go to the Gallery is
probably more suitable for adults. Miriam Elia, artist and comedy writer,
created the spoof children’s book to poke fun at the art world."

(More...)

Snowden made cyber-geek nightmares true. Can 'private' be normal again?

Tue, 08 Apr 2014 15:32:39 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/feb/28/snowden-privacy-products-trustycon-2014>

"The NSA leaks created everyday interest in products built to protect. At a
security pow-wow turned sour, that’s a good thing"

(More...)

Mini Fashion Designer Creates Amazing Dresses Out of Paper and Tape

Tue, 08 Apr 2014 15:34:39 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<http://www.mommyshorts.com/2014/02/mini-fashion-designer-creates-dresses-out-of-paper-and-tape.html>

"It became clear Angie's daughter (she calls her "Mayhem") was more interested
in fashion than the average four-year-old. Mayhem shunned her store-bought
princess dresses and started wrapping herself with scarves and sheets creating

(More...)

Steampunk Sculpture

Wed, 09 Apr 2014 10:51:22 +1000

Katherine Phelps <muse [at] glasswings.com.au>

Katherine Phelps
These sculptures are stunning. Most are pocket watches and all of them
include animals made of gears. Sue Beatrice also has other beautiful
creations on her site.

http://allnaturalarts.wordpress.com/2013/02/03/watchsculpturesandsteampunk/

(More...)

Cellular’s open source future is latched to tallest tree in the village

Wed, 09 Apr 2014 14:50:04 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2014/02/cellulars-open-source-future-is-latched-to-tallest-tree-in-the-village/>

"Open source tech that could reshape mobile connects a West Papua village to
the world."

(More...)

How Steve Perlman's "Revolutionary" Wireless Technology Works - and Why its a Bigger Deal than Anyone Realizes

Wed, 09 Apr 2014 14:51:54 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<http://akbars.net/how-steve-perlmans-revolutionary-wireless-technology-works-and-why-its-a-bigger-deal-than-anyone-realizes.html>

"All right, now let's see how this system actually works. I'm going to start
off by explaining it by analogy first, and then get into radios and information
theory."

(More...)

The Dawn Chapel - Let's make friends and have ourselves an adventure

Wed, 09 Apr 2014 14:53:28 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
http://dawnchapel.com/

This beautiful watercolour comic is back to weekly updates now. Take a look!

(More...)

Polar Bear Flip-Flop: People Hated, Then Loved These Photos. What Changed?

Thu, 10 Apr 2014 20:07:51 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<http://www.npr.org/blogs/krulwich/2014/03/01/283993033/polar-bear-flip-flop-people-hated-then-loved-these-photos-what-changed>

'In the video below, you can see Norbert's photos and hear them
described by Stuart Brown, who proudly put them in a 1994 National
Geographic article called "Animals at Play." You'd think these shots

(More...)

It's WWI that has the lessons for our time

Thu, 10 Apr 2014 20:09:08 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-02-28/roberts-its-ww1-that-has-the-lessons-for-our-time/5290470>

"World War II gave appeasement a bad name, but the events of 1914 show
that diplomacy rather than military ambition is exactly what we need to
deal with the current tensions over the future of Ukraine, Syria and the

(More...)

Bristol Boxkite flight at Centenary of Military Aviation Airshow

Thu, 10 Apr 2014 20:10:38 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=letDYAVZPeQ

"100 years ago, a Bristol Boxkite just like this, took off from this
place - and military aviation in Australia was born. A century on, the
technology has developed to a level the makers and pilots of that

(More...)

This is London's first cat cafe, Lady Dinah's Cat Emporium

Fri, 11 Apr 2014 15:05:01 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2014-03/01/cat-cafe

'Upstairs in the first part of the cafe is a very English-looking tearoom. Take
the cats away and you're as good as in a family-owned tearoom somewhere in
Derbyshire, with scones, clotted cream, bone china and loose leaf tea. Except

(More...)

Climate change and equity: whose language is it anyway?

Fri, 11 Apr 2014 15:08:09 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
http://inside.org.au/climate-change-and-equity-whose-language-is-it-anyway/

"In his winning entry for the Gavin Mooney Memorial Essay Competition, Sydney
GP Tim Senior argues that language, and different ways of knowing, have been
getting in the way of action on climate change"

(More...)

Sunday Sweets: No Dungeons, Just Dragons

Fri, 11 Apr 2014 15:09:31 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
http://www.cakewrecks.com/home/2014/3/2/sunday-sweets-no-dungeons-just-dragons.html

"I dunno about you guys, but I cannot get enough of dragons. Seriously. Not
only are they fantastic in every way, they also just have so much personality!"

(More...)

Classic Viral YouTube Videos Reimagined in the Style of Big-Budget Hollywood Movie Trailers

Sat, 12 Apr 2014 17:07:29 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<http://laughingsquid.com/classic-viral-youtube-videos-reimagined-in-the-style-of-big-budget-hollywood-movie-trailers/>

"Jimmy Kimmel Live created a series of four hilarious big-budget
Hollywood movie trailers based on classic viral videos like “Charlie Bit
My Finger” and “David After Dentist” with stars like Tom Hanks and Meryl

(More...)

Homeland Security Relies On Secrecy To Violate People's Rights And Humiliate Them At The Border

Sat, 12 Apr 2014 17:10:12 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20140303/12143026410/homeland-security-relies-secrecy-to-violate-peoples-rights-humiliate-them-border.shtml>

"But here's the depressing thing: months have gone by and DHS seems to
simply be reveling in the fact that what it does at the border can be a
black box, and it doesn't think it needs to answer to anyone. All of the

(More...)

Thousands of Free Public Domain Scans of Retro Comics

Sat, 12 Apr 2014 17:11:15 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<http://danielsolisblog.blogspot.com.au/2014/03/thousands-of-free-public-domain-scans.html>

"If you're in need of some high-quality artwork for a prototype or even
a full-scale production, check out the Digital Comic Museum. There are
over 15,000 golden age comics released to the public domain, free of

(More...)

Russian Photographer...Forget Disney Princesses

Sun, 13 Apr 2014 08:41:59 +1000

Katherine Phelps <muse [at] glasswings.com.au>

Katherine Phelps
These stunning photos are done with model and animal present at the same
time with the help of animal trainers, not later CGI manipulation. The
adult images show tasteful artistic nudity.

http://500px.com/katerina_plotnikova

(More...)

Wind Up Bots

Mon, 14 Apr 2014 03:17:02 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
http://vimeo.com/86907417

Classic tin toys!

Via Muse.

(More...)

Space Teriyaki

Mon, 14 Apr 2014 03:38:20 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
http://50watts.com/filter/space%20teriyaki

"Visions of space and the future in Japan in the 70s and 80s"

Gorgeous Japanese space illustrations!

(More...)

The Indian sanitary pad revolutionary

Mon, 14 Apr 2014 04:02:42 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-26260978

"Arunachalam Muruganantham's invention came at great personal cost - he
nearly lost his family, his money and his place in society. But he kept
his sense of humour."

(More...)

The Compassion Gap

Mon, 14 Apr 2014 15:36:55 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/02/opinion/sunday/kristof-the-compassion-gap.html

"There is an income gap in America, but just as important is a compassion gap.
Plenty of successful people see a picture of a needy child and their first
impulse is not to help but to reproach."

(More...)

"The Easiest Way to Sell Cover Songs & Original Music Online"

Mon, 14 Apr 2014 15:41:26 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
http://www.loudr.fm/

"Cover songs are one of the best ways to gain new fans, celebrate your artistic
influences and have fun while jamming. Loudr is thrilled to be the first
platform to offer streamlined cover song licensing for $0 upfront. We pay the

(More...)

The Book of Unwritten Tales 2 Kickstarter - Projection Mapping

Mon, 14 Apr 2014 15:42:59 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOa2-6lmvnI

"This time we tell you a little more about the projection mapping technique,
that we will use for the whole game thanks to our backers on Kickstarter."

(More...)

Step Inside The Wondrous World of Spirited Away With The Oculus Rift

Tue, 15 Apr 2014 16:27:00 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
http://kotaku.com/step-inside-the-wondrous-world-of-spirited-away-with-th-1537890759

"Forget typical 3D movies. Using virtual reality, you can now strap on a
headset and walk through famous scenes of your favorite movies—like say,
Miyazaki's fantastical anime film, Spirited Away."

(More...)

Happy (WE ARE FROM TATOOINE)

Tue, 15 Apr 2014 16:29:06 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HvaFhUcm-4

"STAR WARS TUNISIA is a fan club. It aims to gather and inform Tunisian Star
Wars fans, and communicate with others all over the world.
So from Tatooine, welcome everybody :)"

(More...)

The search for the Higgs boson – and why science will defeat stupidity

Tue, 15 Apr 2014 16:30:17 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
http://www.salon.com/2014/03/08/the_search_for_the_higgs_boson_–_and_why_science_will_defeat_stupidity/

'A thrilling documentary makes science look awesome. But does this tremendous
discovery mean "the end of physics"?'

(More...)

‘Portal: Uncooperative Cake Acquisition Game’, A Board Game Based on Hit Video Game Franchise ‘Portal’

Wed, 16 Apr 2014 18:31:59 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<http://laughingsquid.com/portal-uncooperative-cake-acquisition-game-a-board-game-based-on-hit-video-game-franchise-portal/>

"Portal: Uncooperative Cake Acquisition Game is an upcoming board game from
Cryptozoic Entertainment based on the critically acclaimed video game franchise
Portal from developer Valve Software. The title may change as development

(More...)

Sunday Sweets: Art Nouveau

Wed, 16 Apr 2014 18:33:20 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
http://www.cakewrecks.com/home/2014/3/9/sunday-sweets-art-nouveau.html

"After our Art Deco feature, we figured it was high time for some Art Nouveau
goodness!"

(More...)

Stunning rediscovered photos show life in Japan 100 years ago

Wed, 16 Apr 2014 18:35:07 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<http://en.rocketnews24.com/2014/03/08/stunning-rediscovered-photos-show-life-in-japan-100-years-ago/>

"A worker pulls a passenger cart over a wooden bridge, Mount Fuji’s snowy peak
rising in the background. Men wear long dark robes as they catch fish from
traditional Japanese boats, and women dive for pearls in the river. Looking at

(More...)

Adorable Robots

Thu, 17 Apr 2014 09:44:42 +1000

Katherine Phelps <muse [at] glasswings.com.au>

Katherine Phelps
You have to see this guy's robots. They are so QUTE! I would love to see
a stop motion movie with these.

https://www.behance.net/SteveTalkowski

(More...)

Space Pioneer

Thu, 17 Apr 2014 23:23:27 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
A shame this game didn't make their Kickstarter funding goal, but
they're going to keep working on it anyway with funding from direct
pre-orders: http://spacepioneer.org/

One interesting idea is they plan to have in-game radio stations, and

(More...)

Irma Gruenholz Clay Illustration

Thu, 17 Apr 2014 23:25:17 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
http://www.deplastilina.com/

Lovely!

Via Muse.

(More...)

Americans have no idea how much water they’re using

Thu, 17 Apr 2014 23:26:17 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<http://arstechnica.com/science/2014/03/americans-have-no-idea-how-much-water-theyre-using/>

"They also think everyone else should be efficient while they simply
conserve."

(More...)

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Game - 30th Anniversary Edition

Fri, 18 Apr 2014 23:44:57 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/1g84m0sXpnNCv84GpN2PLZG/the-hitchhikers-guide-to-the-galaxy-game-30th-anniversary-edition>

The 30th anniversary edition of the game is out now for everyone to play
free online!  Now reimplemented with HTML5.  The 20th anniversary Flash
version is still available too.

(More...)

So Let's Talk About Patreon...

Fri, 18 Apr 2014 23:47:03 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
https://ursulav.livejournal.com/1579850.html

'In the last few weeks, I've been getting occasional comments and
e-mails suggesting I set up a Patreon account, which is a sort of
patronage model where a "patron" sets up a monthly donation to a

(More...)

フクロウカフェ (Owl cafes)

Fri, 18 Apr 2014 23:52:58 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
http://myresin.tumblr.com/post/78726043690

"Forget cat cafes. Or black cat cafes. Or penguin bars. Japan’s latest
novelty cafe is the “fukurou cafe” (フクロウカフェ), or the “owl cafe.”"

(More...)

Tim Berners-Lee: 25 years on, the Web still needs work (Q&A)

Sun, 20 Apr 2014 03:50:45 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<http://www.cnet.com/news/tim-berners-lee-on-its-25th-anniversary-the-web-still-needs-work-q-a/>

"The World Wide Web is a smashing technological success. But the man who
invented it wants it to break down more cultural barriers, thwart
government snooping, and let the Web run applications not just house

(More...)

The Flight of the Birdman: Flappy Bird Creator Dong Nguyen Speaks Out

Sun, 20 Apr 2014 03:51:44 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/news/the-flight-of-the-birdman-flappy-bird-creator-dong-nguyen-speaks-out-20140311>

"How did a chain-smoking geek from Hanoi design the viral hit Flappy
Bird - and why did he walk away?"

(More...)

Enemies of the Internet 2014: entities at the heart of censorship and surveillance

Sun, 20 Apr 2014 03:53:12 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<http://12mars.rsf.org/2014-en/enemies-of-the-internet-2014-entities-at-the-heart-of-censorship-and-surveillance/>

"Identifying government units or agencies rather than entire governments
as Enemies of the Internet allows us to draw attention to the
schizophrenic attitude towards online freedoms that prevails in in some

(More...)

Mosaic: The Publishing Of Science, And The Science Of Publishing

Mon, 21 Apr 2014 01:36:45 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20140309/03241526499/mosaic-publishing-science-science-publishing.shtml>

"First there was open source software, given away for anybody to
download, use and share without charge. Then there was open access
publishing, the movement to make the results of scientific research

(More...)

Incredible Dark Crystal Wedding Cake

Mon, 21 Apr 2014 01:38:27 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<http://www.strangebeaver.com/2014/03/incredible-dark-crystal-wedding-cake/>

"This incredible wedding cake from Little Cherry Cake Company in the UK
features some amazingly detailed characters from the 80s movie Dark
Crystal. The layers depict different scenes from the movie and it’s even

(More...)

Going viral: How to make content shareable

Mon, 21 Apr 2014 01:41:01 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
http://www.cjr.org/feature/going_viral.php

"One of the many great promises of the internet was that it would expand
our horizons by allowing access to information and perspectives beyond
the limits of our geography and personal circle. But research has shown

(More...)

The Friend

Mon, 21 Apr 2014 22:48:29 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSSyDMZq-Zk

"Do you have friends? Yes? Well watch this anyway."

A great comedy sketch!

(More...)

Nasa-funded study: industrial civilisation headed for 'irreversible collapse'?

Mon, 21 Apr 2014 22:50:11 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<http://www.theguardian.com/environment/earth-insight/2014/mar/14/nasa-civilisation-irreversible-collapse-study-scientists>

"A new study partly-sponsored by Nasa's Goddard Space Flight Center has
highlighted the prospect that global industrial civilisation could
collapse in coming decades due to unsustainable resource exploitation

(More...)

Sky Blue and Grass Green

Mon, 21 Apr 2014 22:51:55 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
https://storify.com/derrangedferret/sky-blue-and-grass-green

Ursula Vernon tries her hand at a Twitter short story.

(More...)

Transcendence (Orchestral) - Lindsey Stirling

Tue, 22 Apr 2014 15:32:08 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHdkRvEzW84

I posted a link to Lindsey Stirling last year, and this recent video reminds me
why.  A beautiful piece and video by Lindsey Stirling and the Landfill
Harmonic.

(More...)

Chihuahuas wearing sailor costumes!!!

Tue, 22 Apr 2014 15:33:49 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfcQ3W5-doQ

Just because sometimes a dog is fine too!

Via Muse.

(More...)

Spirited Away Minecraft Recreation

Tue, 22 Apr 2014 15:36:19 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
http://www.spiritedawayminecraft.com/

A Minecraft recreation of the world of Spirited Away. Lovely!

Via vujon.tumblr.com and Robotech_Master on the Hayao Miyazaki Discussion

(More...)

Ride London’s abandoned underground “Mail Rail”

Wed, 23 Apr 2014 15:08:41 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
http://arstechnica.com/business/2014/03/ride-londons-abandoned-underground-mail-rail/

"Before e-mail, London had a different kind of network."

This sounds like it will be a really interesting and fun museum!

(More...)

Speech: Security and Privacy in the Internet Age

Wed, 23 Apr 2014 15:51:39 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
http://www.libdems.org.uk/speech_security_and_privacy_in_the_internet_age

"It is not enough for the agencies to claim that they accurately interpret the
correct balance between privacy and national security: they must be seen to do
so, and that means strong, exacting, third-party oversight."

(More...)

Alexander McCall Smith on writing Botswana and HIV

Wed, 23 Apr 2014 15:53:54 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
http://dailyreview.crikey.com.au/alexander-mccall-smith-on-writing-botswana-and-hiv/

"In Botswana, 23% of adults have HIV and 120,000 children have been orphaned by
the disease. So is it ethically questionable that the man who has made Botswana
famous to non-Africans treats HIV as something of a side issue?"

(More...)

Erica Chenoweth: Confronting the myth of the rational insurgent

Thu, 24 Apr 2014 15:07:41 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2012/02/erica-chenoweth-confronting-the-myth-of-the-rational-insurgent-2.html>

"Erica Chenoweth has developed a dataset and analyzed the historical record.
Below the fold are slides summarizing the results of her study of 323

non-violent and violent campaigns 
from
 1900‐2006."

(More...)

How Your Data is Stored, or, The Laws of the Imaginary Greeks

Thu, 24 Apr 2014 15:09:08 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
https://plus.google.com/103389452828130864950/posts/ZZ9wDbLDr3A

"If you don’t work in computers, you probably haven’t spent much time thinking
about how data gets stored on computers or in the cloud. I’m not talking about
the physical ways that hard disks or memory chips work, but about something

(More...)

Copyright Collecting Societies A Morass Of Bad Incentives

Thu, 24 Apr 2014 15:14:27 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
http://torrentfreak.com/copyright-collecting-societies-morass-bad-incentives-140316/

"We have given a private organization an authority-like mandate to collect
tax-like fees in the billions backed by threat of force, and tasked them with
finding the appropriate receiver of the collected funds. If they don’t find the

(More...)

UKIP campaign against comedy duo backfires

Fri, 25 Apr 2014 18:42:09 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
http://www.comedy.co.uk/live/feature/jonny_and_the_baptists_versus_ukip/

"A campaign by the United Kingdom Independence Party to try and hinder
the comedy group Jonny & The Baptists performing their show The Stop
UKIP Tour has backfired, as the publicity generated has resulted in the

(More...)

Project Gooseberry

Fri, 25 Apr 2014 18:44:01 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
http://gooseberry.blender.org/press-release/

"Blender Institute launched the first crowd-funded, open production
computer animation movie – the Gooseberry Project. This feature length
film will be made by 12 teams from all over the world, collaborating

(More...)

What are our rights in the 21st century?

Fri, 25 Apr 2014 18:45:25 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<http://penny-wright.greensmps.org.au/content/speeches-parliament/what-are-our-rights-21st-century>

"I rise to talk about rights in the 21st century: what do they look
like, what are they, and what should they be?"

(More...)

NASA scientist fights climate change with comedy

Sun, 27 Apr 2014 12:42:30 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
http://climate.nasa.gov/news/1049

"“I've given tons of talks about global warming and climate change in my
professional life,” he said. “People would say, ‘how do you sleep at
night?’” He decided that what he needed to help the message go down with

(More...)

Getting in deep with denialism

Sun, 27 Apr 2014 12:44:24 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
http://climate.nasa.gov/blog/1052

"Climate change deniers are a frequent and persistent part of my
reality, so I’m used to receiving rebukes, arguments and all sorts of
unusual questions during my public speeches and on this website. But

(More...)

Frog Fractions

Sun, 27 Apr 2014 12:45:17 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
http://twinbeard.com/frog-fractions

This is a very, very silly game.  Brilliant!  Definitely a game with
hidden depths.

(More...)

Supervillain Baby

Mon, 28 Apr 2014 08:12:55 +1000

Katherine Phelps <muse [at] glasswings.com.au>

Katherine Phelps
Cardboard Box Office put up the cutest/funniest pictures of their baby
from famous films using only cardboard boxes to recreate the scenes.
Below is their photo from Goldfinger.

http://cardboardboxoffice.com/2014/04/26/double-07-months/

(More...)

After Dark in CSS

Mon, 28 Apr 2014 15:16:46 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
http://bryanbraun.github.io/after-dark-css/

Classic screensavers in CSS!  Nifty.

Via Derek Pennycuff and Lionel Lauer.

(More...)

Proven Lands, 3D sci-fi sandbox survival game

Mon, 28 Apr 2014 15:21:53 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
http://provenlands.com/

"Explore a unique, vast and beautiful science-fiction sandbox roguelike,
procedurally generated and studded with an AI storyteller."

(More...)

Buddhist economics: oxymoron or idea whose time has come?

Mon, 28 Apr 2014 15:23:22 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<http://newscenter.berkeley.edu/2014/03/13/buddhist-economics-oxymoron-or-idea-whose-time-has-come/>

"“In the traditional economic model, it makes sense to go shopping if you are
feeling pain, because buying things makes you feel better,” Brown wrote in her
class syllabus. “Yet, we know from experience that consuming more does not

(More...)

Awesome Peter Pam

Tue, 29 Apr 2014 10:39:58 +1000

Katherine Phelps <muse [at] glasswings.com.au>

Katherine Phelps
This is a French Peter Pan based on the graphic novel done by Regis
Loisel. We learn how Peter met Tinkerbell. I really hope they turn this
into a full length feature.

http://vimeo.com/71502546

(More...)

In defense of the Google chef

Tue, 29 Apr 2014 14:51:19 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
http://blog.rongarret.info/2011/11/in-defense-of-google-chef.html

"But it is not Zynga's failure to grasp this basic fact of startup economics
that bothers me, it is their singling out of Charlie in particular because he's
a chef. As someone who was there in the early days I can tell you that Charlie

(More...)

Maiah the Wolf Surprisingly Loves A Belly Rub

Tue, 29 Apr 2014 14:53:41 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
http://laughingsquid.com/maiah-the-wolf-surprisingly-loves-a-belly-rub/

"Who knew a wolf would like belly rubs so much!"

Belly rubs!!!  I'm not sure it's all that surprising, though.

(More...)

What Universal Human Experiences Are You Missing Without Realizing It?

Tue, 29 Apr 2014 14:55:14 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<http://slatestarcodex.com/2014/03/17/what-universal-human-experiences-are-you-missing-without-realizing-it/>

"Remember Galton’s experiments on visual imagination? Some people just don’t
have it. And they never figured it out. They assumed no one had it, and when
people talked about being able to picture objects in their minds, they were

(More...)

Fluffier, Brighter, Weirder Dinosaurs

Wed, 30 Apr 2014 10:20:02 +1000

Katherine Phelps <muse [at] glasswings.com.au>

Katherine Phelps
John Conway paints pictures of old dead things. But he doesn't paint
them like they're old and dead—he paints them like maybe they're
outside your window right now, looking at you. I got interested in his
work after I saw his very useful chart, The Dinosaur Pet Guide, and
decided to ask him a few questions. Here are some excerpts from our

(More...)

Icelandic Hymn

Wed, 30 Apr 2014 10:34:23 +1000

Katherine Phelps <muse [at] glasswings.com.au>

Katherine Phelps
Beautiful 13th century Icelandic hymn sung in train station.

http://youtu.be/e4dT8FJ2GE0

(More...)

Berlin 'borrowing shop' promotes the benefits of sharing

Wed, 30 Apr 2014 17:10:25 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/17/berlin-borrowing-shop-benefits-share-leila>

"Leila project, billed as a 'library of things', has proved so popular
it has spawned similar initiatives across the country"

(More...)

Elephants use their smarts to cope with human threats

Wed, 30 Apr 2014 17:11:19 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<http://arstechnica.com/science/2014/03/elephants-use-their-smarts-to-cope-with-human-threats/>

"Elephants know which human voices represent threats and warn each other."

Another study on elephant intelligence.  They really are amazing.

(More...)

How to break games out of the “act like a man” box

Wed, 30 Apr 2014 17:13:54 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2014/03/how-to-break-games-out-of-the-act-like-a-man-box/>

'Empowerment is tied to "high status" traits like those within the "act
like a man" box, but it doesn't have to mean encouraging players to act
like assholes. "Culture is everything we've been told but never been sat

(More...)

How to Flatten A Hamster

Thu, 01 May 2014 08:49:41 +1000

Katherine Phelps <muse [at] glasswings.com.au>

Katherine Phelps
Because everyone needs something this silly now and again. This is for
me a laugh until you cry moment.

http://youtu.be/h-0HRs0FY2U

(More...)

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