Glass Wings Blog: October 2015

http://www.wired.com/2014/08/edward-snowden/

"Among other things, I want to answer a burning question: What drove
Snowden to leak hundreds of thousands of top-secret documents,
revelations that have laid bare the vast scope of the government’s

Elsevier, that just freaked me out.

Thu, 1 Oct 2015 19:40:42 +1000

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

https://swaldman.dreamwidth.org/352778.html

"At the conference that I'm at, Elsevier distributed what they called a
"Web key". It looked like a USB drive, so that's what I assumed it was."

Mr Bean at 25: animating the legacy

Thu, 1 Oct 2015 19:41:48 +1000

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

http://dailyreview.com.au/mr-bean-at-25-animating-the-legacy/29433

"For the last few years, Rowan Atkinson has consistently said that he
doesn’t want his most famous comedic creation to get old. Every time
he’s been asked whether he’d don the Mr Bean suit again for more

A Day of Speaking Truth to Power: Visiting the ODNI

Fri, 2 Oct 2015 14:27:22 +1000

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

<https://medium.com/quinn-norton/a-day-of-speaking-truth-to-power-dbc0669aa9ca>

"The room didn't understand that privacy is part of human life and we
all want it. Their institutions were invested in not learning that
people want private lives. They would be forced to either stop what they

Early YouTube Musician Explains How Signing Major Label Deal 'Nearly Destroyed My Career'

Fri, 2 Oct 2015 14:28:20 +1000

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

<https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20150909/17000032211/early-youtube-musician-explains-how-signing-major-label-deal-nearly-destroyed-my-career.shtml>

"Digital Music News has an unfortunate story that we've heard too many
times before: that of an independent musician successfully building a
following... only to do a deal with a major label and see it all come

The Sun Cruise Resort, A Cruise Ship Resort That Never Leaves Land

Fri, 2 Oct 2015 14:29:03 +1000

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

<http://laughingsquid.com/the-sun-cruise-resort-a-cruise-ship-resort-that-never-leaves-land/>

"The Sun Cruise Resort in South Korea is a cruise ship resort that never
leaves land. The 30,000-ton dry-docked cruise ship features all the
amenities of a traditional seafaring cruise, but without any of the

One More Time With Feeling: No, The Internet Is Not Making Us Dumber

Sat, 3 Oct 2015 14:34:24 +1000

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

<https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20150817/12063531985/one-more-time-with-feeling-no-internet-is-not-making-us-dumber.shtml>

"Google is making us stupid. Smartphones have ruined the art of
conversation. Video games make you violent. There's simply no limitation
to the number of people quick to assume that technology is to blame for

Everybody in dresses: Why does gender neutral clothing always mean ‘boy’ clothes for girls?

Sat, 3 Oct 2015 14:35:53 +1000

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

<http://news.nationalpost.com/life/everybody-in-dresses-why-does-gender-neutral-clothing-always-mean-boy-clothes-for-girls>

"As long as ‘feminine’ is treated as a synonym for ‘weak,’ girls are
going to continue to be underestimated and boys are going to continue to
be bullied when they step out of the gender box they’ve been put in"

Dark corners of Unicode

Sat, 3 Oct 2015 14:37:21 +1000

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

http://eev.ee/blog/2015/09/12/dark-corners-of-unicode/

"I’m assuming, if you are on the Internet and reading kind of a nerdy
blog, that you know what Unicode is. At the very least, you have a very
general understanding of it — maybe “it’s what gives us emoji”."

Family Of Marcel Duchamp Gets 3D Print Design For Duchamp Chess Set Removed Back Into History Over Copyright

Sat, 3 Oct 2015 14:38:38 +1000

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

<https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20150909/10253532204/family-marcel-duchamp-get-3d-print-design-duchamp-chess-set-removed-back-into-history-over-copyright.shtml>

"Intellectual property is often times used to censor others or control
that which should otherwise be free. Sometimes it does this for arguably
valid reasons. And sometimes it does so in ways so laughably and

Graphemica: For people who ♥ letters, numbers, punctuation, &c

Sun, 4 Oct 2015 12:31:51 +1100

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

http://graphemica.com/

A useful website for finding Unicode characters 😸

Everything is a Remix: Five Year Anniversary Celebration

Sun, 4 Oct 2015 12:33:30 +1100

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

<https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/kirby/everything-is-a-remix-five-year-anniversary-celebr/description>

"It's been five years since the launch of the popular Everything is a
Remix video series. Celebrate by picking up a t-shirt or poster."

Muslim Lolita Fashion Is A New Trend Inspired By Japan

Sun, 4 Oct 2015 12:34:35 +1100

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

http://twitika.com/posts/103097

"In an awesome fashion mash-up that nobody could’ve foreseen, Muslim
fans of the Japanese lolita fashion trend have begun pairing these
sweet-as-candy outfits with their hijabs, creating a unique new style

A Whale of a Win

Sun, 4 Oct 2015 12:35:35 +1100

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

<https://medium.com/natural-resources-defense-council/a-whale-of-a-win-afeb1f0cb71a>

"After decades of advocacy and action, a campaign to protect marine
mammals from harmful underwater sonar finally pays off — in an
appropriately big way."

Read a bold new magazine for interactive fiction fans

Mon, 5 Oct 2015 14:02:35 +1100

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

http://boingboing.net/2015/09/15/read-a-bold-new-magazine-for-i.html

'sub-Q is a cool, ambitious new "interactive magazine" for fans of interactive
fiction. It's the right time, says founder Tory Hoke, who takes note of new
possibilities for the form offered by the rise of reading apps and devices, the

Saudi Arabia squandered its groundwater and agriculture collapsed. California, take note.

Mon, 5 Oct 2015 14:04:19 +1100

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

<http://www.vox.com/2015/9/14/9323379/saudi-arabia-squandered-its-groundwater-and-agriculture-collapsed>

"The problem is that these underground aquifers take a long, long time to
recharge. So if farmers are drawing water faster than it gets replenished, the
basins will eventually run dry."

Stylish Animals Take Over The Buildings Of Paris

Mon, 5 Oct 2015 14:05:31 +1100

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

<http://www.boredpanda.com/photo-projection-safari-urbain-paris-julien-nonnon/>

"My last work Safari Urban is a series of photographs featuring animals
redesigned and projected on facades of buildings through an embedded
video-projection system. A clever mix of street-art and video-mapping!"

Justine Larbalestier: On Being a Nice Author

Tue, 6 Oct 2015 15:18:09 +1100

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

http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2015/09/15/on-being-a-nice-author/

"TL;DR: Be yourself! Be thoughtful and kind! Don’t be silenced! Sarcasm is fun
but some people are never going to get it or like it. Book sales are not much
affected by what you do online."

David Attenborough backs huge Apollo-style clean energy research plan

Tue, 6 Oct 2015 15:24:31 +1100

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

<http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/sep/16/david-attenborough-backs-huge-apollo-clean-energy-research-plan>

"The renowned naturalist joins a group of eminent scientists, business
executives and politicians backing a 10-year public research and development
plan to cut the costs of clean energy and deliver affordable technologies to

Over-the-top Hackerspace Donation box Brings out the Brony in you

Tue, 6 Oct 2015 15:26:26 +1100

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

<http://hackaday.com/2015/09/17/over-the-top-hackerspace-donation-box-brings-out-the-brony-in-you/>

"If you’re going to pass the hat for donations to your hackerspace, you might
as well add to the value proposition and give potential donors a little
something for their generosity. And what better way to cash in than to channel

Lost comedy precursor to Monty Python starring John Cleese and Graham Chapman is found after 48 years

Wed, 7 Oct 2015 13:48:51 +1100

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

<http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2015-09-16/lost-comedy-precursor-to-monty-python-starring-john-cleese-and-graham-chapman-is-found-after-48-years>

"The BFI has unearthed a valuable piece of television history. Two missing
episodes of the cult comedy At Last the 1948 Show – a precursor to Monty Python
– have been found 48 years after they aired."

Half of all marine life lost in 40 years: WWF report

Wed, 7 Oct 2015 13:51:30 +1100

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

<http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-16/half-marine-life-lost-in-40-years/6779912>

"The populations of some marine species have declined by 49 per cent in just
four decades, according to one of the most extensive surveys of sea life ever
compiled."

Anthea's Garden

Wed, 7 Oct 2015 13:54:45 +1100

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

http://www.pozible.com/project/183904/404168

"Anthea’s Garden is about a little girl who has a series of dreamlike, magical
adventures. She has shrunk to the size of a mouse and explores her garden where
she finds a runaway pot plant, her giant cat, fairies dancing, and a parade of

How GOG.com Save And Restore Classic Videogames

Thu, 8 Oct 2015 13:10:03 +1100

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

<http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2015/09/16/how-gog-com-save-and-restore-classic-videogames/>

“Hunting for distribution rights is essentially detective work,” says Marcin
Paczyński, Head of Product at GOG. “Rights can repeatedly change hands or be
split up between different parties, and it’s our job to get to the bottom of

How the political system affects happiness – Benjamin Radcliff – Aeon

Thu, 8 Oct 2015 13:11:20 +1100

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

<http://aeon.co/magazine/society/what-political-system-does-happiness-economics-support/>

"Why is the welfare state under attack when happiness economics shows it is the
system most conducive to human wellbeing?"

Techdirt Reading List: The Piracy Crusade

Thu, 8 Oct 2015 13:13:10 +1100

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

<https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20150916/17342732278/techdirt-reading-list-piracy-crusade.shtml>

'This week we're talking about a book from a couple of years ago but which
still deserves plenty of attention. It's Aram Sinnreich's "The Piracy Crusade:
How the Music Industry's War on Sharing Destroys Markets and Erodes Civil

Efficiency up, turnover down: Sweden experiments with six-hour working day

Fri, 9 Oct 2015 13:14:06 +1100

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

<http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/17/efficiency-up-turnover-down-sweden-experiments-with-six-hour-working-day>

"A trial of shorter days for nurses at a Gothenburg care home is inspiring
others across Scandinavia to cut back, but the cost of improving staff
wellbeing is high"

It's time for the world to recognize Haudenosaunee sovereignty (Commentary)

Fri, 9 Oct 2015 13:15:26 +1100

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

<http://www.syracuse.com/opinion/index.ssf/2015/09/its_time_for_the_world_to_recognize_haudenosaunee_sovereignty_commentary.html>

"Since Europeans arrived on these shores, the Onondaga have continuously
asserted their status as a sovereign nation."

Valve hits a Linux landmark—1,500 games available on Steam

Fri, 9 Oct 2015 13:17:00 +1100

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

<http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2015/09/valve-hits-a-linux-landmark-1500-games-available-on-steam/>

'A few months after Valve officially launched Steam for Linux in 2013, Gabe
Newell gave his LinuxCon keynote crowd a bit of music for their ears. "It feels
a little bit funny coming here and telling you guys that Linux and open source

Exxon's Own Research Confirmed Fossil Fuels' Role in Global Warming Decades Ago

Sat, 10 Oct 2015 13:57:57 +1100

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

<http://insideclimatenews.org/news/15092015/Exxons-own-research-confirmed-fossil-fuels-role-in-global-warming>

"Top executives were warned of possible catastrophe from greenhouse
effect, then led efforts to block solutions."

Sunday Sweets Goes Art Deco... Again!

Sat, 10 Oct 2015 13:58:42 +1100

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

<http://www.cakewrecks.com/home/2015/9/20/sunday-sweets-goes-art-deco-again.html>

'From Flapper dresses to Big Band jazz to Art Deco architecture, nothing
says "style" quite like the Roaring Twenties.'

What Happens Next Will Amaze You (transcript)

Sat, 10 Oct 2015 14:00:36 +1100

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

http://idlewords.com/talks/what_happens_next_will_amaze_you.htm

"For people like me, who go around giving talks about the dystopian
future, it's been an incredible year. Let me review the highlights so far"

Why we need a politics of the far future. #Auspol

Sat, 10 Oct 2015 14:01:55 +1100

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

<https://jpratt27.wordpress.com/2015/09/22/why-we-need-a-politics-of-the-far-future-auspol/>

"If you were to assess various personal life paths and their risks and
opportunities, would you choose one that had a 1 in 2 chance of wrecking
your life, or even ending it? In most circumstances, no-one would; the

'Happy Birthday' Song Copyright Ruled to Be Invalid

Sun, 11 Oct 2015 15:20:35 +1100

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

<http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6706919/happy-birthday-song-public-domain-warner-chappel>

"A judge grants summary judgment to a filmmaker challenging
Warner/Chappell's copyright to a song more than a century old."

Food waste cafes and urban orchards: five ways people are building a new economy

Sun, 11 Oct 2015 15:21:47 +1100

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

<http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2015/sep/17/economy-grassroots-projects-local-social-austerity>

"Grassroots projects are springing up across the UK to empower local
people and build communities"

Actors are reciting pop songs like Shakespeare and the results are incredible

Sun, 11 Oct 2015 15:28:44 +1100

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

<http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2015-09-23/actors-are-reciting-pop-songs-like-shakespeare-and-the-results-are-incredible>

"Amanda Abbington and Jason Watkins are among the famous faces tweeting
videos of themselves performing lyrics in the style of the Bard with the
hashtag #15secondShakespeare"

Infographic: how are we progressing on the Sustainable Development Goals?

Sun, 11 Oct 2015 15:36:08 +1100

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

<https://theconversation.com/infographic-how-are-we-progressing-on-the-sustainable-development-goals-45441>

"The Sustainable Development Goals, which will take over from the
Millennium Development Goals after this year, will guide efforts to
reduce poverty and improve well-being up to 2030, without destroying the

More Creative Hollywood Accounting Revealed In Goodfellas Lawsuit

Mon, 12 Oct 2015 18:59:20 +1100

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

<https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20150922/23582632339/more-creative-hollywood-accounting-revealed-goodfellas-lawsuit.shtml>

"For years now, we've discussed the somewhat creative nature of
Hollywood accounting and how things get set up so that almost no movie
ever technically makes a profit. We've shown how a Harry Potter film

This is why I support a SAG-AFTRA strike authorization for video games — and it isn’t about money.

Mon, 12 Oct 2015 19:00:43 +1100

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

<http://wilwheaton.net/2015/09/this-is-why-i-support-a-sag-aftra-strike-authorization-for-video-games-and-it-isnt-about-money/>

Video game companies have been able to get away with terrible employment
conditions for too long. Via Fred Hicks and Lionel Lauer.

The Volkswagen Scandal Is Just the Beginning

Mon, 12 Oct 2015 19:01:58 +1100

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

<https://medium.com/climate-desk/the-volkswagen-scandal-is-just-the-beginning-ba02110925cf>

"The Environmental Protection Agency should have listened to Ron
Weasley’s dad. In the Harry Potter books and films, Arthur Weasley is a
bureaucrat in the British magical world’s chief regulatory agency, the

Dirty Loops - Automatic (Japan Bonus Track) ORIGINAL PITCH

Tue, 13 Oct 2015 14:42:01 +1100

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NogNhVyCcq0

Great jazz fusion. Via Edward Borland, who wrote: "So you take European jazz
session musos and add a Japanese pop producer, crazy Tokyo chords and super
busy bass and drums, popping and jumping makes for an interstellar carbonated

How else Heart.Break() turns players into coders

Tue, 13 Oct 2015 14:43:35 +1100

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

<http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/254555/How_else_HeartBreak_turns_players_into_coders.php>

"Playing else Heart.Break() taught me basic coding practice. It's set in a
simulated city in which atoms are replaced with bits, meaning that everyday
objects run on code, and can be manipulated through hacking. The player is cast

Fashion Meets Geek With New BioWare Line

Tue, 13 Oct 2015 15:09:02 +1100

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

<http://geekandsundry.com/bioware-fashion-makes-gamers-the-newest-geeks-in-chic/>

"Last month’s much-talked-about BioWare fashion show at PAX Prime impressed
gamers with stylish runway looks inspired by the Mass Effect and Dragon Age
video games. One of the first to focus solely on gamer culture, the show

Tell Me a Dragon by Jackie Morris

Wed, 14 Oct 2015 12:18:23 +1100

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

http://www.jackiemorris.co.uk/tellmeadragon.htm

"The idea for Tell Me a Dragon came whilst working on the Terry Pratchett Disc
World Calendar. In Guards Guards there is a place where dragons sleep and
wait to be summoned. They are created by the imagination of those who summon

A game where you catch lightning bugs until the sun comes up

Wed, 14 Oct 2015 12:20:20 +1100

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

http://boingboing.net/2015/09/23/imaginal-game.html

"Lightning bugs are a sort of magic when you're young, the kind that feels like
it escaped from the halls of Hogwarts and somehow reclassified itself as
science under the cover of darkness. It's the sort of memory that tends to stay

Meet The Man Who Invents Languages For A Living

Wed, 14 Oct 2015 12:23:04 +1100

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

<http://www.npr.org/2015/09/26/443170619/meet-the-man-who-invents-languages-for-a-living>

"If anyone has the credentials to write a book called The Art Of Language
Invention, it's David J. Peterson."

The Voyages Issue: Six Photographers on Their Dream Journeys

Thu, 15 Oct 2015 13:38:18 +1100

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

<http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/09/23/magazine/the-voyages-issue.html>

"I like Italo Calvino’s idea of ‘continuous cities,’ as described in the novel
‘Invisible Cities.’ He suggests that there is actually just one big, continuous
city that does not begin or end: ‘Only the name of the airport changes.’ What

DRM Still Breaking Games Nearly A Decade After Purchase

Thu, 15 Oct 2015 13:40:45 +1100

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

<https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20150925/22220132370/drm-still-breaking-games-nearly-decade-after-purchase.shtml>

"About a month ago, Microsoft's Boris Schneider-Johne explained that — along
with everything else Windows 10 was bringing to the party (privacy invasion,
blocking of pirated software) — it would also be bricking certain paid-for

A 21st-century government must care for our nature and our future

Thu, 15 Oct 2015 13:42:11 +1100

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

<https://theconversation.com/a-21st-century-government-must-care-for-our-nature-and-our-future-48010>

"What if we decided that a modern government should pledge to put our nature
first and explicitly commit to preventing any more extinctions? Or, at least,
give conservation an equal billing with our current totem, the economy?"

Wizard School card game

Fri, 16 Oct 2015 12:54:13 +1100

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

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1018340123/wizard-school

"A cooperative card game for 2-5 players, where you, the wizards, fight
monsters, take tests, and hopefully graduate from Wizard School."

Gaming for Fun (Part 1): Eight Kinds of Fun

Fri, 16 Oct 2015 12:58:28 +1100

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

http://theangrygm.com/gaming-for-fun-part-1-eight-kinds-of-fun/

"If you ask the average GM “what is the point of an RPG” or “how do you
win” or “what’s your job as a GM,” I’m pretty certain you’re going [to
hear] the word “fun” in the answer. “The point is to have fun.” “You win

RePhone Kit - World's First Open Source and Modular Phone

Fri, 16 Oct 2015 12:59:28 +1100

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

<https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/seeed/rephone-kit-worlds-first-open-source-and-modular-p>

"Create a phone yourself in minutes and hack a new way to communicate
with things."

Argentina Plans To Increase Copyright In Photos From 20 Years To Life Plus 70 Years, Devastating Wikipedia

Sat, 17 Oct 2015 13:03:29 +1100

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

<https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20151001/07335232405/argentina-plans-to-increase-copyright-photos-20-years-to-life-plus-70-years-devastating-wikipedia.shtml>

"As Techdirt has pointed out, copyright extensions are bad enough, but
retroactive ones are even worse, since the creation of the work has
already occurred, so providing additional incentives makes no sense,

Box Clever - Simon's Cat

Sat, 17 Oct 2015 13:05:00 +1100

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpCl5O6tTv8

'A feisty cat does all he can to avoid a trip to the vet'

New "Simon's Cat"!

Sweden’s feminist foreign minister has dared to tell the truth about Saudi Arabia. What happens now concerns us all

Sat, 17 Oct 2015 13:06:43 +1100

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

<http://new.spectator.co.uk/2015/03/swedens-feminist-foreign-minister-has-dared-to-tell-the-truth-about-saudi-arabia-what-happens-now-concerns-us-all/>

"Margot Wallström’s principled stand deserves wide support. Betrayal
seems more likely"

Incredible StarCraft Hydralisk Cosplay

Sat, 17 Oct 2015 13:07:33 +1100

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

<https://blog.adafruit.com/2015/10/02/incredible-starcraft-hydralisk-cosplay/>

Vey impressive costume.

A brief account of Australia’s offshore detention regime

Sun, 18 Oct 2015 13:05:52 +1100

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

<http://www.julianburnside.com.au/a-brief-account-of-australias-offshore-detention-regime/>

"Set out below is a brief account of the worst aspects of Australia’s
offshore detention regime: the notorious Pacific Solution."

The Global Goals for Sustainable Development

Sun, 18 Oct 2015 13:07:23 +1100

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

http://www.globalgoals.org/

"World Leaders have committed to 17 Global Goals to achieve 3
extraordinary things in the next 15 years. End extreme poverty. Fight
inequality & injustice. Fix climate change. The Global Goals for

CC-licensed design resources

Sun, 18 Oct 2015 13:08:26 +1100

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

https://boingboing.net/2015/10/02/cc-licensed-design-resources.html

Sam writes, "I've been releasing a lot of graphic design resources,
turning the plants and animals I see into colour palettes and web or
print design textures. (Disclaimer: no animals were harmed in the making

Musical Stairs

Sun, 18 Oct 2015 13:09:21 +1100

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8B_fKmBDAs

"My daughter & I hooked some antique organ pipes to our front steps. The
result: One confused pizza delivery driver."

Why everybody knows CEOs are overpaid, but nothing happens

Mon, 19 Oct 2015 13:00:15 +1100

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

<https://theconversation.com/why-everybody-knows-ceos-are-overpaid-but-nothing-happens-47769>

"That CEOs are overpaid is something, as Leonard Cohen would say, “everybody
knows”; including the directors and shareholders who ultimately decide their
pay. Yet firms are unwilling to do anything about it, because to do so would

Banned from using the name HERMES

Mon, 19 Oct 2015 13:03:50 +1100

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

<https://gargarean.wordpress.com/2015/10/02/banned-from-using-the-name-hermes/>

"A particular god whom I’ve [been] devoted towards is Hermes, naturally I like
making art for him, but his name is a big issue when selling online because it
is trademarked. Meaning, I am not allowed to use the gods name in both his

Home Free & Moonspike

Mon, 19 Oct 2015 13:05:57 +1100

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

<https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/143870832/home-free-0>

"You are a dog lost in a randomly generated city. Looking for food. Looking for
friends. Looking for home."

LeVar Takes a Ride in a Driverless Car| Reading Rainbow uTech| 06.03.15

Tue, 20 Oct 2015 17:53:07 +1100

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbHgjuVtkUI

LeVar Burton on driverless cars.

The predator survives – but the ecosystem crashes

Tue, 20 Oct 2015 17:55:38 +1100

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

http://phys.org/news/2015-10-predator-survives-ecosystem.html

"What do killer whales, polar bears and humans have in common? They are
adaptable predators with the ability to select new prey when their favourite
food is in low supply. But this change can disrupt entire ecosystems."

The Overlooked Curiosity That Is the Air Traffic Tower

Tue, 20 Oct 2015 17:56:55 +1100

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

http://www.wired.com/2015/10/overlooked-curiosity-air-traffic-tower/

"Airport towers are to planes as lighthouses are to ships, but they don’t get
nearly the fanfare. Most people barely notice them, but Carolyn Russo sees
beauty in them. She’s spent nine years photographing the hulking giants of

The Stagnation Of eBooks Due To Closed Platforms And DRM

Wed, 21 Oct 2015 17:15:57 +1100

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

<https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20151003/08020932433/stagnation-ebooks-due-to-closed-platforms-drm.shtml>

"Craig Mod has a fascinating article for Aeon, talking about the unfortunate
stagnation in digital books. He spent years reading books almost exclusively in
ebook form, but has gradually moved back to physical books, and the article is

What makes a good community?

Wed, 21 Oct 2015 17:18:32 +1100

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

http://sarah.thesharps.us/2015/10/06/what-makes-a-good-community/

"The thing is, reaching the goal of a diverse community is a step-by-step
process. There are no shortcuts. Each step has to be complete before the next
level of cultural change is effective. It’s also worth noting that each step

Wild Kingdom Host Stephanie Arne Joyfully Envelopes Herself In a Swarm of Baby Otters

Wed, 21 Oct 2015 17:19:50 +1100

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

<http://laughingsquid.com/wild-kingdom-host-stephanie-arne-joyfully-envelopes-herself-in-a-swarm-of-baby-otters/>

"Stephanie Arne, the first female host of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom, was
given an opportunity to swim (fully clothed) with the otter ambassadors of
Nurtured by Nature sanctuary in Valley Center, California. Instead of swimming

Last Sandbox Land

Wed, 21 Oct 2015 20:27:24 +1100

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

It has been an amazing year running Sandbox Land! I am so grateful to
everyone who has supported this variety show.

This month's Sandbox Land will be the last one ever. I am hanging up my
MC hat and moving on. HOWEVER, this last show is going to be a cracker!

Who May Use the King’s Forest? The Meaning of Magna Carta, Commons and Law in Our Time

Thu, 22 Oct 2015 12:21:25 +1100

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

<http://commonstransition.org/who-may-use-the-kings-forest-the-meaning-of-magna-carta-commons-and-law-in-our-time/>

"The relationship between law and the commons is very much on my mind these
days. The following public talk, which I gave at the Heinrich Boell Foundation
in Berlin on September 8, is a kind of companion piece. The theme: this year’s

Sharing Vouchers Offer a Simple Way to Share Anything

Thu, 22 Oct 2015 12:22:40 +1100

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

<http://www.shareable.net/blog/sharing-vouchers-offer-a-simple-way-to-share-anything>

"Imagine going into a coffee shop, conference center, library, or business and
easily connecting with other people willing to share goods or services. That’s
the idea behind the Sharing Vouchers, a no-tech, neighborly way to create a

Online university offers Syrian refugees an opportunity to study for free (+video)

Thu, 22 Oct 2015 12:24:09 +1100

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

<http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Making-a-difference/Change-Agent/2015/1007/Online-university-offers-Syrian-refugees-an-opportunity-to-study-for-free-video>

"Kiron University, founded by students in Berlin, promises to provide college
courses to refugees without fees or the need to supply missing legal
documents."

NSA Screws Up Another Thing: EU Court Of Justice Throws The Internet For A Loop In Ending Safe Harbor

Fri, 23 Oct 2015 12:43:44 +1100

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

<https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20151006/07034532447/nsa-screws-up-another-thing-eu-court-justice-throws-internet-loop-ending-safe-harbor.shtml>

"A couple of weeks ago we wrote about the fact that it appeared that the
EU Court of Justice was likely to throw out the EU-US data protection
safe harbor as invalid, following a case brought over the NSA's snooping

Facebook: I want out

Fri, 23 Oct 2015 13:00:18 +1100

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

https://medium.com/@violetblue/facebook-i-want-out-e1e891975531

A powerful article on the long-standing issues with Facebook and their
cavalier attitude to privacy and personal identity.

The Future of Work: Owning What We Share

Fri, 23 Oct 2015 13:03:01 +1100

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

<http://www.psmag.com/business-economics/the-future-of-work-owning-what-we-share>

"The latest entry in a special project in which business and labor
leaders, social scientists, technology visionaries, activists, and
journalists weigh in on the most consequential changes in the workplace."

Are today’s standards for being a ‘real man’ leading to violence against women?

Sat, 24 Oct 2015 14:52:29 +1100

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

<https://theconversation.com/are-todays-standards-for-being-a-real-man-leading-to-violence-against-women-48189>

"From an early age, boys are socialised to regard manhood as a revered
and desired social status. This is because, across most cultures, there
is a consistent belief that a “real man” is powerful, dominant,

Sarah Rees Brennan on fanfiction

Sat, 24 Oct 2015 14:54:17 +1100

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

<http://sarahreesbrennan.tumblr.com/post/77926940735/ok-dont-get-me-wrong-because-its-just>

"Since this question DOES come up a lot, sometimes in not-so-nice ways,
I figured maybe I could use this nice question and write some kind of
Ultimate Tumblr Answer to all such questions so I wouldn’t have to

Why We Need Design Guidelines for Urban Non-Humans

Sat, 24 Oct 2015 14:58:37 +1100

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

<http://www.thenatureofcities.com/2015/10/04/why-we-need-design-guidelines-for-urban-non-humans/>

"...my example was to suggest that an urban fractal or neighbourhood
should be able to provide sufficient viable habitat that it can support
at least one key indicator species of fauna and a majority of the

Image Based Relighting Using Neural Networks

Sat, 24 Oct 2015 15:00:19 +1100

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

<http://prostheticknowledge.tumblr.com/post/130624788641/image-based-relighting-using-neural-networks>

"Computer graphics paper from Microsoft Research Asia demonstrates
method to edit the light source of a photograph using neural network
analysis"

10 Really Weird Crow Facts

Sun, 25 Oct 2015 12:44:03 +1100

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

http://www.avesnoir.com/10-really-weird-crow-facts/

"In this list, we want to explore some of the stranger things about our
favorite critter."

Locked Out Of The Sixth Amendment By Proprietary Forensic Software

Sun, 25 Oct 2015 12:45:24 +1100

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

<https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20151007/07411932464/locked-out-sixth-amendment-proprietary-forensic-software.shtml>

'The "trade secret privilege" invoked here basically states that the
company's potential loss of income outweighs a person's potential loss
of freedom. It also asks for a level of trust it hasn't earned: that the

At This Danish School, LARPing Is the Future of Education

Sun, 25 Oct 2015 12:46:37 +1100

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

<https://www.vice.com/read/at-this-danish-school-larping-is-the-future-of-education-482>

"At Østerskov Efterskole, a boarding school in Hobro, Denmark, immersion
in the subject matter is the central educational strategy. Students can
be immersed in literature, immersed in history, or even immersed in a

Appeals Court: No You Can't Copyright Yoga

Sun, 25 Oct 2015 12:47:53 +1100

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

<https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20151008/11264432480/appeals-court-no-you-cant-copyright-yoga.shtml>

"We first wrote about this issue more than a decade ago, but there's
been a ridiculous attempt by some yoga instructors to use intellectual
property to lock up certain yoga poses. While most of the focus has been

The Coming Collision Between EU Privacy Regulation And American Free Speech

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 12:15:13 +1100

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

<https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20151002/22252332432/coming-collision-between-eu-privacy-regulation-american-free-speech.shtml>

"Earlier this week, we wrote about the EU Court of Justice's decision that the
NSA's surveillance of the internet meant that the EU-US data protection safe
harbor was invalid. As we noted, there's a lot of mess in all of this, but

Why Are Two Aging Pacifists on the Federal No-Fly List?

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 12:17:06 +1100

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

<http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/09/21/why-are-two-aging-pacifists-federal-no-fly-list>

"So began a day of confusion and fear, followed by several years of
indignation, frustration, and litigation, as we struggled to find out why — as
the agent’s supervisor soon informed us with a similarly strange look on her

Found in Translation

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 12:18:01 +1100

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

<http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/culturebox/2015/10/japanese_film_tour_ghibli_museum_the_lost_in_translation_pool_and_toho_studios.html>

"A film critic revisits a lifetime of cinema on a journey to Japan."

An entertaining Japan travelogue from a film buff.

From SimCity to, well, SimCity: The history of city-building games

Tue, 27 Oct 2015 16:21:48 +1100

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

<http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2015/10/from-simcity-to-well-simcity-the-history-of-city-building-games/>

"We've traveled through time and space to build on alien worlds, in ancient
civilizations, and in parallel universes—laying down roads, zoning land,
playing god, and cheating our way to success in a vain attempt to construct a

Photographer Uses LED Lights To Capture The Movement Of String Musicians

Tue, 27 Oct 2015 16:26:31 +1100

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

<http://art-sheep.com/photographer-uses-led-lights-to-capture-the-movement-of-string-musicians/>

"Stephen Orlando, in a beautiful photography series, uses long exposure and LED
lights to track the movements of the performers’ bows, resulting in a set of
very impressive pictures with a highly acoustical element."

A Dilapidated Bank Turned Stunning Cultural Center Opens in Chicago’s South Side

Tue, 27 Oct 2015 16:37:39 +1100

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

<http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_eye/2015/10/06/stony_island_arts_bank_is_theaster_gates_and_rebuild_foundation_s_stunning.html>

"The Stony Island Arts Bank is a gorgeously renovated 17,000-square-foot former
bank at 68th Street and Stony Island Avenue on Chicago’s South Side that has
been transformed into a contemporary art gallery, media archive, library, and

New elements to the VW story shed interesting light

Wed, 28 Oct 2015 13:41:01 +1100

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

http://ideas.4brad.com/new-elements-vw-story-shed-interesting-light

"...things like this are rarely fully to blame on a small group of very evil
people, but are more often the result of a broad situation that pushed ordinary
(but unethical) people well over the ethical line. This we must understand

Tar Sands Pollution Forces Native Community To Confront The Loss Of Its Oldest Tradition

Wed, 28 Oct 2015 13:42:40 +1100

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

http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/07/08/3428360/tar-sands-native-food/

"Soon, however, we’re told that the caribou and fish were not killed by members
of the ACFN. In fact, nothing on the table is grown, hunted, or caught by the
community. Not anymore."

An Elegant Kinetic Sculpture by Derek Hugger that Mimics the Flight of a Hummingbird

Wed, 28 Oct 2015 13:43:54 +1100

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

http://www.thisiscolossal.com/2015/10/kummingbird-kinetic-sculpture/

"Containing over 400 precisely machined gears, screws, and aesthetic elements,
Derek Hugger’s latest kinetic sculpture Colibri mimics the motion of a
hummingbird in flight. Though the motions of flying are unmistakable, the piece

We’re not as selfish as we think we are. Here’s the proof

Thu, 29 Oct 2015 12:46:20 +1100

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

<http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/oct/14/selfish-proof-ego-humans-inherently-good>

"Do you find yourself thrashing against the tide of human indifference and
selfishness? Are you oppressed by the sense that while you care, others don’t?
That, because of humankind’s callousness, civilisation and the rest of life on

Global Internet Experts Reveal Plan for More Secure, Reliable Wi-Fi Routers - and Internet

Thu, 29 Oct 2015 12:48:18 +1100

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

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20151014005564/en

“We can't afford to let any part of the Internet's infrastructure rot in place.
We made this proposal because the wireless spectrum must not only be allocated
responsibly, but also used responsibly. By requiring a bare minimum of openness

Squirrel Island - stop motion animation short film

Thu, 29 Oct 2015 12:49:56 +1100

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

<https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/astridgoldsmith/squirrel-island-stop-motion-animation-short-film>

"A stop-motion sci-fi action thriller about squirrel apartheid. Can a renegade
grey squirrel survive on this mysterious island?"

Jenny Mysterious and Stardrop on Patreon - Time Stuck "Always Been You"

Fri, 30 Oct 2015 14:11:30 +1100

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvW-fPsBLwI

*/*Jenny Mysterious*/is.../*

The KUNG-FU "X-Files"!*/**/*

Exxon's climate lie: 'No corporation has ever done anything this big or bad'

Fri, 30 Oct 2015 14:13:47 +1100

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

<http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/oct/14/exxons-climate-lie-change-global-warming>

"I’m well aware that with Paris looming it’s time to be hopeful, and I’m
willing to try. Even amid the record heat and flooding of the present, there
are good signs for the future in the rising climate movement and the falling

Inside a French Museum Filled With Miniature Movie Sets

Fri, 30 Oct 2015 14:15:13 +1100

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

<http://mentalfloss.com/article/69877/inside-french-museum-filled-miniature-movie-sets>

Before movie makers relied on the magic of CGI, they had to use more creative
methods to create scenes. Professional miniaturists were called in to create
impossibly detailed sets that would put even the most elaborate dollhouses to

Free, open-source mod lets TI graphing calculator make sweet 1-bit music

Sat, 31 Oct 2015 14:54:44 +1100

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

<http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2015/10/free-open-source-mod-lets-ti-graphing-calculator-make-sweet-1-bit-music/>

"The humble Texas Instruments graphing pocket calculator has seen its
fair share of mods over the years, thanks in part to an oddly active
development community of procrastinators desperate to get out of doing

Poachers Are Using Cyanide to Slaughter Entire Elephant Herds

Sat, 31 Oct 2015 14:55:58 +1100

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

<http://motherboard.vice.com/read/poachers-are-using-cyanide-to-slaughter-entire-elephant-herds>

"A total of 26 elephant carcasses were found dead on in just two weeks
from cyanide poisoning in Hwange National Park, the largest game reserve
in Zimbabwe. The latest incident, discovered on Tuesday, follows a

'There Is No Human Right To Patent Protection' -- UN Special Rapporteur

Sat, 31 Oct 2015 14:57:12 +1100

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

<https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20151013/09390532525/there-is-no-human-right-to-patent-protection-un-special-rapporteur.shtml>

"Patents, when properly structured, may expand the options and
well-being of all people by making new possibilities available. Yet,
they also give patent-holders the power to deny access to others,

Tomorrow Corporation : Human Resource Machine

Sat, 31 Oct 2015 14:59:03 +1100

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

http://tomorrowcorporation.com/humanresourcemachine

"Human Resource Machine is a puzzle game. In each level, your boss gives
you a job. Automate it by programming your little office worker! If you
succeed, you'll be promoted up to the next level for another year of

Glass Wings Blog: October 2015

The Most Wanted Man in the World

Thu, 1 Oct 2015 19:39:37 +1000

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

Elsevier, that just freaked me out.

Thu, 1 Oct 2015 19:40:42 +1000

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

Mr Bean at 25: animating the legacy

Thu, 1 Oct 2015 19:41:48 +1000

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

A Day of Speaking Truth to Power: Visiting the ODNI

Fri, 2 Oct 2015 14:27:22 +1000

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

Early YouTube Musician Explains How Signing Major Label Deal 'Nearly Destroyed My Career'

Fri, 2 Oct 2015 14:28:20 +1000

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

The Sun Cruise Resort, A Cruise Ship Resort That Never Leaves Land

Fri, 2 Oct 2015 14:29:03 +1000

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

One More Time With Feeling: No, The Internet Is Not Making Us Dumber

Sat, 3 Oct 2015 14:34:24 +1000

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

Everybody in dresses: Why does gender neutral clothing always mean ‘boy’ clothes for girls?

Sat, 3 Oct 2015 14:35:53 +1000

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

Dark corners of Unicode

Sat, 3 Oct 2015 14:37:21 +1000

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

Family Of Marcel Duchamp Gets 3D Print Design For Duchamp Chess Set Removed Back Into History Over Copyright

Sat, 3 Oct 2015 14:38:38 +1000

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

Graphemica: For people who ♥ letters, numbers, punctuation, &c

Sun, 4 Oct 2015 12:31:51 +1100

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

Everything is a Remix: Five Year Anniversary Celebration

Sun, 4 Oct 2015 12:33:30 +1100

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

Muslim Lolita Fashion Is A New Trend Inspired By Japan

Sun, 4 Oct 2015 12:34:35 +1100

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

A Whale of a Win

Sun, 4 Oct 2015 12:35:35 +1100

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

Read a bold new magazine for interactive fiction fans

Mon, 5 Oct 2015 14:02:35 +1100

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

Saudi Arabia squandered its groundwater and agriculture collapsed. California, take note.

Mon, 5 Oct 2015 14:04:19 +1100

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

Stylish Animals Take Over The Buildings Of Paris

Mon, 5 Oct 2015 14:05:31 +1100

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

Justine Larbalestier: On Being a Nice Author

Tue, 6 Oct 2015 15:18:09 +1100

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

David Attenborough backs huge Apollo-style clean energy research plan

Tue, 6 Oct 2015 15:24:31 +1100

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

Over-the-top Hackerspace Donation box Brings out the Brony in you

Tue, 6 Oct 2015 15:26:26 +1100

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

Lost comedy precursor to Monty Python starring John Cleese and Graham Chapman is found after 48 years

Wed, 7 Oct 2015 13:48:51 +1100

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

Half of all marine life lost in 40 years: WWF report

Wed, 7 Oct 2015 13:51:30 +1100

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

Anthea's Garden

Wed, 7 Oct 2015 13:54:45 +1100

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

How GOG.com Save And Restore Classic Videogames

Thu, 8 Oct 2015 13:10:03 +1100

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

How the political system affects happiness – Benjamin Radcliff – Aeon

Thu, 8 Oct 2015 13:11:20 +1100

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

Techdirt Reading List: The Piracy Crusade

Thu, 8 Oct 2015 13:13:10 +1100

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

Efficiency up, turnover down: Sweden experiments with six-hour working day