Glass Wings Blog: November 2015

How is NSA breaking so much crypto?

Sun, 1 Nov 2015 12:46:39 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://freedom-to-tinker.com/blog/haldermanheninger/how-is-nsa-breaking-so-much-crypto/>

"There have been rumors for years that the NSA can decrypt a significant
fraction of encrypted Internet traffic. In 2012, James Bamford published
an article quoting anonymous former NSA officials stating that the

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Don't Stay in School / You Look Like a Girl

Sun, 1 Nov 2015 12:48:11 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
https://youtu.be/8xe6nLVXEC0

A passionate response to the US education system.  Intended as a
conversation starter.

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Buck Rogers and the Copyright Trolls

Sun, 1 Nov 2015 12:50:13 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
https://boingboing.net/2015/10/16/buck-rogers-and-the-copyright.html

"The character of Anthony “Buck" Rogers first appears in Philip Nowlan’s
1928 novel ARMAGEDDON 2419 A.D. (itself a combination of two novellas
that appeared in the AMAZING STORIES magazine) and serves as an origin

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Comment: I complimented a racist and won

Sun, 1 Nov 2015 12:51:30 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2015/10/13/comment-i-complimented-racist-and-won>

"Confrontation isn't the only way to tackle racist tirades on our
streets and public transport. SBS World News Presenter Janice Petersen
decided to try a different tactic."

(More...)

How Doctors Take Women's Pain Less Seriously

Mon, 2 Nov 2015 12:49:51 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2015/10/emergency-room-wait-times-sexism/410515/>

"When my wife was struck by mysterious, debilitating symptoms, our trip to the
ER revealed the sexism inherent in emergency treatment."

(More...)

Monty Python Gets A New Trailer For 40th Anniversary Plus Never-Before-Seen Animations By Terry Gilliam

Mon, 2 Nov 2015 12:50:56 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<http://www.techtimes.com/articles/96033/20151016/monty-python-gets-a-new-trailer-for-40th-anniversary-plus-never-before-seen-animations-by-terry-gilliam.htm>

'Just when we thought the fun was over, 14 minutes of never-before-seen footage
of Gilliam's animation surfaces on the Internet. This video is in conjunction
with the new Limited Edition Castle Catapult Gift Set Blu-ray of "Monty Python

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Lessons From a Decade of IT Failures

Mon, 2 Nov 2015 12:51:50 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
http://spectrum.ieee.org/static/lessons-from-a-decade-of-it-failures

"To commemorate the last decade’s worth of failures, we organized and analyzed
the data we’ve collected. We cannot claim—nor can anyone, really—to have a
definitive, comprehensive database of debacles. Instead, from the incidents we

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The age of entitlement: how wealth breeds narcissism

Tue, 3 Nov 2015 12:29:17 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jul/08/the-age-of-entitlement-how-wealth-breeds-narcissism>

"As people get richer, they are more likely to feel entitled, to exploit
others, and to cheat. That extends to politics too"

(More...)

We treat one elephant culled as a tragedy, 20,000 poached as a statistic

Tue, 3 Nov 2015 12:31:48 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/oct/16/angry-one-culled-elephant-20000-poached>

"The death of a single elephant – or lion, such as Cecil – is sad. But
our anger should really be aimed at the species-threatening scale of the
illegal wildlife trade"

(More...)

One Day Old Goat Kids On First Adventure

Tue, 3 Nov 2015 12:33:38 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_R5DSwXzexc

Time for your daily dose of cute!  Via Muse again.

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We treat one elephant culled as a tragedy, 20, 000 poached as a statistic

Tue, 3 Nov 2015 16:55:34 +1100 (EST)

drjon [at] pacific.net.au

Gravatar
There's some horrible stuff happening, both large-scale and small:

http://bigcatrescue.org/canned-hunts-by-jessica-janson/

<http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/oct/16/angry-one-culled-elephant-20000-poached>

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When Facebook's "Real Name" Policies Can Kill

Wed, 4 Nov 2015 12:48:50 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
http://lauren.vortex.com/archive/001133.html

"A farce? Yep, we could definitely call it that.  And it's a very dangerous
farce, indeed."

(More...)

Meet Saya: the incredibly realistic computer-generated Japanese schoolgirl

Wed, 4 Nov 2015 12:50:01 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
https://boingboing.net/2015/10/15/meet-saya-the-incredibly-real.html

"Teruyuki and Yuki Ishikawa are a husband-and-wife team of freelance 3D
computer graphics artists from Tokyo. Their latest creation is Saya, and she is
going to be the star in the movie they are self-producing."

(More...)

Sundays Sweets: Tim Burton Treats!

Wed, 4 Nov 2015 12:51:41 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<http://www.cakewrecks.com/home/2015/10/18/sundays-sweets-tim-burton-treats.html>

"So here are my new favorites inspired by some of Burton's spookier films."

Amazing Tim Burton cakes!

(More...)

This smart hairclip translates sound to vibrations for the hearing impaired

Thu, 5 Nov 2015 12:53:14 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<http://venturebeat.com/2015/10/18/this-smart-hairclip-translates-sound-to-vibrations-for-the-hearing-impaired/>

"At first glance this tiny device looks like an ordinary accessory, but this
product is a little more specialized than it appears. Ontenna is a device that,
when clipped to the user’s hair just like a hair pin, can convey the character

(More...)

Imbalanced 'Incentives' Hurt Creativity More Than They Help

Thu, 5 Nov 2015 12:55:14 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20151009/23515832491/imbalanced-incentives-hurt-creativity-more-than-they-help.shtml>

"Certainly, copyright plays an important role in securing incentives for
creators. But it's absurd to suggest that regulatory monopolies are the only
source of artistic creation and freedom or that stronger intellectual-property

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Some suggestions for sad, rich people

Thu, 5 Nov 2015 12:57:03 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
http://boingboing.net/2015/10/19/some-suggestions-for-sad-rich.html

"The Guardian's story about wealth therapists, who help one percenters cope
with the stress of being rich in an era of widening wealth inequality, features
quotes from some really awful-sounding, clueless people who compare the plight

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Friday cuteness

Fri, 6 Nov 2015 13:06:16 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
Mother Whale And Dolphin Take Babies Swimming In Remarkable Footage
https://www.thedodo.com/mother-dolphin-whale-swim-together-1412166703.html

Rescue Kitten Raised By Ferrets Now Think It’s Also A Ferret Too
http://buzzgoodie.com/rescue-kitten-raised-by-ferrets-now-behaves-like-one/

(More...)

Bernie Sanders Calls For Federal Investigation Of Exxon

Fri, 6 Nov 2015 13:08:58 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/10/20/3714390/bernie-sanders-investigate-exxon-climate-denial/>

"In a letter to Attorney General Loretta Lynch on Tuesday, Sanders charged the
oil giant of engaging in a cover-up to intentionally mislead the public about
the reality of human-caused climate change, and by extension the risks of its

(More...)

Teen Who Hacked CIA Director’s Email Tells How He Did It

Fri, 6 Nov 2015 13:10:16 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<http://www.wired.com/2015/10/hacker-who-broke-into-cia-director-john-brennan-email-tells-how-he-did-it/>

"A hacker who claims to have broken into the AOL account of CIA Director John
Brennan says he obtained access by posing as a Verizon worker to trick another
employee into revealing the spy chief’s personal information."

(More...)

“Star Wars” lets Princess Leia age realistically: Is this an alternate Hollywood universe?

Sat, 7 Nov 2015 15:47:48 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<http://www.salon.com/2015/10/20/star_wars_lets_princess_leia_age_realistically_is_this_an_alternate_hollywood_universe/>

"The most breathtaking moment in the new trailer for “Star Wars: The
Force Awakens” doesn’t involve explosions or lightsabers or ominous
references to the Dark Side. It’s an eyeblink-long shot of Princess Leia

(More...)

How to act less stupid, according to psychologists

Sat, 7 Nov 2015 15:50:34 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2015/10/19/how-to-act-less-stupid-according-to-psychologists/>

"What they found is that people tend to agree about what deserves to be
called stupid and what doesn't — remarkably, there was a roughly 90
percent rate of agreement. They also learned that there are, it seems,

(More...)

The Myth of Welfare’s Corrupting Influence on the Poor

Sat, 7 Nov 2015 15:52:16 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/21/business/the-myth-of-welfares-corrupting-influence-on-the-poor.html>

"Few ideas are so deeply ingrained in the American popular imagination
as the belief that government aid for poor people will just encourage
bad behavior."

(More...)

‘Weird Al’ Yankovic Performs ‘Tacky’ While Making His Way to the Stage at Each Show During ‘Mandatory World Tour’

Sat, 7 Nov 2015 15:53:52 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<http://laughingsquid.com/weird-al-yankovic-performs-tacky-while-making-his-way-to-the-stage-at-each-show-during-mandatory-world-tour/>

"“Weird Al” Yankovic created a compilation video of him performing the
parody song “Tacky” while making his way to the stage at almost every
show during his “Mandatory World Tour” across North America, Europe, and

(More...)

How a Wolf Named Romeo Won Hearts in an Alaska Suburb

Sun, 8 Nov 2015 16:04:34 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/03/150322-romeo-wolf-dog-animals-wildlife-alaska-ngbooktalk/>

"It’s one thing to have a tolerant meeting with a wild wolf that goes on
for a matter of minutes. But this went on for six years."

(More...)

I thought all anti-vaxxers were idiots. Then I married one.

Sun, 8 Nov 2015 16:06:57 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.vox.com/2015/9/4/9252489/anti-vaxx-wife

"Almost everyone believes the following: Vaccines are a good and
necessary part of medicine.  Some people, and more people every day,
believe this, too: Those who don't believe in the virtues of vaccines —

(More...)

'I saved her life, while she saved mine': The animals that bring love to a life on the streets

Sun, 8 Nov 2015 16:08:10 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/i-saved-her-life-while-she-saved-mine-the-animals-that-bring-love-to-a-life-on-the-streets-20151022-gkfowg.html>

"Summer Jackson and her cat share a common start to life – alone and
without a family they wound up living on the streets."

(More...)

A Letter to JK Rowling

Sun, 8 Nov 2015 16:09:33 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
http://katherinephelps.com/2015/10/a-letter-to-jk-rowling/

"Thank you for renewing my sense of wonder. Thank you for a world so
rich in imagination and joy that even though my mundane world does not
include wands and dragons and golden snitches, I am uplifted and my

(More...)

Copyright is broken

Mon, 9 Nov 2015 14:12:37 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
http://eev.ee/blog/2015/10/23/copyright-is-broken/

"Copyright is strangling us. In a time when creation is easier and ideas spread
more quickly than ever, you’re not allowed to actually use most of pop culture
as inspiration. You can hope to stay under the radar, you can start from

(More...)

Fairphone 2 hands-on: Modular phones are finally here

Mon, 9 Nov 2015 14:13:44 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2015/10/fairphone-2-hands-on-modular-phones-are-finally-here/>

"Earlier this year, Fairphone announced the Fairphone 2, which has been
designed by the company from scratch and has a unique feature: the users can
(and are encouraged to) easily disassemble the phone themselves, swap or

(More...)

The Secret History of the Hashtag, Slash, and Interrobang

Mon, 9 Nov 2015 14:17:13 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
http://www.wired.com/2015/10/the-secret-history-of-the-hashtag-slash-and-interrobang/

"Glyphs are the hidden heroes of the typography world. You might not pay them
much attention, but they’re undeniably important. Glyphs—and by glyphs we’re
referring specifically to those little typographic symbols that include

(More...)

Why It’s OK to Block Ads

Tue, 10 Nov 2015 12:37:22 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
http://blog.practicalethics.ox.ac.uk/2015/10/why-its-ok-to-block-ads/

"What I find remarkable is the way both sides of this debate seem to simply
assume the large-scale capture and exploitation of human attention to be
ethical and/or inevitable in the first place. This demonstrates how utterly we

(More...)

How to Make Everything Ourselves: Open Modular Hardware

Tue, 10 Nov 2015 12:39:23 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<http://www.lowtechmagazine.com/2012/12/how-to-make-everything-ourselves-open-modular-hardware.html>

"Reverting to traditional handicrafts is one way to sabotage the throwaway
society. In this article, we discuss another possibility: the design of modular
consumer products, whose parts and components could be re-used for the design

(More...)

Sunday Sweets and Halloween Treats!

Tue, 10 Nov 2015 12:40:07 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
http://www.cakewrecks.com/home/2015/10/25/sunday-sweets-and-halloween-treats.html

Awesome Halloween cakes!

(More...)

Tackling the mysteries of evolution: Peter Watts talks about consciousness, publishing, and his Hugo nominated novel Blindsight

Wed, 11 Nov 2015 12:55:07 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
http://chimerasthebooks.blogspot.com.au/2012/01/tackling-mysteries-of-evolution-peter.html

"Today, though, I have a story that is even more amazing, because amazing is
the person I talked to: marine biologist Peter Watts is the author of the Hugo
nominated novel Blindsight, as well as the Rifters Trilogy Starfish, Maelstrom,

(More...)

The Ten Commandments of Peer Production and Commons Economics

Wed, 11 Nov 2015 12:57:39 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<http://blog.p2pfoundation.net/the-ten-commandments-of-peer-production-and-commons-economics/2015/10/24>

"This is an important synthesis of ten years of research at the P2P Foundation,
on the emerging practices of the new productive communities and the ethical
entrepreneurial coalitions that create livelihoods for shared resources."

(More...)

The war on the 'hoverboard'

Wed, 11 Nov 2015 12:59:14 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
http://www.bbc.com/autos/story/20151022-the-war-on-the-hoverboard

"It has become the year's must-have gadget, but is there room on the road for
the self-balancing scooter?"

(More...)

A Collaborative Project in City Planning for Urban Biodiversity in Japan

Thu, 12 Nov 2015 12:56:08 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<http://www.thenatureofcities.com/2015/10/25/collaborative-project-in-city-planning-for-urban-biodiversity-in-japan/>

"From 2014, we have been taking part in a project in city planning for urban
biodiversity in Fukutsu city, Japan. Our lab (Keitaro Ito laboratory, Kyushu
Institute of Technology) has been directing the project in collaboration with

(More...)

World set to use more energy for cooling than heating

Thu, 12 Nov 2015 12:57:33 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/oct/26/cold-economy-cop21-global-warming-carbon-emissions>

"The world faces a looming and potentially calamitous “cold crunch”, with
demand for air conditioning and refrigeration growing so fast that it threatens
to smash pledges and targets for global warming."

(More...)

Has Japan improved on the fortune cookie? (+video)

Thu, 12 Nov 2015 12:59:06 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Global-News/2015/1026/Has-Japan-improved-on-the-fortune-cookie-video>

"A Japanese company has released a reinvented trend. Produced by Felissimo
Inc., the new “Hide-and-Seek Kitty Candies” (“dagashi nyanko kakurenbo”) look
exactly like fortune cookies, but instead of receiving a token of wisdom, the

(More...)

Yahoo: seek proof! Hublot: you cannot claim rights for images that are not yours

Fri, 13 Nov 2015 13:20:51 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<http://blog.mingthein.com/2015/10/27/hublot-you-cannot-claim-rights-for-images-that-are-not-yours/>

"I highlighted the most troubling aspect of all: it’s easy to take down
and disrupt, but asymmetrically difficult to restore things if the
claims are baseless."

(More...)

Japanese Rube Goldberg Machine Becomes An Epic Adventure Story

Fri, 13 Nov 2015 13:22:00 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
http://www.wimp.com/biisuke-ball-adventure/

"These days, movie theaters are filled with big budget action movies
that rely on state-of-the-art special effects to thrill audiences. But
not every action-adventure story needs to be loud and in your face.

(More...)

6-week-old caracal kittens venture outside with mom

Fri, 13 Nov 2015 13:24:00 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<http://www.oregonzoo.org/news/2015/10/6-week-old-caracal-kittens-venture-outside>

"The Oregon Zoo's two new caracal kittens are 6 weeks old now, and they
have just begun to explore their outdoor habitat in the zoo's Predators
of the Serengeti area."

(More...)

Greenland Is Melting Away

Sat, 14 Nov 2015 13:15:12 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/10/27/world/greenland-is-melting-away.html>

"But Mr. Overstreet’s task, to collect critical data from the river, is
essential to understanding one of the most consequential impacts of
global warming. The scientific data he and a team of six other

(More...)

Here’s How To Eat Everything You’ve Ever Wanted From A Miyazaki Film

Sat, 14 Nov 2015 13:17:01 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<http://www.buzzfeed.com/christinalan/heres-how-to-eat-everything-youve-ever-wanted-fr>

"Warning: tears of happiness may ensue."

Studio Ghibli recipes.  Via Susan Stone.

(More...)

Yes, Animals Have Feelings (Op-Ed)

Sat, 14 Nov 2015 13:18:21 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
http://www.livescience.com/49093-animals-have-feelings.html

"Watching these animals pursue their wants and needs reminds me that
they are individuals with intentions and preferences. Their lives matter
to them. Their desire for rewards is part of sentience — the capacity to

(More...)

The Other Autistic Muppet

Sat, 14 Nov 2015 13:22:10 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
http://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/10/27/the-other-autistic-muppet/

"Last week’s news that Sesame Street was introducing the first autistic
Muppet was met in my house with a resounding, “Huh?”

(More...)

A Golf Ball Takes Weeks to Move Through the World’s Slowest Rube Goldberg Machine

Sun, 15 Nov 2015 13:10:42 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<http://laughingsquid.com/a-golf-ball-takes-weeks-to-move-through-the-worlds-slowest-rube-goldberg-machine/>

"Artist and engineer Bob Partington recently partnered with the YouTube
channel Field Day to build the world’s slowest Rube Goldberg machine.
The contraption sends a golf ball from one place to another using things

(More...)

Of Course Australia Has Drop-Off Centers for Deadly Spiders

Sun, 15 Nov 2015 13:12:35 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<http://www.wired.com/2015/10/of-course-australia-has-drop-off-centers-for-deadly-spiders/>

"You definitely don’t want to get bitten by Australia’s funnel-web
spider, which roams Sydney and the country’s east coast at large. But
those who do—and survive, thanks to that precious antivenom—will have

(More...)

A Beautiful Pair of Human-Sized Pneumatic Articulating Feather Wings

Sun, 15 Nov 2015 13:14:06 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<http://laughingsquid.com/a-beautiful-pair-of-human-sized-pneumatic-articulating-feather-wings/>

"Alexis Noriega created a beautiful pair of human-sized pneumatic
articulating feather wings for Halloween. She will be posting a tutorial
soon for people interested in building their own pair."

(More...)

How Do You Paint 10,000 Paintings a Month?

Sun, 15 Nov 2015 13:15:12 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.instapainting.com/blog/company/2015/10/28/how-to-paint-10000-paintings/>

"The success of this experiment led us to found Instapainting in 2014.
We knew that if we wanted to build a successful business, however, we
would need to produce a lot more than 24 paintings. We estimated that we

(More...)

Touring the Recreated 1969 Birthplace of the Internet at UCLA

Mon, 16 Nov 2015 12:51:47 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<http://la.curbed.com/archives/2011/10/touring_the_1969_birthplace_of_the_internet_at_ucla.php>

'On October 29, 1969, UCLA grad student Charley Kline sat in a room in Boelter
Hall and typed the first message on the ARPANET, the precursor to the modern
internet (he wrote "lo"--before he could get to the "g" in "login" the system

(More...)

Why Do So Many Ex-Cons End Up Back in Prison? Maybe They Don’t, Says a Provocative New Study

Mon, 16 Nov 2015 12:54:04 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
https://plus.google.com/u/0/+YonatanZunger/posts/jNtoBn1kE9v

"This is one of those news items that hasn't gotten nearly enough coverage —
because it's the sort of thing that makes professionals go OH YOU HAVE GOT TO
BE FUCKING KIDDING ME."

(More...)

ABC Open Pic of the Week

Mon, 16 Nov 2015 12:55:21 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-10-30/abc-open-pic-of-the-week/6899594

"Here are a selection of photos sent in by ABC Open audience members from
around Australia."

(More...)

37 silent film plots

Tue, 17 Nov 2015 12:39:55 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
http://boingboing.net/2015/10/29/taxonomy-of-the-37-basic-silen.html

"It's a lovely piece of narrative theory from Wycliff Aber Hill's 1919 book Ten
Million Photoplay Plots: The Master Key to All Dramatic Plots, part of a
tradition of stage-play manuals that presented related taxonomies for aspiring

(More...)

With Sobering Science, Doctor Debunks 12-Step Recovery

Tue, 17 Nov 2015 12:43:28 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<http://www.npr.org/2014/03/23/291405829/with-sobering-science-doctor-debunks-12-step-recovery>

"Dodes tells NPR's Arun Rath that 12-step recovery simply doesn't work, despite
anecdotes about success."

(More...)

A cute couple

Tue, 17 Nov 2015 12:49:29 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
http://comics-station.tumblr.com/post/132473907095/this-may-be-the-greatest-stan

Via Muse.

(More...)

How a group of neighbors created their own Internet service

Wed, 18 Nov 2015 12:57:45 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2015/11/how-a-group-of-neighbors-created-their-own-internet-service/>

"Powered by radios in trees, homegrown network serves 50 houses on Orcas
Island."

(More...)

Famous Sounds

Wed, 18 Nov 2015 12:59:11 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
http://www.synthmania.com/Famous%20Sounds.htm

"Famous sounds" are sounds that have been created or used by somebody, liked
and then copied by many others, and thus earned a "classic" status.

(More...)

Canberra gets an internet cat video film festival thanks to the RSPCA

Wed, 18 Nov 2015 13:00:51 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/canberra-life/canberra-gets-an-internet-cat-video-film-festival-thanks-to-the-rspca-20151021-gkfbl0.html>

"The idea is simple - people gather to watch 100 internet cat videos together
at the Old Bus Depot Markets in November. Think of every video you've ever
watched to avoid doing work, wrapped up in one furry feline package."

(More...)

Science fatigue keeps us clinging to bad health habits

Thu, 19 Nov 2015 12:13:29 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://theconversation.com/science-fatigue-keeps-us-clinging-to-bad-health-habits-49892>

"The media constantly bombards us with the latest research on a plethora of
topics without much nuance on its quality or relevance."

(More...)

Visualize Python, Java, JavaScript, TypeScript, Ruby, C, and C++ programs

Thu, 19 Nov 2015 12:15:24 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
http://pythontutor.com/

"Python Tutor, created by Philip Guo, helps people overcome a fundamental
barrier to learning programming: understanding what happens as the computer
executes each line of a program's source code."

(More...)

Announcing delivery robots from Starship Technologies

Thu, 19 Nov 2015 12:16:37 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<http://ideas.4brad.com/announcing-delivery-robots-starship-technologies-yours-truly>

"Starship is still in early stages, but will be conducting a pilot project next
year in the UK, and another in the USA shortly thereafter. Customers will be
able to place online orders and have a robot come to their home immediately or

(More...)

Boy Howdy, This Got Stupid In A Hurry...

Fri, 20 Nov 2015 12:49:26 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<http://linuxlock.blogspot.com.au/2015/11/boy-howdy-this-got-stupid-in-hurry.html>

"We are offering some sweetheart deals for donating to our vehicle fund
raiser."

(More...)

World's biggest tech companies get failing grade on data-privacy rights

Fri, 20 Nov 2015 12:51:27 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/nov/03/data-protection-failure-google-facebook-ranking-digital-rights>

"Firms such as Google and Facebook didn’t offer users basic disclosures
about privacy and censorship. ‘The best-scoring company got a D,’ says
thinktank"

(More...)

Sir David Attenborough narrates Adele's Hello

Fri, 20 Nov 2015 12:55:06 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enu-qR0H_uk

"Adele's Hello video gets the Sir David Attenborough voice over
treatment on Greg James."

(More...)

How one of the most obese countries on earth took on the soda giants

Sat, 21 Nov 2015 16:07:21 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<http://www.theguardian.com/news/2015/nov/03/obese-soda-sugar-tax-mexico>

"As debate rages about whether to introduce a sugar tax, this is the story of
how Mexico defied its own powerful fizzy drinks industry to impose a tax on
soda"

(More...)

The Dark Truth in the Movie ‘Truth’

Sat, 21 Nov 2015 16:27:55 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://consortiumnews.com/2015/11/03/the-dark-truth-in-the-movie-truth>

"Almost four decades after starring in “All the President’s Men,” Robert
Redford returns portraying another famous journalist in “Truth.” But the world
has been turned upside down. Mainstream media is no longer the hero exposing a

(More...)

Prank Greeting Cards that don't stop playing music

Sat, 21 Nov 2015 16:37:41 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jokergreeting/joker-greeting-best-prank-greeting-cards-ever>

"Joker Greeting makes prank musical greeting cards that only stop when the
battery dies or you break it!"

(More...)

Twitch’s Bob Ross marathon is the most beautiful thing the Internet has ever created

Sun, 22 Nov 2015 13:18:29 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<http://arstechnica.com/the-multiverse/2015/11/twitchs-bob-ross-marathon-is-the-most-beautiful-thing-the-internet-has-ever-created/>

"Bob Ross is a beautiful person, and his premature death is a cosmic
injustice. The Joy of Painting is truly a delightful show, and Twitch,
remarkably, has helped me enjoy it even more."

(More...)

Stop Making Sense

Sun, 22 Nov 2015 13:19:54 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
https://medium.com/message/stop-making-sense-b2aa7f0d3079

"EVERYBODY PANIC! The technology industry is running out of a
fundamental finite resource. But the problem this time isn’t scarce
chips or broken servers, and it certainly isn’t venture capital — it’s

(More...)

Support Shava Nerad creating commentary on the international and american netizen zeitgeist

Sun, 22 Nov 2015 13:21:46 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.patreon.com/shava23

'One of the blessings of being involuntarily retired is that I no longer
am beholden to any organization that I have to represent.  I can speak
my mind fully without my opinions "reflecting back" on any group's

(More...)

San Jose high school issues student body card to campus cat

Sun, 22 Nov 2015 13:22:42 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_28630970/san-jose-high-school-issues-student-body-card-to-campus-cat>

"Like many members of Leland High School's student body, Bubba is a
social animal. He attends sporting events, hangs out on campus with his
buddies and has a Facebook page dedicated to his exploits."

(More...)

japanese artist brings ukiyo-e woodblock prints to life through animated gifs

Mon, 23 Nov 2015 13:28:57 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
http://www.designboom.com/art/japanese-ukiyo-e-gifs-animation-08-18-2015/

"these images, now known across the world, are recognized as static scenes, but
a japanese artist who works under the name segawa thirty-seven has activated
the stationary scenery though animation. a series of gifs bring hokusai’s

(More...)

Not Just Academics Fed Up With Elsevier: Entire Editorial Staff Resigns En Masse To Start Open Access Journal

Mon, 23 Nov 2015 13:30:45 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20151103/15475732708/not-just-academics-fed-up-with-elsevier-entire-editorial-staff-resigns-en-masse-to-start-open-access-journal.shtml>

"It's really somewhat astounding just how absolutely hated journal publishing
giant Elsevier has become in certain academic circles. The company seems to
have perfected its role of being about as evil as possible in trying to lock up

(More...)

Cakes, Custard, Categories and Colbert

Mon, 23 Nov 2015 13:32:08 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
https://plus.google.com/u/0/117663015413546257905/posts/MQ5GtgaUDTY

"Eugenia recently wrote a book called Cakes, Custard and Category Theory: Easy
Recipes for Understanding Complex Maths, which has gotten a lot of publicity.  
This must be why she's on the show."

(More...)

iheartneedlework handmade hats for cats

Tue, 24 Nov 2015 12:35:25 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.etsy.com/shop/iheartneedlework

"iheartneedlework proudly offers custom costumes and hats for cats, people, and
other pets. Custom orders, item variations, and original design requests are
always welcome!"

(More...)

GeoGuessr

Tue, 24 Nov 2015 12:36:29 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
https://geoguessr.com/

"Embark on a journey that takes you all over the world.  From the most desolate
roads in Australia to the busy, bustling streets of New York City."

(More...)

Wire Cutters

Tue, 24 Nov 2015 12:37:26 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
https://vimeo.com/137531269

"A chance encounter proves fateful for 2 robots mining on a desolate planet."

Via Muse, who wrote:  "Great story and beautifully animated!"

(More...)

Straw Dinosaurs Appear in Japanese Fields, Try To Eat Humans

Wed, 25 Nov 2015 13:07:35 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<http://kotaku.com/straw-dinosaurs-appear-in-japanese-fields-try-to-eat-h-1728189064>

"After the grains are harvested, rice straw (“wara” in Japanese) is left
behind. In Niigata Prefecture, however, locals have been turning that rice
straw into art with a yearly Wara Art Festival."

(More...)

No, the Kids Aren’t Reading the Classics and Why Would They

Wed, 25 Nov 2015 13:08:46 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<http://whatever.scalzi.com/2015/11/01/no-the-kids-arent-reading-the-classics-and-why-would-they/>

"The surprise to me is not that today’s kids have their own set of favorite
authors, in genre and out of it; the surprise to me is honestly that anyone
else is surprised by this."

(More...)

How Richard Scarry updated his children’s book to be more progressive and inclusive

Wed, 25 Nov 2015 13:10:13 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
http://fusion.net/story/228845/richard-scarry-best-word-book-ever-changes/

"Richard Scarry’s Best Word Book Ever is a a classic of children’s literature,
having sold millions of copies to parents looking for a fun way to teach their
children simple vocabulary."

(More...)

Could desert crops become the new sustainable dinner?

Thu, 26 Nov 2015 12:24:23 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://medium.com/@CraftsmanshipMagazine/could-desert-crops-become-the-new-sustainable-dinner-64c5f91e2a53>

"From our recent reporting on The Culinary Frontier, a look at what’s on
the menu in the warmer, drier years ahead. Some of it’s pretty tasty."

(More...)

10,000 wax cylinders digitized and free to download

Thu, 26 Nov 2015 12:25:25 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
https://boingboing.net/2015/11/08/10000-wax-cylinders-digititze.html

"The University of California at Santa Barbara library has undertaken an
heroic digitization effort for its world-class archive of 19th and early
20th century wax cylinder recordings, and has placed over 10,000 songs

(More...)

Why People Keep Trying to Erase the Hollywood Sign From Google Maps

Thu, 26 Nov 2015 12:26:32 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<http://gizmodo.com/why-people-keep-trying-to-erase-the-hollywood-sign-from-1658084644>

"The Hollywood Sign might be one of the most recognizable things on
Earth. In Los Angeles, it’s also one of the most visible. You can see it
from a plane as you glide into LAX. You can see it from a car as you

(More...)

Theresa May’s threat to the privacy of reading

Fri, 27 Nov 2015 13:53:41 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/08/theresa-may-proposals-privacy-reading-draft-investigatory-powers-bill>

"Despite the government’s assurances that privacy will be safeguarded,
the draft investigatory powers bill is deeply and dangerously intrusive"

(More...)

Box Office: Why 'Jem And The Holograms' Flopping Is A Truly (Truly) Outrageous Tragedy

Fri, 27 Nov 2015 14:41:19 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<http://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2015/10/25/box-office-why-the-jem-and-the-holograms-flopping-is-a-truly-truly-outrageous-tragedy/>

"While boy-centric properties like Transformers, Teenage Mutant Ninja
Turtles, and G.I. Joe got $125 million+ budgets to work with, Jem and
the Holograms, a girl-centric action/musical cartoon got a $5m budget

(More...)

Can psychology help solve long-running conflicts?

Fri, 27 Nov 2015 14:43:35 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-34670525

"Conflicts can involve different nations and religions, different races
and classes. Some of them seem intractable: the tensions and hatred seem
depressingly permanent. But there are a number of social psychologists

(More...)

Kiwi Crate

Sat, 28 Nov 2015 13:21:58 +1100

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

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

"Kiwi Crate was built out of a passion for hands-on fun that encourages
creativity and curiosity in children. I had a deep appreciation for
these projects, but often found that my greatest intentions fell short.

(More...)

Star Trek The Original Series poster

Sat, 28 Nov 2015 13:30:24 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<http://dusty-abell.deviantart.com/art/Star-Trek-The-Original-Series-333378020>

"This piece is for all the Original Star Trek fans out there like
me...... I've been working on this for a while now and I'm happy to
finally get to share it with people. Definitely a labor of love this one

(More...)

Living and Dying on Airbnb

Sat, 28 Nov 2015 13:31:29 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
https://medium.com/matter/living-and-dying-on-airbnb-6bff8d600c04

"My dad died in an Airbnb rental, and he’s not the only one. What can
the company do to improve safety?"

(More...)

How Platform Coops Can Beat Death Stars Like Uber to Create a Real Sharing Economy

Sat, 28 Nov 2015 13:35:49 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<http://www.shareable.net/blog/how-platform-coops-can-beat-death-stars-like-uber-to-create-a-real-sharing-economy>

"We have an epic choice before us between platform coops and Death Star
platforms, and the time to decide is now. It might be the most important
economic decision we ever make, but most of us don't even know we have a

(More...)

Mathematician claims breakthrough in complexity theory

Sun, 29 Nov 2015 13:30:51 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<http://news.sciencemag.org/math/2015/11/mathematician-claims-breakthrough-complexity-theory>

'László Babai, a mathematician and computer scientist at the University
of Chicago in Illinois, has developed a mathematical recipe or
"algorithm" that supposedly can take two networks—no matter how big and

(More...)

Wild Crow Shows Incredible Intelligence During Complex Test

Sun, 29 Nov 2015 13:35:29 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<http://viralfury.com/wild-crow-shows-incredible-intelligence-during-complex-test/>

"In this experiment, a crow observes an 8-part puzzle. Watch what he
does next."

(More...)

Client Liaison - Feed The Rhythm

Sun, 29 Nov 2015 13:37:35 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVv79XEent8

"NO STUNT DOUBLES USED - who you hear is what you see
Shot on location at Mt Buller, Australia"

(More...)

Delicate ‘Knit’ Glass Sculptures by Carol Milne

Sun, 29 Nov 2015 13:39:11 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<http://www.thisiscolossal.com/2015/11/delicate-new-knit-glass-sculptures-by-carol-milne/>

"Seattle-based artist Carol Milne fabricates flowing glass sculptures
that mimic the delicate patterns of knit yarn. Contrary to the
assumption that Milne has super-human ability to knit strands of molten

(More...)

Sci-Fi’s Hugo Awards and the Battle for Pop Culture’s Soul

Mon, 30 Nov 2015 12:21:15 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
http://www.wired.com/2015/10/hugo-awards-controversy/

"Back in April, when the main­stream press first started reporting on the
attempt to hijack the Hugos, few outside the field cared. The edging out of
fan-favorite authors who were women and people of color was unfortunate and

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Techdirt Reading List: Piracy: The Intellectual Property Wars From Gutenberg To Gates

Mon, 30 Nov 2015 12:22:30 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20151111/23154132795/techdirt-reading-list-piracy-intellectual-property-wars-gutenberg-to-gates.shtml>

'This book really helps put into perspective the fights over the past few
years, and shows how these battles concerning the freedom of information and
knowledge go back pretty much since the dawn of the ability to create "content"

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Pipe Band (Rock mix , joke)

Mon, 30 Nov 2015 12:23:44 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYxVyxK2Rik

"Moscow District Pipe Band, Bagpipes, St. Patrick's day"

Great medley!  Via Sam Gregory and Elisa T.

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