The new i

They've done it again. Apple, in their infinite wisdom and imperious majesty have created a product that revolutionises the paradigm shift of existance and reality. I give you - the i:

The Apple "i"

Tags: Apple | Steve Jobs | Funny Video | Comedy

The Odds of Dying

This really cool pic showing the probabilities of dying in various ways. Dying from a lightning strike is more probable than dying in a flood? Doesn't sound right to me.

The odds of dying

Tags: Odds of Dying | lightning strike | Fireworks Discharge | Flood

Obama is cool

Turns out Barack Obama is commited to not accepting any donations from lobbyists, no matter how small. Long story short, a well meaning man registered as a lobbyist sent Barack $100 and had the cheque returned to him. Full story here.

Speaking on behalf of the rest of the world, as I often do, I have a few words for any Americans reading this page. AMERICA, PLEASE VOTE FOR BARACK OBAMA!! I will honestly lose what little faith I had for the US if someone as amazing as Obama comes along and is passed over. I wish people like Barack were politicians in Britain.

Obama Didn't Want My Money

Tags: Barack Obama | US Presidential Election

COOLEST. SHIT. EVER.

Maybe once a year, the internet throws up something that is so cool, so incredibly amazing, that you sit back in silent awe. As a young child working out that I would turn 13 in The Year 2000, I wondered what kind of futuristic madness might be available by the end of the first decade. I could never have imagined this.

Behold:

Unlike a standard speaker that uses magnets/paper/plastic etc, this plasma speaker uses the non-gas, non-liquid, non-solid, "fourth state of matter" plasma to create compression waves. The pitch is altered by the constantly shifting intensity of the plasma arc at a frequency response range at 200Hz to 12kHz.

When asked if he ever considered selling his device the creator replied, "A lot of work to do before I could consider selling - the safety aspect for starters..." Fair enough, considering that the universe will be destroyed if two of the plasma speaker beams cross. Yes. Ghostbusters was scientific fact.

Plasma Speaker / Singing Arc - FM Modulated Prototype

Tags: Plasma | Plasmer Wave Speakers | Futuristic | 2008

Sunday Afternoon

This site has basically become a funny video posts site since they're the only post I have time to do these days. Enjoy more Jon La Joie:

Sunday Afternoon on FunnyOrDie.com

Tags: Jon La Joie | Funny or Die | Funny Video | Comedy

"I Like to Hurt People Too"

Going a little bit crazy with the web comics aren't I? Here's a particularly good one I read from xkcd. Click the image below to see it full size:

Journal 2

Tags: Comic Strips | Journal 2 | xkcd | Funny

Juno Movie Review

"A comedy about growing up...and the bumps along the way."

Aware as I am that this movie has been out in the UK for a while, I still think if I've taken the time out of my busy schedule to watch it, I might as well review it. Juno is a quirky film about a 16 year old girl Juno MacGuff who unexpectedly falls pregnant. She eventually decides to give up the baby to an adoptive couple and the story progresses as things start to unravel. The film earned notoriety pre-release because it's screenplay is the brainchild of a stripper/first-time film-writer.

First and foremost I have to acknowledge the performance of Ellen Page for her excellent portrayal of Juno. Even though Page is not called upon to show huge emotional range over the course of the film, she fills out the character of Juno with a real truth and you can imagine Juno as a real person. The rest of the cast including Jennifer Garner and Jason Batemen give solid performances as well, but Miss Page really shines. My only slight gripe is that Michael Cera yet again gives the EXACT SAME Arrested Development/Superbad awkward male teen performance he always gives. I love Michael Cera and I don't dispute he plays the role exceptionally well, but I must admit it's getting a little tiresome seeing him play the same character over and over. Especially this time without the funny lines.

For me this was a good solid feel good film. From the opening credits this flick has Indie written all over it. Juno is fairly unique in terms of style and this gives it a fresh feel when placed next to the typical lazy Hollywood Rom-com we're usually fed. Special mention must be made for the film's soundtrack. While I would not go as far as to say it is exactly to my personal taste, it matches this film to a T. Totally spot on for this movie It is a perfect example of how the correct marriage of music and film can work beautifully.

After hearing all the critical acclaim, for me this film is just a touch overrated. No argument when it comes to Performance by an Actreess in a Leading Roles, but the Oscar nods for Best Film and Original Screenplay are a bit of a stretch. For the first half of the film, the dialogue of every teenager simply isn't believable in the slightest. In my opinion Juno uses way too much witty incisive adult language for her age and it breaks the illusion of reality.

"I'm telling you I'm pregnant and you're acting shockingly cavalier..." and "Yes, hello, I need to procure a hasty abortion...I’m sorry, I’m on my hamburger phone and it’s kind of awkward to talk on. It’s really more of a novelty than a functional appliance..." While they are delicious lines, they're totally unrealistic out of a 16 yr olds mouth. Also, calling this a comedy is also a but much. I chuckled maybe twice, but never laughed out loud. Criticisms aside, I really enjoyed this intelligent "comedy" and I definitely think that if you like your movies quirky with razor-sharp dialogue you'll love this.

8/10

Tags: Juno | Teenage Pregnancy | Dark Comedy | Ellen Page

Thriller fails to thrill Tube passengers

Nothing can make tube passengers react – not even a Tube carriageful of dancers re-enacting Michael Jackson's Thriller video. This is pretty darn cool and has actually changed my life; every tube ride from now on will have me harbouring the secret desire for random strangers to get up and do an MJ dance routine.

Thriller dance on the tube - Michael Jackson thriller

Tags: Thriller | Michael Jackson | London Tube | Cool

Try This Experiment While Sitting at Your Desk

A funny little brain trick which actually works. Try it!

Try This Experiment While Sitting at Your Desk

Tags: Brain Tricks | Foot Exercise | Cool | Fun