No more drinking on the subway

The New York Times reports on new subway regulations, including bans on drinking (even coffee or a soda), moving between cars, and putting your feet on the seats.

First, the smoking ban in NYC, now this. What's next?

NYC in the 1970s

Man, NYC must have been quite a place in the 1970s.

Baseball game starts with two innings of Xbox

Boing Boing writes about a baseball game where the first two innings are being played on an Xbox projected on the Jumbotron, and then the real players take over for the rest of the game.

The Onion 2056

The Onion has put together a hilarious issue from June of 2056.

Ways around censorship in China

Reason has a good piece about the Chinese requirement of censorship in Microsoft products over there and an interesting view on how little impact it will have on the Chinese people.

How the Starbucks siren became less naughty

Too much text, but a good look at the origins of the Starbucks logo and how it has become more family-friendly.

Office prank images

The Brits have a wicked sense of humor when it comes to office pranks, as any fan of The Office knows.

Half-male, half-female, all crab

As a Baltimoran (which is what people from Baltimore are actually called), I was interested in this post on Boing Boing about a half-male, half-female blue crab.

Penn & Teller take on the Patriot Act

Penn and Teller take on the Patriot Act on their Showtime show, Bulls**t.

Mental illness is the new normal

Reason has an article about a government survey indicating that mental illnesses afflict one-quarter of us every year and more than half of us during our lives. Citing several limitations of the survey, the researchers argue that the true rates are even higher. As Reason says, "evidently mental illness is the new normal." The article raises some good questions about how the government could come to this finding.

Price cusomization

The EFF writes about a recent CNN report detailing an unsavory practice euphemistically called "price customization." While no shock, I thought it was an interesting look at how Web sites examine data (cookies, IP address, etc.) so that they can charge you a different price for a product or service depending on your "identity" and shopping habits.

Fly the wi-fi friendly skies

I may have to switch airlines (from American) if this article about Wi-Fi on United comes to fruition.

NWA by woman from Veruca Salt

Nina Gordon released an album of covers recently, including this classic.

49ers' training video

The San Francisco 49ers have been getting a lot of heat for a training video they produced that was deemed offensive to many audiences. I am not surprised by the uproar, but I do think it is insane. Only one reporter has taken what I feel is the appropriate stance, stating that:

"The critics are missing not only the film's quirky charm & smarm, but also the nuanced layers of meaning."

"The critics should keep in mind that this video does achieve its mission of providing 49ers players with useful tips on dealing with life off the field, such as:
- Be professional in dealing with the media, especially when they are using the team showers.
- Embrace diversity.
- Embrace topless dancers."

Should we cure bad behavior?

Reason presents some tough questions about crime and neuro-rehabilitation. I don't agree with their take, but I thought the piece raises some interesting questions. My problem is with their suggestion that "we should vaccinate the whole population to protect those who might succumb to the deleterious effects of drug use" or violence.

Dual photography

Some researchers have developed a way to do "dual photography." Basically, their research paper outlines how they use light bouncing off of something to "see" it. A video on their site helps illustrate this - particularly cool is the part at the end of the video where they are able to identify a playing card without being able to see it. I don't get the technology completely, but it is pretty neat.

Grocery Store Wars

The Organic Trade Association put together a great short movie based on Star Wars to promote organic food: Grocery Store Wars

MTV - a case in exporting a brand

MSNBC has a good look at how MTV has been able to create local versions throughout the world while maintaining its brand.