Chiefs DT Derrick Nnadi celebrated their superbowl win by paying the adoption fees for all the dogs in a shelter he works with.NBC4i:Derrick Nnadi is helping homeless dogs find new homes in the wake of his Super Bowl win.The defensive tackle is paying the adoption fees for all the dogs currently available at KC Pet Project.Nnadi has been helping out homeless animals all season though the Derrick Nnadi Foundation‘s partnership with KCPP.You can find out how to adopt the dogs here. Read the rest

There was a football game yesterday and this is the commercial that has everyone talking. Must have been an exciting game.I also saw a car commercial with Arya Stark in it. It made zero sense. Read the rest

It's hard to explain this peculiar supercut of actors screen testing a series of lines; a meme from the late 2000s-depths that somehow broke the surface again this weekend. Some appear to be advertising slogans, others are dramatic (lines from plays) or comedic (Simpsons quotes), and some involve as-seen-on-TV-esque physical exaggerations. There's some swearing: very strong Poe's Law energy in this one."You Could Stop At Five Or Six Stores" is a scripted line repeatedly uttered by several actors while auditioning for an unknown commercial at the Sarantos Studio of Acting.[6] The quote rose to online notoriety and became a popular subject of parodies after an edited montage reel of the audition, which consists of various actors awkwardly delivering the tagline along with other off-screen commentaries and dramatic poses, was uploaded to YouTube in 2010.I'm with Ruby Doo, a commenter on YouTube:Theory: these are all people from Gen Z who learned to time travel. Read the rest

On Hackster.io, Jeremy Cook, writes about the Harmonicade, a modular 5.5 (x2) octave, multi-channel MIDI keyboard which uses arcade-style push-buttons arranged in the Wicki-Hayden button layout.Like Dvorak layouts, this alternate note arrangement is much less common. As seen in the demo video, however, KOOP Instruments has leveraged the Wicki-Hayden setup to create a stunning dual-pad instrument that looks like a lot of fun to play. The dual input pads are entirely modular and plug into a central control unit using DB25 connectors that are wired to the buttons in a matrix.The central board contains a Teensy 3.6, plus a number of additional buttons and knobs for control over the sound. After being properly translated, digital audio signals are passed along via a MIDI jack.On the KOOP Instruments site, the have all of the CAD files, project code, and build instructions you need to create your own Harmonicade. Read the rest

Simon Weckert loaded a hand-cart with cellphones and pulled them slowly through Berlin. This fooled Google Maps into registering severe congestion, marking the streets bright red in the service, and rerouting traffic to avoid the area.99 smartphones are transported in a handcart to generate virtual traffic jam in Google Maps.Through this activity, it is possible to turn a green street red which has an impact in the physical world by navigating cars on another route to avoid being stuck in traffic. Reminder: public disclosure of a zero-day vulnerability is rarely the first time it was exploited. Read the rest

This Lawrence Ferlinghetti poem crossed my transom yesterday morning. I cannot think of a more fitting encapsulation of where we are, here in our post Rule of Law era."PITY THE NATION" (After Khalil Gibran)Pity the nation whose people are sheepAnd whose shepherds mislead themPity the nation whose leaders are liarsWhose sages are silencedAnd whose bigots haunt the airwavesPity the nation that raises not its voiceExcept to praise conquerorsAnd acclaim the bully as heroAnd aims to rule the worldBy force and by torturePity the nation that knowsNo other language but its ownAnd no other culture but its ownPity the nation whose breath is moneyAnd sleeps the sleep of the too well fedPity the nation oh pity the peoplewho allow their rights to erodeand their freedoms to be washed awayMy country, tears of theeSweet land of liberty![H/t Linda Lewitt]Image: Lawrence Ferlinghetti at Caffe Trieste in 2012 by Christopher Michel. CC BY-SA 4.0 Read the rest

Back in the summer of 2019, the Waze map navigation app announced a partnership to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Sesame Street. Cookie Monster was by far the most popular voice option for guiding you around the neighborhood, so in November of 2019, Waze brought the excitable carbo-loader back for a limited time.I don't know why I downloaded it. But I did. I don't even use Waze that much normally, as I find that the time saved from the small corner-cutting ends up getting mostly cancelled out by the additional attention I have to pay to its little tiny tricky. Like that time it helped me shave off 20 minutes of rush hour traffic in Connecticut by taking me 30-miles off the route along an endlessly winding and unlit narrow road. Truth be told, driving through Danbury may have actually been less stressful.But I've been making a lot of trips back and forth between Ithaca, NY and Boston, MA lately, for some personal reasons. Like, every 2 weeks. Or sometimes even more frequently. The drive is a little under 6 hours, and it's just … kind of … green. The entire time. There aren't any real sights or landmarks to note, there are only about 3 turns to make along the way, and there are never many other cars on the road. And my Volkswagen Jetta with its broken cruise control really seems to long for the Autobahn of its manufacturing home, which makes it frighteningly easy for me to creep to dangerous speeds without even noticing. Read the rest

Still dapper, but less creepy capitalist. Mr. Tayto Man is nothing but love. Read the rest

After the Kansas City Chiefs beat the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV, President Donald Trump tweeted his congratulations to the team who, er, "represented the Great State of Kansas." Seriously. Within a few minutes, he deleted the tweet and posted a corrected version. Here's a response from Claire McCaskill, former Democratic senator from Missouri (2007-2019):It’s Missouri you stone cold idiot. pic.twitter.com/O1cAAOFsJ6— Claire McCaskill (@clairecmc) February 3, 2020 Read the rest

The Kansas City Chiefs won Super Bowl LIV Sunday night and impeached President Donald Trump jumped on Twitter to congratulate the team.Former Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill responded on behalf of the American people.It's going to be a long week.Trump shares then deletes tweet praising Chiefs for representing 'Great State of Kansas' (The Hill) Read the rest

As any true gamer will tell you, the only thing that can truly ruin an epic gaming session is having to sit in an uncomfortable chair or at a poorly positioned desk for hours on end. So before you kick back and launch into another marathon session against your computer or friends, check out our list of these top-rated gaming desks and chairs that will help you conquer the digital realm.1. AKRacing™ Masters Series PRO Gaming ChairMSRP: $389 | Sale Price: $549 (28% off)This chair features cutting-edge ergonomics and a full spectrum of high-end features that will take your gaming to the next level—including cold-cured foam for added comfort and lockable tilt positions.2. AKRacing™ Office Series Onyx Deluxe Executive ChairMSRP: $599 | Sale Price: $389 (35% off)Combining next-generation functionality with sleek style, this seat features a high backrest for added neck support, a dedicated recliner setting, and sophisticated leather upholstery.3. Quest 45" Wide PC Gamer Computer DeskMSRP: $298 | Sale Price: $220 (26% off)Do your neck and spine a favor with this ergonomic gaming desk that comes loaded with a cup holder, a headphone hook, and a built-in power console that features three grounded outlets and two USB charging ports.4. Zone 47" Wide PC Gamer Computer DeskMSRP: $338 | Sale Price: $250 (26% off)Upgrade your gaming experience with this minimalist desk that features a 47-inch surface along with a specialized headphone hook, cup holder, and a cord management hole that hides all your wires. Read the rest

2020 is finally here, and if you’re going to smash that resolutions list you’re going to need to have a great cup of coffee by your side as you battle the day. From programable coffee makers to automatic brewers and rapid beverage coolers, there’s something on this list for anyone who wants to tackle their to-do list with the perfect cup of coffee by their side. Enjoy.1. Gourmia® GCM3600 Single Serve Coffee & Tea MakerMSRP: $120 | Sale Price: $60 (50% off)Easily brew coffee or even tea with the push of a button with this multifunctional 14oz brewing machine that features an easy-to-use control panel, detachable filters for easy cleaning, and K-cup compatibility.2. Gourmia® GCM2865 12-Cup Programmable Coffee MakerMSRP: $60 | Sale Price: $50 (16% off)Start your day on the right foot with this programmable coffee maker that will wake you up with your favorite brew—thanks to a series of controls that make it easy to schedule brews at any time of day.3. Gourmia® GCM3250 Dual Mode Pourfect Pour-Over Coffee MakerMSRP: $65 | Sale Price: $60 (8% off)This dual-mode coffee maker gives you the option of automatically or manually brewing your favorite cup of coffee, and it’s easy to match the precise amount of grinds and water needed per cup thanks to a one-click setting.4. Gourmia® GCM4700 Coffee Maker with Built-In GrinderMSRP: $140 | Sale Price: $100 (28% off)This 10-cup coffee maker comes with a built-in grinder so you can enjoy a truly fresh cup of Joe every day. Read the rest

I love the Ars Technica "War Stories" series where they interview designers of some of the most iconic and popular computer/video games on the challenges they faced.This episode features Rand Miller, one half (with brother Robyn) of Cyan, Inc. creators of the early 90s puzzle adventure game, Myst. The game was developed on hacked, maxed-out consumer-grade Macs using the HyperCard program. Myst would go on to become one of the most successful and inspirational games of all time.Image YouTube Read the rest

In this video on StandUpMaths, Matt explains the unique and rare palindromic qualities of the date 02/02/20. Besides being a palindrome in both US and European dating formats, 02/02/20 is also the 33rd day of the year, and because 2020 is a leap year, there are also 333 days left in the year.Image: YouTube Read the rest

Andrew Coyle and B.C. Jackson have published a baby board book featuring key concepts of Cult Trump. A is for Alternative Facts, C is for Covefe, D is for Drain the Swamp, F is for Fake News. My favorite part: "Reading Level: Presidential."Claude Taylor's Mad Dog PAC is selling this book. Buy it from them to support their humorous, in-your-face anti-Drumpf activities. Read the rest

When posed with the question "What are you doing?" this Wheel of Fortune contestant gave the obvious answer, which was unfortunately wrong.Image: YouTube Read the rest

A father and son who paid almost $300,000 for a white Lamborghini Huracan Spyder are suing the dealer after the paint job took on a yellow tinge, reports CTV News. Calogero Caruso took a second mortgage on his home to buy the Italian sports car for his son, because it was his child's “dream to own such a luxury vehicle... instead, it has been a total nightmare.” From CTV News:The plaintiffs claim the problem developed just days after they took possession of the luxury car when they noticed it had started to turn yellow.The Carusos say the dealership's boss, John Scotti, told them the car was indeed white but can look a little yellow in the sun.The plaintiffs say they gave the dealer the benefit of the doubt and parked the car indoors but still noticed that it was turning yellow.Caruso and son no longer want the car. They want a refund plus damages, but the dealer won't give it to them. Caruso returned the car to the dealership, but he is still making mortgage and insurance payments.Photo by Thomas Haas on Unsplash Read the rest

The next Samsung folding phone is expected to be announced this month, and what is purported to be a first hands-on video with the device to be released in February just appeared online.Samsung Galaxy Z Flip - First Hands On Video pic.twitter.com/4b8Uzt5kRB— Ben Geskin (@BenGeskin) February 2, 2020“Leaker Ben Geskin has posted a short clip purportedly showing the phone, said to be called the Galaxy Z Flip, in action on Twitter,” Sam Byford writes for The Verge:The video doesn’t show a great deal more than what we’ve already seen in leaked photos and renders — we still can’t tell whether the phone is using a new form of “ultra-thin glass” from Samsung, for example. But if you’ve been wondering how the Z Flip might work out in practice, it may well be of interest. The phone does look like it might be quite a bit easier to slip into a pocket or handbag than pretty much anything else out there — except maybe Motorola’s similar upcoming Razr.We’re expecting the Galaxy Z Flip to be officially revealed at Samsung’s Unpacked event on February 11th in San Francisco. The main announcement at that launch, however, should be the much-leaked Galaxy S20 flagship smartphone. READ MORE: Alleged leaked video shows off Samsung's folding Galaxy Z Flip[theverge.com via techmeme.com, SCREENGRAB: Ben Geskin / Twitter]this looks ridiculously long when you fold it out. I think foldables need to offer a phone and tablet experience, but never compromise on the phone experience to get there. Read the rest

A gentleman in Florida man is accused of using a Wisconsin woman's debit card information to purchase $68 worth of Little Caesar's pizza. From the breaking news alerts of @FloridaMan, obviously:According to to a Marshfield Police Department police report, Elle Wolf of Marshfield had a transaction on her bank statement from a Fort Lauderdale, Florida Little Caesar's location without her consent.The report says the unidentified Florida man purchased one bacon wrapped deep dish pizza, three stuffed crust pizzas, and three orders of Caesar wings and had delivered to his address via Door Dash.The charge of $68.80 currently has a process hold on the charge at Wolf's financial institution. Read more:Florida man uses Wisconsin woman's debit card information to buy pizza Read the rest

China’s central bank today announced plans to inject 1.2 trillion yuan worth of liquidity ($174 billion in U.S. dollars) into the financial markets via reverse repo operations on Monday, as stock markets prepare to reopen amid an escalating Wuhan coronavirus outbreak.Stock, currency and bond markets have been shut down in China since January 23, and were due to re-open last Friday. China's securities market regulator said in a People’s Daily [warning: .cn] interview Sunday that no further delays are planned.From Reuters: Chinese authorities have pledged to use various monetary policy tools to ensure liquidity remains reasonably ample and to support firms affected by the virus epidemic, which has so far claimed 305 lives, all but one in China.The People’s Bank of China made the announcement in a statement on Sunday, adding the total liquidity in the banking system will be 900 billion yuan higher than the same period in 2019 after the injection. According to Reuters calculations based on official central bank data, 1.05 trillion yuan worth of reverse repos are set to mature on Monday, meaning that 150 billion yuan in net cash will be injected.Investors are bracing for a volatile session in Chinese markets when onshore trades resume on Monday after a break for the Lunar New Year which was extended by the government.Read more:China to inject $174 billion of liquidity on Monday as markets reopen [Cheng Leng, Brenda Goh, Reuters.com] Read the rest

“Punk,” says a Wuhan hardcore band member, “is a way to help me keep my mind fresh.” The wonderful Aaron Stewart-Ahn tweeted today, “Something you haven’t been told about Wuhan during this outbreak is that it is China’s punk music capital.” And he's right.Excerpt from “In Wuhan, Punk's Not Dead,” a fascinating 2016 archival item by by Lin Qiqing at sixthtone.com -- which obviously predates the 2020 Novel coronavirus 2019-nCoV epidemic --Nathanel Amar, a recent doctoral graduate of Paris’ Sciences Po university where he specialized in Chinese underground culture, says the trajectory of China’s punk scene over the past two decades is closely tied to the country’s drastic socio-economic pivot. In the ’80s, a decade marked by the growing exposure of China’s economy and society to Western cultures, Chinese youngsters fixated on a brighter future turned to rock music. Flagbearers of the genre were generally musically trained: Before his distorted guitar became the call to arms of a disillusioned generation, “godfather of Chinese rock” Cui Jian was a classically trained trumpet player.However, says Amar, the ’90s brought about a widening income gap and, with it, a new generation of disillusioned youth: economically disadvantaged urban youngsters who did not necessarily share the musical tastes of their forebears from the previous decade. Punk, driven not by musical complexity but guttural emotion, was their weapon of choice. “If you knew three chords, you could start a band,” says Amar. Indeed, fiddles and tin whistles come and go, tempos change, but those very chords — the root, fourth, and fifth — are a constant throughout many of SMZB’s songs. Read the rest

The best impressions SNL has ever seen are the work of Kate McKinnon. Read the rest

A Princess Bride themed pop-up bar is opening in Chicago. Perhaps you can find the man who killed your father...NBC Chicago:Inconceivable! "As You Wish," a "Princess Bride"-themed pop-up bar, will soon open in Chicago's Lincoln Square neighborhood.The Sixth, which is located at 2202 W. Lawrence Ave., is launching the immersive bar on Feb. 11 with decorations replicating scenes from the 1987 film, according to Eater.The bar will also have 16 cocktails named after some of the movie's most quotable lines including "Twue Wuve" which is a concoction of Lucy Pistolas Mezcal, Arakku, Fino Sherry, caramel pineapple simple syrup, coconut and blueberry foam. Read the rest

I missed the opening of Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance by a few weeks. Star Wars Galaxys Edge is wonderful.OC Register:On most days, the backup boarding group threshold tends to be in the 80 to 83 range, meaning visitors with boarding groups below that number are expected to get on the ride. The backup boarding group threshold has been as low as 42 — which happened on Wednesday, Jan. 29, when the park was closing early for an 80s Nite after-hours party.Disneyland has been able to accommodate some backup boarding groups on most days. The park made it all the way to boarding group 122 on Jan. 27, one of the best operational days yet for Rise of the Resistance. On the flip side, the park only made it to boarding group 81 on Jan. 19 and 26. On most days, Rise of the Resistance reaches backup boarding groups in the 105 to 115 range.Back-to-back downtimes hurt the most — and Rise of the Resistance has had its share of them during the first two weeks of operation. The ride had back-to-back breakdowns that stretched for approximately two hours or more on Jan. 22, 23 and 25, according to Touring Plans.But those weren’t the worst days by far. Back-to-back breakdowns stretched for approximately 4 hours on Jan. 19, according to Touring Plans. On Jan. 26, Rise of the Resistance went down three times in a row over the course of an 8-hour period, resulting in no backup boarding groups being called, Touring Plans data shows. Read the rest

It's a brand new year, and that means it's time to hit those resolutions lists so you can take on both your personal and professional lives with a new level of tenacity and overall awesomeness. It also means, however, that it's time to land some of the best deals on the best-selling items of 2019, and we've listed 20 of them right here.1. FusionLens™ for iPhoneMSRP: $85 | Sale Price: $80 (6% off)Your iPhone’s camera is already pretty impressive, but this clip-on lens will take your smartphone photography to the next level by allowing you to take HD anamorphic, wide-angle, fisheye, and 360-degree shots with the push of a button.2. TaoTronics 120" 16:9 Projector ScreenMSRP: $30 | Sale Price: $25 (16% off)Transform virtually any room into a full-fledged movie theater with this 120-inch semi-permanent projection screen, which boasts a 160-degree viewing angle, premium PVC canvas, and 10 grommets that make it easy to quickly put up and take down.3. Joan 6: Meeting Room DisplayMSRP: $549 | Sale Price: $500 (8% off)This Fortune 500-approved display provides a comprehensive overview of meetings, team availability, room information and more—all within a compact enclosure that’s easy to install on any clean surface. Used by more than 800,000 office workers globally, this display also allows you to quickly check the availability of up to nine rooms.4. Blue Light Blocking GlassesMSRP: $60 | Sale Price: $30 (50% off)Protect your vision and sleep better through the night with these blue-light-blocking glasses, which feature comprehensive UV400 protection, proprietary tints, and a specialized filter to block out harmful blue light. Read the rest

Valentine's Day always tends to creep up on even the best and most thoughtful gift-givers—leading people to scramble to the flower store on the big day in vain. So this year for Valentine's Day, give the gift of long-lasting roses that will both stand the test of time and arrive directly at your loved one's door with these best-selling premium rose packages.1. Rose Box™ Golden Box & Long-Lasting RosesMSRP: $249 | Sale Price: $187 (25% off)Make that special person in your life feel extra special this Valentine’s Day with this unique box of 9 to 10 long-lasting roses that will stay fresh for a full year without any maintenance.2. Rose Box™ Velvet Gray Box & Long-Lasting RosesMSRP: $199 | Sale Price: $150 (25% off)Available in a variety of colors, this velvet box of roses comes with 8 to 10 flowers that will stand the test of time without any upkeep.3. 24 Rose Square BoxMSRP: $350 | Sale Price: $215 (38% off)Available in red, yellow, blue or pink, these 24 everlasting roses come wrapped in a luxurious black velvet box.4. 24 Roses Round Box - RedMSRP: $350 | Sale Price: $200 (42% off)Perfect for a significant other or a family member, these long-lasting roses come in a variety of colors and are handpicked by local farmers.5. Red Everlasting RoseMSRP: $155 | Sale Price: $105 (32% off)Perfect for lovers of Beauty and the Beast, this gorgeous rose comes with its own beautiful crystal glass case that will protect it for months to come. Read the rest

Andy Gill, founding member, guitar player, and "Supreme Leader" of the hugely influencial post-punk band, Gang of Four, has died. He was 64.Members of the current Gang of Four line-up tweeted the following:Andy Gill. pic.twitter.com/DHNCz5lAe6— GANG OF FOUR (@gangof4official) February 1, 2020“This is so hard for us to write, but our great friend and Supreme Leader has died today,” Gang of Four wrote. “Andy’s final tour in November was the only way he was ever really going to bow out; with a Stratocaster around his neck, screaming with feedback and deafening the front row.”The band continued, “One of the best to ever do it, his influence on guitar music and the creative process was inspiring for us, as well as everyone who worked alongside him and listened to his music. And his albums and production work speak for themselves. Go give ’em a spin for him…”Read the obit at Rolling Stone.Image: YouTube Read the rest

The latest Nintendo Switch console is undeniably awesome, but these nine best-selling and top-rated accessories will take your Switch gaming experience to the next level. From wireless controllers to projectors, you're sure to find something here that will change the way you play for the better.1. 8BitDo® SN30 Bluetooth Gamepad (Red)MSRP: $30 | Sale Price: $24 (20% off)Play your favorite games in unparalleled retro style with this Game Boy-inspired Bluetooth gamepad that comes in a variety of colors.2. Nintendo Switch Bluetooth Audio AdapterMSRP: $60 | Sale Price: $40 (33% off)Connect your favorite wireless headphones to your Switch for a more immersive, wire-free gaming experience with this simple audio adapter.3. Nintendo Switch Battery Charger CaseMSRP: $60 | Sale Price: $40 (33% off)This charger case will give your Switch twice the battery power when you're on the move—ensuring that you’ll never have to take a break from your favorite games.4. Wireless Controllers for Nintendo SwitchMSRP: $50 | Sale Price: $38 (24% off)These unique controllers will dramatically expand the functionality of your Switch, by allowing you to customize and configure each button and control. They even feature an accelerometer and gyro-sensor for added awesomeness.5. GameCube Controller Adapter For Wii/PC/Nintendo SwitchMSRP: $20 | Sale Price: $10 (50% off)Play your Switch (or even your Wii or PC) with the convenience and functionality of a GameCube controller with this external adapter.6. Nintendo Switch Dual PokeBall Charging DockMSRP: $15 | Sale Price: $10 (33% off)Charge your Switch in style with this PokeBall dock that offers a sleek and stylish design along with overcharge protection for your gear. Read the rest

I've been to Japan at least 8 times, so I feel like I am pretty good at knowing what I need to do before I go. This video, "Must-Do Things Before Flying to Japan" has a number of useful tips, like how to book a good restaurant in advance, how to get a SIM card, how to book tickets to Disneyland, how to get a rail card, how to get a visa (most countries give you 90 days with no visa required), and which medications not to bring with you. Read the rest

Face-synthesizing algorithms often struggle with facial details like eyes and teeth. These features sometimes get pinned to a fixed spot as a head turns, resulting in an uncanny valley dweller.A new algorithm, StyleGAN2, fixes this problem and produces "eye-poppingly detailed and correct images." It can also generate never-before-seen cars, churches, and animals.Image: YouTube Read the rest

A few years back, my brother Rick Pescovitz came up with Under The Weather Pods, single-person pop-up shelters. You may have caught Rick on Shark Tank (video below). Rick was sick of getting soaked at his kids' soccer games and was inspired by a portable toilet he saw by the field. Under The Weather Pods are designed for watching sports, fishing, and other outdoor events where it's raining, windy, or cold, but you are either obligated to watch or having so much fun you don't want to leave. As travelers are taking unusual steps to protect themselves from the Coronavirus, from wearing water jugs on their heads to covering themselves in plastic tarps, my brother thought to see how his StadiumPod, meant for seated spectators at sports games, would work on an airplane. He tells me the flight attendant happily took his photo and that the man who sat next to him didn't even bat an eye. Stay safe out there! Under the Weather Pods Read the rest

Michael Harriot's take on why the NFL rejecting PETA's ridiculous ad is so notable is the best I have read....On one hand, PETA gentrifying the movement for social justice by likening the “human prejudice of fur coats, trained circus tigers and ribeyes” (yes, they actually said that), to the institutional racism that permeates America is despicable but expected. It’s just the next logical leap from Black Lives Matter to White and Blue Lives Matter. We know that whites are always gonna white, especially at the Super Bowl. I’m sure, somewhere in the PETA office, there’s someone explaining that “this is what MLK would have wanted.”On the other hand, I am not on the NFL’s side either. The NFL might contend that they don’t want to invite such a divisive political statement during the most-watched television event of the year. But you know what else is white as fuck?The Donald Trump ad claiming America is stronger, more united and more prosperous, which is scheduled to air during the Super Bowl. Or the $11 million Michael Bloomberg ad that will air during the Super Bowl. Or—and I just like to list things in groups of three—perhaps the whitest of them all:The Super Bowl itself.So, yes I’m conflicted. I can’t decide if my position of “Fuck PETA” is strong enough to overcome my “Fuck the NFL” stance. It’s like watching that time when white supremacist Richard Spencer lamented that Donald Trump isn’t racist enough. Or if Chris Cilizza played a game of Stupid Jeopardy! Read the rest

In 1982, Susan "Sulu" Dubow recorded "Ode to Spock," her terrific musical response to the Vulcan's death in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Dubow will be familiar to fans of Dr. Demento's radio show of odd music -- dozens of her songs were played on the program. The following is from Dubow's mini-autobiography on IMDB. What a fun and creative life!Sulu, Susan Denise Lubin Dubow, was born in Chandler, Arizona in 1956 and acquired her name while performing on the Dr. Demento Show. She has received numerous awards for her songwriting and began writing poetry as a young child at Calvert Street School in Woodland Hills, California. Her sixth grade teacher informed her parents that she should pursue her talent which she did. Sulu begun winning poetry and songwriting contests beginning at age 13. She also took classes in dance, drama,improvisation, guitar and piano to overcome her shyness.Sulu, an avid fan of the Dr. Demento show while in college in 1976 began submitting songs to Dr.Demento in 1976. Shortly after that songs such as "I Love Your Toes,"and "Locked in the Closet" were popular on The Top Ten and eventually became "1.Sulu was asked to join the live show in 1977 where she became a sidekick. She performed with Dr.Demento in venues such as The Pomona Fair and The Wolf and Rissmiller Country Club continuing to write nearly 100 songs that were aired on the Dr. Demento Show.Sulu also wrote jingles and performed them on KABC's Ken and Bob Show on KABC Talk radio in the 80's and 90's and for Sports Talk KABC. Read the rest

Cotton Branch Farm Animal Sanctuary in Leesville, South Carolina is seeking volunteers to cuddle pigs and, eventually, adopt the animals as pets. The organizations rescued more than 200 pigs from a Kentucky property about a year ago. After suffering abuse and neglect, the pigs need more human time before they are ready for their forever homes. "These pigs weren't socialized because they lived in such large numbers," said Joshua Carpenter Costner, the sanctuary's director of operations. "We noticed how quickly a lot of them were coming around when we spent time with them, and in order to find them homes, we thought it was a good idea to have people start coming out."According to the ad posted on Facebook, "belly scratches, cookies, sitting with, and even just talking to our pig friends can get them ready for their new home."(CNN)Does loving-on sweet little faces like these seem like a good time? Then we have some GREAT news for you! We need piggy cuddlers!Visit https://t.co/ukyFtZ09Dt to sign up!Can't come visit? You can still make a difference in their https://t.co/mcFHyzcQz7 https://t.co/MkPVXFD686 pic.twitter.com/c6euFXjNp9— Cotton Branch Farm Sanctuary (@cottonbranch) January 29, 2020 Read the rest

This Bodum pour-over coffee maker with a permanent stainless steel filter works great and is one of the cheapest I found.This thing works to make pour-over coffee and costs less than $20. If you want pour-over coffee this is a pretty good way to get there. I started drinking pour-over a few weeks back and prefer the smooth taste.I also prefer hot coffee to cold so there is that.Bodum Pour Over Coffee Maker with Permanent Filter, 1 Liter, 34 Ounce, Black Band via Amazon Read the rest

The decade-old warning to stay off public WIFI systems is no longer valid.EFF:There are still a few small information leaks: HTTPS protects the content of your communications, but not the metadata. So when you visit HTTPS sites, anyone along the communication path—from your ISP to the Internet backbone provider to the site’s hosting provider—can see their domain names (e.g. wikipedia.org) and when you visit them. But these parties can’t see the pages you visit on those sites (e.g. wikipedia.org/controversial-topic), your login name, or messages you send. They can see the sizes of pages you visit and the sizes of files you download or upload. When you use a public Wi-Fi network, people within range of it could choose to listen in. They’d be able to see that metadata, just as your ISP could see when you browse at home. If this is an acceptable risk for you, then you shouldn’t worry about using public Wi-Fi.Similarly, if there is software with known security bugs on your computer or phone, and those bugs are specifically exploitable only on the local network, you might be at somewhat increased risk. The best defense is to always keep your software up-to-date so it has the latest bug fixes.What about the risk of governments scooping up signals from “open” public Wi-Fi that has no password? Governments that surveill people on the Internet often do it by listening in on upstream data, at the core routers of broadband providers and mobile phone companies. Read the rest

...and then the kids wanted Rambo. Read the rest

Anyone who works in the great outdoors or in a variety of fields that require the use of a good old-fashioned blade every now and then needs to have a good knife handy at all times. But walking around with a blade in your pocket all day simply isn’t practical (or safe) for most of us.Enter the Higher Objects© Sawyer Utility Bracelet, which makes it easier than ever to safely and discreetly carry a blade in any environment.Perfect for police, construction workers, campers, fishermen, and pretty much anyone else who needs to be able to get themselves out of a bind quickly and safely, this wearable multitool lets you fashionably carry a sharp knife and a handy screwdriver right on your wrist.This practical and stylish accessory is perfect for conquering a wide range of odd jobs both indoors and outdoors, and it’s so light that you’ll barely notice it on your wrist when it’s not in use.It also features a genuine leather strap that fits all wrist sizes and is made to stand the test of time—regardless of whether you primarily use your blade on camping trips or in your tool shop.Outfit yourself with this practical and fashionable utility while it’s available for over 35% off MSRP at just $24.99. Read the rest

When the new civil war kicks off, will you have fourteen 1980s machine gun VHS babes on your side? They're sharper shooters than the F35 Joint Strike Fighter, that's for sure. Consider this your weekly reminder that Robocop was a documentary. Read the rest

Straight from Latvia comes a sweater that, when worn, looks like a cat is hanging off your back and holding on for dear life with its claws. A red heart and the simple word "cat" are there to possibly remind us that our feline friends are to be loved even when they're ripping up our stuff. Made by Etsy shop Rata Blanca Sweaters and is currently sold out.(Geekologie) Read the rest

In the digital age, it can seem as though the life of the physical notebook or diary has come and gone. But most serious writers will tell you that there’s a special connection that comes from putting pen to paper, and these Leather Notebooks & Journals will help you bring that magic back.Relive the golden era of writing down your thoughts and ambitions using good old-fashioned pen and paper with these elegant, handmade notebooks and journals.With unique designs and hand-stitched embossed leather patches, these notebooks are great gifts for lovers of the written word.They come in a variety of styles, feature durable hardcover backings, and come loaded with 50 sheets of handmade, tree-free cotton paper that can be used to record anything your creative mind can dream up.They’re also light and compact enough to take with you without weighing you down.Embrace your inner storyteller with these Leather Notebooks & Journals, starting at just $35.10. Read the rest

The Psychedelic Furs have just announced a spring release for their eight studio album entitled "Made of Rain." It's been a 29 year wait. The first single off of the record, "Don't Believe," has been posted to YouTube.The album is now available for pre-order. Read the rest

In 2019, a 3-year-old Nubian goat named Lincoln was officially inaugurated as the first mayor of Fair Haven, Vermont. And then she pooped. As Town Manager Joe Gunter explained at the time, "Originally we did it as a fundraiser to replace the playground behind the school, but it really turned into a small civic lesson for the children. 'Come out and vote. Get involved in the town.'"But that election only guaranteed a one-year term, and Lincoln only narrowly defeated Sammy, a K-9 cop. And now Sammy's taking another shot at the top seat in town. If elected, Sammy has promised to release her tax returns and recuse herself from all police business that might come before the town to avoid any conflicts of interest, according to her representative, Police Chief Bill Humphries. Humphries has also tried to soothe the concerns of Fair Haven's feline population, which has a long history of hostile relations with canine police officers.In response to Sammy's campaign, Lincoln has released a budget proposal that includes $0 spending on grain, $0 spending on hay, and a promise that there will be no tax increases to fund the playground that formed the foundation of her historic run for the town's inaugural mayorship.Fair Haven will hold the contentious election at their Town Meeting on March 3, 2020. And while I don't want to be partisan, I think it's only fair to point out that one candidate is literally a cop, and the other one is literally the GOAT, so I think we all know who deserves to be in charge. Read the rest

John Wilcock's foray into biography, documenting many of the Factory personas -- in what is largely considered the first critical assessment of Andy Warhol and his entourage -- From John Wilcock, New York Years, by Ethan Persoff and Scott Marshall. (See all Boing Boing installments) Read the rest

US to halt issuance of visas that can lead to permanent residency for nationals of Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar and Nigeria

Animals, including a bee, snake, eagle, and fish, all take a knee in PETA's animated Colin Kapernick-inspired ad created for the Super Bowl airwaves. The controversial commercial, which has voices gently humming the "Star Spangled Banner," calls for an end to "speciesism." But, the animal rights organization is reporting that it was blocked by the NFL and won't be showing on TV this Sunday, or ever. The National Football League (NFL) apparently found our new Colin Kaepernick–inspired ad—with its message of inclusion and respect—too daring and pressured FOX to snub our commercial.In 2016, Kaepernick put a national spotlight on the racial inequality that plagues the U.S.—and we applaud him for doing so with the simple yet powerful and peaceful act of taking a knee.PETA worked with a talented group of advertisers and artists who came up with the idea for our beautiful ad. Positively acknowledged by Kaepernick himself, this project pays homage to all movements that remind us to open our hearts and minds and reject all forms of injustice, including sexism, ableism, racism, ageism, homophobia, and speciesism.THIS is the PETA #SuperBowl ad the @NFL apparently didn’t want you to see and pressured @FOXSports to snub.It envisions a world where respect is the right of every being and pays homage to Kaepernick and movements rejecting injustice. https://t.co/kD1osnKhuX #EndSpeciesism pic.twitter.com/clXzU79aZV— PETA (@peta) January 31, 2020screengrab via PETA/YouTube Read the rest

Footage from George Lucas’ abandoned 2010 Star Wars TV series, "Star Wars: Underworld," has surfaced on YouTube.Released test footage from 2010 of the cancelled Star Wars TV show "Underworld," which was to take place in the lower levels of Coruscant. The series was set after the events of Order 66. The video game "1313" was to be a tie-in of this series. Due to the immense cost of shooting the series, as well as the selling of Lucasfilm to Disney, "Underworld" was delayed and eventually cancelled. Read the rest

Nothing is worse than firing off an important email only to realize later on that it was riddled with typos and plagued with poor sentences. This WhiteSmoke Chrome Extension ensures that you’ll never have to endure such post-send woes ever again, and a 5-year subscription is available for over 90% off its usual price right now.Whether you’re a professional writer or simply want to tighten up your grammar and spelling, this simple browser extension has your back.WhiteSmoke uses a series of advanced algorithms in order to scan your writing for a wide variety of errors ranging from grammar and spelling mistakes to punctuation slips and overall sentence structure, and it includes a 50-language translator to boot.Your subscription even grants you unlimited access to a huge database that you can use to check your work for inadvertent plagiarism.Take your writing to the next level with a 5-year subscription to the WhiteSmoke Chrome Extension for just $39.99—over 90% off its usual price today. Read the rest

Douglas Rushkoff is one my oldest and dearest friends. He's also one of the sharpest media theorists and cultural critics I know. It's always a thrill to have a conversation with him because he makes me question my opinions and I alway end up with a changed brain. So it was great fun to have him on the Cool Tool podcast.Douglas is named one of the "world's ten most influential intellectuals by MIT. He's an author and documentarian who studies human autonomy in a digital age. His twenty books include the just-published Team Human, based on his podcast, as well as the bestsellers Present Shock, Throwing Rocks at the Google Bus, Program or Be Programmed, Life Inc., and Media Virus. He also made the PBS FRONTLINE documentaries, Generation Like, The Persuaders, and The Merchants of Cool. He's a professor of Media Theory and Digital Economics at Queens College, a columnist for Medium, and his novels and comics, Ecstasy Club, A.D.D., and Aleister & Adolf are all being developed for the screen. You can find him on Twitter @rushkoff and Youtube.Subscribe to the Cool Tools Show on iTunes | RSS | Transcript | See all the Cool Tools Show posts on a single pageShow notes:Written languageWritten language is definitely a tool. It's a medium. It's an environment. There's all these ways to think about it, but I love thinking about words as a tool. Because particularly, when I'm mad about something or I feel like there's something that people don't get, once I can put words around it, once I can articulate what's happening, what people are feeling, or the dysfunction, or the paradox, I feel like it empowers me and so many other people to then go do something about it. Read the rest

IEEE Spectrum's David Schneider participates in Quaker meetings where there are many elderly people who, even though they are wearing hearing aids, have a hard time catching comments from others around the room. One common solution to this problem is to provide headphones with FM receivers to pick up the sounds of the microphones. That approach isn't ideal, Schneider writes, because "a little awkward, in part because it makes you stand out. So Schneider and a friend bought a 1,000 feet (304 meters) roll of two-conductor, 20-gauge wire $125 and homebrewed an audio frequency induction loop that transmits the sound so it can picked up directly by hearing aids that contain a telecoil (T-coil). From IEEE Spectrum:These hearing aids can be switched to a mode whereby they pick up audio-frequency signals electronically instead of using their built-in microphones. This system for passing the signal wirelessly doesn’t involve radio transmissions—it just uses magnetic induction. Suitable audio induction loops for energizing T-coils are found in all sorts of places, including museums and theaters; even some taxicabs are equipped with them...(SI constructed an induction coil from a six-turn square loop of magnet wire that was about a half meter on a side (I taped the wire to a flattened cardboard box), using wire of the right diameter to make the loop resistance 8 ohms. I then attached it to the speaker terminals of an ordinary stereo receiver, one that was collecting dust in the back of my garage....(Encouraged by initial tests and further refinements of the , another friend and I recently placed a similar wire loop in the attic of the building—which was a lot harder than laying it on the floor because we had to snake the wire around an obstacle course of roof trusses and HVAC ducting. Read the rest