Two of them are from boing boing, and one of them is from digg. I didn't have much to say on any one of them, so I figured I'd put them all into one post.
First, the Anime Laws of Physics:
I laughed. I used to watch quite a bit of anime, though I don't anymore. I found it to be a bit of a waste of time, since it's pretty much all the same... as evidenced by these laws. Some of them can apply to any action movie or comic book, as well.
Second, a cool short film, found through boing boing:
It's really fun to watch. But... what are those astronauts watching in their spaceship when they're supposed to be working...??
Third, a very interesting read for anyone interested in sex, The Science of Orgasm:
Mainly interesting because most people don't think about the science of it while having sex (for fairly obvious reasons). Fascinating stuff, though. Share this with your significant other... and then, if appropriate, go make it happen.
After fuming over the RIAA, and being confused by conspiracy folks... this just made me smile:
Flickr (found via digg)
Yeah, I'm a geek.
Here's some things to think about. More people who you have to wonder how their minds can come up with these things. I just love the one about witchcraft and rock and roll. I wonder how it works in the digital age... they must have some more powerful spells, or something...
The dinosaur one was kind of exciting. Cool pictures, anyway. The Barack Obama one was just silly, though people believe in it. The The Ali G one bored me very early on, but if you happen to like him, it could be worth watching.
I didn't really want to post this, but for some reason I felt compelled to. I've given up trying to understand record companies, so basically all I can do now is bang my head against a wall when I read about the utterly ignorant and idiotic things they're doing these days. First, the big story. Record execs say that DRM free music is just a fad, and DRM will come back.
Ars Technica (found via boing boing)
CNet's coverage of the same story.
And, then there's the CNet response to the story.
All good reads, and I can't say enough how behind the times and unaware of their customer base the record companies are. DRM is most likely going to die a slow, painful death, but it is most definitely going to die. Why is that? Well, let's wait until the RIAA is paying very close attention... Okay, here's why:
PEOPLE DON'T LIKE DRM.
People want to be able to do whatever they want with their music. People want their music to be convenient. People want their music to be portable. People don't want to have to pay for the same thing more than once just so they can play it in a different player. How can any record company exec say that DRM will come back when there is absolutely no reason for it to come back? How are they so completely out of touch with their customers? It makes me want to punch something (or someone, hint hint).
I'll tell you how. It's because the record companies think that all of their customers are criminals, and out to get them. Reference another recent occurrence:
The US House of Representatives passed a bill that allows record companies to seize your property if it has been used to pirate music. It hasn't been through the Senate yet, but that's certainly scary. Be careful next time you burn a CD. It may be the last one you ever burn.
And, apparently even artists aren't safe:
I'll let you read that one and find out for yourself. I do wonder, though, how in the world these companies plan to keep any of their customers after all of this. Why are people still buying their music? Well, not as many people are buying their music. That makes the companies think that it's because their customers are criminals. No, it's because you companies suck, totally and utterly. Clean up your act, listen to your customers, and give us good music, and you'll make money. It's very simple. Embrace the digital revolution instead of clinging on to the way you've always done things. It doesn't work anymore.
People hate you. Please don't do anything to make them hate you more.