Image via Core77
The last time I was out with a big group (which was totally recently because I’m incredibly popular), I sat at the end of a long table with my big party. While sitting at the head of the table allows you to pretend to be a Roaring Twenties-style industry boss (“Profits are UP, gentlemen!”) it doesn’t help with socializing — I could only talk to two other people.
Fortunately some design nerds have put some thinking into sitting arrangements and revealed the Optimum Seat for any size party or type of seating. Quick review:
- Try to sit in the middle of rectangles, to keep from being the lonely Larry.
- Try to hang out in groups of four, around a square or circular table
- If you have to split up your group, fuggtaboutit you might as well eat alone.
Armed with this, I can now dominate any eating party.
Image via Phoenix New Times
I tweeted about this Buzzfeed article recently that detailed 34 legendary video game levels. And it got me thinking: what’s on my Video Game Bucket List? Here’s an excerpt:
4) Complete every fatality for every character in Mortal Kombat I and II
15) Play through the Final Fantasy VII plot twist (you know the one) and not. cry.
17) Fight and get beaten by Mike Tyson in Mike Tyson’s Punchout.
18) Beat Mike Tyson.
21) Get through an online game of Call of Duty without swearing.
24) Actually get through the ‘Expert’ setting on Guitar Hero.
39) Play through all possible Street Fighter games playing as Ryu. Using only fireballs.
50) Break the 1,000,000 score barrier on Pacman.
What’s on your gamer bucket list?
Image via One Web
It’s the most powerful search tool ever created. Yeah, it can help save lives. So what that it’s changed the way people work, think, and create? In my mind, Google has always been just a website with an ugly logo.
Until now. Because now, Google. Image. Search. Can. Search. GIFs.
The new feature can be accessed by clicking on “search tools” and then selecting “animated” (which is technical jargon for “oh snap”). You can even preview the GIF in their theatre letter box before you blast it out. Now searching for that perfect reaction GIF is just an ambiguous keyword or two away. Who’s going to stop us in that Reddit flamewar now?
Image via Mashable
I don’t usually follow happenings at the Supreme Court (do they even have a Twitter?) but the recent judicial throwdown over marriage equality has me hyped. And I’m not the only one. The Human Rights Campaign’s Facebook has us all seeing red with the newest iteration of their logo. I guess my shirtless abs pic will have to go…for now.
Even brands like Martha Stewart, Bonobos, and Bud Light have shown some equality love. And this being the internet, it was only a matter of time before bacon got in on the action. Bacon and Bud Light are progressive? Looks like I’ve been an activist for years!
Image via The Independent
Right in the middle of writing this very post, suddenly BOOM, white smoke appeared and a new pope was hired. Or chosen. Or whatever it is that Popes do. Do Popes have to file W-2s?
It’s 2013, and while the Conclave still picked the pope using good ol’ paper, needle, and straw (or so the Illuminati will have us think!), there are plenty of ways to follow the happenings of the Supreme Pontiff. Like, of course, his website. It’s got a very “papyrus-y” feel mixed with mid-90s web design.
There’s also the single-purpose Istherewhitesmoke.com, or, how I first heard the news. And don’t forget the official Vatican Twitter handle that had this truly badass announcement, IN LATIN. The new pope. He’s sort of a big deal.
Image via YouTube
How do you top Alicia Keys being named Blackberry’s Creative Director, or Mark Ecko’s pick of a young hot rapper to head up creative vision?
When you’re Old Spice, a brand with a huge track record with flipping scripts, you hire the ultimate marketing director — a wolfdog. He’s an animal from some far frozen tundra. He speaks through a voice box. He has no thumbs. And he’s a social media genius.
The Wolfdog character plays like he looks — a canine that talks and just barely has a hold on human interaction. But he’s where his target — presumably young cynical men ages 12-24 — is. So he plays XBox, holds hilarious business “webinars”, interviews for assistants, and even answers your homework questions.
In short, it’s amazing.
Image via Reverbnation
Headed to SXSW? Of course you are. Want to keep from looking like a newb? Of course you do. Here’s a quick rundown of everything you need to survive the techy-est/hippest/coolest party this side of the Rio Grande.
Arm yourself. With the appropriate apps that is. Vine and Lightt are the new kids, but old standbys like Foursquare and Eventbrite are still valuable.
Dress appropriately. Southby doesn’t exactly have a black tie dress code, but temperatures fluctuate wildly, so bring a few layers you can stash in the day and put on at night. Also, bring a bandana. Trust me.
Recharge. Your devices AND yourself. Take a night off to relax. Bring alternate power sources like a solar powered pack or Mophie packs for your phone. And be sure to hydrate.
Take time to meet people. Despite all the apps, free swag, and flowing drinks, Southby is stil about that human connection. Make some friends. Say hi to strangers. Meet people and have fun.
Read more guides here, here, or here.
Image via Buzzfeed
The alarm clock is at least as old as the cell phone, perhaps even older. They’ve always done the same thing — annoy you at the pre-determined time until finally drag your hand over to hit the snooze button. But everyone knows the best alarm clock is the drunken friend you made while out last night.
The App Night Stand combines the fun of the morning after with the functionality of getting up to put on your pants. Set an alarm, as per usual. The app will ask you to find a wake-up “buddy,” sourced from one of your single friends on Facebook, or a stranger who also has the app. When the alarm goes off, both parties are roused at the same time and treated to the sight of the two would-be lovers in bed. As a kicker, you’ll have the chance to talk to your partner. You might even exchange contact info (just like IRL!).
The future is amazing.
Image via The Guardian
As may or may not be common knowledge by now, Russia loves a good dash cam. The reasons are myriad, but generally involve precautions against insurance fraud, naught cops, drunk drivers, and traffic-induced road rage. Turns out, dash cams are as necessary to driving in Russia as seat belts and a strong stomach.
An amazing side effect of these cameras is the awesome phenomena captured on film. Things like a full-sized military tank barreling full speed across a highway? Or if tanks are too terrestrial, what about a fighter jet? How about a trucking accident that literally gets the driver out of his seat? Oh yeah, and there’s the whole meteor thing. Enjoy.
Image via Youtube
The hype machine is kicking into overdrive for Google Glasses, what with the new teaser video. Here are some of the promises being made:
Weather: OK, fine, that’s pretty basic.
Voice Control: Pretty sweet if it works. But could Glass be the douchebag Bluetooth of 2014?
Visual Recording: Nifty way of overlaying a live view screen, to be honest.
Livefeeds: I wonder if Glass will sync up neatly with apps. It would be cool to stream direct to YouTube.
An Interesting Life: Why do Google users always seem to be hot air ballooning, or doing extreme sports? Where’s the Googler who’s just chilling on the couch watching ‘Homeland’?
Overall, I was impressed. I’m still not sure how the interface will work beyond voice control, though. Perhaps retina detection or gestures. What do you think of glass?
