Anon Delivers

Music Machinery is running an entry about 4chan users, collectively known as Anon, rigging Time.com's poll of 100 most influential people in the world. Not only was the winner "moot", but the top entries spelled out "marblecake, also the game".

It is an awesome article describing the incredible amount of work it took to hack the poll, especially near the end when the only option left to Anon was manual voting. It is also a rather sad commentary on the lack of proper security for the poll, and the pointlessness of it.

And Now, Ridiculous Quotes + Mild Social Commentary

An Israeli official finds the term "swine flu" to be offensive. This really is to be expected, given how ridiculously sensitive some people are. However, the quote itself brings up a number of other hilarious racist issues:

The outbreak of swine flu should be renamed "Mexican" influenza in deference to Muslim and Jewish sensitivities over pork, said an Israeli health official Monday.

<sarcasm>

First of all, it should be clear to everyone here that calling a potentially lethal virus outbreak by a nationality is NOT offensive to anybody, least of all the millions of people in Mexico. After all, it originated there. We should name it by geography and not the animal where it most likely originated. Because, seriously, everyone knows that the location on a map is much more important than arbitrary animal where the virus originated.

Second, this really shows that the Israeli government DOES care about Muslims! I mean, why else would they mention the Muslim religion here!? This flu outbreak is bringing the world together!

</sarcasm>

Fighting Pirates in the 21st Century

NPR's "All Things Considered" ran a very interesting piece about modern-day piracy measures. Because guns are generally not allowed on most trade vessels because the crews don't know how to use them (and various legal issues, I am sure), ships have had to turn to less conventional ideas.

For example, the Force 80 Water Cannon (pictured above) can jet 1400 gallons of water a minute up to 100 yards. Since it can be operated remotely, it is quite safe for the user - at least, if they have a working knowledge of video games!

Still, sadly, I think the future will probably lie in private militaries and militias gurading these ships. Caravans will only help until pirates learn to band together too.

George Will Hates Jeans and Video Games

In a Star Tribune Op-Ed, writer George Will writes about "an obnoxious misuse of freedom": wearing jeans. Confusing pretentiousness for eloquence, he boldly states:

Denim is the infantile uniform of a nation in which entertainment frequently features childlike adults ("Seinfeld," "Two and a Half Men") and cartoons for adults ("King of the Hill"). Seventy-five percent of American "gamers" -- people who play video games -- are older than 18 and nevertheless are allowed to vote.

Mr. Will, you just sound like an embittered old man who, because he can't keep up with time, chooses to lash out with unrelated personal attacks on a group that probably doesn't even read your dying medium.

This is not complicated. For men, sartorial good taste can be reduced to one rule: If Fred Astaire would not have worn it, don't wear it. For women, substitute Grace Kelly.

Oh really, Fred Astaire and Grace Kelly? The good old days, indeed!

I'm still trying to figure out if your article was a sly way of making me want to buy jeans - if so, it worked. I would much rather wear my "same-as-everyone" jeans - even if I am not a cowboy - than be confused for Mr. Will and his presumption that if everyone dressed like Astaire and Kelly, there would be a greater sense of individuality in this country.

Crank: High Voltage

Crank: High Voltage is finally out in theaters!

What are you doing reading this? Go watch it!