That’s…

Entertainment, plus a shitty, annoying pop up ad that gets in the way of a great song. (Thanks Google!)

Now eighty

Incredible but true

Advertising, mass manipulation, and us

An old 4-part series from the BBC. Have a look, Parts 2, 3, and 4 after the jump. Some scary stuff.

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Tony Judt, R.I.P.

Not to be a downer here, but I wanted to note the passing of a really intelligent and inspiring man, Tony Judt. His awful struggle with ALS was covered in the media until his demise… was a shitty disease to die from. I’ve been reading some of his articles for a while now… his views were most enlightening and humanistic, and he wasn’t afraid to say it as it was. An old interview with him can be see here.

Wallet

While some are purchasing new B&R Chronograph BR 126’s, I’ve just gone low budget and treated myself to a beautiful Il Bisonte wallet. It has a tough and compact build, and comes with a simple elastic closure. I saw an example of how they wear in over time and they just get better with age, the leather burnishing flat…

You don’t have to make this stuff up

In light of MIA’s recent redhead persecution video, which was a bit of an overpriced joke, I thought I’d share a music video that is chock full of “controversial” imagery, most of it real and current. The first 40 seconds or so are quite strong. Nicked this from the most excellent Pampelmoose…

Crazy wildman

Felix really is. Nuts, that is. Watch for him to set a new world record as he hits mach 1 in a free fall from space, or possibly die trying. I don’t drink much Red Bull, but I’m a massive fan of their committed involvement to extreme sport, or crazy sports, or record attempts that seem to be all about doing something juvenile yet undeniably cool.

Fiona Banner

When I was a kid I was mad about aircraft. I was the type to have multiple plastic model projects on the go, and I could identify and list the specs on just about any military plane. Janes was my preferred reading… well, you get the idea. I suppose had I grown up to be an artist, and realized I could mess about with full scale versions of my dream jets, I’d be doing what Fiona Banner has done. These two recent installations at the Tate Modern are gorgeous, and for me, drool inducing.

Veyron Super Sport hits 267 mph

That is… truly fast. Totally useless info really, nothing grounded in reality, at least not in mine, but still an impressive machine for those who can afford it.

Net Neutrality

A quick post to say- now is the time to let the FCC know they need to stand up for the general public vis a vis Net Neutrality. Let them know here. Or go straight to the FCC’s website. They are asking for input on this issue. What has essentially happened to radio and television (a total ripoff of the American public) is now happening with the internet as well. Read more info on it here, which should get you mad if you aren’t already. Also a recent article via Wired.

Doing the impossible

©The Impossible Project

Pictured is the Impossible Project founder Dr. Florian Kaps.

I love the defying-all-odds story here, the bringing a product offering back from the edge of extinction. I’ve been a fan of Polaroid cameras for a long while, having used them years before they became a trendy staple of a hipsters arsenal. I’m conflicted though by my affection for the unpredictable and painterly images one can create and the concern I have for the chemicals involved in making it happen. The biggest plus for going digital is moving away from all the sketchy toxic elements needed for instant film and traditional lab work. In any event, the Impossible Project is a cool development, and shows that insurmountable odds can be overcome with passion and determination. Plus their stores are bright, modern and actively engage their customers and fans.

À bout de souffle

It’s been fifty years this this landmark film was released. Still awesome. Still inspiring filmmakers worldwide.

2010 Peugeot 908 HDi FAP

Pretty machine. An oldie but a goodie.

From the wonderfully reliable Wikepedia:
The Peugeot 908 HDi FAP is a sports prototype racing car built by the French automobile manufacturer Peugeot to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race, starting in 2007 and eventually winning in 2009. This effort, in development since 2005, was publicly unveiled on 15 June 2005. It first competed against the Audi R10 TDI, becoming the second diesel engined sports car from a major manufacturer, and then against the Audi R15 TDI. This was Peugeot Sport’s first Le Mans effort since the end of the Peugeot 905 project in 1993.

Hounds of Love

I caught this band a few weeks ago- going into the concert blind as to who they were. The Futureheads turned out to be great- very high energy, funny banter, with fast, intense numbers…
They also really engaged with the audience, playfully enlisting us to provide the base melody for their Hounds of Love cover. Totally the opposite from a recent experience seeing Echo and the Bunnymen, where the lead singer was a pretentious, selfish prick who put on a miserable show.
Topping off the Futureheads concert was a great opener by the always likeable The Like, with new sexy keyboardist (Annie) and bassist (Laena).

Steve.

The perfect image of McQueen, shot by John Dominis. Great, effortless looking style. More images here.

New Humane Prison design

Thanks NotCot for such a great post. Looks like Prisons are getting nicer all the time, with more natural light than usual. Of course it still screams “concrete dungeon” what with it’s bland exterior and slit windows, but it’s a step forward anyways. Oh look, there are even a few buggy-whip trees planted!

Greenwashing par excellence

Yes the chair is iconic, and so is the manufacturer, Emeco. The original Navy chair is a beaut, rich in trendy-lore and admired by the DWR set. Such a shame then that they partnered with such a lowly company (in every aspect) as Coca-Cola. It’s beyond rich that Coke is suddenly, after years of being a force for wasteful packaging, not to mention crappy tooth rotting drinks, now jumping on the do-good Eco® bandwagon. Clearly this a PR stunt (check the amount of launch parties) that will help them, and do very, very little to actual impact the huge negative effects of them being, well, Coke.

Streets of fire

Streets Of Fire
When the night’s quiet and you don’t care anymore,
And your eyes are tired and there’s
someone at your door
And you realize you wanna let go
And the weak lies and the cold walls you embrace
Eat at your insides and leave you face to face with
Streets of fire

I’m wandering, a loser down these tracks
I’m dying, but girl I can’t go back
‘Cause in the darkness I hear somebody call my name
And when you realize how they tricked you this time
And it’s all lies but I’m strung out on the wire
In these streets of fire

I live now, only with strangers
I talk to only strangers
I walk with angels that have no place
Streets of fire

Copyright © Bruce Springsteen (ASCAP)

Videos after the jump…

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No Nukes.

Nuclear Power isn’t safe. When it goes tits up, we end up with ghost towns, death and illness for thousands of people (and for many generations), contaminated land and wildlife… a massive toll in every way. Truly not worth the risk -however small proponents say it is. Chernobyl, twenty four years on. There is a mad rush (and big pressure) to build more of these plants, but we need to keep saying no to them. It’s just not worth it.

The Katana

The incredible Suzuki Katana. Still so distinct… and an example of a design aging well. This shot, of a modifed Katana, is courtesy of the sweet bike site Bike Exif. This example was built by the fastidious Steve Adams.