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- Why Disco Happened
- We’re Trekkies And We Know It
- Trip Out On Pics From ROFLCon 2012
- Because Drinking and Gaming Are A Great Combo
- The Avengers As Nicktoons
- What Kind of Sorcery is This?
- Your Case Mod Wants to Step Out On the Town
- Custom Made Gears Of War Replica Shotgun
- Zombie Hand Bottle opener
- Delicious Watermelon
- Go Out In Style With These Crazy Shaped Coffins
- Ask A Grown Man Starring John Hamm
- “I’m a Doctor, Not a….”
- Student Builds Fully Functional Portal Turret
- Thief Forgets to Logout of Facebook Before Robbing Internet Cafe
- A Geeky Art Tribute To The Avengers And Maurice Sendak
- Animated Short – The Big Eating
- The Four Rocking Horses of the Apocalypse
- The 9 Worst Moms in the Animal Kingdom
- 100,000 LED Spheres Floating Down a River in Japan
- TARDIS Corset
- Jub-Jub! Ewok Cake
- Cannon Ball Shooter
- Disassembled
- Is It Ethical To Pay Drug Addicts To Get Sterilized?
| Posted: 14 May 2012 05:08 AM PDT
Love it or hate it, disco music will always be associated with the 1970s. But did it all begin and end in that decade? Not by a long shot- It actually had its roots in World War II Paris. LE RÉSISTANCE When you think of disco, what comes to mind? Probably polyester, mirror balls, and lines of dancers doing the Hustle. But surprisingly, the seeds that would one day grow into disco were first planted by the Nazis. During their brutal occupation of France in World War II, the Germans outlawed any form of art and music that they deemed “impure.” The American jazz movement, which had experienced a renaissance in Paris in the 1930s, was high on the Nazi’s cultural hit list. In 1940 Hitler’s army began to shut down any cabaret that featured the “rhythms of belly-dancing negroes” and sending offenders to internment camps. (At the same time, however, the Nazis formed their own jazz band called Charlie and his Orchestra to broadcast taunting, satirical propaganda songs to the Allies over the radio.) THE BEAT GOES ON
LET’S DO THE TWIST! As the 1970s began, the innocence and idealism of 1960s counterculture had been mostly quashed by the escalating war in Vietnam and a conservative president in the White House. But the new found sexual freedom that had begun in 1967′s “Summer of Love” had blossomed with the first widespread use of the birth control pill in the early 1970s. The sexual revolution was now in full swing, and it was about to find its perfect partner: disco. DO THE HUSTLE
In the Northeast, the dance was dubbed the “New York Hustle,” later shortened to the Hustle (and then treated with many variations in the late 1970s). But each style shared the same basic elements: the couple moved side to side, then back and forth, while swiveling their hips and rotating around each other. By 1973, the word “disco” was being used to describe both the discotheque scene and the music most often played there. The term entered the mainstream when Rolling Stone repeatedly used it in an article titled “Discotheque Rock ’72: Paaaaaarty!” But which record, exactly, was the first true disco song isn’t quite as clear. Some music historians cite 1973′s “Soul Makossa” by Manu Dibango. “Law of the Land” by the Temptations is another strong candidate, as is Gloria Gaynor’s 1974 megahit “Never Can Say Goodbye.” And still others cite the song “The Hustle” by Van McCoy, released in 1975, as the first song to truly have that “disco sound.” But what exactly is the disco sound? The simple answer is a combination of beat, tempo, instrumentation, and song length. The disco beat has four beats per measure, with equal emphasis on every beat: BUMP BUMP BUMP BUMP. Rock and funk beats typically have four beats per measure as well, but with emphasis on the second and fourth beats: ba BUMP ba BUMP. Disco is also much faster paced than most rock or funk, sometimes up to 120 beats per minute. The faster, the better. ADDING MOULTON TO THE MIX
That led to another problem: the 7-inch single (45 rpm), which was common at the time, could only hold four to five minutes of music, not nearly enough to make an extended dance record. So Moulton experimented with larger formats, and created what would become the disco deejay’s favorite: the 12-inch single. In 1974, Moulton was given the chance to extend a single called “Do It ‘Til You’re Satisfied” by B.T. Express from three minutes to nearly six. The extended dance song was a huge success, peaking #2 on the Billboard pop chart. he was then brought in to mix Gloria Gaynor’s debut album Never Can Say Goodbye. With the focus on making the best dance record possible, Moulton filled one side of the album with a nonstop 18-minute dancing experience. each of the three songs smoothly segued into the next, and the vocal sections were limited to one minute at the beginning of each track, allowing melody and beat to carry the rest of the song. Record executives were skeptical about the experiment, but Moulton proved his case when Never Can Say Goodbye became a huge hit on dance floors across the country. It solidified the golden rule for disco deejays and recording artists alike: Keep the beat going. BIG BOYS WON’T TRY Although disco scored a few early hits, for the most part, radio steered clear of it. the songs were often too long for airplay, and they needed thumping bass speakers to sound their best. As the large record companies ignored disco, dozens of independent labels cropped up, some only to produce one single before folding. But these small record companies fueled the growing dance scene: Labels like Westend, Prelude, and SalSoul were in high demand, producing a library of disco music with thousands of dance tracks. “Disco is the best floor show in town,” reported writer Truman Capote. “It’s very democratic, boys with boys, girls with girls, blacks and whites, capitalists and Marxists, Chinese and everything else, all in one big mix.” By 1976, the beat, the sound, and the underground dance club scene -all of disco’s components- were firmly in place. But a Hollywood movie was about to infiltrate that big mix and take disco to worlds where no disco dancer had gone before. Next week: Why Disco Died. _____________________________________
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| Posted: 14 May 2012 04:08 AM PDT This parody of LMFAO’s “I’m Sexy and I Know It” starts a little weak and gets better as it goes. Just beam me up, Scotty! -via I Am Bored |
| Trip Out On Pics From ROFLCon 2012 Posted: 14 May 2012 03:30 AM PDT Well, ROFLCon 2012 went off without a hitch on May 4th and 5th in Cambridge, Massachusetts so the interwebs is safe for another year. Double Nyan Cat rainbows were spotted in the sky, cat breading and LOLz were enjoyed by all in attendance, and Rage Faces Mountain became a popular tourist destination. The future of internet humor rests squarely in the hands of these fantastically funny people, and Scott Beale from Laughing Squid has the pictures to prove it. ROFL on and on! Link –via Laughing Squid |
| Because Drinking and Gaming Are A Great Combo Posted: 14 May 2012 02:58 AM PDT If you’re a geek who loves both alcohol and gaming, then you’ll certainly love Arkeg. The system is pretty sweet as it comes with 69 games, a 5 lb CO2 tank, a 24″ hi-def LCD, a sweet sound sound system and, of course, a nice big cabinet to store the keg of your choice. On the other hand, for almost $4000, a few six packs and an X Box could be just as good. Link Via Geeks Are Sexy |
| Posted: 14 May 2012 01:42 AM PDT Sure everyone loves The Avengers right now, but for anyone in the nineties, Nicktoons will always hold a place in their heart. That’s why this mashup is just so delightful, it provides us with two great things that are even better when together -the ultimate mashup goal. Link Via The Mary Sue |
| Posted: 14 May 2012 12:35 AM PDT This thing moves and makes all kind of crazy noise. What the heck is going on here? Well, there are worse vibrating things he could be barking at, so at least there’s that. |
| Your Case Mod Wants to Step Out On the Town Posted: 13 May 2012 11:33 PM PDT I’ve seen my share of case mods, but this one is seriously impressive. Of course, while it looks amazing, it also seems like a huge pain in the butt to actually use on a real basis. I mean, who has room for this thing on their desk? Link Via Geekosystem |
| Custom Made Gears Of War Replica Shotgun Posted: 13 May 2012 09:49 PM PDT Show your fellow cosplayers that you mean business with this DIY Gears Of War replica shotgun, which lets you load actual shells and scare the crap out of anyone suckered in to believing it actually fires live ammo. Built by Mike Iverson of Blind Squirrel Props, the end result is stunningly realistic, and Mike was kind enough to include exhaustive step by step photos of the process, and basic plans so you can build one of these bad boys for yourself. Now that’s one good looking boomstick! Link –via Nerd Approved |
| Posted: 13 May 2012 08:49 PM PDT Zombie Hand Bottle Opener – $9.95 Are you ready to lay to rest your disgusting, half-dead bottle opener? You need the fantastic Zombie Hand Bottle Opener from the NeatoShop. This amazing handcrafted church key can and bottle opener combo looks like a gruesome zombie hand. Make a NeatoShop zombie a part of your family today. We think you will find them to be very giving undead people. As you can see, they are always willing to lend a hand to someone in need. Be sure to check out the NeatoShop for more lively Zombie items!
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| Posted: 13 May 2012 08:13 PM PDT This cat acts like he’s discovered heaven. It’s a good thing they didn’t let him near a whole watermelon! -via reddit |
| Go Out In Style With These Crazy Shaped Coffins Posted: 13 May 2012 06:35 PM PDT I can think of no better way to celebrate the life of a ballerina who has bitten the dust than burying her in a coffin shaped like a ballet slipper. That way, when her body is exhumed by our alien overlords in the future, they’ll immediately know her skillset, and can therefore properly employ her re-animated corpse based on her talents. It’s safe to say that not all passions should be commemorated in coffin form, I mean, who would want to be buried in a giant My Little Pony, or a casket shaped like a giant turkey baster? |
| Ask A Grown Man Starring John Hamm Posted: 13 May 2012 05:34 PM PDT Oh Mr. Hamm, is there anything you can’t do? You’re one hell of an actor, a funny guy, and ladies across the globe start drooling at the sight of you. And now you’re handing out some much needed, and spot on, advice to the young folks. Hollywood-if you’re looking for the next Superman, you’ve found him! –via Reddit |
| Posted: 13 May 2012 04:58 PM PDT (Video Link) Leonard McCoy, Julian Bashir and the Emergency Medical Holographic program from Star Trek are doctors. They are not many, many things. This video lists all of those disclaimed occupations. |
| Student Builds Fully Functional Portal Turret Posted: 13 May 2012 04:35 PM PDT YouTube user kss5095 decided to get creative and show his love of video games at the same time with his final project for Advanced Mechatronics at Penn State, so he built a fully functioning turret like you’d find in the video game series Portal. The turret is so sweet that it even has a soothing voice recording, which lures you out of hiding so it can blast you with laser guided NERF missiles. This guy has a long career ahead of him in either animatronics or engineering weapons for the military, but for now he has the ultimate home defense system at his disposal, that is once he upgrades to live rounds! –via Geekologie |
| Thief Forgets to Logout of Facebook Before Robbing Internet Cafe Posted: 13 May 2012 03:43 PM PDT
One of the two robbers forgot to log out of his Facebook account. Police used it to trace his home address. Link (Google Translate) -via Gizmodo Photo (unrelated) via Flickr user glenmcbethlaw |
| A Geeky Art Tribute To The Avengers And Maurice Sendak Posted: 13 May 2012 03:37 PM PDT In the midst of Avengers mania we lost a seminal talent in children’s literature-Maurice Sendak, so DeviantARTist AgarthanGuide decided to pay tribute in a manner most befitting an ubergeek-by turning the Avengers into a parade of Wild Things! I like that Black Widow is waving a banner that says “Shield!”, and all the detail that went into this piece, but where are the Hulk’s pants? Link –via GeekTyrant |
| Animated Short – The Big Eating Posted: 13 May 2012 02:36 PM PDT The Brood Princess is hungry, so a few industrious little aliens hit that buffet counter known as Earth to find her the perfect meal, in episode 2 of Invageddon called “The Big Eating”. This animated short delivers plenty of laughs, and the style reminds me of the video game series Alien Hominid, so it’s a win-win for cartoon fanatics like me! If you enjoyed this short then head over to the StarArena YouTube page and check out the other animated mayhem they have to offer, it’s a good waste of time! –via YouTube |
| The Four Rocking Horses of the Apocalypse Posted: 13 May 2012 02:27 PM PDT
Carrin Welch’s Four Rocking Horses of the Apocalypse project brings childlike glee into the end of the world. This young lady is riding Death. You can find pictures of War and Famine at the link. Welch has yet to unleash Pestilence. Link -via Make | Photo: Sean Ragan |
| The 9 Worst Moms in the Animal Kingdom Posted: 13 May 2012 12:10 PM PDT
Read the rest about harp seals and other not-so-great animal moms at mental_floss. Link (Image credit: Flickr user Luke Bryant) |
| 100,000 LED Spheres Floating Down a River in Japan Posted: 13 May 2012 11:26 AM PDT At last weekend’s Tokyo Hotaru festival, 100,000 little balls with LEDs inside floated down the Sumida River. From a distance, they look like a blur on the river. Close up, they look like fireflies dancing on the surface of the water. You can view more pictures at the link. Link -via Colossal | Photo: Tokyo-Hotaru |
| Posted: 13 May 2012 10:26 AM PDT Some strange technology makes Etsy seller Rae’s corset the most effective ever. Anyone can squeeze into it! She also sells a matching skirt and bow tie. Previously: Geek Chic TARDIS Corset |
| Posted: 13 May 2012 09:22 AM PDT The Ewoks tried to eat Han, Leia and Luke. Now it’s payback time. Cake Central member Promeegirl made this cake modeled on Wicket Wystri Warrick. His features are formed with fondant and gum paste. |
| Posted: 13 May 2012 07:06 AM PDT Cannon Ball Shooter – $14.95 Is your life all work and no play. Stop letting kids have all the fun. Get the Cannon Ball Shooter from the NeatoShop. This fantastic little cannon can launch a foam ball up to 30 feet. It is perfect for cubicle warfare. Be sure to check out the NeatoShop for more Cubicle & Desk fun! |
| Posted: 13 May 2012 07:00 AM PDT Marvel comics characters cause inadvertent chaos in this animation by Junaid Chundrigar. -via Metafilter |
| Is It Ethical To Pay Drug Addicts To Get Sterilized? Posted: 13 May 2012 06:00 AM PDT
Other critics question the wisdom of giving cash to drug addicts at all. The project’s founder, Barbara Harris, has adopted drug-addicted babies and says most of the women contacted have already had children and know what they’re doing. Link |
The following is an article from the book 
Unwilling to give up their beloved jazz, partying Parisians formed secret nightclubs that required passwords to get in, changed locations frequently, and tried to stay as quiet as possible. And without any jazz bands left, their only choice was to play records. The most famous club, Le Discotheque (French for “The Record Library”), opened on rue de la Huchette in 1941. With a discaire, or disc jockey, spinning jazz records all night long, the main attraction was dancing. Thumbing their noses at the occupying Reich, Le Discotheque and other underground clubs opened their doors to blacks and homosexuals, the same groups who would first embrace disco music 30 years later. The main ingredients that would result in disco in the 1970s were now in place.
Just like in 1940s Paris, minorities and homosexuals were welcome in America’s underground dance clubs of the early 70s, and quickly became their primary patrons. While the Twist and similar dances featured two partners who danced without touching each other, the dancing in these new clubs was much more intimate- especially after salsa dancing spiced things up. Salsa, a style popular among Cuban immigrants on the Miami club scene, eventually blended with swing in a new dance called “disco swing,” which spread around the country, one discotheque at a time.
But what about that other staple of discotheques, he “long dance mixes” that kept people on their feet for hours? That idea was mostly the work of pioneering record producer (and occasional fashion model) Tom Moulton. During a photo shoot at a Long Island nightclub in 1971, he was amazed by the energy on the dance floor. “I got a charge of it, all these white people dancing to black music.” The only problem was that the songs were usually three minutes long and had slightly different beats, making it difficult for dancers to stay in the groove. Inspired, Moulton went home to his studio and spent 80 hours remixing and editing soul songs together, over and over, altering their speeds to keep a continuous beat going. Result: a 45-minute tape of nonstop, thumping dance music. His tape was a hit at the Sandpiper Club in Fire Island, New York, and as word of the extended mix spread, budding disco artists wanted “Tom Moulton mixes” of their songs.
The article above was reprinted with permission from 
Well-appointed Internet cafes have signs that remind users to log out of any applications before leaving. Not everyone pays attention, including as two robbers at one in Colombia:
We see stories about the animal kingdom and the selflessness of animal moms, 
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