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2014/01/14

Neatorama

Neatorama

Neatolinks: Monkeys, 3D Printing and Chocolate Factories

Posted: 14 Jan 2014 04:00 AM PST

Catlateral Damage

Posted: 14 Jan 2014 03:00 AM PST

You're a cat. You break stuff. Simple as that.

That's the concept behind the game Catlateral Damage. You are the cat, and your goal is to jump around the room and knock stuff to the floor, whether it's delicate electronic equipment, houseplants, or precious trophies. If you find yourself enjoying this to the point where you don't want to stop, then you may have some insight into how your cat thinks.

I did not do well, as it took some time to orient my movements and more time to stop laughing at my awkward performance and that crazy cat paw. I also think I may be handicapped by not having a left or right mouse button. You can play online, or download the game. -via Time Newsfeed

Experiencing Art

Posted: 14 Jan 2014 02:00 AM PST

Grant Snider of Incidental Comics walks us down a path of encountering, exploring and even making art.

I vividly remember, many years ago, turning a corner at the Birmingham Museum of Art and seeing the enormous, majestic Dawn by William-Adolphe Bouguereau. It was stunning. I spent quite a bit of time later chasing down Bouguereaus when I heard that they were on public display.

I will not discount the aesthetic priorities of others, but to me, the Western tradition of art reached its zenith in the works of Bouguereau.

Which encounters with art have left a lasting impression on you?

Conjoined Twins in 10th Century Byzantium

Posted: 14 Jan 2014 01:00 AM PST

There are few accounts of conjoined twins from antiquity, so we tend to assume that they either didn't survive long or they were rejected or even killed as some kind of monster or bad omen. But that wasn't always the case. Leo the Deacon wrote about a set of such twins in Constantinople sometime before 944 BCE.

At this time male twins, who came from the region of Cappadocia, were wandering through many parts of the Roman Empire; I myself, who am writing these lines, have often seen them in Asia, a monstrous and novel wonder. For the various parts of their bodies were whole and complete, but their sides were attached from the armpit to the hip, uniting their bodies and combining them into one. And with the adjacent arms they embraced each other’s necks, and in the others carried staffs, on which they supported themselves as they walked. They were thirty years old and well developed physically, appearing youthful and vigorous. On long journeys they used to ride on a mule, sitting sideways on the saddle in the female fashion, and they had indescribably sweet and good dispositions. But enough about this.

Others wrote about the same twins, who were later to be the first recorded conjoined twins to be surgically separated -in order to save one twin when the other died. Read their story at Medievalists.net.  -via TYWKIWDBI

Feline Infidelity

Posted: 14 Jan 2014 12:00 AM PST

(Image: unknown)

Other signs include a second cell phone and money suddenly disappearing from your joint account.

If the plane ticket is one-way, well, then you know what's going to happen.

It's hard. But believe me: once you get through this rough time, you'll be better off. You can do better anyway.

-via Pleated Jeans

Comedic Short Film - Codfish And Cyanide

Posted: 13 Jan 2014 11:00 PM PST

(Video Link)

There’s nothing worse than going out to dinner with a significant other who is about to break up with you, except for being attacked by laser wielding thugs while on the way to that last supper. In the short film Codfish and Cyanide we hear one man’s account of how he came to look so bloody and disheveled, his excuse for being late to dinner which his future ex girlfriend isn't buying at all!

Codfish and Cyanide was written and directed by David Gesslbauer, and even though it’s subtitled, which some audiences simply abhor, this simplistic comedy is worth the read and will really put your life in perspective, making future date nights more tolerable for you and your partner. (NSFW due to language)

Via Geek Tyrant

Wall Furniture for Cats

Posted: 13 Jan 2014 10:00 PM PST

One way to clear the clutter of all the boxes, scratching posts, and climbing trees belonging to your cats is to give them the upper walls and ceilings. You're not using those spaces anyway! It's warm up there, and they'll feel like they are up in the trees like cats should be. At least they will keep your cats from showering hair all over your upper kitchen cabinets- or not, since cats tend to accrue new territory without giving any up.

These climbing components and sleeping spots are from the German company Goldtatze, and you can see plenty of pictures of the different configurations at hauspanther. -via Metafilter

Cloud Eraser and Pencil Set

Posted: 13 Jan 2014 09:00 PM PST

Cloud Eraser and Pencil Set

The holidays are finally over. Get our of your holiday funk by adding a rainbow of happiness to your work station. This cheerful set includes a cloud shaped eraser that doubles as a pencil organizer and 5 colorful pencils.   

Be sure to check out the NeatoShop for more great Office & Desk stuff. 

Link

Ask Dumb Questions, Get Dumb Answers

Posted: 13 Jan 2014 09:00 PM PST

It's common for daycare businesses to learn about the interests and habits of children who enroll. One daycare manager gave a friend of redditor JesadBellic this form to fill out when he enrolled his daughter, Emma, in the school.

Emma is 11 months old.

So some of these questions are probably not relevant to a child of that age. You can see a larger view of the responses here.

-via Glenn Reynolds

Surprise Bear in the Bathroom

Posted: 13 Jan 2014 08:00 PM PST

It's a tradition for the outgoing governor of Virginia to leave some surprises behind to prank the incoming governor in Virginia. Terry McAuliffe was recently sworn in, and outgoing Virginia governor Bob McDonnell left the executive mansion in fine shape for the new residents. In addition to an alarm clock hidden in a desk drawer that woke Mrs. McAuliffe, this stuffed bear was in the bathroom, which no doubt caused a second of panic. -via Buzzfeed

(Image credit: Joe St. George)

Colorful Harry Potter Themed Illustrated Travel Posters

Posted: 13 Jan 2014 07:00 PM PST

Fans of the J.K. Rowling fantasy phenomenon known as Harry Potter have read the books, seen the movies, and possibly even visited the Wizarding World of Harry Potter inside the Universal Orlando theme park.

Potterheads have taken their imagination for a flight around the grounds of the Hogwarts School, or high above a Quidditch match to watch the action, so these Harry Potter themed travel posters by Caroline Hadilaksono may seem like a bunch of been there, done that.

But to those who haven’t experienced the fantasy adventure for themselves these cool illustrated posters with a retro style may be just the inspiration they need to get out of their mundane reality and into an imagination vacation!

Via The Mary Sue

Middle School Football Team Stages Elaborate Play for Special Needs Child

Posted: 13 Jan 2014 06:00 PM PST


(Video Link)

For weeks, the football players at Olivet Middle School in Olivet, Michigan schemed how they would carry out their plan. Their goal was to give Keith Orr, a developmentally disabled student, the chance to score a touchdown.

So the team ran the ball all the down to the 1-yard line...and stopped. They grounded the ball.

On the next play, the passed the ball to Keith, then pushed the opposing team back the yard that Keith needed to score a touchdown.

Watch this video from CBS News to learn about how this act helped the players sort out their own values and priorities.

-via I Own the World

A Web Comic For Fans Of Roleplaying Games And Stick Figures

Posted: 13 Jan 2014 05:00 PM PST

Rich Burlew is a cartoonist who has been hard at work on his online comic series Order of the Stick, along with another project called Erfworld, for about ten years now, and even though it starts with stick figures and ends with stick figures doesn’t mean there’s not a whole lot to love about this series.

From the obscure Dungeons & Dragons nerd references, to the delightful fantasy humor and the childlike stick figure art that somehow manages to satisfy your comic art craving without all those pesky details, this is one web comic fans of the medium should check out, and since it’s free to read you can take it or leave it without any regrets!

Via Comics Alliance

Cookie Perfection Machine

Posted: 13 Jan 2014 04:00 PM PST

(YouTube link)

Ben Krasnow rigged a system for making cookie recipe experimentation easier. If each cookie is a slight variation, and each is well-documented, they can be compared in one sitting. This may be the geekiest thing you've seen today, but people who go to such lengths for the sake of research give the rest of us wonderful cookies to enjoy! -via Viral Viral Videos

Coffee Table That Looks Like A Flying Carpet

Posted: 13 Jan 2014 03:00 PM PST

Here’s a coffee table that will open up a whole new world of conversation, and get your guests quoting Aladdin when they come over to visit- it’s a magic carpet coffee table from Duffy London that, thanks to the addition of a bottom shadow shape, appears to be floating above the living room floor.

The rug pattern looks like something out of an old NES version of Arabian Nights, but the floating illusion does look pretty cool, albeit a bit bulky compared to conventional legs. But if you're thinking about picking up a magic carpet table for your palace you'd better start saving up, because this table costs well over two thousand dollars, so if you want one you'd better start looking for an old lamp with a genie inside!

Via DesignTAXI

Root Beer Pancakes Sound Fantastic

Posted: 13 Jan 2014 02:00 PM PST

Root beer and pancakes might sound like an odd coupling, but when you think with the buttery, vanilla flavors of most pancakes, makes sense to throw in the sweet and savory flavors of root beer. Plus, like all batters, adding in something carbonated is bound to help the texture, making your pancakes lighter and fluffier than you've ever imagined. 

So how do you make root beer pancakes? Just head over to Fantastical Sharing and check out their simple recipe and you too can make delicious, fluffy root beer pancakes for breakfast tomorrow.

The Five Stages of Catnip Abuse

Posted: 13 Jan 2014 01:00 PM PST

(YouTube link)

The Pet Collective shows us the five states of nip abuse. They left out the part where the cat gets high and does funny things for our amusement. They also left out the part where the cat breaks into houses and takes stolen merchandise down to the neighborhood dealer to trade for more. And then there's the intervention, in which the whole family participates, followed by a short stint in rehab before the relapse. Then the cycle starts all over again. -via Laughing Squid

A Secret Street Art Show Inside Condemned Building In NYC

Posted: 13 Jan 2014 12:00 PM PST

It seems pretty logical that an abandoned and condemned building in New York would soon become covered in graffiti and totally wrecked from the inside out, but the building in this series of tour photos taken by Gizmodo's Nick Stango was home to an illegal art show put together by comedic street artist Hanksy and open only to those who were in the know about the location.

How did the folks find the place you ask? They had to locate a specific mural in front of the building which was only known to insiders, and once they'd found this secret location their eyeballs were treated to three floors of street art from Hanksy, B.D. White and many other artists in a show called Surplus Candy.

The Effects of Teen Pregnancy Reality Shows

Posted: 13 Jan 2014 11:00 AM PST

Curiously, two stories at Digg today deal with MTV's reality series 16 and Pregnant and its spinoff Teen Mom. They both cover surveys about the show's effects …and they seem to say almost opposite things.

At Pacific Standard the headline says Reality Shows ’16 and Pregnant’ and ‘Teen Mom’ Teach Teen Viewers Nothing. The article tells of a survey of teenagers done by communications professors at Indiana University and the University of Utah.

Instead, the most dedicated fans among the 185 high school teenagers (between the ages of 14 and 18) surveyed were more likely to be under the impression that “teen mothers have an enviable quality of life, a high income and involved fathers.” Only 20 percent of young men admitted to watching the shows, but the correlation also crossed gender lines.

The second article is from the New York Times, with the headline MTV’s ‘16 and Pregnant,’ Derided by Some, May Resonate as a Cautionary Tale. It cites an economic survey by Melissa S. Kearney of the Hamilton Project and Phillip B. Levine of Wellesley College that, instead of asking opinions, crunches the numbers in both TV ratings and birth records.

A new economic study of Nielsen television ratings and birth records suggests that the show she appeared in, “16 and Pregnant,” and its spinoffs may have prevented more than 20,000 births to teenage mothers in 2010.

The paper, to be released Monday by the National Bureau of Economic Research, makes the case that the controversial but popular programs reduced the teenage birthrate by nearly 6 percent, contributing to a long-term decline that accelerated during the recession.

What does this tell us? For one thing, the two surveys are not studying the exact same effects, and certainly use different data. The first blurb refers to the shows' "most dedicated fans," while the second includes people who don't even watch. As much as news stories differ from source to source, we should seek out a variety of angles on a subject to get a well-rounded view -and even then, the small details can point out how seemingly contradictory results arise.

It may also be telling us that teens are smarter than they get credit for: even though a tale of unplanned pregnancy landed some teens their own TV show with its accompanying income, the odds of such success are not worth the risk. At least that's what we hope.  

Electroplating the Dead

Posted: 13 Jan 2014 10:00 AM PST

Electroplating is an electrical process that plates an object in dissolved metals. In the Nineteenth Century, some inventors thought that it would be an excellent way to preserve a dead body. Why rot away? Inside a thin but solid metal skin, your corpse could slowly mummify.

In a lengthy article, Atlas Obscura describes the history of this idea. Its proponents argued that it was an inexpensive and sanitary process. And since it preserved a body from decay, you could keep your relatives around the house as memorial statues.

-via VA Viper

Violently Realistic Versions Of Beloved Childhood Icons

Posted: 13 Jan 2014 09:30 AM PST

Everybody has to grow up some time in their life, and when we outgrow our favorite childhood heroes, like Babar the Elephant, Winnie the Pooh and Inspector Gadget, they become nothing more than beloved memories and a bunch of imaginary characters that we hope our children will like as much as we once did.

But what if our favorite characters grew up with us, going from cute and simple to totally decked out and badass? They'd probably look a lot like these updated character designs by Deviantartist Tohad in his series BADASS. One look at this series and you'll never look at those kiddie characters the same way ever again!

Via BuzzFeed

The Crazy Cat Lady's Hotel

Posted: 13 Jan 2014 09:00 AM PST

(Video Link)

Looks like this cat hotel needs to be booked in advance, but with amenities like "great climbing curtain" and "floating light circle," it's certainly earned the five diamond rating. Just wait until you hit their first-class restaurant that serves the finest fish and cream. And the night club, it's all the rage, but there is a bit of a nip problem there. 

Of course, I just want to stay there to meet the guests. They're very fuzzy and adorable and always polite.

Via Cute Overload

Whodunit: The FBI and the Hacker

Posted: 13 Jan 2014 08:30 AM PST

The following is a Whodunit by Hy Conrad featuring Jonah Bixby, a twelve-year-old crime solver and son of a police detective. Can you solve the crime?

(Image credit: Berishafjolla)

As one of the city's only female detectives, Carol Bixby was often stuck with non-detective chores, like doing paperwork. But it was because she was stuck here at the station house on one particular morning, writing up a boring report, that she was picked to join the FBI on an emergency operation.

The FBI's Computer Fraud Division was on the trail of a hacker who was releasing computer viruses through the Beaverton College e-mail system. The hacker had stayed one step ahead of them, changing computers with every attack. But now they were getting close. Carol helped them get a search warrant and accompanied the FBI agents when they knocked on an apartment door just off campus.

A short young man answered their knock. His name was Oscar Paterno, and he shared the place with two other students. "I know next to nothing about computers," Oscar told them. "When I need one, I go to the school's computer lab."

One of his roommates was there to support this claim. "Yeah, as far as I know, Oscar doesn't even have e-mail," said Mark Gilley. The lanky Australian was in the kitchen, a skillet in his left hand, flipping pancakes. "You blokes want some griddle cakes?" he asked. Carol and the agents declined.

"And where is your computer?" Carol asked the Aussie.

"It died last week," Mark told them. "I'm waiting on a check from Mum and Dad to buy a new one."

The FBI found only one computer in the apartment, a desktop owned by the missing roommate, Boris Brinsky, a math major and chess wizard. They took photos of Boris's room and then packed up the computer for further examination at the lab.

They were just carting it out the door when Boris walked in. "What are you people doing?" he demanded. Carol showed him the search warrant and took him aside to answer questions.

"We traced the hacker to your computer," she told him. "The last virus was sent out at 7:06 this morning."

"It wasn't me. I was in the library all night," Boris said. "I fell asleep in a study cubicle and woke up maybe fifteen minutes ago."

Boris knew of no one who could verify his alibi. And his roommates weren't very helpful either. Both claimed to have been in bed by midnight and not left their rooms until about eight this morning. According to this timetable, any one of them, Boris included, could have sneaked into his room and fired off the code that was once again crippling the college system.

Boris was indignant and refused to sign the Inventory of Confiscation. "What am I going to do without my computer?"

"We don't need your permission," Carol explained. "It's just a formality." She held out the pen until Oscar reached out his right hand and signed for his roommate.

That evening, Carol brought the FBI report home to study. "Looks like you've got homework, too," Jonah joked when she laid it all out on the kitchen table.

Carol laughed. "Well, I often help you with yours. Maybe you can help with mine. It would be a real coup if I could beat the FBI on this one."

She showed Jonah a photo of Boris's computer before it was moved. It was a new Dell machine, fairly powerful. To the right of the keyboard were a colorful mouse pad and a small stack of yesterday's mail. To the left were a coffee stain, the mouse, and a small desk clock.

"Tell me everything that happened," the twelve-year-old said. "I think I can find your hacker."

WHOM DOES JONAH SUSPECT?

WHAT EVIDENCE POINTS TO THE HACKER?

Show Answer

The whodunit above was provided by American mystery fiction author Hy Conrad.

In addition to his work in mystery and crime puzzles, Hy was also one of the original writers for the groundbreaking TV series Monk.

Currently, Hy is working on mystery novel series "Abel Adventures" as well as the Monk series of novels, starting with Mr. Monk Helps Himself (published by Penguin, order from Amazon here)

Check out Hy's official website and Facebook page - and stay tuned for more whodunits puzzlers on Neatorama from the master of whodunit mysteries himself!

Owl Coin Purse

Posted: 13 Jan 2014 08:00 AM PST

Owl Coin Purse (front and back shown)

You obviously love owls. Celebrate your obsession with a very wise and practical Coin Purse from the NeatoShop. This delightful zippered coin bag is available in: 

  • Purple
  • Green
  • Fuchsia
  • Red
  • Turquoise
  • and Yellow

Swoop one up today. 

    Be sure to check out the NeatoShop for more great Wallets, Purses & Coin Bags. 

    Link

    Fabrizio Corneli's Shadow Art

    Posted: 13 Jan 2014 08:00 AM PST

    Fabrizio Corneli says, "Light is energy which creates forms." That neatly summarizes his work. He's an artist in Florence, Italy who creates shadowy outlines mixed with vibrant colors. He does so by shaping custom lamps to project specific images at the proper angles.

    This work, for example, is entitled Iperboreo I, which appears to mean "Hyperborean" in Italian. It's a halogen lamp inside copper sheeting. When observed from the front, it looks like a ball of fire. The ancient Greeks believed that the Hyperboreans were a people who lived in a paradise to the far north, beyond the harsh north winds. Perhaps this art installation represents their sunny domain.

    Let Me Play You The Song of My People

    Posted: 13 Jan 2014 07:30 AM PST

    I wish I knew the story behind this picture. It went viral in Russia a little over a year ago, but it may be much older than that.

    Russia makes sense as a point of origin, though. When it's that cold and snowy in Moscow, a harpist will both stay warm and draw attention by busking in a bear suit. And to own both a harp and a perfect bear suit, you have to get out and work every day. At least that's the story from the shallow reaches of my imagination. Can you come up with a better one?  -via Arbroath

    A Poster That Explains All The Different Varieties Of Zombies

    Posted: 13 Jan 2014 07:00 AM PST

    Ever since zombies went from being voodoo cursed individuals to rotting brain biters there have been a ton of variations on the same theme, with new rules and types of zombies popping up in every movie made about those shambling rotters.

    But how are zombie fanatics expected to keep track of so many types of zombies? Artist Jason Thompson has created the key to all that undead madness in a print poster called The Map Of Zombies, which features all 350 varieties of flesh craving fiends from the Slow, Dumb Zombies to the scarier Aggressive Cannibals. Jason has even included the Occult and Alien types to fully round out this exhaustive breakdown, and you can see an enlarged version of the Map here.

    Via Nerd Approved

    Muppets Most Wanted Outrage Ad

    Posted: 13 Jan 2014 06:30 AM PST

    (YouTube link)

    The latest ad for the upcoming movie Muppets Most Wanted skewers the trend of using Tweets from random internet users for advertising and pop culture journalism. When everyone's a critic, you can find a quote that says anything you want. That's not really a new tactic in the movie marketing trade, but with Twitter, it's much easier -and sillier. The Muppets just take it to the next level to point out how silly. -via Daily Picks and Flicks 

    The Perfect Furniture for a Halloween Party

    Posted: 13 Jan 2014 06:00 AM PST

    Last week on Homes and Hues, we showed you the happiest furniture on earth and this week it's time for something a little darker thanks to Vladi Rapaport's Skull Chair. This delightful illusion is made from fiber-reinforced polyester and even comes with a matching brain ottoman.

    While some might think this design is only suitable for Halloween, those of us who love celebrating All Hallows Eve every day of the year, it really is a great centerpiece for any room. And, as the artist explains, it's a great way to reflect on mortality and remember how important it is to make the most out of our limited time on this planet.

    What GTA Would Look Like As A Kids Game

    Posted: 13 Jan 2014 05:30 AM PST


     

    (Video Link)

    The Grand Theft Auto video game franchise has changed the way people see Mature rated video games, and pushed that M rating to the max with brutally honest depictions of street crime, prostitution, and gang violence. The games are too graphic for children, but what if they made a version geared specifically towards kids?

    Nacho Punch made an animated short that attempts to show what the E for Everybody GTA would look like called GTA for Kids, and it's still way too hardcore for kids! I guess when you name a video game series after a major felony you're not looking to cash in on the kiddie market.

    Via Uproxx
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