Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren: "During the campaign, Donald Trump told the American people that he was going to change Washington by taking on Wall Street. Donald Trump's choice for Treasury scretary, Steve Mnuchin, is just another Wall Street insider. That is not the type of change that Donald Trump promised to bring to Washington – that is hypocrisy at its worst. After his bank pocketed billions in taxpayer dollars from the bailout, Mnuchin moved on to make a fortune running another bank that aggressively foreclosed on families still reeling from the crisis. This pick makes clear that Donald Trump wants to cater to the same Wall Street executives that have hurt working families time and again." (Images: Bernie Sanders, AFGE/CC-BY; Elizabeth Warren, Tim Pierce/CC-BY)
Wednesday, 30 November 2016
Sanders and Warren issue joint statement slamming Trump's new finance industry alligator for his private DC swamp
U.S. ethics office tweets sarcastically at Trump on his business conflicts
It's come to this, folks. The office of the United States that oversees ethics in government is sending sarcastic tweets to president-elect Donald J. Trump. Yes, he of the still unreleased tax returns, the many conflicts of interest, the recent $25 million fraud settlement, and the late-night Twitter wars.
Tuesday, 29 November 2016
Silent treatment, love-bombing, gaslighting and other traits of Narcissist Personality Disorder
Maureen Herman & Katie Schwartz wrote a piece about Narcissist Personality Disorder and how to defend yourself against a world leader who might have it.
We want to urge the press and public to understand what Narcissist Personality Disorder is. It manifests as impairments in the way someone functions and interacts with others, combined with the specific pathological personality trait of antagonism, characterized by grandiosity and attention seeking. We feel the finer points are something the public should promptly familiarize itself with.
The negative effect of NPD happens in stages, and we have watched Trump's relationship with his supporters, and it is very familiar to us. In a classic NPD relationship. first comes the love-bombing: the narcissist tells you what you want to hear. Then they manage down expectations: doing whatever they want, and expecting or demanding that you accept it without incident. Now, the pathological lying comes full force: you call them out on what they said or did and they vehemently deny it, making you question your sanity. Then comes the devalue stage: because you questioned or criticized them, they discredit you. Now, the discard: the punishment and alienation begins, and any attempts to please them are used to give them more control over you. It doesn't end there. The cycle continues and the disorder becomes your new normal. It's not.
There are known narcissistic terms, strategies, and agendas. We urge the media to learn the
terminology, and use it: , silent treatment, love-bombing, gaslighting, devalue & discard phase, narcissistic abuse, managing down expectations, and flying monkeys (Kellyanne Conway).
Technology post-CELTA (3): Technology for teaching
Monday, 28 November 2016
NASA's Space Poop Challenge
NASA issued a public $30,000 bounty "for fecal, urine, and menstrual management systems to be used in the crew's launch and entry suits over a continuous duration of up to 144 hours." From the competition brief:
Current space suits are worn for launch and entry activities and in-space activities to protect the crew from any unforeseen circumstances that the space environment can cause. A crew member could find themselves in this suit for up to 10 hours at a time nominally for launch or landing, or up to 6 days if something catastrophic happens while in space.
The old standby solution consisted of diapers, in case astronauts needed to relieve themselves. However, the diaper is only a very temporary solution, and doesn't provide a healthy/protective option longer than one day.
What's needed is a system inside a space suit that collects human waste for up to 144 hours and routes it away from the body, without the use of hands. The system has to operate in the conditions of space - where solids, fluids, and gases float around in microgravity (what most of us think of as "zero gravity") and don't necessarily mix or act the way they would on earth. This system will help keep astronauts alive and healthy over 6 days, or 144 hrs.
Space Poop Challenge (HeroX)
The Earth and I – is climate change moving too fast for a new book on climate change?
It is obviously unfair to dismiss the entire contents of a book for a single tin-eared statement, but the clunker that comes near the end of The Earth and I by Gaia-theory originator James Lovelock is a doozy. The inexplicable passage follows a dozen essays by journalists, a Nobel Prize winner, and several Ivy League professors, who make a pretty good case for both the insignificance of human beings in the universe and their unique ability to end life as we know it here on Planet Earth. In an attempt, then, to give his shell-shocked readers a sliver of hope by celebrating the success of the Montreal Protocol, which banned chlorofluorocarbons in 1989, Lovelock crows about how these ozone-destroying compounds were replaced by hydrofluorocarbons, which, he writes, “are far less harmful to the planetary environment.”
Somewhere between the time Lovelock wrote those words and the publication of his book, hydrofluorocarbons were added to the Montreal Protocol's list of banned substances – eliminating “less harmful” hydrofluorocarbons is expected to keep our warming planet's temperature from rising by a full half-degree Celsius.
The inability of even an authority like Lovelock to keep pace with current events points out how quickly both the science and politics of climate change are a changing. In this light, understanding the holistic view of the planet's processes – from the weather above us to the meaning of the geological history below our feet – has never been more important. The Earth and I delivers on these topics and more, while Jack Hudson's engaging illustrations lure us in and invite the eye to linger. Many readers may well be tempted to do just that, but they shouldn't – at last report, Greenland and Antarctica were melting at alarming fast and irreversible rates.
The Earth and I
by James Lovelock (editor) and Jack Hudson (illustrator)
Taschen
2016, 168 pages, 8.5 x 10.9 x 0.8 inches (hardcover)
$23 Buy a copy on Amazon
Sunday, 27 November 2016
Ransomware creep accidentally hijacks San Francisco Muni, won't give it back
A ransomware criminal's self-reproducing malicious software spread through a critical network used by the San Francisco light rail system, AKA the Muni, and shut it down; the anonymous criminal -- cryptom27@yandex.com -- says they won't give it back until they get paid.
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Saturday, 26 November 2016
Malcolm McLaren's son torched his punk collection to protest the 40th anniversary of punk "celebrations"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXuL3io7pQw
Joe Corre -- founder of the Agent Provocateur lingerie stores; son of Sex Pistols impressario Malcolm McLaren and fashion designer Vivienne Westwood-- torched £5m worth of punk tat in the middle of the Thames, topped with effigies of Tories including Boris Johnson, George Osborne and David Cameron.
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Friday, 25 November 2016
Hold the Babadook Book!
When the film The Babadook came out in 2014 I watched it, lights out, dark room, and felt the lick of terror roll up the back of my neck. It's a remarkable accomplishment for both the director, Jennifer Kent, and the leading actress, Essie Davis, neither of whom I'd heard of before. The monster is Mister Babadook, and he comes to life when the single mother in the film reads a large pop-up book, whose artwork would not be out of place in a German Expressionist film like The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, to her son. The boy pulls it off his shelf and asks her to read it. She asks him where he got it, and he replies, “On the shelf.” And then Mr. Babadook shows up and we get some classic horror cinema at its finest.
Much like everyone's first thought upon seeing the Evil Dead-I want that book!-or Hellraiser-I want one of those boxes!-lots of us thought “I want that Babadook book!” The book is central to the film's plot and in a
“… illustrator Alex Juhasz's designs for Mister Babadook, the sinister pop-up book that plants the first seed in the young boy's imagination, also played a major role in the look of the film: Rather than design the movie and commission a prop to match, Kent modeled the film on the sharp edges and small imperfections of Juhasz's work. 'The book felt handmade and raw, and that's how I wanted the energy of the film to feel,' she says. 'We created that world as much as possible first, and the production design then had to mirror that'.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKa5Eeb9QdA
The director and the book's designer decided to try a crowd-funded experiment to see if people just thought they wanted it, or if they really wanted it. I purchased my copy on November 24, 2014, for $80-the selling price during the crowd-funded campaign. The director wrote to the purchasers of the first 2,000 books:
“To all our incredible fans (and especially to you, the first 2000 owners of our special edition Mister Babadook book …)
“Thank you for being such solid supporters of this book and of the film. We are thrilled that The Babadook has received so much love and support from around the world. I never thought when we were shooting this film that so many people would see it, let alone give us the opportunity to put this special book into print. This is all happening because of the support from each and every one of you, and I will never forget that.
“I have written some more story pages for this special edition, and I'm going to be working with Alex Juhasz (our brilliant illustrator) over the coming months to create some very beautiful pop ups to go with that extra bit of Babadook story. You will be owning pages not even seen in the film. It is special for Alex and I to now be able to create this 'stand alone book,' and I believe it is going to be a very special book to own.
“In order to show my appreciation for your support, I have made a decision to sign each and every book that is sold in our campaign. So not only will your copies be numbered, they will also be signed. Thanks again to you all.”
And then they went to work.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fe3RU4lsF90
In an article in
The Creators Project we learn more about what was required to create a product from a film prop:
“Since its premiere at Sundance in January 2014, the film's fans quickly rallied for the production of the pop-up book seen on screen. 'We didn't know how the film would do,' says illustrator Alexander Juhasz. 'So when I made the book for the film, we were joking about how if it became a big hit, people might want the book in their home.' … requests to get the book made-bordering on demands-were heard loud and clear. …
“Once it came time to prepare the limited edition book for production, the team brought on paper engineer Simon Arizpe. Juhasz had to recreate all of the original artwork and reverse engineer much of what was made for the film. 'We had to rethink a lot of stuff for the design and format to work. In the film, the book ends abruptly, so we had to add some content. But we wanted to keep the integrity of the original-all of images that are in the movie are in the book, except maybe for one, I think,' explains Juhasz. Arizpe adds: 'Between the three of us, we figured out what we wanted each page to do. Alex gave me his art and I would mess around with it to make it move.' Once the prototype was completed, it was sent off to the printing house, where the paper is die cut, then folded and glued by hand.”
The print run was just 6,000 copies (only the first 2,000 are numbered and signed) and they sold quickly. It took two years for the purchasers to receive the book-it just arrived at the end of this October. It's hard to imagine anyone not being thrilled with the enormous pop-up book that not only exactly replicates the main prop in the film, but goes further with the story.
The easiest place for you to obtain Mister Babadook is on eBay, where copies are selling for between $300 and $600. You might get lucky and snag an unsigned copy for just over $200 if you keep your eye on things. If your means are more modest, and you want to include watching the film in your purchase, you can buy it at amazon.com in a deluxe edition Blu-ray with a single pop-up inside the front cover.
Whatever your choice, I would strongly suggest that you do not read the book aloud. If you foolishly ignore my advice, don't look up at the ceiling, because Mister Babadook is keeping his eye on you.
Trump to Romney: grovel before me for Secretary of State job
Fox News reports that Donald Trump's still thinking of offering Mitt Romney the job of Secretary of State. The catch: Trump wants a public apology.
A transition official told Fox's Ed Henry that some in Trump's inner circle want the former Massachusetts governor to apologize in order to be seriously considered for the secretary of State.
Trump is reportedly considering whether to pick Romney or former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani for the coveted cabinet position.
Giuliani is the preferred choice of Trump's loyalists and grassroots supporters, while Romney is a favorite of establishment conservatives.
Here's Romney, before lining up behind the new power:
“Donald Trump is a phony, a fraud. He gets a free trip to the White House and all we get is this lousy hat ... There is a dark irony in his boasts of his sexual exploits during the Vietnam War, while at the same time, John McCain - who he has mocked - was imprisoned and tortured.”
RIP Brady Bunch mom Florence Henderson
Actress Florence Henderson, most famous as "iconic matriarch" Carol Brady and recent turns on Dancing with the Stars, is dead at 82.
"We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our dear mother Florence Henderson from Heart Failure," the Henderson family said in a statement. "On this day of thanks, our beloved mother was surrounded by her devoted children and dearest friends. We thank all of her fans for their many years of love and ask that we be allowed to grieve in private.
10 Black Friday doorbuster deals you'll regret not buying today-up to 50% off
The biggest shopping day of the year is here, and the best part is that you no longer need to wait in line to take part. We've compiled 10 ridiculously good deals that will be gone tomorrow, so whether you're shopping for the holidays or yourself, you'll definitely find something.
You can check out all our Black Friday Mega Price Drops here. In addition to these already discounted products, you can use the coupon code BLACKFRIDAY15 to redeem extra discounts up to 15% off on other products throughout the entire store. Some exclusions apply.
Here are our our favorite price drops:
#1 Lytro Illum Camera + Accessories Bundle
The Lytro Illum Camera is the first camera to capture the entire light field, meaning you can refocus and change perspective on your images after the fact. This bundle includes: the Lytro Illum Camera, the quick-adjust shoulder/neck strap, the global Lytro quick charger with additional power cords for Europe, UK, and Asia, and the Lytro Illum 72mm neutral density ND8 filter. Normally the Lytro Illum bundle retails for $1499.96, and Boing Boing offers it for a sale price of $459.99. But today only, you can get the individual camera for just $299.99 or the entire bundle for just $349.99.
#2 The Big Data Bundle
The Big Data Bundle comes packing 64.5 hours of content on some of the most pertinent Big Data topics and skills today-including Hadoop, MapReduce, Spark, and more-to prepare you for one of today's fastest growing IT careers. This bundle normally retails for $681, and Boing Boing's regular sale price is $45. Today only, you can get the Big Data Bundle for just $28.
#3 Geek Fuel Mega Pack
Geek Fuel's monthly boxes come packing a random assortment of 5-8 toys, collectibles, and comics from some of the most popular franchises, including Star Wars, The Avengers, Doctor Who, and Super Mario Brothers. And this Mega Pack takes all of that to a whole new level, with an exclusive welcome box, plus one Geek Fuel box each month for the next three months-that's a minimum $50 value per box. The Mega Pack normally retails for $225, and Boing Boing's normal sale price on it is $79.99. But today only, you can buy it for $69.99.
#4 The Complete Machine Learning Bundle
This bundle includes 10 hands-on courses and 63.5 hours of training in machine learning, specifically designed to help you master AI and catch the eye of top employers. The Complete Machine Learning Bundle normally retails for $780, and Boing Boing offers a deal for $39. Today only, that price drops to $29.
#5 Code Black Drone with HD Camera
The Code Black Drone is Boing Boing's #1 selling drone, and for good reason: it's palm sized, it's seriously powerful and maneuverable, and it comes packing a high tech HD camera. The Code Black Drone regularly retails for $399, or $69.99 with Boing Boing's usual deal price. But today only, you can grab it at its lowest price yet, just $44.99.
#6 Complete Arduino Starter Kit & Course Bundle
With 25+ hours of training content, four courses designed to give you hands-on instruction, and a full Arduino toolkit of your very own, the Complete Arduino Starter Kit & Course Bundle is the real deal. You'll have everything you need to start building robots, light sensors, and more.
The bundle retails for $519, and our normal Boing Boing deal is $62.99. Today only, get it for $59.99.
#7 FEZ Vaporizer
The compact, stylish FEZ vaporizer is a sleek, smoking gadget equipped with the latest technology. It's uniquely designed to eliminate toxic compounds, and it heats up in under 60 seconds, too. It normally retails for $139, and Boing Boing offers it for $99. But today only, it's on sale for $79.
#8 The Complete Guide to Photography Bundle
If you've always wanted to grow your photography skills, this bundle will help you do so on a budget. It comes with five detailed courses and 37.5+ hours of training designed to help you snap everything from portraits to landscapes to everything in between. The bundle normally retails for $623, and Boing Boing's usual deal offers it for $49. But today only, you can get it for $29.
#9 Getflix Lifetime Subscription
Getflix is a best-selling service that allows you to bypass online geo-restrictions. It works to reroute only the necessary Internet traffic through a different server, and unblocks more than 100 streaming channels around the world so you can watch movies, TV, sports, and more wherever you are. A lifetime subscription retails for $855, and normally Boing Boing offers a $39 deal. But today only, you can buy a lifetime of Getflix for just $29.
#10 Become an Ethical Hacker Bonus Bundle
Ethical hacking is one of the fastest growing careers out there today. With this bundle, you'll be on the fast track to securing company networks and protecting against outside threats. This bundle comes with 9 courses all offering hands-on instruction on topics such as beginner ethical hacking and less common web attacks. The bundle normally retails for $681, and Boing Boing usually offers this deal for $49. Today only, you can buy it for just $25.
The German Emigration Centre: People between Dreams and Uncertainty
Thursday, 24 November 2016
Ivanka Trump on Donald's sexual interest in her: "If he wasn't my father, I would spray him with Mace"
In 2006, president-elect Donald Trump remarked that if Ivanka Trump wasn't his daughter, "perhaps I'd be dating her." In response, she said "If he wasn't my father, I would spray him with Mace."
https://twitter.com/sarahkendzior/status/801805498991288320
The remark was unearthed by Sarah Kenzidor from the Aug. 24, 2006 issue of The Chicago Tribune; it's one of several.
“Yeah, she's really something, and what a beauty, that one. If I weren't happily married and, ya know, her father . . . “ Trump said to Rolling Stone in 2015.
In a 1999 interview with radio host Howard Stern, Trump said his daughter ― who was then 17 ― made him promise he would never date a woman younger than her.
Reminder: the incoming President of the United States of America wants to bang his daughter.
Tuesday, 22 November 2016
1946 short film about despotism
Encyclopedia Britannica made this 10 minute video about how a country slides into despotism.
Monday, 21 November 2016
The best 2 seconds in the history of reviewing servers
Looking into my options for a compact, inexpensive home server, I chanced across PC Magazine's May 2016 review of the Dell Optiplex 3040. In the middle of it, reviewer and PC Magazine Lead Analyst Joel Santo Domingo is seen very briefly to caress the Dell. Pack it in, gadget reviewers: the best 2 seconds in the history of reviewing servers is over.
I added the music.
Here's the full review:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XX2Y3Tv1onw
Trump's Hamilton tweetstorm: calculated distraction from fraud settlement, or fragile mediocrity?
Yesterday, Donald Trump's news cycle was dominated by two stories: first, that the president-elect of the United States of America had a well-developed sense of the sanctity of the theatre, such that any on-stage politicking shocked his conscience to the core; second, that he had settled a lawsuit over Trump University, handing $25,000,000 to people whom he had defrauded.
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24-hour sale: 3 unique gift ideas leading up to the holiday season
Most holiday gift guides show you the same old boring products. Here are 3 gift ideas that are totally unique and even useful. Plus, they all feature one-day price drops today only.
#1 Blue Apron: 3 Delivered Meals for 2 People
Blue Apron is a great holiday gift option for someone across the country, or even just someone that's impossible to buy for. This subscription service delivers recipes for gourmet meals and a box of fresh ingredients straight to the front door. This deal is usually $59.94 and is discounted to $27 in the Boing Boing Store. With this one-day deal, you'll get pre-portioned ingredients for 3 recipes to be eaten by 2 people for just $25.
#2 Nifty MiniDrive MicroSD Card Adapter for 13" Macbook Air
The Nifty MiniDrive MicroSD Card Adapter is the perfect gift for family members still carrying around clunky USB drives. This adapter plugs directly into MacBooks and integrates with Time Machine to add up to 200 GB of extra space. This deal retails at $39.99 and is discounted to $36.99 in the Boing Boing Store. Just for today, you snag one for just $32.99.
#3 The Complete Machine Learning Bundle
The Complete Machine Learning Bundle is a package of 10 courses on everything from the basics to practical applications of machine learning. Courses on this growing technology (think self-driving cars) is an amazing gift for your favorite overachieving techie. Valued at $780, this bundle normally sells for $39 in the Boing Boing Store. Today only, you can buy this bundle for just $29.