Yearly Archives: 2009

Events

Rob Thomson: around the world on skateboard and bicycle

New Zealander Rob Thomson recently complete an around-the-world journey (25,000 kilometers) on skateboard and bicycle. Along the way, he set a new Guinness World Record for skateboarding the entire width of China.

End of the Road for 25,000km Around the World Journey from Rob Thomson on Vimeo

Part Ten – Guinness World Record Skateboard Journey from Rob Thomson on Vimeo

You can see more about his incredible 2-year journey on his website. There’s an article (among many) that talks about his skateboarding world record.

Standard
Thoughts

Three psychics exposed as frauds

I’ve always thought and said psychics were fake, along with ghost stories. Sure, it makes life (and books) more interesting if a ghost pops up here and there, but unfortunately, when people die, they’re dead as doornails. They’re gone. Out for good. Goodbye. That’s why life is so precious. Every day must be spent carefully and cherished, because when our days are over, they’re over.

That’s why it’s great to see psychics exposed as the frauds they really are, as one BBC show did, recently. The host made up a fake story about some chocolate factory manager, printed it in a leaflet about the factory, and also put it up on the factory’s website. When the psychics were invited to the factory and asked to channel any ghosts that might be around, they all “somehow” picked up on the fictitious manager’s ghost. When they were told the ghost was fake, each did their best to cover up for their slimy behavior and slinked off camera to lick their wounds. Disgusting.

BBC 3 Bullsh!t detector exposes three mediums [via Boing Boing]

As for questions about what really happens in the afterlife, or if there is one at all, see item #26 on this page. That’s what I believe, and whether it makes sense to you or not, please note the explanation includes no ghost stories.

Standard
Thoughts

iQ font – turning driving into writing

Two typographers (Pierre & Damien), a software designer (Zachary Lieberman) and a race car driver (Stef van Campenhoudt) collaborated to create a font with a car. The result is called the iQ font, and it’s available for download.

iQ font – When driving becomes writing / Full making of from wireless on Vimeo.

Standard
Lists

Condensed Knowledge – July 19, 2009

This is a summary of articles I read and found interesting during this past week. The list is shared from among my feed subscriptions:

Standard
Thoughts

How different dogs attack

This video from the National Geographic shows different breeds of modern dogs and how they attack their prey. Heavier dogs use their own body weight to bring you down, and lighter dogs build up momentum by running and jumping at you. The video also talks about bite strength and how head size affects it.

Takeaway lesson: do your best not to get bitten by a dog while it’s coming at you. Make it slow down or if possible, only bite you when it’s stationary. Or at the very least, avoid getting bitten by a mastiff. Those puppies pack a massive 500 lbs. bite. If one of them bites your hand, it will crush your bones and quite possibly sever a finger or two.


Dog Attack Styles from the National Geographic

Standard