Meta http://www.feedrinse.com/ Thu, 29 Jul 10 12:36:03 +0000 Feed Rinse - http://feedrinse.com/ Global Broadband Statistical Porn http://www.metafilter.com/94203/Global-Broadband-Statistical-Porn Global Broadband Statistical Porn (SFW) (via)
The average download speed among all users tested globally in the last 30 days is 7.6Mbps, with South Korea coming in at a whopping 31.37Mbps, and Nepal at 0.37Mbps. (The US ranks 27th with an average speed of 9.91Mbps.)
]]> e4b0d6fbf0b216fc37eaafbc9bccbe6a data Thu, 29 Jul 10 12:36:03 +0000 tag:metafilter.com,2010:site.94203 You're a big man, but you're in bad shape http://www.metafilter.com/94202/Youre-a-big-man-but-youre-in-bad-shape Trinity Square, Gateshead - a Brutalist car park made famous for it's appearance in the classic British crime drama Get Carter is being demolished this week.
]]> 999ea0f51b0d825f12677cc508b8f91d Architecture Thu, 29 Jul 10 12:36:03 +0000 tag:metafilter.com,2010:site.94202 this petty-bourgeois uptightness, this terror of not being in control, this schoolboy desire to ... http://www.metafilter.com/94201/this-pettybourgeois-uptightness-this-terror-of-not-being-in-control-this-schoolboy-desire-to-boast-and-to-shock The 2010 Booker longlist is out, and it seems that most of the buzz in the UK is about who's not on the list. The Guardian article "Amis-free Booker prize longlist promises to 'entertain and provoke'" introducing the list of 12 nominees actually devotes its headline, subhead, and most of the first four paragraphs to the subject of who's missing in action: Amis, McEwan, Rushdie. Elsewhere in the Guardian Books section, research professor Gabriel Josipovici pulls no punches in including these (former?) darlings of the glitterati in his assertion that Feted British authors are limited, arrogant and self-satisfied, compares them to "prep-school boys showing off," calls them "virtually indistinguishable from one another in scope and ambition," and muses that the fact that they have won so many awards is "a mystery."
In a related, short and rather odd "Expert view" apologia by another academic, Park Honan seems to know exactly where to place the blame for such perceived failings. It's all because of the electronic age, apparently. "We are becoming superficial. I think Amis is trying very hard to find a language which will somehow suit this speed we live under," he says, adding that in "a world where you can find out about anything in two minutes... Novelists are anxious about the medium, the form and its language." Hmmmm?
]]> 87eceef9750190dc04102ef7f149aa25 2010 Thu, 29 Jul 10 12:36:03 +0000 tag:metafilter.com,2010:site.94201 Dude, I knew it! http://www.metafilter.com/94200/Dude-I-knew-it Maybe the entire universe as we know it really is just sitting inside a black hole of another, bigger universe.
]]> a0f901b016a73dbb89c02443bfd37710 blackhole Thu, 29 Jul 10 12:36:03 +0000 tag:metafilter.com,2010:site.94200 sometimes humans are wonderful http://www.metafilter.com/94199/sometimes-humans-are-wonderful Imitating a xylophone.
]]> c372add32cbdbd18712c27a71ce7bbdf device Thu, 29 Jul 10 12:36:03 +0000 tag:metafilter.com,2010:site.94199 Chris Al-Aswad, gone at 31 http://www.metafilter.com/94198/Chris-AlAswad-gone-at-31 Escape Into Life and author of the arts blog The Blog of Innocence, has passed away at age 31.
He was an active poster on Twitter at @escapeintolife and @blogofinnocence. He also posted on Tumblr, and published the Blog of Innocence podcast. Twitter users are posting tributes with the hashtag TYCHRIS.
]]> bc0dc820cfcb1f556e9abfaefc593c4b blogofinnocence Thu, 29 Jul 10 12:36:03 +0000 tag:metafilter.com,2010:site.94198 Cooking the In-N-Out Animal-Style Double-Double at home http://www.metafilter.com/94197/Cooking-the-InNOut-AnimalStyle-DoubleDouble-at-home Cooking the In-N-Out Animal-Style Double-Double at home
The story of the In-N-Out 100x100
]]> d30faedd30d39ae6e2ff630a3b32f23c 100 Thu, 29 Jul 10 12:36:03 +0000 tag:metafilter.com,2010:site.94197 hatch or chest-burster http://www.metafilter.com/94194/hatch-or-chestburster Damon Lindelof to rewrite Alien Prequel?
Collider says "Lindelof reportedly met with Scott and 20th Century Fox to talk about the gig, but also ended up sparking a discussion that "could well turn out to be a free-standing science fiction film."
Thumbs up? Down? I wasn't a fan of 'Lost', but Ultimate Hulk vs. Wolverine did the trick for me...
]]> e9eada9cde1e372ac406be36833be574 Aamon_Lindelof Thu, 29 Jul 10 12:36:03 +0000 tag:metafilter.com,2010:site.94194 Hockey Hair http://www.metafilter.com/94193/Hockey-Hair Hockey Star is the latest in Seattle accordionist Jason Webley's collaborative EP series. Recorded with Big Little Dipper Dipper, it's described as "dance music from the early 90's of the future".
This is the 6th of 11 planned collaborations. Samples of the previous 5: Eleven Saints w/ Jay Thompson How Big Is Tacoma w/ Andru Bemis Two Bottles Of Wine w/ The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band Elephant Elephant w/ Amanda Palmer (previously) Days With You w/ Sxip Shirey (previously)
]]> bc55a7b3065f4d509ad252eb9eea3ca0 accordion Thu, 29 Jul 10 12:36:03 +0000 tag:metafilter.com,2010:site.94193 pour la furet a la mode http://www.metafilter.com/94191/pour-la-furet-a-la-mode Well, have I got the product for you!!! source
Early reviews are mixed.
]]> c1dc607db6b973bb1491591c46e4fe43 beret Thu, 29 Jul 10 12:36:03 +0000 tag:metafilter.com,2010:site.94191 Young Videographers http://www.metafilter.com/94190/Young-Videographers Tempus I, an artistic look at the English countryside, and Tempus II, super slow motion video of stuff being destroyed. From up and coming video photographers James Adair and Philip Heron; with music from Moby's Play the B Sides.
Be sure to watch in fullscreen if you can.
]]> 90430d2e39d11ba6e5dc5affdbd64742 adair Thu, 29 Jul 10 12:36:03 +0000 tag:metafilter.com,2010:site.94190 Happy Birthday, Bugs & Elmer http://www.metafilter.com/94189/Happy-Birthday-Bugs-and-Elmer just turned 70. So did Elmer Fudd. Their simultaneous debut came 70 years ago yesterday, in A Wild Hare. Be vewwy, vewwy quiet.... Previously: Tex Avery
]]> beb1dcd412fc68364c838daff91952b0 70 Thu, 29 Jul 10 12:36:03 +0000 tag:metafilter.com,2010:site.94189 Meet the Intimidator http://www.metafilter.com/94188/Meet-the-Intimidator The Intimidator was created by Michigan machinist GarE Maxton. Here's his portfolio. (Previously.) [Via MAKEblog.]
]]> 792a612265ecc4ac56a47e274758ec29 cube Thu, 29 Jul 10 12:36:03 +0000 tag:metafilter.com,2010:site.94188 Million's Poet finalist defies death threats http://www.metafilter.com/94187/Millions-Poet-finalist-defies-death-threats
"When I unveil the truth, a monster appears from his hiding place; barbaric in thinking and action, angry and blind; wearing death as a dress and covering it with a belt; "He speaks from an official, powerful platform, terrorising people and preying on everyone seeking peace; the voice of courage ran away and the truth is cornered and silent, when self-interest prevented one from speaking the truth."
With these words, delivered in full traditional dress, Hissa Hilal, mother of four, housewife and Saudi feminist advanced to the final round earlier this year in Abu Dhabi's Million's Poet television show. With a poem (partially translated above) inspired by what she terms subversive fatwas. In the finals she took 3rd place with the following:
My poems! When your critics seek flaws in you, they will be overwhelmed when they find none. When you suffer from drought during a summer, I will pour meanings into you until your thirst is quenched. Defeat fear and conquer every frightening cave. Do not live life with one eye looking behind. Any illusion that seeks to find a nest in you, make it fly. Scare it away from your thoughts and ambitions. Illuminate and realise your potential, and feel what God has given you. The feeling of helplessness never helps the weak. If you step back, you will be gone. For courage, there is a price. O, honest one. When night and coward people renounce you, When faint-hearted get scared even from the sound of the bullets, When rumours increase around you, through genuine verses, you can kill any illusion. You have come with thought exposing fodder-seekers. You would think friends will praise you. Your honesty is itself a slap in the face of all falsehood. Those who are used to only compliments will be annoyed. He will get jealous who wags his tail when he sees the bread. When you prefer to stay hungry out of pride. He who has no conscience hates you. In his darkness he is immersed, he does not see your light. What benefits the scum when standing in your way? When every free voice remains supportive of you do not fear his snake hiss. You have a waving wing; you will not be betrayed by your open skies. Bring the good news to he who wants to be your ally. When you fly and no one can reach you in the sky.
]]> 6b6fb35c6b6523b1583a8568170f00e4 HissaHilal Thu, 29 Jul 10 12:36:03 +0000 tag:metafilter.com,2010:site.94187 Yeah I'm up at Ridgway http://www.metafilter.com/94186/Yeah-Im-up-at-Ridgway Newport State of Mind, Morgan Jane Delaney's witty take on a future classic, which might get released as a single.
]]> 12c91cf869bee4a25f4a1786d24b609c AliciaKeys Thu, 29 Jul 10 12:36:03 +0000 tag:metafilter.com,2010:site.94186 Teams USA http://www.metafilter.com/94185/Teams-USA Football (Soccer) in the USA has a much longer history than many people think. In fact, the first International Match outside of the British Isles was between the USA and Canada in 1885, played at Newark, New Jersey.
Canada won one-nil, as can be seen in this complete list of all US National Team results (For the seriously geeky, here is another version of the list, however this list is in reverse chronological order, but does contain the names of the players in each team: Team results with players (1885-1969, with link to 1970-1979 results and so on)) There has also been an indoor American soccer league. US Football (Soccer) also has an unexpected and famous fan who sits on the board that bought the World Cup to America. And he wants another one. (What would the American gimmick vuvuvzela be?) There have been Several Famous Footballers who have played American club football, and More are (possibly) On Their Way Accompanying the rise in popularity of football in the United States has been the rise of the "Soccer Mom" to the extent that there is even a film about them. (and a band..) There has also been TV programs such as "Secret Life of a Soccer Mom", (and a backlash against the program.)- And don't worry, Canadian Mefites, there is Football in Canada too, with its own history. More on Football in Canada can be found here, and in this online magazine. There are even some Canadian guys writing about Soccer. Nowadays, Football has moved on a little, and there is Womens Football and the USA has its own womens national team. You can see them in action here (top and bottom of page, bottom 2 are links which you will need to copy and paste.) The first video is against Mexico (I won't tell you who won, but the goal is a close offside call - I have seen them given (as offside) as the pundits say.) There is a womens world cup too - it is next year in Germany. Good luck with that. If you are thinking of playing Football this website claims "You'll Be Playing The Best Soccer of Your Life... No Matter How Much More 'Natural Ability' Your Opposition Might Have!" If any of this has whetted your appetite for football, and you would like to learn more, have a look at these websites: Laws of the game. It is interesting to note how few rules there actually are. Most of the rules are related to the size of the pitch and the markings on the pitch, different kits, and that there should be a referee and linesmen. Tactical* Issues*. (Although Jonathon Wilsons Guardian Column occasionally covers other aspects.) Defending the defenders*. Various* Football* Blogs* For the cynical, yes, there are darker* sides* to football*, but there is very little the average fan can do about these issues, and, to be fair, they are prevalent in all areas of our society. *Links Marked with an asterisk have RSS feeds available. [Some Previous Football Threads (Third links has more on Jonathon Wilson/Zonal Marking]
]]> 14ea41b82a216ab5ddb701d7601919db associationfootball Thu, 29 Jul 10 12:36:03 +0000 tag:metafilter.com,2010:site.94185 A Unique *Magical* Service http://www.metafilter.com/94183/A-Unique-Magical-Service Celestial Soul Portraits
]]> 6f7252e68765e55e4315740a96998fa7 art Thu, 29 Jul 10 12:36:03 +0000 tag:metafilter.com,2010:site.94183 Have a nice day. http://www.metafilter.com/94182/Have-a-nice-day All twenty four episodes of Roque Ballesteros's 2000-2001 noir action flash cartoon Joe Paradise, finally available after all these years on You Tube.
]]> 23b11710f22122833c5574ca50849b08 action Thu, 29 Jul 10 12:36:03 +0000 tag:metafilter.com,2010:site.94182 No. That's too many. Backspace. Just right. http://www.metafilter.com/94180/No-Thats-too-many-Backspace-Just-right "Mom! Bethany won't let me play Doodle Jump!" Because there's a story behind every emoji-laden review app review.
]]> 4fcf4e07138ae1cde394c6295c6d155f appstore Thu, 29 Jul 10 12:36:03 +0000 tag:metafilter.com,2010:site.94180 The Best Magazine Articles Ever http://www.metafilter.com/94179/The-Best-Magazine-Articles-Ever the best magazine articles ever.
]]> 92c819731a7a64ec1a78ea7a93dd12b7 articles Thu, 29 Jul 10 12:36:03 +0000 tag:metafilter.com,2010:site.94179 The Dogs And The Horses http://www.metafilter.com/94177/The-Dogs-And-The-Horses Neil Hannon, aka The Divine Comedy, has both annoyed and charmed critics (often within the same song). Reviews of his most recent album, Bang Goes The Knighthood (released in Europe last May, now released in the US but only via iTunes) have described the split like this:
"Divine Comedy albums are always an arm-wrestle between two incompatible personas. One is the elegant and witty balladeer, a precocious hybrid of Scott Walker and Randy Newman, heard on such commanding cuts as The Dogs & the Horses and Sunrise. The other is the insufferably bumptious japester queasily evocative of Gilbert O'Sullivan, most notably culpable for the enragingly jaunty sing-along National Express (which, rather depressingly, remains The Divine Comedy's biggest hit)."

"And so it goes, a series of songs ping ponging, in (Noel) Coward's tradition, between cheapness and potency."
But while occasionally irritating critics Neil Hannon has been able to carve out a twenty year career that has outlasted & outclassed most of his contemporaries from the Britpop era and fans remain dedicated as he continues to produce his literate and singular brand of baroque pop music.

Standout tracks from Bang Goes The Knighthood: Down In The Streets Below, The Complete Banker, Bang Goes The Knighthood, Assume The Perpendicular, and When A Man Cries.

From his back catalog: The Wreck of the Beautiful, Geronimo (solo) (and with Yann Tiersen), The Booklovers, When The Lights Go Out All Over Europe, Charge, Songs Of Love, Becoming More Like Alfie, Sunrise, two interesting fan-made videos of Sweden (one & two), Eric The Gardener, a credible fan cover of Timestretched, Bad Ambassador, Perfect Lovesong, Tonight We Fly, Something for the Weekend, Mastermind (studio & live), Our Mutual Friend, A Lady Of A Certain Age, Certainty of Chance, The Plough (studio & live), Snowball In Negative (studio & live), The Dogs And The Horses.

Many of Neil's best songs (such as London Irish, Elaine, Birds of Paradise Farms and Get Me To The Monastery) have appeared only as b-sides.

Collaborations have played a large part in his career. Last year Neil sang the song Cathy on Portuguese composer Rodrigo Leão's most recent album and in the past Neil has either written for or sung on releases by everyone from Air, Ute Lemper and Charlotte Gainsbourg to God Help The Girl (Stuart Murdoch of Belle & Sebastian's side project) and Yann Tiersen not to mention many others including Tom Jones.

Besides writing and performing the theme songs for the beloved TV series Father Ted & The IT Crowd Neil's given Eurovision a go with his song Trafalgar. Quite a catalog of cover songs too.

Sometime after the release of Victory for the Comic Muse in 2006 Neil was released from his contract with Parlaphone who had released his last three albums. Hannon then started his own label, Divine Comedy Records, to release his new music as well as to reissue the portion of his back catalog originally released by Setanta. The first release from the label was last year's surprise "hit" from The Duckworth Lewis Method, (Hannon's side project with Thomas Walsh from Pugwash) a self-titled concept album about cricket. DLM songs include Jiggery Pokery, The Nightwatchman, Gentlemen and Players and Meeting Mr. Miandad.

The video for The Divine Comedy's next single, I Like, was released last week.
]]> 3578773c0ad523ff6d6665febd4bb9ab arch Thu, 29 Jul 10 12:36:03 +0000 tag:metafilter.com,2010:site.94177