Anyone who works as a freelancer these days has to be at least a bit familiar with techie things. But it isn’t just that. When I was a kid and those vaguely SF puppet shows were on the television and all the other kids wanted to be Greg Gogetem or Steve Savetheuniverse, I wanted to be the guy in a white coat and glasses called Doc or Brains. Here are some technology-related feeds I find useful and/or entertaining.
Mashable » Tamir Rice's family files federal lawsuit against city of Cleveland
The family of a 12-year-old boy who was shot dead by a Cleveland police officer last month has filed a federal wrongful death lawsuit, according to court records released Friday. The suit names the city of Cleveland and the two officers who responded the day Tamir Rice was killed as defendants. The eight-page document claims officers Timothy Loehmann and Frank Garmback … [Link]
Mashable » If you don't believe the rape victim, chances are you're wrong
People lie. We lie about liking our in-laws. We lie about our income. We lie to our parents about studying at the library when really we're smoking weed in the park. These lies are common. A victim lying about rape is not Yet Rolling Stone decided Friday to distance itself from its widely read story about a violent sexual assault on … [Link]
New Scientist – News » Menthol increases nicotine addiction by tweaking brain
The popular mint cigarette flavouring menthol may make smoking a harder habit to kick by increasing the number of nicotine receptors in our brains 
[Link]
Slashdot » Ofcom Will Remove Mandatory Ham Callsign ID Interval, Allow Encryption For Some
product_bucket writes: The UK's radio regulator, Ofcom, today published changes in the licensing conditions that remove the mandatory 15-minute callsign ID interval on all allocated frequencies apart from 5MHz, where special conditions remain. In its place, a requirement for the station to be "clearly identifiable at all times" has been made, along with a requirement to transmit the station callsign … [Link]
Mashable » Sony Pictures employees receive threatening email after massive hack
The hackers behind the massive Sony Pictures hack, or someone else claiming to be them, have sent threatening emails to some of the company's employees, a Sony Pictures spokesperson confirmed to Mashable. On Friday evening, Ben Bergman, a journalist at KPCC Southern California Public Radio, as well as USA Today reported that the hackers had sent "violent threats" against Sony Pictures … [Link]
ProgrammableWeb.com » HTH Worldwide APIs Expose Health and Security Resources for Travelers
HTH Worldwide has launched a suite of APIs that provide access to health and security resources for international travelers. "At HTH Worldwide, our mission is to help world travelers pursue their plans with confidence," Alex Wood, HTH's managing director, stated in a press release.
[Link]
Slashdot » Make a Kids' Power Wheel Toy Awesome for $500 (Video)
You can spend less than $500 if you like. That's the maximum amount allowed if you're competing in the Power Racing Series. Interviewee Josh Lee is a member of the Southern Polytechnic State University Electric Vehicle Team. The modified electric 'ride on' toy they showed off and raced at Maker Faire Atlanta (where this video was made) is just one … [Link]
Geeks are Sexy Technology News » Crocheted Hats for Cats [Pics]
Etsy seller Meredith Langley creates marvelous crocheted hats for cats. Everyone loves cats with hats, so here are a few of our favorites for your viewing enjoyment. 
[Source: Meredith Langley on Etsy | Via] [Link]
Mashable » How Twitter and Facebook helped shut down Lower Manhattan for Eric Garner
Protests have swept the nation in the aftermath of a Staten Island grand jury decision not to indict a white New York Police Department officer in the chokehold death of Eric Garner, a black man Like any major protest, rallies against the decision swelled from several organizing groups in addition to bystanders caught up in the furor, with undercurrent of … [Link]
ProgrammableWeb.com » Blockstrap Stack Can Easily Bitcoin-Enable Apps
This article is a company-provided press release and ProgrammableWeb cannot vouch for the accuracy of the statements within. If you have questions regarding the information below, please contact the company that issued the press release. The blockchain was first developed in 2009 with the launch of Bitcoin, and for the first few years it was the territory of only the … [Link]
Slashdot » Should IT Professionals Be Exempt From Overtime Regulations?
Paul Fernhout writes: Nick Hanauer is a billionaire who made his fortune as one of the original investors in Amazon. He suggests President Obama should restore U.S. overtime regulations to how they worked in the 1970s to boost the economy. Quoted by PBS NewsHour: "In 1975, more than 65 percent of salaried American workers earned time-and-a-half pay for every hour … [Link]
Mashable » The 20th-anniversary PlayStation 4 looks amazing
The Sony PlayStation celebrated its 20th anniversary this week. To celebrate, the company is releasing a limited-edition 20th-anniversary PlayStation 4, classically styled to look like the original PlayStation console. See also: 20 of the best PlayStation commercials to celebrate its 20th birthday Only 12,300 of these consoles are being produced (because of the Dec. 3 release date — get it?) … [Link]
Mashable » How the Media Summit unfolded on social media
Mashable hosted its Media Summit event at the Hudson Theatre in New York City on Dec. 5, 2014 Featuring some of the world's most innovative storytellers, including Orange Is the New Black author Piper Kerman, media mogul Wendy Williams, supermodel Coco Rocha, ABC News anchor David Muir and many others, the discussions touched upon the past, present and future of the … [Link]
Geeks are Sexy Technology News » The Science Love Song [Video]
A scientifically accurate song to express your love…straight from the aorta! I’ll be the spark, if you’ll be the flame Start a reaction that can’t be contained Balance your pH by sharing my base I’ll be your star, if you’ll be my space [AsapSCIENCE] [Link]
Mashable » 'The Simpsons' latest couch gag is a hilarious send-up of 'Frozen'
Let it — d'oh! The town of Springfield is getting in the holiday spirit for the upcoming Simpsons Christmas special. Not only does the long-running cartoon show's latest couch gag feature plenty of candy canes and jingle bells, it also ends with a clever reference to Disney's Frozen. There is nothing more delightful than Homer as a snowman. Beagle siblings … [Link]
Mashable » What it's like to be eaten alive by an anaconda
Herpetologist, naturalist and author Paul Rosolie is just 30, but his experiences while living and working in the forests of Peru's remote Madre de Dios region could fill many volumes. Rosolie suffered a jaguar panting down his neck and survived a potentially deadly infection while alone for days in the wilderness. He raised a baby anteater, foiled gun-toting poachers trafficking endangered … [Link]
Slashdot » Nanotube Film Could Replace Defective Retinas
Zothecula writes: A promising new study (abstract) suggests that a wireless, light-sensitive, and flexible film could potentially form part of a prosthetic device to replace damaged or defective retinas. The film both absorbs light and stimulates neurons without being connected to any wires or external power sources, setting it apart from silicon-based devices used for the same purpose. It has … [Link]
Mashable » The Obamas' fabled first date gets a movie: 'Southside With You'
The Obamas are having another first date, and yep — they're going back to the movies. Southside With You, a new independent feature film based on a screenplay by director Richard Tanne, will focus on the president and first lady's fabled first date in 1989, according to Deadline film writer Jen Yamato. Tanne will also direct the film, which Yamato reported … [Link]
Slashdot » In North Korea, Hackers Are a Handpicked, Pampered Elite
HughPickens.com writes: Ju-Min Park and James Pearson report at Reuters that despite its poverty and isolation, North Korea has poured resources into a sophisticated cyber-warfare cell called Bureau 121, staffed by some of the most talented, and rewarded, people in North Korea, handpicked and trained from as young as 17. "They are handpicked," says Kim Heung-kwang, a former computer science … [Link]
Mashable » Billy Bounce Dance is Vine's latest epic dance trend
The latest trend sweeping Vine has arrived: Billy Bounce Dance. Part chicken dance, part … something else entirely, it's giving Vine users everywhere some pretty epic knee workouts. See also: All the hit songs of 2014 covered in under 3 minutes The trend appears to have started just over a week ago after Vine user SuperClif posted this video. Since then, … [Link]
Mashable » Disney promises to end dead-eyed CGI characters forever
If you saw The Polar Express, which came out 10 years ago last month, you may remember thinking to yourself: "what the hell is wrong with CGI Tom Hanks' eyes?" Despite many advances in CGI in the decade since, we're still stuck with the "Uncanny Valley" problem, common to all realistically-rendered human CGI characters: every detail is spot-on, except for … [Link]
Mashable » Zuck bashes Tim Cook for saying Facebook turns users into products
Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg hasn't taken too kindly to some comments Apple CEO Tim Cook made a while back that seemed to imply Google and Facebook turned its users into "products." In an interview with Time, an irritated Zuck said that the demonizing of ad-based revenue models for Facebook was ridiculous. Though Cook's comments were probably geared toward more direct competitors, like … [Link]
Slashdot » Microsoft Introduces .NET Core
New submitter I will be back writes: Microsoft's Immo Landwerth has provided more details on the open source .NET Core. Taking a page from the Mono cookbook, .NET Core was built to be modular with unified Base Class Library (BCL), so you can install only the necessary packages for Core and ship it with applications using NuGet. Thus, NuGet becomes … [Link]
ProgrammableWeb.com » 4 Ways APIs Are Changing the Future of the Music Industry
At APIdays Paris this week, Francois Bourdoncle started by referencing “the emerging technology paradigm” by describing the cycles of disruption evident across the music industry. This began when Apple founder Steve Jobs bought the music inventory of record labels to create iTunes, thus monetizing the long tail of music purchasing after the initial flurry of buying the latest album by … [Link]
Geeks are Sexy Technology News » Ladies: How to get Your Man Up in the Middle of the Night for Your Son + Comic
Just got this via email by [GAS] reader Greg T. I’ve also attached an awesome comic by artist Eduardo Nascimento (Dragonarte) at the bottom which this text made me think of. Ladies, if you are pregnant, and know your baby is a boy… consider naming your child “Gotham.” That way, when the little one starts crying in the middle of … [Link]
Slashdot » Trains May Soon Come Equipped With Debris-Zapping Lasers
Molly McHugh writes: Holland's chief transportation service is testing a unique new way to clear the rails of fallen leaves and other small debris: by mounting lasers on the fronts of locomotives. The lasers will cause the leaves, which produce a condition commonly referred to as "slippery rail" in the fall and winter months, to vanish in a puff of … [Link]
Geeks are Sexy Technology News » “Dead” Laptop Batteries Could Light Impoverished Homes
IBM researchers say 70 percent of discarded laptop batteries could be used to power lighting in locations without reliable electricity supplies. They say it could make LED lighting far more affordable than with either solar panels or rechargable batteries. The researchers are based in Bangalore and recently carried out tests using UrJar. That’s a gadget they developed that powers low … [Link]
Mashable » 'Peter Pan Live!' flies only half as high as 'Sound of Music' in ratings
Peter Pan Live! apparently could have used a little more fairy dust on its ratings, as the live production failed to fly as high as Sound of Music In the end, the show attracted 9.1 million total viewers and a 2.3 ratings among 18-49, down 50% in the demo from Sound of Music and attracting a little more than half as … [Link]
Mashable » Stripe is the breakthrough startup of 2014
Patrick and John Collison were walking home from dinner one night in October 2009, talking yet again about their latest idea for an online payments company, when John stopped and turned to his brother "Why don't we just go build it?" John said, as Patrick later recalled. "It probably won't be all that hard." Never mind that the payments industry was … [Link]
Mashable » 'Biggest refugee crisis of our age' braces for brutal winter
As winter sets in across the Middle East, a funding crisis is spelling disaster for the millions of Syrian and Iraqi refugees scattered across the region. The United Nations announced that due to lack of funding, the World Food Programme (WFP) voucher program that feeds 1.7 million Syrian refugees would be suspended. The critical program provided refugees with vouchers to purchase … [Link]
Slashdot » Why Apple, Google, and FB Have Their Own Programming Languages
An anonymous reader writes: Scott Rosenberg, author of Dreaming in Code dissects Apple's Swift, Google's Go, and other new languages — why they were created, what makes them different, and what they bring (or not) to programmers. "In very specific ways, both Go and Swift exemplify and embody the essences of the companies that built them: the server farm vs. … [Link]
Mashable » Joan Rivers earns posthumous Grammy nomination for 'Mad Diva'
Joan Rivers, who died Sept. 4 after complications from throat surgery, was just nominated for a Grammy for her hilariously candid memoir Diary of a Mad Diva. The audio version of the memoir snagged a nod in Best Spoken Word Album. This is Rivers' second Grammy nomination, following her 1984 Best Comedy Album nomination for What Becomes a Semi-Legend Most? See … [Link]
Slashdot » NASA's Orion Capsule Reaches Orbit
PaisteUser sends word that NASA's Orion capsule successfully reached orbit this morning after a flawless launch atop a Delta IV Heavy rocket. Video of the launch is available on YouTube, and the Orion Mission blog has frequent updates as mission milestones are reached. Mission managers said the rocket and capsule performed perfectly during the initial phases of the test. "It … [Link]
Slashdot » New Virus Means Deadlier Flu Season Is Possible
HughPickens.com writes Donald McNeil writes in the NYT that this year's flu season may be deadlier than usual because this year's flu vaccine is a relatively poor match to a new virus that is now circulating. "Flu is unpredictable, but what we've seen thus far is concerning," says Dr. Thomas R. Frieden. According to the CDC, five U.S. children have … [Link]
Slashdot » Australian Target Stores Ban GTA V For Depictions of Violence Against Women
MojoKid writes "There's no such thing as an official Grand Theft Auto game until there's been a bit of controversy leading to its removal from at least one set of store shelves. It's a right of passage for the GTA series, if you will, and GTA V just earned its place among the franchise's previous titles by ruffling feathers in … [Link]
Slashdot » How Astronomers Will Take the "Image of the Century": a Black Hole
An anonymous reader writes with news that scientists may be close to getting the first image of a black hole. "Researchers studying the universe are ramping up to take the image of the century — the first ever image of a supermassive black hole. While the evidence for the existence of black holes is compelling, Scientists will continue to argue … [Link]
Slashdot » The Ancestor of Humans Was an "Artist" 500,000 Years Ago
brindafella writes Our ancient ancestor, Homo erectus, around 500,000 years ago, has been shown to make doodles or patterns. So, it seems that we Homo sapiens have come from a thoughtful lineage. The zig-zag markings cut into the covering of a fossil freshwater shell were from a deposit in the main bone layer of Trinil (Java, Indonesia), the place where … [Link]
Slashdot » FTC: Online Billing Service Deceptively Collected Medical Records
itwbennett writes The FTC has reached a proposed settlement with PaymentsMD, an Atlanta health billing company that used the sign-up process for its billing service to surreptitiously seek customers' consent to obtain detailed medical information. The medical information PaymentsMD requested included customers' prescriptions, procedures, medical diagnoses, lab tests performed and their results, and other information, the FTC said. The bright … [Link]
Mashable » Join 'Sons of Anarchy' director Paris Barclay for a hangout ahead of the finale
The final ride is upon us On Dec. 9 Sons of Anarchy will close out its run on FX after seven anxiety-inducing seasons on the air To celebrate and honor the show that's really in a category of its own (if it had to have a name, it'd probably be "holy s—t TV") Mashable will be holding a Google Hangout with … [Link]
Mashable » Rolling Stone apologizes for article alleging gang rape at University of Virginia
Rolling Stone magazine on Friday apologized and backed away from a controversial story that it published in November asserting that a woman had been violently gang-raped during a fraternity party at the University of Virginia See also: University of Virginia suspends fraternities amid rape investigation The story leads with a brutal account of a woman, called "Jackie," who is sexually assaulted … [Link]
Mashable » Foursquare will finally release an iPad app
This sounds like a headline from 2010, but Foursquare announced Friday that it would soon be releasing an iPad app. Four years ago, there was speculation that the company would colonize the iPad after then-competitor Gowalla released its app on the platform. Gowalla has since been absorbed into Facebook. Meanwhile, the location-based app category that Foursquare largely pioneered has cooled off … [Link]
New Scientist – News » 'Giant' fossil hints at the diversity of early primates
A new mammal fossil – "plunderer of the Bear Formation" – reveals a richer diversity of early primates, whose ancestors may have lived alongside dinosaurs 
[Link]
Slashdot » Ask Slashdot: Dealing With Electronics-Induced Inattentiveness?
An anonymous reader writes: I am a graduate student in his twenties who used to be able to read dozens and dozens of lengthy books in his childhood. Over the years, I have noticed that my attention span and ability to concentrate has decreased noticeably, seemingly in synchronization with society's increased connectedness with the Internet and constant stimulation from computers … [Link]
New Scientist – News » Slowing down time helps us savour it all the more
An exhibition and two books show how technology is changing our interactions with time 
[Link]
Mashable » The entire 'Friends' series in less than 3 minutes
Over ten seasons, NBC's Friends dominated the airwaves, filling American homes with fun tales about white New Yorkers roughing it in the Big Apple. Since ten seasons is way too many seasons to catch up on, we've dissected the entire series in a much more doable three minutes, with our latest installment in our ongoing Too Long; Didn't Watch series. … [Link]
Geeks are Sexy Technology News » If Harry Potter Characters Texted Each Other [Video]
Jealous, Voldemort? 🙂 [BuzzFeedYellow] [Link]
Mashable » Oxford Dictionaries, your source for hawt duckface lolcats (and 997 more words)
Thanks to every selfie you took between 2005 and today, "duck face" has finally been added to the venerable Oxford Dictionaries It's joined there by 999 other popular words and phrases from the pop culture lexicon, such as "lolcat" and "five-second rule," known and beloved by anyone who has ever dropped a perfectly good piece of candy on the ground. See … [Link]
New Scientist – News » Today on New Scientist
All the latest on newscientist.com: are you eating too much iron? curious classroom bots, Pluto probe to awake, electric eels' zombie trick and more 
[Link]
New Scientist – News » Giant galactic gas 'blow out' seen for the first time
A gigantic rainbow jet has been glimpsed in the act of being booted out of a galactic nursery by the forming stars 
[Link]
Slashdot » DOJ Launches New Cybercrime Unit, Claims Privacy Top Priority
msm1267 writes: Leslie Caldwell, assistant attorney general in the criminal division of the Department of Justice, announced on Thursday the creation of a new Cybercrime Unit, tasked with enhancing public-private security efforts. A large part of the Cybersecurity Unit's mission will be to quell the growing distrust many Americans have toward law enforcement's high-tech investigative techniques. (Even if that lack … [Link]
Geek Culture » Orion launch…
It's like the '60's all over again! [Link]
Geeks are Sexy Technology News » Choose Your Character [Comic]
[Source: For Lack of a Better Comic | Like For Lack of a Better Comic on Facebook | Follow For Lack of a Better Comic on Twitter] [Link]
Mashable » Adorable little girl prompts dance party on NYC subway platform
Most New Yorkers will agree that waiting for the infamous L train is a special kind of hell. So to ease commuter tensions while passing time on the subway platform, occasional entertainment and busking is permitted Generally, disgruntled New Yorker's will watch along without much interaction, unwilling to let loose, but subway entertainment can sometimes create an intimate moment between … [Link]
Mashable » Yo, bitch: Aaron Paul launches a very Jesse Pinkman-esque app
Surprise, bitch! Aaron Paul, the actor responsible for our beloved and beleaguered Jesse Pinkman on Breaking Bad, launched his own messenging app on Friday in the vein of his meth-cook role on AMC. See also: Why 'dumb' apps are so popular — and why they're not going anywhere The app, called Yo, B*tch (it's shortened to YB in the App Store), … [Link]
New Scientist – News » Pluto probe prepares to wake after nine-year journey
After an epic trip covering about 4.76 billion kilometres, the New Horizons spacecraft is about to arrive near Pluto and its remote, icy neighbours 
[Link]
New Scientist – News » When politics met science: harmony or hegemony?
Politicians are often accused of paying lip service to science. Researcher Jon Copley went behind the scenes of the UK parliament to examine the claim 
[Link]
Slashdot » Why Elon Musk's Batteries Frighten Electric Companies
JoeyRox writes: The publicized goal of Tesla's "gigafactory" is to make electric cars more affordable. However, that benefit may soon be eclipsed by the gigafactory's impact on roof-top solar power storage costs, putting the business model of utilities in peril. "The mortal threat that ever cheaper on-site renewables pose" comes from systems that include storage, said physicist Amory Lovins. "That … [Link]
Mashable » Super Typhoon Hagupit to lash Philippines for 3 days with flooding and high winds
If there's one thing the Philippines do not need, it's another super typhoon. Parts of the country, particularly the island of Samar, are still picking up the pieces after last year's devastating Super Typhoon Haiyan, which was one of the most powerful storms ever to make landfall anywhere. While Super Typhoon Hagupit, which is also known as Ruby in the Philippines, … [Link]
Geeks are Sexy Technology News » New Simpsons Christmas Couch Gag Features Obligatory Frozen Reference [Video]
Naturally, The Simpsons had to add a Frozen reference to their upcoming holiday episode, “I Won’t Be Home For Christmas.” The episode will air on Fox on December 7th, 2014. [Animation Domination | Via GT] [Link]
Mashable » 91% of residential solar panels face the wrong way at peak hours
Does your roof face south? That's one of the first questions you'll be asked if you're considering installing solar panels on your home. For good reason: Photovoltaic panels that capture the southern sun generate the most electricity — as much as 20% more power than west-facing panels — and the best return on your investment. SEE ALSO: Were Your Solar Panels … [Link]
Mashable » BBC will air 'Serial' with final episode to coincide with worldwide release
LONDON — It's the most popular podcast ever made — and now the global phenomenon that is Serial is coming to the BBC. The first episode will air on BBC 4 Extra Sunday, with subsequent episodes broadcasting daily until it catches up with the United States. See also: 'Serial' charts that feed your addiction The series finale will be broadcast on … [Link]
Slashdot » Researchers Design DNA With New Shapes and Structures
Jason Koebler writes: The shape of DNA is a double helix, right? That's what we are taught. Well, now the answer is "not always." Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have discovered how to program DNA to be shaped like a bowl, or a spiral, or a ring, or other shapes that aren't found in nature. It's the latest … [Link]
Geeks are Sexy Technology News » 19 Geeky Bathrobes For Sci-Fi and Fantasy Nerds
Everyone loves bathrobes: they dry you quick once your out of the shower and they’re nice and warm when you get up in the morning. But why limit ourselves to ordinary, boring bathrobes when they’re some way cooler stuff out there? Here are 19 awesomely geeky bathrobes I stumbled on while looking for gifts for my favorite geeks. 
Among all … [Link]
Mashable » 2014 may be best year for job gains since 1999, millennials lead the charge
WASHINGTON — U.S. employers hired at the strongest pace in nearly three years in November, adding 321,000 jobs. It's the latest sign that the United States is outperforming other major economies by growing steadily, and generating consistently healthy job gains. The U.S. Labor Department says the unemployment rate remained at a six-year low of 5.8%. And 44,000 more jobs were added … [Link]
Mashable » South Africa remembers Nelson Mandela one year after his death
South Africans remembered Nelson Mandela on Friday in ceremonies across the country, one year after the iconic leader's death at age 95. Mandela, who was elected as South Africa's first post-apartheid president in 1994, became an international human rights figure for his work to end the country's segregation See also: 11 Inspiring Moments to Remember Nelson Mandela His family gathered … [Link]
Mashable » The Apple iPod lawsuit may get thrown out for not having a plaintiff
UPDATE, Dec. 5, 3:10 p.m.: The New York Times reports that one of the plaintiffs has been removed from the case. That leaves just one plaintiff, whose standing as a liable plaintiff remains in question. The antitrust lawsuit being levied against Apple has hit a serious roadblock. Attorneys for Apple contend that two women named as plaintiffs in the case surrounding … [Link]
O'Reilly News and Commentary » Designing for the unknown
Design principles are being applied in all aspects of business today — they are no longer limited to graphic design, product design, web design or even experience design. I recently had the chance to speak with Simon King, design director … [Link]
O'Reilly News and Commentary » Drone delivery: Real or fantasy?
I read with some interest an article on the Robotenomics blog about thefeasibility of drone delivery. It’s an interesting idea, and the article makes a better case than anything I’ve seen before. But I’m still skeptical. The article quotes direct … [Link]
Slashdot » Node.js Forked By Top Contributors
New submitter jonhorvath writes: Several of the top contributors to Node.js, a popular open source run-time environment, have decided to fork the project, creating io.js as an alternative. The developers were unhappy with how cloud computing company Joyent was directing work on Node.js. Mikeal Rogers said, "We don't want to have just one person who's appointed by a company making … [Link]
Mashable » China vows to stop harvesting organs from executed prisoners in 2015
China has vowed to stop harvesting organs from executed prisoners for transplants beginning Jan. 1, 2015, the head of the country’s organ donation committee announced. Human rights groups praised the decision to end the controversial program, which is the country's main source of organs for transplant surgeries. The Chinese government only admitted to harvesting organs from executed prisoners in 2009 See … [Link]
Mashable » The Sinking Republic: TNR sacrifices identity to fit a digital mold
Mass resignations hit The New Republic on Friday, a day after editor Franklin Foer and literary editor Leon Wieseltier resigned due to disagreements about the publication's digital future. TNR owner Chris Hughes, a Facebook co-founder, vowed to turn the company into "a vertically integrated digital media company," but his efforts appear to have come at the expense of a large chunk … [Link]
Mashable » Storytelling platform Maptia launches redesign to highlight visual experiences
Travelers have plenty of options for sharing photos, whether it's Facebook, Instagram, Flickr or another service, but few support storytelling in a thoughtful way. An image shared on Instagram is essentially ancient history 12 hours later. Storytelling platform Maptia wants to give its users the ability to do more than create an ephemeral record of their experiences, with its version 2.0, … [Link]
Slashdot » Ron Wyden Introduces Bill To Ban FBI 'Backdoors' In Tech Products
An anonymous reader sends this report from The Verge: Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) is trying to proactively block FBI head James Comey's request for new rules that make tapping into devices easier. The Secure Data Act would ban agencies from making manufacturers alter their products to allow easier surveillance or search, something Comey has said is necessary as encryption becomes … [Link]
Mashable » Family of UK-born American hostage held in Yemen makes video appeal
The family of a UK-born U.S. hostage being held by al-Qaeda militants in Yemen has appealed in a video for his release Luke Somers, 33, was kidnapped in September 2013 from a street in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa, where he had worked as a photojournalist for the Yemen Times. See also: Yemen's Forgotten Conflict Somers' mother and brother appear in … [Link]
Mashable » Grammys 2015 nominees: Beyoncé and Sam Smith lead with five each so far
With only the Album of the Year category left to unveil Friday, Beyoncé and Sam Smith are tied for most Grammy nominations this year. Both earned five nods each when the Recording Academy revealed 82 of the 83 categories' nominees earlier in the day for the 57th Grammy Awards, which will air Feb. 8 on CBS Nominations gradually were announced all … [Link]
Mashable » 'Peter Pan Live!' review: Allison Williams soared, Christopher Walken was in his own Neverland
For better or worse, Thursday night's production of Peter Pan Live! on NBC was highly anticipated After last year's heavily mocked Sound of Music event, it was time for round two. And this year, there was flying See also: 15 of Christopher Walken's best dance moves from 'Peter Pan Live!' But the end result, particularly Allison Williams' performance, was likely something … [Link]
Mashable » UKIP's Nigel Farage says women who breastfeed in public should 'sit in the corner'
LONDON — UKIP is known for taking a firm stance on immigrants but now it's taking aim at women who breastfeed in public See also: Russell Brand calls David Cameron an 'arsewipe' in 'Parklife' parody The comments from Nigel Farage, the party's leader, come after London hotel Claridges asked a woman breastfeeding to cover up with a cloth napkin while having … [Link]
New Scientist – News » NASA test launches Orion space capsule for Mars trip
NASA has sent the Orion deep-space capsule on its inaugural uncrewed flight from Cape Canaveral in Florida 
[Link]
New Scientist – News » Feedback: Now here was the news
Google Truth™, Pains and needles, liverish Francophobia and more (full text available to subscribers) 
[Link]
Geeks are Sexy Technology News » Amazon Deal of the Day: 77% Off Jackery Giant+ Premium Portable Charger (12000mAh Power Pack) and External Battery Bank with Dual USB Port – $29.95
For today’s edition of Deal of the Day, Amazon has the Jackery Giant+ Premium Portable Charger (12000mAh Power Pack) and External Battery Bank with Dual USB Port for just $29.95. That’s 77% off on the battery bank’s regular list price of $129.95. Ultra high-capacity portable charger with dual USB port with 12000mAh rechargeable battery power capacity. Super-fast charge output (5V/3A) … [Link]
Mashable » A Kickstarter campaign has the answer to tangled Christmas lights
Occasionally an idea comes along that it is hard to believe it has taken so long to come to fruition. Such is the case with wireless Christmas lights. De-tangling Christmas lights could be a thing of the past from next year thanks to a Kickstarter campaign by entrepreneurs Hardeep Johar and Chris Higgins. The duo were sick of the time-consuming task … [Link]
Geeks are Sexy Technology News » These Test Answers Might Be Wrong, But They Win at Geekdom [Pics]
[Via 1] [Link]
Mashable » Is geoengineering to stop global warming too risky?
Even as diplomats gather in Lima this week to try to hammer out an international pact to slow the rise of planet-warming greenhouse gases, many are saying that action is too little, too late, and that simply curbing emissions won't be enough to halt a looming climate catastrophe. That's why a small cadre of scientists are pressing harder for radical geoengineering … [Link]
Geeks are Sexy Technology News » Building a GIGANTIC LEGO Christmas Tree [Time-Lapse Video]
Watch as Australia’s largest LEGO Christmas Tree is being built by a horde of LEGO builders. The tree is 32.8 feet tall, weighs over 3.5 tons, and is on display at the Pitt Street Mall in the Sydney central business district. [LEGO] [Link]
Mashable » 'There's your new spacecraft, America': Orion splashes back to Earth after historic test
UPDATE: Dec. 5, 11:35 a.m. ET NASA ushered in a new era for American spaceflight today with its successful test flight of its new Orion spacecraft Orion lifted off at 7:05 a.m. ET, orbited the Earth two times and successfully splashed down into the Pacific Ocean as planned less than five hours later. The spacecraft travelled 60,000 miles, further into space … [Link]
Mashable » What nuns can teach you about leadership (Hint: A lot)
People make a joke when I tell them that Catholic nuns are some of the best managers and leaders I have ever met. "Because they rule with an iron ruler," one colleague guffawed at me. Yeah, yeah. Angry nuns wielding rulers over recalcitrant children is a stereotype that the sisters just can't seem to shake. What most people forget is that … [Link]
O'Reilly News and Commentary » Four short links: 5 December 2014
Nanodoc — an online game that allows bioengineers and the general public to design new nanoparticle strategies towards the treatment of cancer. (via The Economist) Rendering Haptic Volumetric Shapes in Mid-Air Using Ultrasound (PDF) — SIGGRAPH paper on using ultrasound … [Link]
O'Reilly News and Commentary » #Ebook Deal/Day: High Performance Responsive Design – $14.99 (Save 50%) Use code DEAL
Get "High Performance Responsive Design" today using code DEAL and save 50%!This sale ends at 2:00 AM 2014-12-08 (PDT, GMT-8:00). [Link]
Mashable » Why analytics training will probably not solve your problems
If you're a marketer and you're thinking that the solution to your analytics troubles is a dose of training, think again. Training won't hurt, of course — unless you think you've got analytics knocked after a few sessions with an expert. But most likely training won't get you very far down the road to solving your problems, either. Not because you're … [Link]
Mashable » 28 things you can't unsee from 2014
Things got pretty weird in 2014 This year was an extraordinary time for viral moments, but with the good must come the bad See also: The 50 best GIFs of 2014 Among the feel-good and inspiring moments of 2014, there were also some things that we're still having a little trouble trying to forget, like the woman with three breasts and … [Link]
Mashable » Europe greenlights construction of Extremely Large Telescope
The European Southern Observatory’s Extremely Large Telescope has been given the green light for construction, two years after the project was approved in 2012 The European Southern Observatory, or ESO, is an astronomy organization backed by 15 countries, including Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom. The group’s governing body voted in favor of a plan to construct the European … [Link]
Mashable » Elgin statue leaves Britain for first time … but it hasn't gone to Greece
LONDON — Britain is trying out a new approach with Russia — marble diplomacy See also: Greece borrows Australian landmark to promote itself in new tourism ad It was announced early Friday in a tweet that one of the precious Elgin or Parthenon Marbles, which have never left Britain, was secretly loaned to a museum in Saint Petersburg as a "a … [Link]
Mashable » Why PR is embracing the PESO model
Change is hard. It's hard whether you're a person, a community, a company, an industry or a nation. As of late, a flurry of advancements in the public relations industry have forced PR professionals to adapt to a new, rapid pace — or else face rapid irrelevance. The sheer amount of change can be daunting. And the difficult fact is that … [Link]
Mashable » From smoke signals to smartphones: The evolution of communication
Running late to meet a friend and can't quite remember which alleyway the Urban-spoon-recommended café is on? No worries, your Samsung Galaxy Note 4 smartphone (so much smarter than you) can map* out the route and facilitate your instantaneous “B there in 5, soz!” message. You arrive, check-in on FB, go through some IRL catch-up formalities with your mate, send a … [Link]
Mashable » Magnificent stacked photograph of lightning strikes in Sydney
A photographer from New Zealand captured a stunning photograph of a skyline filled with lightning strikes in Sydney on Wednesday evening. Roland Taylor, 24, who is currently living in Australia, took the breathtaking series of photographs from his apartment balcony at 5:30 p.m. in Surry Hills, Sydney, as a summer storm rolled through the city See also: Devastating photos capture the … [Link]
The Joy of Tech » JoT #2079: If other tech companies did diapers.
I hope our new comic doesn't raise a stink. If you enJoyed the comic, please retweet or share the URL. Thanks! [Link]
Mashable » The true breakout star of 'Peter Pan Live!': That crocodile
While the three hour event that was NBC's Peter Pan Live! went off largely without a hitch, there were a few characters viewers were shaking their head at. We're speaking, of course, about that crocodile thing As the acid trip of a reptile slithered onstage early in the show, Twitter was understandably shocked. Because, like, what was that thing? See also: … [Link]
Mashable » 15 weird and wonderful moments from 'Peter Pan Live!'
NBC’s highly-hyped Peter Pan Live! went off without a hitch, but it wasn't without its fair share of impossibly bizzaro moments This show had it all, including unexpected breakout stars (pulling for your Emmy nomination, Nana the Dog), Allison Williams dancing like a chicken and Christopher Walken just doing Christopher Walken See also: The evolution of 'Peter Pan' Here are 15 … [Link]
Mashable » 26 magical Twitter reactions from NBC's 'Peter Pan Live!'
Theatre and Peter Pan fans alike tuned into NBC on Thursday to relive a bit of their childhood by watching Peter Pan Live!, the network's first TV-musical production since last year's The Sound of Music As with any live television performance, tensions were high and critics were out in full force, especially since Girls actress Allison Williams, who played the title … [Link]
Mashable » Chokehold protests spread across the U.S., from Oakland to Chicago to Boston
As thousands of protesters caused bumper-to-bumper traffic jams throughout the streets of New York on Thursday, their counterparts in cities across the nation — including Chicago, Boston and Oakland — were also shutting down streets for a second night. The mass demonstrations were sparked by a Staten Island grand jury's decision not to indict Daniel Pantaleo, the white police officer responsible … [Link]
Mashable » Photographer recreates the awkward, prop-heavy portraits of the 1980s
The big hair, the acid wash jeans, Corey Feldman — we're all a bit fascinated with the strange interests and customs of '80s America. Since 2009, Portland-based photographer Robbie Augspurger has been capturing the essence of portraits from that fascinating time period in his "Glamour & Headshots" photo series. The collection casts a light on the prop-heavy, hair-heavy style of the … [Link]
Slashdot » Electric Eel Shocks Like a Taser
Science_afficionado writes After a nine month study, a Vanderbilt biologist has determined that the electric eel emits series of millisecond, high-voltage pulses to paralyze its prey just before it attacks. The high-voltage pulses cause the motor neurons in its target to violently contract, leaving it temporarily immobilized in the same fashion as the high-voltage pulses produced by a Taser. He … [Link]
Mashable » Rock around your Christmas tree with a 'Home Alone' song remix
Party like Kevin McCallister at your next holiday shindig. YouTube user Peter Fernandes, a.k.a. Sam's Never Played The Bass, reimagines the score from the 1990 holiday movie classic, Home Alone with a techno beat Chill out and take a break from the holiday shopping frenzy with a little music. Merry Christmas, you filthy animal. Prince crashes jazz band's show with … [Link]
Mashable » Sports fans love Instagram almost as much as their favorite teams
Instagram (the company) broke down the numbers from 2014 to analyze where in each state users of Instagram (the app) love to geotag their posts from most Disneyland, the Grand Canyon, Old Faithful — the list is full of predictable winners in many states. But here's something that might come as a minor surprise: In 17 states, the most popular location … [Link]
Mashable » 15 of Christopher Walken's best dance moves from 'Peter Pan Live!'
Christopher Walken doesn't just swab the deck— he tap dances on it. The Academy Award-winning actor may be known for his tough guy roles on the silver screen, but once he his feet hit the dance floor, he's as graceful as a swan — even with a hook as a hand See also: The evolution of 'Peter Pan' All that singing … [Link]
Mashable » Unarmed black man fatally shot by Phoenix police officer
An unarmed black man was shot and killed earlier this week by a Phoenix police officer, who said he mistook the man's pill bottle for a gun. The incident is the latest in a string of police killings involving unarmed black males across the country that have sparked nationwide protests and led to heightened scrutiny of law enforcement agencies. See also: … [Link]
Mashable » Koala attacks Australian woman walking her dogs
A koala attack in South Australia left one woman, who was walking her dogs at the time, bitten and bloodied. Mary Anne Forster took her two dogs for a walk two weeks ago and when they pulled her toward a koala at the base of a tree, 7News Adelaide reported Wednesday. The koala launched into an attack on the dogs, but … [Link]
Slashdot » The Sony Pictures Hack Was Even Worse Than Everyone Thought
An anonymous reader writes with today's installment of Sony hack news. "It's time to take a moment of silence for Sony Pictures, because more startling revelations about leaked information just came out and employees are starting to panic. BuzzFeed raked through some 40 gigabytes of data and found everything from medical records to unreleased scripts. This is probably the worst … [Link]
Mashable » Prince crashes jazz band's show with guitar solo on Beatles song
Sometimes a jazz band can get by with a little help from their friends — or a random guitar god like Prince. The "Purple Rain" singer cooly performed an impromptu guitar solo during jazz musician Ryan Edgar and Nikki Leonti-Edgar's performance of The Beatles' "With a Little Help From My Friends" at the W Hollywood Hotel in Los Angeles. See … [Link]
Mashable » Australians will queue up for absolutely anything, even Sephora
Australia loves a good queue When there is nothing to do, we will head out in the middle of winter to line up for three hours for a single scoop of gelato. When a fashion store opens, we need to get our grubby hands on the out-of-season stock immediately — or 24 hours after we first join the queue. There is … [Link]
Slashdot » Starbucks Testing Mobile Order and Pay In Portland On iOS
qubezz writes For those who just can't wait in line, Starbucks announced today that the caffeinated city of Portland will be the first stop in the roll-out of an app for ordering drinks from your mobile device (iPhone only, Android anticipated in 2015). Not a delivery service — it appears your pre-paid drink will be waiting at the end of … [Link]
Mashable » Protests widen on 2nd night, blocking major roads in NYC and other cities
UPDATED, 12:20 a.m. ET Protesters fanned out across New York City on Thursday night, blocking traffic on major thoroughfares as they rallied for a second night against the recent killings of unarmed black men by white police officers. As they clogged the Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, Holland Tunnel, West Side Highway and other roads and intersections, the demonstrators appeared to be … [Link]
Slashdot » Every Weapon, Armored Truck, and Plane the Pentagon Gave To Local Police
v3rgEz writes You may have heard that the image-conscious Los Angeles Unified School District chose to return the grenade launchers it received from the Defense Department's surplus equipment program. You probably have not heard about some of the more obscure beneficiaries of the Pentagon giveaway, but now you can after MuckRock got the Department of Defense to release the full … [Link]
Mashable » Argentine hooligans beat soccer player to death in front of family
A 33-year old Argentine soccer player died from injuries sustained when supporters of a rival team attacked him after a game Franco Nieto was the captain of a lower-division soccer club called Tiro Federal. He was reportedly attacked by hooligans who punched, kicked and hit him with a stone in front of his wife and one-month-old daughter. See also: World Cup: … [Link]
Mashable » Ryan Reynolds is playing 'Deadpool' because Ryan Reynolds IS Deadpool
LOS ANGELES — Ryan Reynolds didn't quite work out as Green Lantern, but that was no reason to count him out of the superhero game — there simply is no better actor in Hollywood to tackle the infamous Deadpool. Which is why he's doing it, but for real this time. Fox is in a deal with Reynolds to play the smart-mouthed … [Link]
Mashable » YouTube star Zoella breaks first week sales records with debut novel
In just one week, British YouTuber Zoella has sold 78,000 copies of her debut novel, Girl Online. According to The Bookseller, her novel has had the biggest first week recorded by Nielsen BookScan since tracking began six years ago See also: 9 writers on the inspiring books that shaped them Zoella, whose real name is Zoe Sugg, runs a channel boasting … [Link]
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