Archive for December, 2011
Lights Out
Dec. 28, 2011
Lights Out: The red-light traffic camera company American Traffic Solutions has seen its fair share of red-light running related collisions.
Last year, ATS began sharing footage of those collisions on YouTube in the hopes of convincing red-light runners to change their life-threatening habit.
A National Motorists Association rep responded with skepticism toward the company’s claim that its cameras “change driver behavior and help save lives,” noting that the videos demonstrate how “their red light system doesn’t stop crashes.”
Still, it’s a compilation of a bunch of cars crashing, and since it was approved for release we can only assume that none of the accidents resulted in serious injuries, right? Right? Anyway, here’s a link to the Benny Hillified version of this video.
I’ll see you in Hell.
[consumerist.]
Simpsons Did It of the Day
Dec. 28, 2011
Simpsons Did It of the Day: The impoverished, crime-ridden Comuna 13 (San Javier) neighborhood of Medellín, Colombia, recently christened what is most likely the world’s tallest outdoor escalator.
A steep climb that would take the barrio’s 12,000 residents 35 minutes to scale can now be surmounted in less than six thanks to a 384-meter-long (28-story-tall) moving staircase installed by the city.
Mayor Alonso Salazar hopes the $6.7 million escalator will help reduce some of the district’s rampant violence. Officials from Brazil expressed interest in bringing similar convenience to Rio de Janeiro’s infamous favelas.
Look At This Friendly Dog of the Day
Dec. 28, 2011
Look At This Friendly Dog of the Day: With Quark hogging all the attention, jealous Riley knows he has no choice: Desperate times call for desperate cuteness.
[reddit.]
Black And White And Red-Faced of the Day
Dec. 28, 2011
Black And White And Red-Faced of the Day: The Internet was up in arms all day today over the BBC’s decision to include one of the Edinburgh Pandas — Sweetie — in the female edition of its annual “Faces of the Year” round-up.
Everyone from former British deputy prime minister John Prescott to MSNBC personality Rachel Maddow lambasted Auntie Beeb for putting pandas ahead of people.
Maddow even helped launch a Twitter hashtag for people who wanted to offer up an actual woman to replace Sweetie.
The BBC itself took to Twitter to defend its actions, pointing out that a pig made last year’s list and no one complained. But it was too late: #Pandagate had already landed the December spot on everyone’s annual “Faux Pas of the Year” round-up.
[bbc / blogpost / @suttonnick.]
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Tea Accessory of the Day
Dec. 28, 2011
Tea Accessory of the Day: “Tea Rex” as its name suggests is a T. rex-shaped tea infuser that’s perfect for tea lovers and dinosaur aficionados alike.
So, basically everybody.
Preordering is available now through fred flare. Ships February 27.
[theawesomer.]
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Pricey Cat Toy of the Day
Dec. 28, 2011
Pricey Cat Toy of the Day: I don’t know what’s crazier: That someone let their cat scratch the crap out of their iPad screen for the sake of a YouTube video, or that this cat has a better high score in Fruit Ninja than I do.
[dpaf.]
Earlier: Bearded Dragon plays Ant Crusher; African Bullfrog plays Finger Crusher.
The Interpipes Are Leaking of the Day
Dec. 28, 2011
The Interpipes Are Leaking of the Day: First F*ck Yea Guy shows up in a weather report on Slovak TV. Now the OMGWTF eye chart makes an appearance during a segment on the failing eyesight of the elderly that aired on Norway’s NRK1.
I can only imagine what life will be like in a few years when these Internet leaks are no longer accidental. Ceiling Cat help us all.
[tv2 / thanks thomas!]
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A Tale Of Two Countries of the Day
Dec. 28, 2011
A Tale Of Two Countries of the Day: Redditor hayzen77 recently traveled from Australia to China and snapped these “before and after” shots following takeoff and prior to landing.
Surge72 correctly notes that these two photos were taken at varying altitudes, “thereby increasing the contrast between the two photos.” Still, as mikecngan points out, while the comparison may be a bit skewed, “China still sucks”:
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Time-Lapse Thing of the Day
Dec. 28, 2011
Time-Lapse Thing of the Day: A piece of luggage lined with six camera lenses takes a tour of life “beyond the black rubber flaps” on its way from Atlanta to New York aboard a Delta passenger plane.
[devour.]
