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In case you’re wondering if there’s something entertaining that you can make with your money (besides spending it), just reach out for a $20 bill and head out towards the site bellow. And relax, you aren’t expected to buy anything; you’ll just get instructions to fold your bills in special ways that make the subliminal messages stand out. Well actually I don’t know about the subliminal part, but this is actually quite intriguing. Some of the bills exhibit disturbing pictures, when folded correctly; the most obvious example is the $20 bill ( coincidentally, 20=9+11), which shows a picture resembling the burning twin towers on one side, and the burning pentagon on the other… all of which become apparent when you fold the bill like an airplane. How is that for shocking revelation, eh?
ps. if you do really believe there’s a conspiracy going on, why don’t you begin to fold all of your $20 bills like this, before letting them go? If many folded bills begind to surface, maybe we’re on to something.
Wikipedia is one of my favourite sites *ever*. I run across so many senseless criticism regarding this brilliant concept, and yet most of it exhudes nothing but arrogance and prejucide. I’m not a people who appreciates discussions, so I’ll just take this opportunity to pay my homage.
I, for one, have had very pleasant experiences and surprises reading the wikipedia articles. One of the things I like best about this ever-increasing database of human knowledge is that fact that you can find good, reliable, *referenced* information on any topic under the sun, from rocket science to scientology.
It would seem that everything is here, from the trivial to the tantalizing. And if you manage to find a topic that hasn’t yet been developed (a stub) you can allways exhibit your knowledge and submit a draft for the community to review.
The NDS (Nintendo dual-screen/ Nintendo Developer’s system) is definitively one of the best toys ever invented. Once you learn to use it properly, it becomes a PDA-like device, that you can use for accessing the Internet, making drawings and writing text (albeit limited by screen size and letter-pecking); not only that, you can also watch text/graphics/video… and even read comics! (besides playing video games, of course). This is a powerhouse of a games console, and despite being somewhat old technology (it was launched in the market over 3 years by now), I think it still packs a nice punch.
Granted, there is arguably most impressive technology by now, namely the PSP. However, I personally favour the DS mostly because of the nice sturdy clam-shell design and small size, the sheer ingenuity of the double-screen concept, and the good library of fascinating, off-beat games. Maybe I’ll discuss some of my favourite games and apps for the NDS in future posts (provided someone manifests interest).
“What does a scanner see? Into the head? Into the heart? Does it see into me? Clearly? Or darkly? I hope it sees clearly because I can’t, any longer. I see only murk, inside and out. ”
Last night I watched a movie that totally blew me away. It’s the newest interpolated rotoscopic feature by Richard LinkLater. This is a though-provoking, visually mesmerizing film about a dystopic society where most people are addicted to a strange substance.
One of the coolest concepts in the movie are the scramble suits, which are like chameleon suits, constantly shifting between composites of thousands human features… truly amazing! The screenplay was based off the cult sci-fi book authored by Philip K. Dick and IMHO the result was truly brilliant.
If you’re a fan of Linklater, sci-fi, distopic visions of society or just innovative film-making, you should definately check this one out!
Also, I’m wondering what everyone thinks of the visual rotoscoping technique, which they used to make it look as tough this movie had been animated. Personally I think it’s very interesting (although I liked it best in Waking Life), but I’ve witnessed quite opposite reactions. Any comments?
Be not defeated by the rain, Nor let the wind prove your better.
Succumb not to the snows of winter. Nor be bested by the heat of summer.Be strong in body. Unfettered by desire. Not enticed to anger. Cultivate a quiet joy.
Count yourself last in everything. Put others before you.
Watch well and listen closely. Hold the learned lessons dear. A thatch-roof house, in a meadow, nestled in a pine grove’s shade.
A handful of rice, some miso, and a few vegetables to suffice for the day.
If, to the East, a child lies sick: Go forth and nurse him to health.
If, to the West, an old lady stands exhausted: Go forth, and relieve her of burden.
If, to the South, a man lies dying: Go forth with words of courage to dispel his fear.
If, to the North, an argument or fight ensues:
Go forth and beg them stop such a waste of effort and of spirit.
In times of drought, shed tears of sympathy.
In summers cold, walk in concern and empathy.
Stand aloof of the unknowing masses:
Better dismissed as useless than flattered as a “Great Man”.
This is my goal, the person I strive to become.
Actually, the sun has been shining all day. However, this poem by Kenji Myazawa frequently comes to mind when I’m distraught with life’s adversities. Besides being a great lyrical composition, I think it’s also a great motto, and hopefully it will make someone out there smile!
There’s something quite fascinating about cartoons, especially political cartoons. Even tough they are generally quite simplistic drawings, they are often able to express complex meanings, cause huge controversy, and stir the public opinion in ways which are utterly unique to the medium. If the old adage that “a picture is worth a thousand words” is true, then perhaps one could also say that political cartoons are “pictures worth a thousand arguments”. This one here, for example, provides a brilliant criticism of TV. I’ve never been too much of a TV watcher, particularly ever since the Internet came along; right now I simply think it’s a brain-sucking, home-wrecking, apathy-inspiring devide, and outright one of the massfied causes of evil on earth. For me, this cartoon by cartoonist superstar Paul Conrad is just too funny because it clearly expresses the feeling I get from TV.
“What was the start of all this?
When did the cogs of fate begin to turn?
Perhaps it is impossible to grasp that answer now,
From deep within the flow of time…
But, for a certainty, back then,
We loved so many, yet hated so much,
We hurt others and were hurt ourselves…
Yet even then we ran like the wind
Whilst our laughter echoed,
Under cerulean skies…”
Ah… life. You’ve gotta love it: especially since the alternative definately sucks. No-one is happy who hates life, and I for one choose happiness over hatred. Or at least, I try to, on a daily basis.
I’ve been meaning to create a blog where I talk about IT, mainly because I think it’s a theme which everyone can relate to, one which allows for endless discussion and reflection.
I was staring idly at the computer screen, looking for a place to start, and I remembered this poem from an old computer game that I played when I was younger. I don’t know who the author was, but these words always strike something nameless and timeless upon me… something i would call magic, if I wouldn’t rather call it poetry.
