A troll annotates a photo of a cosplay participant with critical text. It becomes a meme and goes viral. The troll is then called out for lack of research into cosplay by other internet users. This trends on Facebook.
I think.
Category: Why I Love The Interweb
Snakes On A Plane 2: Goat On A Roof
The story of two hapless police officers who spot a goat on a roof during a routine patrol.
They approach the scene, only to be informed by neighbours that they should not attempt to get the animal down. Apparently, the goat “only respects one man.”
That man is
his ownerSamuel L. Jackson.
Ok, so there’s a bit of padding required, a terrorist plot to work in (possibly the goat could have an agenda and be wearing an explosive vest?), but it’s mostly there. And it’s based on a true story.
Given the budgetary constraints the global financial crisis has forced upon the film industry, I’d be surprised if they didn’t snap this up.
The Tokyo Subway Ranger: Weird, But In A Good Way
If word got out that there was a guy in a a green Power Rangers costume hanging out near the stairs on the London Underground, it’s difficult to figure out what would happen to him first.
One thing is certain though: if he did escape the attentions of the Metropolitan Police’s anti-terrorism unit, he would almost certainly be mistaken for a performance artist and/or paedophile and battered to death, the only evidence of his existence a few shreds of polyester fabric strewn carelessly across the platform.
Continue reading “The Tokyo Subway Ranger: Weird, But In A Good Way”
History: Now In Glorious Technicolor
Big Jay McNeely, Los Angeles, 1953. Original photo: Bob Willoughby, colourised by traquea on Reddit.
Is it the absence of colour that strips the subject of humanity in black and white photos or is it my brain?
Paprika: How Much Harm Can It Do?
Let’s see, shall we?
Meet me in the condiments aisle in Tesco. You bring the baseball bat, I’ll bring the drumkit. Don’t make any plans for the evening you can’t cancel.
Homophobia: Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word
These images of formerly homophobic Christians attending a Gay Pride march in Chicago to apologise for their attitude have been circulating the internet since 2010.
I only saw them yesterday after a good friend of mine linked to them on Facebook, but does humanity in it’s purest form ever lose it’s power to inspire?
Continue reading “Homophobia: Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word”
Breaking News: Turban Cleared Of All Charges
…wearing a turban doesn’t stop people from being creative and individual.
The Guardian newspaper, 12th July 2013.
But working as a sub-editor at the Guardian evidently does.
No Luck With Women? You Need A Rape Manual!
Ken Hoinsky. Needs help attracting women, apparently. Image via dailybeast.
The most exciting thing about the internet is that no matter how horrified you are by the depths some people are prepared to plummet to in order to make a point, there is always someone hunched over a darkened terminal, prepared to go even deeper.
Remember the “punch Anita Sarkeesian until her face explodes” game? Well, a Conneticut man (?!) named Ken Hoinsky has leaned against the boundaries of misogyny just that little bit harder by seeking Kickstarter funding for his his new book ‘Above The Game: A Guide To Getting Awesome With Women. This includes fascinating insights into wooing a prospective partner like:
Pull out your cock and put her hand on it. Remember, she is letting you do this because you have established yourself as a LEADER. Don’t ask for permission, GRAB HER HAND, and put it right on your dick.”
In an ideal world, one where we don’t advocate violence against women because they like gaming, say, Mr Hoinsky would have spent a few days staring forlornly at his Kickstarter totaliser, until, embarrassed that no one seemed to be contributing, would have crawled back beneath the sodden duvet from whence he came and the world would have continued, happily unsullied by his revolting, offensive ideas.
But we don’t live in that mythical place. Mr Hoinsky raised $16,369 for his project – $14,369 more than he asked for – and the project remains a goer despite a petition requesting that Kickstarter remove the page from it’s site.
If you want me, I’ll be banging my head off my desk for the next half-an-hour or so.
PRISM: The Delicate Art Of Refraction
A few days ago, a user on reddit’s CMV (Change My View) thread posted this query in response to news of the National Security Agency’s PRISM surveillance program.
I believe the government should be allowed to view my e-mails, tap my phone calls, and view my web history for national security concerns.
Obviously the response was huge. At the time of writing the query has 3340 comments, most citing well researched, evidence based reasons why they object to their private information being monitored by the authorities. Only one post though, by an anonymous contributor using the handle 161719 and purportedly hailing from “one of the Arab Spring countries“, managed to effectively articulate how information is power, how it’s collection may seem reasonable at the time, but rapid changes to political systems can result in innocuous data being used in the systematic persecution of individuals and their families.
It’s petrifying. Please read it in full here. Whether you want to change your view or not.
Balpreet Kaur: Dignity In The Face Of Douchebaggery
Image via nydailynews.com. H/T HNS.
Yes, I’m late to the party. But this woman just restored my withered faith in the internet, and by proxy, humanity.
Given that I’ve spent the last few months bitching about these issues, I feel duty bound to share her story with you guys.
Kelly Welles 