The question probably never occurred to viewers in the 1970s and 1980s, but suddenly it is highly relevant: exactly how much worthwhile entertainment content was there in shows like “Charlie’s Angels,” “T. J. Hooker,” and “Starsky and Hutch”?

Want more? Visit the New York Times. Okay so do you kids think this is going to work? Not me, give me porn, cartoons or games, but this just seems like a lazy way to try and ride in on the laurels of old shows. Let’s have a bit more creativity folks! What do you think?

 

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Tom, of Shane and Tom’s Squeezebox Podcast, writes in with his comments on Twitter, and why he hates it.  That sparks Nora and Cathi to list a few of the things they hate: email signoffs, and ET!

Plus, in the annals of silly, here’s a gadget someone has designed to go with your iPod. It’s a breathalyzer/fm tuner attachment….(Thanks, Judith!)
And speaking of Twitter, after being told that she ‘doesn’t get’ Twitter, (because yeah, there couldn’t possibly be any other explanation) Nora’s decided to give it a major try-out for a few weeks.  She’s already tried it, of course, but she’s going to use it for all those things people say they like so much. So here she is on twitter.

 

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Nora wonders whether it’s vain or just good marketing to change your own wikipedia entry.

Cathi looks at Boeing’s experiments in fuel cell aviation (via gizmag)

And she’s jonesing for the new wii gun adaptor for first person shooters.

Speaking of navel gazing, here’s Nora’s article on Philip K. Dick in the Globe and Mail.

 

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Cathi brings us this news from the International Herald Tribune, that the US may take China to the WTO in an effort to get the Chinese government to crack down on piracy.

Nora finds this hilarious old Peter Cook/Dudley Moore takeoff of the Thunderbirds-era marionette spy shows (via boingboing). Nora and Cathi speculate there may be a return, again, to swinging 60s English hipness…Dak shoes, Mackintosh’s, Bedazzled, and Peter Cook!  Ooh, where’s my Ben Sherman shirt?

Nora promises this is just about the last time she mentions gaming blending the real world and the virtual.  Nine Inch Nails are marketing their new album using an alternate reality game. There. Was that so painful, Cathi?

 

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OK, OK.  We dropped the ball by not talking about Twitter before this.  Cathi’s been spending all her time in Second Life, so that’s her excuse.  Nora’s divided between her ‘this is cool’ self and her ‘omg, how does anyone get any work done’ self.

Also, New Scientist reports on a new study about the behaviour of real world social networks.  It seems that small groups need minimal turnover to thrive, whereas large groups need lots of new blood.  What are the implications for online social networks?

Meanwhile, trendwatcher Cathi says the Mackintosh, that trench long favoured by British Bobbies, is making a big, trendy comeback. Nora wonders, with Muji making chic, no name waves, is the designer label fetish in danger? (via Business Week)

I just saw this posted on the Arts Journal and I think it’s so neat. How about you?

Can open source techniques be used to design a car?

Hobbyists are taking on the giant car makers with the development of the world’s first open source vehicle

Sean Dodson
Thursday April 12, 2007
The Guardian

 

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Cathi finds that our brains aren’t atrophying after all!  According to Discover magazine, two new books on neuroplasticity suggest we can continue to train our brains well into old age.  Among the evidence? Studies of Buddhist monks that show development in certain sectors of the brain from meditating on compassion and loving kindness, which suggests our brains may be able to respond too (via Arts Journal)

Meanwhile, Nora finds that, according to Trends in Japan, overnight stays at Buddhist temples are increasingly popular in Japan, especially amongst young women.  Spiritual hunger? Spiritual tourism? Cheap rooms?

But really, Nora’s just thinking about a new sofa!

 

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Has Nora been playing way too many role-playing games?  She finds yet another game to play in the real world.  This time, it’s an art project cum mystery story involving phones, and the Canal Street Station in NYC. (via We Make Money Not Art).

Plus, Canadian researchers have found an alternative to getting your teeth x-rayed: lasers! (via Medgadget)

 

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File this under: I’ve fallen into the Uncanny Valley and I can’t get up.  Check out Jules, the freaky, realistic android (via better humans)

You know that sneaking suspicion that multitasking is really inefficient? Here’s more proof (via The New York Times)

 

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New Scientist’s technology blog tells us that LifeChurch is launching church services in Second Life… Are some things best left in RL rather than SL?

Cathi tips us off to Celsius, a new fat burning alternative to diet soft drinks. Can it take off?

Plus, Nora’s new love affair with the green tea blends at Tealish. (not a paid endorsement….I swear!)