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#spaceporn
How Weird "Blue Stragglers" Are Born Out Of Interstellar Conflict
Blue straggler stars are an astronomical mystery - they are bigger and age more slowly than stars born at the same time. It turns out these stars are created by two kinds of violent interstellar struggles. [io9] -
#rant
The Case For Aliens Who Are Truly Alien
In James Cameron's Avatar, we're introduced to an alien race that we immediately take to: the almost-human Na'vi. But sympathizing with slightly-different people is easy. Here are few examples of sci-fi giving us truly "alien" aliens. [io9] -
#breaking
AP: Possible Al Qaeda Terror Attack on Transatlantic Flight
There were reports that 'firecrackers' had gone off on a flight from Holland to Detroit on Friday. Several people were slightly hurt. US Intelligence sources have now told the Associated Press the suspect said he was acting for Al-Qaeda. More » -
#retrofuturism
It Was Easy To Predict The Internet 100 Years Ago
One hundred years ago, the Summit County Journal in Logansport, IN made some predictions about what Christmas would be like this year. Some of their predictions are still wishful thinking, but they did manage to predict both online shopping and YouTube. [io9] -
#foodfight
Facebook Basically Rubbing Google's Face In Their Delicious Free Meals
A string of cutbacks have threatened Google's status as a veritable Shangri-la of free gourmet food. Meanwhile, Facebook has been ramping up the dining perks. Today the Times suggests Facebook might be "the new standard-bearer for corporate-sponsored dining." Food fight! -
#cinematography
8 Mesmerizing Sci-Fi Flavored Tracking Shots
In science fiction cinema and TV, creators need to draw audiences into their world seamlessly. One way to do this is the tracking shot, an immersive one-take journey through a scene. Here are 8 of the best. [io9] -
#kingoftheelves
Has Philip K. Dick's Disney Movie Been Shelved?
In April of '08 Disney announced plans to animate Philip K. Dick's story The King of the Elves. Since then, there's been very little news about the urban fantasy endeavor. Did Disney kill off their paranoid, twisted elf tale? [io9] -
#theonion
Old Onion Article Saves Christmas
World events have screeched to a halt. Here is a funny article from the Onion: "Weed Delivery Guy Saves Christmas." You guys like the Onion, right? If anyone comments with "slow news day, huh?" You will be sorry. [Onion] -
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#madscience
The Oceans Are Getting Louder
We all know carbon emissions are making our planet warmer. But the increase in carbon brings with it other surprising problems. More carbon apparently means low sounds travel farther underwater, making the ocean a noisier place to live and work. [io9] -
#mathporn
The First Three-Dimensional Image of a Mandelbrot Fractal Is Stunning
Behold the "Mandelbulb." This is a three-dimensional image created using the Mandelbrot set, a mathematical structure whose edges form fractals. The result is something that looks like an alien tree. Which isn't surprising, since fractals emulate patterns in nature. [io9] -
#madscience
Glitter-Sized Solar Cells For Electricity-Producing Clothes
While it may look like some sort of metallic snowstorm, this is actually an assortment of tiny photovoltaic cells, each less than a millimeter across. And these minuscule cells could be the versatile, flexible future of solar power. [io9] -
#legion
Celebrate Christmas With Your Own Angelic Murder Spree
Celebrate the birth of Jesus with an army of heavenly angels, slaughtering each other in the clouds. Legion brings in the yuletide cheer, with a new comic trailer and game. Don't forget to reload after shooting granny. [io9] -
#creativewriting
Seems that an undergraduate creative writing class took over the Times' editorial page today.
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#scrooged
Bloomberg Quietly Scraps General News Department
A tipster says that the 22 Bloomberg News journalists who made up its non-business, or 'World News', team were told the section was being scrapped last week, just before Christmas. As of today they have still not been reassigned. More » -
#decoratedwebs
Ornamented Spider Webs Are Better At Luring Prey
While we humans are sprucing up our homes for the holidays, one type of spider is adding decorative flourishes to its web to lure prey more effectively. Does that mean insects are affected by artistic sensibilities? [io9] -
#superheroes
Remember Your Inner Child Superhero
Remember the good old days, when you were a kid and felt like a superhero? So does "Growing up Heroes," a blog collecting vintage shots of kids doing their heroic duty. Adorable vintage crimefighters... awesome. Growing Up Heroes [via Wired] [io9] -
#sad
Some People Wait Until the Holidays To Do Mean Things
Two examples of downright, calculating festive nefariousness have happened today in Afghanistan and China. One set of media-savvy people wanted to hide their cruelty and the other wanted to show it off. See if you can guess which is which. More » -
#books
Read "The New Real," A Novel Written In Real Time On io9
Earlier this month, the Canadian scifi author MCM wrote an entire novel on io9 over the weekend. And he got you to help him fill in crucial plot details in real time. Now you can read the whole thing. [io9] -
#twilighttheseason
Twilight's Bella Helps Celebrate 12 Days Of Christmas
We've loved all of Comics Alliance's 12 Days of Christmas illustrations (Done by the fine folk of Portland's Periscope Studio), but Steve Lieber's Seven-Bella-Swans-A-Swimming in particular is the kind of genius gift that keeps on giving. [Comics Alliance] [io9] -
#stalkerdeluxe
Tim Robbins Saves Own Stalker's Life
There's that fable, "The Lion and the Mouse," where a hungry lion spares a mouse, and the mouse eventually repays him by freeing him from a trap. Tim Robbins saved some guy's life and was repaid with this Gawker Stalker. More » -
#poll
Who Is Your Master Now?
If there's one thing that Dollhouse's cancellation has proven, it's that Joss Whedon is no longer your Master. But who is waiting in the wings to get their name on your next devotional t-shirt? We consider some potentials; you vote. [io9] -
#merrychristmahanukwanzaakkah
Set Up and Get to Know Your New Windows, Mac, or Linux Computer
Good news! You woke up to find a shiny new computer waiting for you under the tree this year. Whether it's a Windows PC, Mac, or Linux box, here's a quick starter guide to getting it running on all cylinders. [Lifehacker] -
#popetackling
Woman Who Tackled Pope Has Pope-Charging Past
That woman who tackled the Pope before he gave his Christmas Eve Mass last night? She's the same person who ran at him last Christmas. She even wore the same sweatshirt. (It's her "pope-tacklin' sweatshirt.") [NYDN] -
#warishell
Merry Christmas Soldiers! You Can Now Knock Each Other Up!
Soldiers in Iraq were, until today, likely to face disciplinary action for getting pregnant or getting another soldier pregnant. Not any more! More » -
#scifashion
What If Batman Were A Unicorn?
I'm sure you've often wondered what would happen if you combined the powers of a unicorn with those of Batman - or maybe a zombie? These t-shirts from Unicorns Rock turn your horned, horsey pal into everything that's cool. [io9] -
#quoteoftheday
Davies' Doctor Who Revival Was A Miracle, But Its Ending Remains Uncertain
As Russell T. Davies' reign as Doctor Who showrunner begins its ending with this weekend's "The End of Time, Part One," he's looking back to five years ago and the terror of bringing the show back for the first time. [io9] -
#bookofeli
Witness Denzel's Batman Whisper And Rafiki Moves Behind The Scenes Of Eli
The days of heroes who talk normally are gone, thanks to the raspy Christian Bale. Check out Denzel Washington's take on a sore-throated hero, in this video peek at the making of Eli. Then watch him disarm 16 post-apocalyptic henchmen. [io9] -
#hazard
What Would Tiger Woods Do?
Either Accenture didn't get all the Tiger Woods ads down in time for the holidays, or they're starting a clever new campaign. The intrepid Foster Kamer spotted this seven-foot-tall backlit message next to the security line at LaGuardia Airport today. More » -
#chartporn
Chart Reveals Who The True Masters Of Science Fiction Were This Decade
Have any movie directors or producers revealed themselves to be "masters" of science fiction in recent years? In this chart, we look at how some of the contenders for SF mastery have fared. [io9] -
#waronchristmas
Chestnuts Roasting On... An Efficient Burner That Meets Emissions Standards
Christmas is a time for trees. Stockings. The crackling of logs on a fire. Except that the last one causes emissions and ruins the planet! You bastards! In towns around the country, the government is battling this menace. With spies. More »
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