Posts Tagged let’s save the world now
Overload: Awesome Reddit is Awesome. Gets a Thank You from Stephen Colbert.
Posted by mistergroonk in Digital Share, Intertube Madness, Interviews, Just Freaking Neat, USA on September 17, 2010
Reddit has been in our heart for just a few months. That’s a short time by meatspace standards. But it’s ancient by virtual reckoning. Reddit has remained “sticky” for us where Digg failed a long time ago. Also, we’re hard pressed to recall a time when Digg users did something this awesome.
The idea of the Colbert Rally came about when, on August 28th, a Pink-Faced Half-Wit decided to rally his troops congregation followers in Washington, DC. Just what they’re riled-up about remains unclear to our logic. But that’s not important.
What is important is that some grand Redditor posited the idea that “Colbert needs to hold a satirical rally in DC.” This idea snowballed on the Internets into ColbertRally.com.
This ball continued to roll downhill until The Daily Show and Colbert Report returned from their week break. Internet continued to push, as only the Internet can, to make the Restore Truthiness to become a reality.
In the meantime, Reddit formed a charity to Restore Truthiness to the Classroom. It’s goal: raise $500,00 USD by October 1, 2010. As of this posting it’s raised $237, 873 USD. Not bad. Not bad at all. (If you wish to donate just go to: http://www.colbertrally.com/donate )
Mr Colbert was so moved by the amount of money raised for USA schools that he thanked Reddit with this verified and sweet note.
Dear Redditors,
Ever since the visit of one of your Dear Leaders, Alexis “kn0thing” Ohanian, my inbox has been orangered with pleas to “Restore Truthiness.” The track record of your hivemind speaks for itself. Mr. Splashypants got a name. You rescued Soapier. You frightened the sweet-and-sour Jesus out of a 90-year-old man on his birthday. Despite how silly and nonsexual reddit can be, your true colors show when someone is in need.
I almost had a pregnant when I saw what you had done at DonorsChoose.org for classrooms around the country. I am humbled and honored (a rare combination for me), and find myself wishing there was a Look of Approval.
You have inspired me by helping untold thousands of students; with the momentum you’ve created, we could stage a hundred rallies. I might just call on you, Redditors – for nothing is more terrifying than tens of thousands of Heroes taking to the streets with the faint odor of bacon wafting behind them. Except for bears, obviously.One huge upvote for you.
Sir Dr. Stephen T. Colbert, DFA
And he sent, Alexis Ohanian, Reddit co-founder, an photo of thanks.
Now, as of September 16, 2010, all the papers have been signed and the announcements have been made. On October 30, 2010, the “Jon Stewart – Rally to Restore Sanity” and the “Stephen Colbert – March to Keep Fear Alive!” will come to Washington, DC.
Raising money for schools. Being the voice of reason in the night. Raising awareness of other reasonable voices.
That’s Reddit. Helping people.
Links to all the official sites we could muster and a Big Think interview with Alexis Ohanian on how Reddit has used its powers for awesome(before the recent happenings) lay below the cut.
Stephen Hawking Ruffles Feathers and Remains Future-Fearful
Posted by mistergroonk in Books, Interviews, Space, The Future on September 2, 2010
Earlier this morning for some reason, Stephen Hawking upset some people with his Burly Man words.
Stephen Hawking says universe not created by God
God did not create the universe, the man who is arguably Britain’s most famous living scientist says in a forthcoming book.In the new work, The Grand Design, Professor Stephen Hawking argues that the Big Bang, rather than occurring following the intervention of a divine being, was inevitable due to the law of gravity.
In his 1988 book, A Brief History of Time, Hawking had seemed to accept the role of God in the creation of the universe. But in the new text, co-written with American physicist Leonard Mlodinow, he said new theories showed a creator is “not necessary”.
Stephen Hawking just declared that Gravity is God!
See what we did there?
We have some notes for those so ready to jump on Professor Hawking’s words and shout across the world because you think you need to be heard, too.
Religious right. Calm down. Just because one brilliant scientist aired his beliefs about the universe and everything in it does not mean it invalidates your faith in whatever. Not everyone has to believe what you believe for it to be valid.
Atheists. Settle down. The universe, and multi-verse, is a big place. It’s where we keep all our stuff. There’s no need to get all culty, know-it-all, froth at the mouth and point fingers while dancing the I-told-you-so dance. There’s bound to be something out there that challenges you straight to your mortal core. Want to lay odds on that thing being unexplainable?
There’s no reason for science and religion to exist separately. Others far wiser than our humble self have postulated on this. We don’t have it all figured out any more than you. (Though at times you’d be hard pressed to believe that.) There’s no filling a cup that’s already full. (Stop those snarky typing fingers. That phrase did exist before James Cameron thought to throw it into AVATAR. )
Are your feathers unruffled now? Good.
Now look below to let Stephen Hawking freak-out your future.
Visualize: Map the BP Oil Disaster to Your Location, Gain Perspective
Posted by mistergroonk in Google-fied, Map, USA, World on June 1, 2010
When descriptions are good enough, what is needed is a little visual perspective. Above you see the output from a Google Maps mashup of the Gulf Oil mayhem relative to our location in the world.
To get your own map, follow the link.
via In Perspective
How To: Creating the Empathic Civilization
Posted by mistergroonk in Animation, Comics, The Future, Tutorials, World on May 25, 2010
Located below the jump is a video animation that was making the Internet rounds a few weeks ago. Having taken the time to view it we are now sharing it with you, faithful reader. What it entails is author Jeremy Rifkin exploring the evolution of empathy.
It’s a comic drawn on a whiteboard brought to life through the illusion of animation.
It’s also one to grow on.
“A Tangle of Dull Grey,” NASA Views Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill from Space
Posted by mistergroonk in Space, USA on May 4, 2010
The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument on NASA’s Terra satellite captured a natural-color image. The oil slick appeared as a tangle of dull gray on the ocean surface, made visible to the satellite sensor by the sun’s reflection on the ocean surface. On May 1, most of the oil slick was southeast of the Mississippi Delta.
via NASA
Stephen Hawking Believes in Alien Planet Jackers, More Doomy Dooms of Doom
Posted by mistergroonk in Science, World on April 28, 2010
We find it curious that when scientist Albert Harrison says a visiting alien race may be as petty as humans back in January 2010, no one bats an eyelash.
Stephen Hawking says the same thing and accompanies the statement with ILM level visual effects and time on the Discovery Channel, everyone won’t shut up about humanity’s doom.
Read the rest of this entry »
Science!: Table-Top Black Holes, NSA Building a World Computer, and The Future Sabotage of the LHC
Posted by mistergroonk in Books, Science, Technology, The Future on October 22, 2009
Science, you engine of discovery. What have you been doing the last few weeks?
Table-Top Black Holes
The desktop black hole, described in a paper submitted to arXiv on Monday, is made from 60 concentrically arranged layers of circuit board. Each layer is coated in copper and printed with patterns that alternately vibrate or don’t vibrate in response to electromagnetic waves.
If black hole powered cars are in reach, we think the lack of a certain flying car can be overlooked. Don’t take this the wrong way. You’re not off the hook for our personalized jet dirigible yet.
COMICS WEEK: Persepolis Creator, Marjane Satrapi, Talks Iran Election
Posted by mistergroonk in Comics on June 24, 2009
When Comics Attack nothing is left to chance. Humor, action, sorrow, and nadshots are but a few of the tools in your tool belt to illicit thought. But what happens when comics get political?
Marjane Satrapi’s Persepolis was a graphic novel long before it became a movie. We have yet to experience either media. Persepolis is about “a young woman growing up in a changing Iran.” Given the current Iran election turmoil, it seemed the least we could do was bring the book back into the public eye.
…amidst the current chaos surrounding the Iranian election results, Satrapi stood alonside Mohsen Makhmalbaf, filmmaker and spokesman for opposition candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi, at the European Parliament to protest the results, with a document claiming to throw serious doubt on the numbers.
A new comic is sure to follow. Looks like we have some reading and netflixing to do.
(via bleeding cool)
40 Rousing Speeches in 2 Minutes, Get You Through the Day
Posted by mistergroonk in Movies, Video on December 12, 2008
A quick diversion to Viral Video points out the number 3 most shared video today is 40 Inspirational Speeches in 2 Minutes.
Now if only, if only, these could be edited in to the next feel-good-action-blow-them-up summer movie experience (also known as any Michael Bay movie) we’d all be the better for it.
(via viral video, fire it up YouTube!)
Pitch Black- Karloff May 30, 2019
- XKCD
- Latitude and Longitude July 17, 2026
Look Closer
- Naked Imagination
- The Old Man December 10, 2012
- When the eyes close December 10, 2012
- Warren Ellis
- home August 13, 2020
- Wil Wheaton
- i can finally talk about something i worked on! July 16, 2026
- can i tell you a story? July 14, 2026
A BP Minute: Wherein We Ponder the Wisdom of Nick Holmes.
Posted by mistergroonk in Uncategorized on June 9, 2010
We’ve enjoyed actor Nick Holmes Tumblr for quite some time now. It is a breath of fresh Internet and brevity of wit on a daily basis.
When he does speak, we can’t help but to wonder…
Why is Nick Holmes not famous yet?
Read the rest of this entry »
Blogged, BP, commentary, good question, Gulf Oil Disaster, let's save the world now, nick holmes, Quotables, thanks a bunch BP, tumblr
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