Thursday, September 27, 2007
Real-life Donkey Kong
# posted by Chronodin @ 1:27 PM
I've seen a number of these things, where people act out video games in real life, and normally they're mildly amusing, but nothing that special, as demonstrated by how rarely I post about them on here.
This one is pretty good, though, but keep in mind it's by the Jackass guys, so it's kind of along those same lines. Nothing too NSFW, but it's not 100% family-friendly, either. But pretty funny anyway.
I especially appreciate that the hammer even broke! But I don't remember Donkey Kong doing that at the end when you made it to the top...
-Chronodin 0 comments links to this post
I've seen a number of these things, where people act out video games in real life, and normally they're mildly amusing, but nothing that special, as demonstrated by how rarely I post about them on here.
This one is pretty good, though, but keep in mind it's by the Jackass guys, so it's kind of along those same lines. Nothing too NSFW, but it's not 100% family-friendly, either. But pretty funny anyway.
I especially appreciate that the hammer even broke! But I don't remember Donkey Kong doing that at the end when you made it to the top...
-Chronodin 0 comments links to this post
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Forbes' top pundits in America
# posted by Tank @ 6:38 PM
Article here, but to save time, here's the list:
1. Film critic Roger Ebert
2. Comedian/TV host Bill Maher
3. Political Commentator Bill "Papa Bear" O'Reilly
4. Comedian/MN Senatorial Candidate Al Franken
5. FOX News Correspondent/Tomb Raider Geraldo Rivera
6. Comedian?/TV Host?/Actress? Rosie O'Donnell
7. Film critic Leonard Maltin
8. FOX News Anchor Greta Van Susteren
9. CNBC/MSNBC Anchor Lou Dobbs
10. ESPN NBA Analyst Bill Walton (!)
Now, I'm going to have a lot to say about #10 here in a few minutes, but first, let's discuss their definition of "pundit". From the article:
"What exactly is a pundit? According to the dictionary, it's 'a person who makes comments or judgments, especially in an authoritative manner; critic or commentator.' "
Now, in terms of a literal definition, this is fine. But it creates a BROAD definition of the term that could include probably most of the people on this planet. For example, being a musician, and learned about music, I could be a music pundit. I look at this list, and I see one true pundit: Papa Bear O'Reilly. Maybe Lou Dobbs, for his passion about illegal immigration. Maher and Franken are comedians first, politicos second. Van Susteren is a news anchor (Dobbs is very close to this category, too). And I wouldn't call Rivera and Rosie "authoritative" about anything!
Ebert and Maltin are film critics. Name me one person not working for Forbes magazine who has ever referred to a film critic as a pundit. If you succeed, I will award you 50 Schrutebucks.
And now for Bill Walton.
BILL WALTON!!!! ARE YOU EFFING KIDDING ME???!!!???!!! Now, my first thought is he's a token "sports guy" pick, and I think that in itself is idiotic. But, if you're looking for "authoritative . . . critics" from ESPN, I would take the following ahead of Bill Walton:
Peter Gammons (MLB)
Chris Mortensen (NFL)
Barry Melrose (NHL)
Rob Neyer (MLB)
Mel Kiper, Jr. (football draft guru)
Mike Ditka (NFL)
All authoritative. All critical.
Though I'm sure, if these guys had their way, a certain baseball Hall-of-Fame second baseman would be on this list.
Bill Walton was a great player. Great pundit? Ehhh . . .
As an aside, REAL pundit snubs: Rush Limbaugh, Keith Olbermann, maybe Sean Hannity and Chris Matthews (just to keep it fair and balanced).
Article here, but to save time, here's the list:
1. Film critic Roger Ebert
2. Comedian/TV host Bill Maher
3. Political Commentator Bill "Papa Bear" O'Reilly
4. Comedian/MN Senatorial Candidate Al Franken
5. FOX News Correspondent/Tomb Raider Geraldo Rivera
6. Comedian?/TV Host?/Actress? Rosie O'Donnell
7. Film critic Leonard Maltin
8. FOX News Anchor Greta Van Susteren
9. CNBC/MSNBC Anchor Lou Dobbs
10. ESPN NBA Analyst Bill Walton (!)
Now, I'm going to have a lot to say about #10 here in a few minutes, but first, let's discuss their definition of "pundit". From the article:
"What exactly is a pundit? According to the dictionary, it's 'a person who makes comments or judgments, especially in an authoritative manner; critic or commentator.' "
Now, in terms of a literal definition, this is fine. But it creates a BROAD definition of the term that could include probably most of the people on this planet. For example, being a musician, and learned about music, I could be a music pundit. I look at this list, and I see one true pundit: Papa Bear O'Reilly. Maybe Lou Dobbs, for his passion about illegal immigration. Maher and Franken are comedians first, politicos second. Van Susteren is a news anchor (Dobbs is very close to this category, too). And I wouldn't call Rivera and Rosie "authoritative" about anything!
Ebert and Maltin are film critics. Name me one person not working for Forbes magazine who has ever referred to a film critic as a pundit. If you succeed, I will award you 50 Schrutebucks.
And now for Bill Walton.
BILL WALTON!!!! ARE YOU EFFING KIDDING ME???!!!???!!! Now, my first thought is he's a token "sports guy" pick, and I think that in itself is idiotic. But, if you're looking for "authoritative . . . critics" from ESPN, I would take the following ahead of Bill Walton:
Peter Gammons (MLB)
Chris Mortensen (NFL)
Barry Melrose (NHL)
Rob Neyer (MLB)
Mel Kiper, Jr. (football draft guru)
Mike Ditka (NFL)
All authoritative. All critical.
Though I'm sure, if these guys had their way, a certain baseball Hall-of-Fame second baseman would be on this list.
Bill Walton was a great player. Great pundit? Ehhh . . .
As an aside, REAL pundit snubs: Rush Limbaugh, Keith Olbermann, maybe Sean Hannity and Chris Matthews (just to keep it fair and balanced).
Labels: pundits
2 comments links to this post
The official first-ever NerdCentral teaser
# posted by Tank @ 8:20 AM
Later, once I've recovered from work, I will be posting about Forbes magazine's joke of a top pundits list. Oooh!! The drama!!!! Who will have the top spot? Who will be shunned? Who will I make fun of? Stay tuned tonight! 0 comments links to this post
Later, once I've recovered from work, I will be posting about Forbes magazine's joke of a top pundits list. Oooh!! The drama!!!! Who will have the top spot? Who will be shunned? Who will I make fun of? Stay tuned tonight! 0 comments links to this post
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Camera tricks and ninjas
# posted by Chronodin @ 11:28 AM
I don't know about you, but that's the kind of title that would draw me to ANYTHING.
First, the camera tricks.
Now, if you go to the site, it mentions this is using an "amazing new technique" that involves setting the camera's shutter speed to a longer exposure then waving some kind of light around. Don't be fooled -- it's not a new technique. When I took a photography class in college, we used it there, and I'm pretty sure people had figured out you could do that long before that. The only difference here is that they're using it with motion capture. However, it IS a neat effect, and worth a view.
Now for the ninjas! This isn't the most recent Ask a Ninja -- a few episodes before that, actually -- but it was so funny that it warrants attention.
-Chronodin 0 comments links to this post
I don't know about you, but that's the kind of title that would draw me to ANYTHING.
First, the camera tricks.
Now, if you go to the site, it mentions this is using an "amazing new technique" that involves setting the camera's shutter speed to a longer exposure then waving some kind of light around. Don't be fooled -- it's not a new technique. When I took a photography class in college, we used it there, and I'm pretty sure people had figured out you could do that long before that. The only difference here is that they're using it with motion capture. However, it IS a neat effect, and worth a view.
Now for the ninjas! This isn't the most recent Ask a Ninja -- a few episodes before that, actually -- but it was so funny that it warrants attention.
-Chronodin 0 comments links to this post
Monday, September 10, 2007
The Imperial Orchestra
# posted by Chronodin @ 11:21 AM
Maestro Vader, take it away.
Best. Video. Ever.
-Chronodin 0 comments links to this post
Maestro Vader, take it away.
Best. Video. Ever.
-Chronodin 0 comments links to this post
Friday, September 07, 2007
Free songs are free for a reason
# posted by Chronodin @ 11:25 AM
Both Paul McCartney and Bruce Springsteen had free songs offered on iTunes recently -- their new singles, "Nod Your Head" and "Radio Nowhere", respectively. But as the title of this post says, they're apparently free for a reason.
They both suck.
Now come on... Bruce Springsteen? You don't get a nickname like The Boss by writing crap like "Radio Nowhere". It's unoriginal, you can't understand what he's saying, it's uninteresting... and it does something that I hate in that each verse is the same melodic line repeated over and over again, and the chorus? You guessed it... that same music just with different lyrics and a little thicker background. BORING. Okay, music geek mode off, now.
As for Paul McCartney, maybe some people will like "Nod Your Head"... it's definitely more original than "Radio Nowhere", but it's just... well... not good. Both songs sound very amateurish, and I would have expected something a lot better from two rock and roll "legends".
Sometimes, guys, it's better to quit while you're ahead.
-Chronodin 0 comments links to this post
Both Paul McCartney and Bruce Springsteen had free songs offered on iTunes recently -- their new singles, "Nod Your Head" and "Radio Nowhere", respectively. But as the title of this post says, they're apparently free for a reason.
They both suck.
Now come on... Bruce Springsteen? You don't get a nickname like The Boss by writing crap like "Radio Nowhere". It's unoriginal, you can't understand what he's saying, it's uninteresting... and it does something that I hate in that each verse is the same melodic line repeated over and over again, and the chorus? You guessed it... that same music just with different lyrics and a little thicker background. BORING. Okay, music geek mode off, now.
As for Paul McCartney, maybe some people will like "Nod Your Head"... it's definitely more original than "Radio Nowhere", but it's just... well... not good. Both songs sound very amateurish, and I would have expected something a lot better from two rock and roll "legends".
Sometimes, guys, it's better to quit while you're ahead.
-Chronodin 0 comments links to this post
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Apple announced iPod Touch!
# posted by Chronodin @ 9:37 PM
In news that shouldn't surprise anyone too much, but make a lot of people happy, Apple announced their new iPod Touch -- which is basically an iPhone that can't make calls.
The touch interface, a la iPhone, isn't terribly surprising, but I WAS taken a bit off-guard that it WILL have Wi-Fi and the Safari internet browser, just like the iPhone. This makes me very happy, as I've been dreadfully and painfully sans-iPhone, not to mention insufficient funds to not just buy it but pay for the expensive data + phone plan you need to get.
There's more to read about that and other announcements, including an iPhone price drop (not in the plan, though), so go check it out.
-Chronodin 0 comments links to this post
In news that shouldn't surprise anyone too much, but make a lot of people happy, Apple announced their new iPod Touch -- which is basically an iPhone that can't make calls.
The touch interface, a la iPhone, isn't terribly surprising, but I WAS taken a bit off-guard that it WILL have Wi-Fi and the Safari internet browser, just like the iPhone. This makes me very happy, as I've been dreadfully and painfully sans-iPhone, not to mention insufficient funds to not just buy it but pay for the expensive data + phone plan you need to get.
There's more to read about that and other announcements, including an iPhone price drop (not in the plan, though), so go check it out.
-Chronodin 0 comments links to this post
Dragon Quest Swords video
# posted by Chronodin @ 12:22 PM
It may not be the real sword-fighting game that Wii owners are looking for, but it DOES look like fun.
Indeed, people may tend to complain about games on rails, but another way to look at it is that it's just taking one aspect of control away from you that you don't have to worry about, so you can focus on the action aspect. Some people might still prefer the ability to move around on their own, but I suspect that this way works out for the better... for what the game is trying to do, at least.
-Chronodin 0 comments links to this post
It may not be the real sword-fighting game that Wii owners are looking for, but it DOES look like fun.
Indeed, people may tend to complain about games on rails, but another way to look at it is that it's just taking one aspect of control away from you that you don't have to worry about, so you can focus on the action aspect. Some people might still prefer the ability to move around on their own, but I suspect that this way works out for the better... for what the game is trying to do, at least.
-Chronodin 0 comments links to this post
