Alien | Typeset In The Future The opening credits for Alien are nothing short of a typographic masterpiece. You can watch them in their entirety on the Art Of The Title web site, but here's the general gist: a slow, progressive disclosure of a disjointed, customized Futura reveals the movie's central theme over 90 seconds of beautifully-spaced angular lettering. UPDATE: Susan Bradley (and others) have pointed out that this is much more like Helvetica Black than Futura. I'd based my original claim on Art Of The Title's interview with the creators, despite a mismatch when I checked it against Futura myself. However, after a detailed comparison with Helvetica Black, I tend to agree with Susan. Thank you for the correction! (Before I show you how it looks, I should provide a sizable caveat: I got a lot of grief following my Moon article for spoiling that movie's central twist. Here we go. Can you tell what it is yet? It's looking pretty angular. And beautifully mirrored, at least along the y-axis. Well, that was unexpected.
This Animated Data Visualization Of World War II Fatalities Is Shocking Peace on earth: a statement heard around the world and an ideal that most of seem to want to yet have no idea how to attain. It seems like conflicts and wars are a reality in every part of the world, every single day. From religious battles to political quarrels, we seem to find a way to make our differences and thirst for power and control lead us to battle time and time again. And while everything I’m saying is true, there’s probably something you haven’t considered that may shock you. The video below tells a tale of WW II fatalities that puts into perspective the true cost of war today. “The Fallen of World War II is an interactive documentary that examines the human cost of the second World War and the decline in battle deaths in the years since the war. When we think of war or a lack of peace in our world we think something is wrong with the world. Get A FREE Jar Of Organic Coconut Oil There's so many different ways to use it!
Make Your Own Microwave Popcorn | Do It Yourself Microwave Popcorn Recipe | Gourmet Popcorn Recipes Did you know you can Make your Own Microwave Popcorn in under 4 minutes? Store bought Microwave popcorn is convenient, but it happens to be loaded with fats/oils/sodium, etc. You can make your own healthier, dirt cheap microwave popcorn, complete with various flavors of seasoning in under 4 minutes. You'll Need: paper bag (lunch size) 1/4 cup popcorn kernels 2 to 3 tablespoons melted butter (optional) Popcorn salt or table salt, to taste (optional) 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese or other cheese sprinkle (optional) Pour the (unpopped kernels) of popcorn in the paper bag. Fold the top of the bag over twice to close. Put the bag in the microwave and cook on high power for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the pops are 5 seconds apart. Remove the bag from the oven and open it carefully, avoiding the steam. Voila, Healthy snack in under 4 minutes. Want something a little different? Here are a few to get you started: CanstockPhoto/Vankad
How US students get a university degree for free in Germany - BBC News While the cost of college education in the US has reached record highs, Germany has abandoned tuition fees altogether for German and international students alike. An increasing number of Americans are taking advantage and saving tens of thousands of dollars to get their degrees. In a kitchen in rural South Carolina one night, Hunter Bliss told his mother he wanted to apply to university in Germany. Amy Hall chuckled, dismissed it, and told him he could go if he got in. "When he got accepted I burst into tears," says Amy, a single mother. Across the US parents are preparing for their children to leave the nest this summer, but not many send them 4,800 miles (7,700km) away - or to a continent that no family member has ever set foot in. Yet the appeal of a good education, and one that doesn't cost anything, was hard for Hunter and Amy to ignore. "For him to stay here in the US was going to be very costly," says Amy. "The healthcare gives her peace of mind," says Hunter. 'Mind blowing'
7 countries where Americans can study at universities, in English, for free (or almost free) The Humboldt University of Berlin was illuminated during the 10th annual Festival of Lights in Berlin in October. (EPA/PAUL ZINKEN) Since 1985, U.S. college costs have surged by about 500 percent, and tuition fees keep rising. In Germany, they've done the opposite. The country's universities have been tuition-free since the beginning of October, when Lower Saxony became the last state to scrap the fees. [Related: Why Danish students are paid to go to college] Explaining the change, Dorothee Stapelfeldt, a senator in the northern city of Hamburg, said tuition fees "discourage young people who do not have a traditional academic family background from taking up study. What might interest potential university students in the United States is that Germany offers some programs in English -- and it's not the only country. Germany People lounge on the lawn in front of the Reichstag on Oct. 3, 2014 in Berlin. Finland France Sweden Norway Slovenia Brazil Read more stories by this author:
Skipping meals tied to increased belly fat, prediabetes The researchers suggest skipping meals to save calories could be counterproductive as it results in larger fluctuations of insulin and glucose that can lead to more fat gain instead of fat loss. Writing in the The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, the researchers, including members from Ohio State University in Columbus, describe how they compared mice allowed to nibble their food throughout the day with mice that ate their food in one session and then fasted for the rest of the time. They found that the mice that gorged all their day's food in one session and fasted in between developed insulin resistance in their livers - an indicator of prediabetes - and more fat in their abdomens. When the liver becomes less sensitive to insulin, it keeps producing glucose when it is not needed, so the blood ends up with too much sugar and the excess is stored as fat. For the experiment, the researchers initiated gorging behavior in the mice. Gorging and fasting also led to prediabetes
RealDoll silicone sex dolls become dirty-talking robots Sexed up ... RealDoll is making chatty robot heads to fit onto its lifelike dolls. Picture: YouTube/New York Times Source: Supplied BEING startlingly life-like is no longer enough for sex dolls. They also need to be able to have a good old yak. At least that’s the thinking driving RealDoll founder Matt McMullen as he incorporates emerging technologies into his silicone ‘love dolls’ which are sculpted to be anatomically-correct, head-to-toe. Their physiques can be fully customised, from their skin to their bust size and eye colour. And they are now being given tailored personalities. Famous toys ... McMullen told The New York Timeshe was using artificial intelligence and robotics to create the impression of sentience to form a genuine emotional bond between man and machine. The outcome is that owners will be able to talk dirty with their sexbots before getting some action — and ‘she’ will like it. McMullen demonstrated one his prototypes which can blink, move its mouth and converse.
'Star Trek': The Story of the Most Daring Cliffhanger in 'Next Generation' History In June 1990, many Trekkies considered the crew of the Enterprise-D pretenders to the throne. Star Trek: The Next Generation was closing out its third season, and it was still struggling to step out of the shadow of Kirk's (William Shatner) Enterprise. That was about to change thanks to a daring cliffhanger pulled off in an era of television in which shocking deaths and major plot twists weren't par for the course. When "Best of Both Worlds: Part I" aired 25 years ago this week, it was truly jarring to fans. Written by Michael Piller and directed by Cliff Bole, "Best of Both Worlds" is arguably the most influential arc in Next Generation history. Ronald D. Jonathan Frakes, Commander William T. See more 15 Key 'Star Trek' Moments Moore: It was the only show that year that we didn't actually sit in the room as a writing staff and break together. Frakes: The episode was key to Riker's character. Michael Westmore, makeup artist: Patrick Stewart loved being in the makeup chair.
The big shot: online competition rules See below for the full terms and conditions of the Sunday Times photocompetition in partnership with Audley Travel 1. Open to United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland residents aged 18 or over only, except employees of the Promoter, News Corp UK & Ireland Limited, and their associated, affiliated or subsidiary companies, their families, agents or any other person(s) connected with the competition, including Audley Travel Group and any other third party promotional partners. 2. The competition starts at 00.01am on 17 May 2015 and closes at 11.59pm on 11 November 2015 (the “Competition Period”). 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. These terms and conditions apply to all competitions (unless and to the extent that) the competition states otherwise. Entrants should be aware that they may be subject to data charges depending on their own individual arrangements for Internet access if entry is online or by email.
5 Awesomely Sarcastic Supreme Court Decisions When people picture what goes on in the Supreme Court, they imagine austere justices arguing and deliberating on issues that will decide the fate of Law itself. However, the Supreme Court, like any other court in the land, hears more than one case per day. This means that it does happen, however rarely, that the justices are forced to preside over bullshit. And since the justices are human beings just like us, they can't help but call it out when they see it ... #5. One of the most smartass rulings in Supreme Court history came about because of some spoiled tomatoes. Now, if you lose a court case and want to appeal, you have 60 days to file it. Getty Bertman fought the government's dickery all the way to the Supreme Court, where Justice Hugo Black put Bertman's predicament into words we can all understand: GettyThough it did turn out that he was the Incredible Hulk. The Verdict: Despite Justice Black's eloquent argument, Bertman lost. #4. GettyHey. #3. Photos.com
The 5 Most Terrifying Supreme Court Decisions In the United States, the Supreme Court has final say over whether any law is constitutional. So in a way it's the final barrier that prevents any legislators from getting too crazy or racist in the laws they pass. But the Supreme Court itself is not made up of gods or wizards. #5. Getty Home ownership is truly a dream for many of us. You probably already know that there is such thing as eminent domain -- the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Getty"The owners told us to go Pfuck ourselves." The city council argued that it was really the same thing -- given the potential economic growth and the jobs the pharmaceutical company would bring into the community, the acquisition could be considered as being for the public good (this is the same line of reasoning Obi-Wan Kenobi used when telling Luke Skywalker that his father was dead, when his father was actually both alive and Darth Vader). GettySometimes the greater good smells like rotting cabbage and coffee grounds. #4. "I shall call him ... #3.
Scientists Used Virtual Reality to Teleport People into Different Bodies This article originally appeared on Motherboard While surgery bots like Da Vinci XI are already letting doctors perform surgery through machines, we could see humans teleoperating robots from greater distances in the future. Say, for example, a doctor in London operating on someone in Mumbai, or a human operating a robot on Mars. But what goes on in your brain when you’re under the illusion of embodying a robot? In a study published today, researchers at Sweden’s Karolinksa Institute set out to answer that question by creating an out-of-body illusion where volunteers were "teleported" into a foreign body with the help of virtual reality headsets. Brain activity was then measured as they experienced this illusion. “This experiment is a brain imaging experiment. In the experiment, 15 volunteers were asked to lie on the bed inside a MRI scanner. Ehrsson told me that the group were interested in uncovering two things. Related: Is Virtual Reality The Future Of Journalism?
The 15 Most Baffling Boasts in the History of Rap The boast is the very backbone of rap. When used correctly, it can turn a run of the mill recollection of words that rhyme into an epic saga of hilarity and badassedness. But when used incorrectly, shit like this happens... #15. Lil' Wayne - "Bring it Back" The Lyric: "I'm the Cash Money Makaveli, y'all ain't ready, break fast like Tom Petty, y'all just petty." Why We're Baffled: Fast like who what now? Is there a single goddamned thing that is fast about Tom Petty? But maybe Wayne's right, maybe we're just being petty. #14. "Fly go hard like geese erection." Might as well stick with Lil' Wayne while we're on the subject. "Fly go hard like geese erection." Research, bitches. Erections. "Swagger tighter than a yeast infection Fly go hard like geese erection Fashion patrol police detection I stay tight like Chinese connection See? #13. "I'll lay you out over some beef like some sesame seeds." Who is the aggressor here? Is this what you want?! #12. "I got the pussy bitch but I ride my own dick." #11.