I want one of these!

Nippon Telegraph & Telephone (NTT) Corp has developed a device that lets you remote-control humans!

Don't panic just yet- it's not a mind-control device. What they've developed is a special headset and remote control combo. The headset sends a low-voltage electric current from the back of your ears through your head in either a left-right or right-left direction- as set by the remote control. When the remote switch is set to right, you'll be compelled to turn right when walking (apparently you can resist but then you'll have to stop moving altogether).

NTT envisions a range of uses for this technology, from games(!) to amusement park rides to music. Defence contractors, on the other hand, are already envisioning ways to use this as a "non-lethal" weapoon.

Now if they could make a device that works without the intended controllee having to wear a headset, it'd make for the ultimate prank device! Oh, the possibilities!

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R.I.P. Rosa Parks

You were a true hero. Would that the world had more people like you.

My dad's written a good piece about Rosa Parks on his blog.

Update: This Time magazine piece about her from their 100 Most Important People of the Century special is rather illuminating.

Another Update: Rosa Park's is on Apple's homepage! The picture of her links to a news story about her. Very classy, Apple. Very classy indeed.

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The Hottest Curry Ever

"Also, I had the hottest curry ever on Sunday. Magic Spice in Shimo-Kitazawa. The hot curry requires a password that is not printed on the menu."

Tim Rogers lives in Tokyo. He's a punk rock kinda guy. He writes about games, music and other interesting stuff. Read his blog.

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Terry Pratchett's Thud! mini-review

Thud! is the 30th Discworld novel. 30! That's a lotta novels. Remarkable then, that Terry Pratchett has managed to keep the fires of his creation so strong through all this time. In fact, I think this latest one's absolutely brilliant. It's a cracking read- I devoured in less than 2 days- and also scarily prescient as it tackles the currently rather-sticky issue of ethnic warfare and ideological fanaticism. At the same time, we get to see a new side of Samuel Vimes' (commander of the City Watch and star of some of the best Discworld novels) character as he's pushed to his absolute limits by the investigation in this book while at the same time attempting to be a good father to his baby son. Both aspects of the book are developed simultaneously and collide in a rather exciting finale. Speaking of which, Thud! has one of the best endings of any Discworld book. One thing I love about the Discworld series is how Pratchett evolves the world with every book. And the events at the end of this one shake up the status quo with great aplomb. Absolutely brilliant.

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New Elliot Smith songs online!

Elliot Smith commited suicide on this very day, 2 years ago. He was one of the very best singer-songwriters in America, writing songs that were haunting, lyrical and very very beautiful. Celebrate the music of this late, great musician by downloading this set of 22 unreleased songs by him that were leaked online last week. The track 'New Disaster' is particularly stands out for me.

Edit: And there's more! The blog The Rawking Refuses To Stop! has a compilation of live performances from Elliot Smith's album From A Basement On The Hill available in a link on this post. Download it and share it with all your friends! Spread the Elliot Smith love!

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I Aten't Dead

Well!

I've been keeping busy of late. Been working on loads and loads of school projects. It's been hectic, but pretty darned fun too! No time for a proper post but here's a few of the media I've been consuming lately:

TV:
Densha Otoko (Train Man)- a very cool Japanese TV series based on the most fascinating Internet phenomenon I've heard of in years. This warrants it's own longish post sometime in the future!

Eureka Seven- new anime by the director of Rahxephon. It's got robots who surf through the air. Very nice.

Music:
Goldfrapp's Supernature- A very sexy album indeed.

Sigur Ros's Takk- Absolutely beautiful new album from the Icelandic band. The 1st single Glosoli is a masterpiece. It's got a great, GREAT video too!

Kate Bush's The Kick Inside, The Dreaming and Hounds of Love- I lament never having heard of this lady before! Pure class, this. Some of the finest pop music I've ever heard.

Harvey Danger's Little by Little- What an awesome rock album! And you can download it free on their site! I love you, Harvey Danger!

Super Furry Animal's Love Kraft- I didn't quite like this at first but it's really grown on me! Good stuff, this.

Movies:

The Corpse Bride- Tim Burton's return to stop-motion animation is an absolute delight for an animation fan like me and packs a sweet story to boot! Loved it, loved it, loved it.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory- Deeeeeeeeeeeeeelicious! Danny Elfman's score and songs are out of this world!

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