Peter Mychalcewycz
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Video Games, Hurricanes, and Generators -- a Toxic Trifecta
In light of their alleged emotional ramifications on children, certain video games are often labeled as "dangerous." But it turns out a number of children almost literally lost their lives last year by playing their favorite games, according to the Houston Chronicle.
Last autumn, families in areas of Texas affected by Hurricane Ike were forced indoors due to the brutal storm and its messy aftermath. In the wake of the storm, some parents turned to the one thing they knew would distract and appease their restless children: video games. The problem wasn't that the children were playing the games, though. The problem was that there was no electricity, so the gaming systems were being run by gasoline-powered generators. In case you didn't know, the improper use of generators can lead to carbon-monoxide poisoning and, ultimately, death.
A study performed by researchers at the University of Texas found that 75-percent of the children treated for carbon-monoxide poisoning had been playing video games. The good news behind this frightening statistic is that there were only nine total cases of generator-related carbon-monoxide poisoning (and that no one died). The bad news is that some people still don't understand the proper way to use a gas-powered generator. (Hint: put it outside, dude.) [From: Live Science]
Intelligent, Unmanned Boat to Attempt Trans-Atlantic Journey
Once again, a team of well-meaning scientists is giving an intelligent, autonomous robotic vessel everything it needs to take over the world. Sigh...
According to CNN, eight third-year engineering students from the university ETH Zurich in Switzerland have created a four-meter-long, carbon-fiber yacht potentially capable of piloting itself across the Atlantic Ocean. Avalon, as its creators like to call it, will use a complex array of sensors and power sources to complete its journey. If successful, the Avalon will not only be one step closer to rendering humans inconsequential, it will also set a new world record for a vessel of its type.
South African Calls Boss a "Serial Masturbator" on Facebook, Gets Fired
With so much pain and humiliation caused by Facebook around the world, we were less than shocked to hear that the cycle of embarrassment had traveled south of the Equator. According to an AFP article, hosted on Google, a South African man was recently terminated from his job after calling his boss a "serial masturbator" on Facebook. What did he think was going to happen? Did he expect a cookie and a tummy rub? Apparently, the 23-year-old wasn't a huge fan of his boss, and decided that a virtual, worldwide forum was the perfect place to vent his frustration. We have to wonder why he even bothered with the "serial masturbator" tag line. He just described half the people on Planet Earth for goodness sake (not to mention primates!).
Brothers and sisters around the world! Heed our advice! Facebook is a place to post pictures of you with beautiful people you barely know. Facebook is a place to be witty and slightly politically incorrect to people you want to impress. It is not a place to vent about people that could potentially fire you! Follow those simple guidelines and you should be just fine. [From: AFP/Google]
Colonel Sanders' Face Blurred By Google Street View on All KFCs
Apparently, the iconic face of Colonel Sanders has been blurred on every Kentucky Fried Chicken location. This gives Google some much-needed ammunition in the fight against those who believe the service invades individuals' privacy. Complaints directed toward Street View technology have been passionate, so we're sure a high profile success story like this sits well with top Google brass.
According to the Daily Telegraph, Google says it's choosing to blur Sanders' face because he is 'a real person'. Sanders, of course, died in December 1980. We're happy to see that Google is taking the privacy of individuals seriously, but there is still room for improvement. Privacy advocates contend that some individuals are still recognizable. Well, now Google can simply point to Colonel's face and say, "See...it works!" [From: Daily Telegraph]
FBI, U.S. Marshals Hit By Mystery Computer Virus
The U.S. already spends a ton of money on cybersecurity, but it may need to dig a little deeper if something like this happens again: According to the Associated Press, The FBI and the U.S. Marshals offices were forced to shut down sections of their respective networks on Thursday after they were hit by a mystery virus.
The U.S. Marshals office even had to disconnect from the Justice Department's computers as a precautionary measure. While the mysterious nature of the virus, along with its origin is a concern to both organizations, Nikki Credic, a spokesperson for the Marshals Office, said "At no time was data compromised."
We have written on the potential for cyber-terrorism before, and though the source of this virus is unknown, it will surely serve as potent reminder of the potential threats that abound in cyberspace.[Via: Fox News]
Parents Using Smartphones as Modern Day Rattles
Advances in technology have enabled humanity to achieve all sorts of amazing feats (landing on the moon, debasing oneself on YouTube, etc). Despite our long list of collective accomplishments, a new trick that's being employed by tech savvy parents might just take the cake. According to USA Today, creative (or desperate) parents are transforming their cell phones into mobile-baby-hushers. ...Girl Almost Dies Saving iPod
We all like our gadgets. Still, even though we can't imagine our morning commute without our trusty MP3 player, there's no way we're risking our lives for it. Then again, we're not 16-years old. A Tampa teenage girl was almost killed on Tuesday when she tried to save her beloved iPod from certain doom. While crossing the street, she noticed she had dropped her iPod Nano in the road. Instead of ...Toddler Accidentally Buys $12K Construction Digger Online
A New Zealand toddler gave her parents a shock (to say the least) when she purchased a $12,000 Kobelco digger on an auction Web site. According to Australian newspaper The Age, Three-year-old Pipi Quinlan woke up before the rest of her family and made her way to the family computer. After booting up Internet Explorer, Pipi navigated to an online auction site called Trade Me. Since her mother's ...iPod Earbuds: We Will Shock You
Turns out those lovable little earbuds may deliver more than pleasant sound waves. According to a support bulletin issued by Apple, the cans are a possible conduit for static electricity. The company has issued some tips to keep the voltage down--which essentially tell you to stop using the player. Among the dangerous conditions are dry or windy environments (sorry U.S. Southwest, Midwest, and ...Rolls-Royce of Wig Purifiers Kills Grody Hairpiece Bacteria
What do you get that friend/lover/boss that has everything -- except hair? Why a high-end wig cleaner of course! At $367, the Wig Purifier can only be described as the Rolls Royce of wig maintenance accessories. Simply place the hairpiece inside the handsome cabinet and allow the Wig Purifier's secret weapon (ozone particles) to do the rest. The trioxygen filtering through the chamber ...
