Switched http://www.switched.com Switched http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.switched.com/media/feedlogo.gif Switched http://www.switched.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[The Web Turns a Bullied Boy Into a Hero]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/18/web-turns-casey-heynes-into-hero/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/18/web-turns-casey-heynes-into-hero/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/18/web-turns-casey-heynes-into-hero/#comments Casey Heynes as The Hulk A boy from Sydney, Australia has gone from victim to Internet hero practically overnight. A recently posted video shows the 16-year-old Casey Heynes absorbing abuse from a much smaller (and younger) bully before finally snapping, lifting the other boy in the air and slamming him to the concrete -- hard. The footage has made the rounds not only online, but onto mainstream media news shows in the U.S., U.K. and Australia. While the school disapproved of the retaliations and suspended both students, the "victim" has become an online hero to others who have suffered at the hands of bullies. The video has spawned a Street Fighter remix (dubbing the "hero" Little Zangief) and seen Casey turned into the Hulk by the Taiwanese computer animators at the infamous NMA News. On Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, he has been applauded for turning the tables on his tormentor.

While it's always gratifying to see someone get their comeuppance, the video makes us a tad uneasy. It's hard to ignore the fact that Casey is four years older than the bully he takes out, and almost twice his size. Sure, fighting back against constant mocking and physical assaults is an understandable impulse for many of us, but it's hard to call body-slamming a 12-year-old heroic.

Continue reading The Web Turns a Bullied Boy Into a Hero

SwitchedThe Web Turns a Bullied Boy Into a Hero originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 18 Mar 2011 06:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiaaustralia+bullyaustraliabullybullybullyingcasey heynescasey+bully+videocasey+heynes+bullycaseybullyvideoCaseyHeynescaseyheynesbullylittle zangiefLittleZangiefmemestopwebyoutubeFri, 18 Mar 2011 06:30:00 EST<![CDATA[SXSW Dispatch: Hunting the Lobster Dog]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/15/sxsw-dispatch-hunting-the-lobster-dog/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/15/sxsw-dispatch-hunting-the-lobster-dog/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/15/sxsw-dispatch-hunting-the-lobster-dog/#comments
We bring out the costume a lot. I think we wear it once a year, for Halloween. But I think this might come as a shock, but I don't think dogs like wearing clothes. I think they hate it, actually. It may be wrong to do it, but I love my dog, and if she really didn't like it, I wouldn't put her through it. We have done a hot dog. The dog's aspect ratio is 7:1, so you get all these cool costumes like hotdogs or school buses.
Dave Lewandowski, who helped design the absurdly high tech and beautiful user interfaces of 'Tron: Legacy' in 2010. However, Dave is also known as being the father to our very favorite grumpy canine in a costume, the Lobster Dog.

SwitchedSXSW Dispatch: Hunting the Lobster Dog originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 15 Mar 2011 12:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>david lewandowskiDavidLewandowskifictional user interfacesFictionalUserInterfaceslobster doglobster dogsLobsterDogLobsterDogslolzmake it soMakeItSomemessxswsxsw 2011sxsw-2011Sxsw2011toptron legacyTronLegacyTue, 15 Mar 2011 12:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Placekitten Pairs Web Design, Placeholder Pics and Pretty Kitties]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/10/placekitten-pairs-web-design-placeholder-pics-and-pretty-kittie/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/10/placekitten-pairs-web-design-placeholder-pics-and-pretty-kittie/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/10/placekitten-pairs-web-design-placeholder-pics-and-pretty-kittie/#comments Placekitten For those who design for the Web, securing a placeholder image -- a temporary picture that'll save a spot while the website is under construction -- is often a headache. On top of needing to resize hundreds of images that'll just be tossed anyway, merely locating a group of suitable pictures is a tedious task to which no self-respecting Web guru looks forward. Enter Placekitten, a simple service that lets Web pros enter in requisite dimensions and automatically generates a perfectly sized picture... of a kitten. The simple "placekitten.com/600/250" link equation makes grabbing images effortless, and adorable. The width is entered first, followed by the height. And there you have it: "aww"-inducing images, made on the fly.

Now only if Placekitten could put a furball in the most important spot: our outstretched arms, primed for kitten cuddling. (Each kitty randomly generated based on size specs, of course.)

SwitchedPlacekitten Pairs Web Design, Placeholder Pics and Pretty Kitties originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 10 Mar 2011 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>designkittenslolcatslolzmemsplaceholderplacekittentopwebweb designWebDesignThu, 10 Mar 2011 16:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Hide Ya' Kids, Hide Ya' Eyes: 'The Chronicles Of Rick Roll' Is Real]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/24/chronicles-of-rick-roll-is-real/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/24/chronicles-of-rick-roll-is-real/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/24/chronicles-of-rick-roll-is-real/#comments
You might have seen the teaser for 'The Chronicles of Rick Roll' already, and thought to yourself, "This is a really bad joke." But you'd be wrong!

The creator of the clip, Andrew Fischer of Nurv.com, told Business Insider he is very serious about making a feature-length film. He assured the publication that "the movie is not a prank," and said he's hoping for a theatrical release. Even if Fischer succeeds in getting 'The Chronicles of Rick Roll' on the big screen, we're not sold on the idea of an "epic comedy" staring viral video celebs like Antoine Dodson, Paul Vasquez, the "Numa Numa" guy, and Leroy Jenkins. Okay, maybe that's an understatement. We're terrified of this film. An hour and a half of Dodsen telling everyone to hide their kids and Vasquez getting over-excited about rainbows? Stab our eyes.

SwitchedHide Ya' Kids, Hide Ya' Eyes: 'The Chronicles Of Rick Roll' Is Real originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AntoineDodsonLeroyJenkinslolzmemesmoviesNumaNumaPaulVasquezTheChroniclesOfRickRolltopThu, 24 Feb 2011 16:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Snoop Dogg(gg), Warren G Star in Smooth New Samsung Commercial]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/24/snoop-dogg-gg-warren-g-star-in-bizarre-new-samsung-commercial/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/24/snoop-dogg-gg-warren-g-star-in-bizarre-new-samsung-commercial/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/24/snoop-dogg-gg-warren-g-star-in-bizarre-new-samsung-commercial/#comments
Samsung's new commercial for the Galaxy Indulge smartphone isn't just a commercial. It's a bona fide work of art, built around Snoop Dogg (in various iterations), Warren G, and a dating show from a bygone era. There's an overt emphasis on all the G's, a clever 'Regulate' reference, and narration from Ted Williams -- the formerly homeless man with the Golden Voice. Unfortunately, the spot ends before the contestant chooses her lucky date, but it's pretty clear that Bachelor Number Two is in pole position.

SwitchedSnoop Dogg(gg), Warren G Star in Smooth New Samsung Commercial originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 14:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisementbachelorcelebritiescellphonescommercialmemessamsungSnoopDoggTedWilliamstopWarrenGThu, 24 Feb 2011 14:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Learn Bed Intruder Basics in Gawker TV Editor's 'How to Go Viral' Class]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/23/how-to-go-viral-richard-blakeley-teaches-class/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/23/how-to-go-viral-richard-blakeley-teaches-class/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/23/how-to-go-viral-richard-blakeley-teaches-class/#comments isaiah mustafa Some say you can learn all you want about art -- technique, history, theory -- but, if you don't have that certain je ne sais quoi, your work won't be exquisite. Viral videos, perhaps, are kinda the same. So when Gawker.TV's Richard Blakeley sets out to teach a class to marketers on "how to go viral," it may be a little pointless. Sure, corporations have most certainly gotten it right, like the inimitable Old Spice Guy, but Blakeley's "six elements" for going viral seems to oversimplify something that has a tremendous amount to do with luck, the current media climate and good, old-fashioned humor. (For instance, why Isaiah Mustafa but not those grating E*TRADE baby ads?)

Still, the class only runs for an affordable $15 at New York's General Assembly. Apparently, Blakeley and the Assembly are friends, so it's safe to assume that, when the collective started offering classes, they asked the Gawker guy to explain what he knows best: Internet videos. Speaking primarily to marketers, Blakeley is hoping to teach that undefinable "x-factor" to hopefuls wanting to capture that hungry, hungry public looking for the next cool thing. Though he claims to have a sense of what can go viral, the issue is that, if there were a clear-cut path to viral videos, wouldn't every new campaign be a hit? Being self-aware and having a tiny budget does not a viral video make.

Continue reading Learn Bed Intruder Basics in Gawker TV Editor's 'How to Go Viral' Class

SwitchedLearn Bed Intruder Basics in Gawker TV Editor's 'How to Go Viral' Class originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 23 Feb 2011 15:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingclassesgawkergawker.tvgeneral assemblyGeneralAssemblyhow to go viralHowToGoViralmediamemesold spiceold spice guyOldSpiceOldSpiceGuyrichard blakelyRichardBlakelytopviral videosViralVideoswebWed, 23 Feb 2011 15:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Read This: Missing 'Two Girls, One Cup' On the New Web]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/09/read-this-death-of-web-gross-out-culture/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/09/read-this-death-of-web-gross-out-culture/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/09/read-this-death-of-web-gross-out-culture/#comments
Whatever happened to Tubgirl and Eel Girl? (If you have never seen these things, worry not!) There was also, a few years back, some website that was supposed to be the future of the Internet, devoted to tabloid play of death and destruction video. Now I can't even remember what it's called and can't even Google it up.
Choire Sicha ponders the loss of gross-out sites like Rotten.com and videos like 'Two Girls, One Cup,' and laments the absence of surprise in a cleaner, less vomit-inducing Web.

SwitchedRead This: Missing 'Two Girls, One Cup' On the New Web originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 09 Feb 2011 12:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Choire SichaChoireSichagoatsegrossmemesone cuprotten.comthe awlTheAwltoptwo girlsTwoGirlsWed, 09 Feb 2011 12:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Velvety Voiced Homeless Man Lands Viral Fame]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/01/05/homeless-ted-williams-golden-radio-voice-viral/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/05/homeless-ted-williams-golden-radio-voice-viral/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/05/homeless-ted-williams-golden-radio-voice-viral/#comments The memories of 2010's viral stars still remain fresh and frustratingly ingrained, but a 'Net newcomer named Ted Williams has arrived to help expunge any thoughts of ephemeral heroes like Antoine Dodson, Sad Keanu and the Old Spice Guy. Discovered on the side of the road by a Columbus Dispatch reporter, the homeless and gifted Williams has instantly attained iconic status.

A video detailing his story of recovery and redemption -- and demonstrating his impeccable, almost predestined radio voice -- has garnered over 5 million views in two days. (Check it out after the break.) Williams now reportedly faces an inundation of real and lucrative business propositions, including a $10,000 ad contract, a telethon appearance and even rumors of a potential deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The immediate star now reportedly has an agent, Al Battle, and could transition his love for radio into a full-time gig.

So, farewell, Basil and Rainbow Guy. While your glory may be fleeting, Williams looks like one viral star who may actually extend his 15 minutes of Web fame.

Continue reading Velvety Voiced Homeless Man Lands Viral Fame

SwitchedVelvety Voiced Homeless Man Lands Viral Fame originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>homelessmemesradioTedWilliamsTedWilliamsRadioTedWilliamsVoicetopviralViralVideosyoutubeWed, 05 Jan 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Top 10 Memes of 2010: We'd Live In Peace If We Never Saw These Again]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/12/31/top-10-memes-2010/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/31/top-10-memes-2010/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/31/top-10-memes-2010/#comments 2010 introduced us to countless new memes. But only a few were clever and culturally pervasive enough for consideration for this list. For every 'Double Rainbow' there were a dozen 'Standing Cats' and 'Salsa Dogs' that may have proved good for a quick chuckle but lacked staying power, depth and versatility. [Ed. Note: Disagree. 'Salsa Dog' is tops.] As viral videos and other Web phenomena continue to grow in cultural importance, we increasingly become a society defined by its memes. Sure, you can learn a lot about the current cultural climate by watching the news and by analyzing what movies and TV shows are popular but we think you can learn just as much, if not more, by looking at what obsessed our online masses. So, without further ado we give you the year in memes.

Continue reading Top 10 Memes of 2010: We'd Live In Peace If We Never Saw These Again

SwitchedTop 10 Memes of 2010: We'd Live In Peace If We Never Saw These Again originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 31 Dec 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>antoine dodsonAntoineDodsonBed Intruder SongBedIntruderSongdouble rainbowdouble rainbow guyDoubleRainbowDoubleRainbowGuyhggICPisaiah mustafaIsaiahMustafamemesmiraclesNMA NewsNmaNewsold spice adold spice guyOldSpiceAdOldSpiceGuysad keanuSadKeanutopTrololoTrololololololololololovuvuzelavuvuzelasXtranormalyearinreviewFri, 31 Dec 2010 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[24 Videos From 2010 That Should've Gone Viral, But Didn't]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/12/29/24-great-videos-from-2010-worth-revisiting/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/29/24-great-videos-from-2010-worth-revisiting/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/29/24-great-videos-from-2010-worth-revisiting/#comments24 videos from 2010 Everything is remixed and reblogged to death these days, so we've got very little desire to see yet another OK Go video, Old Spice riff or Double Rainbow in 2011. But, on a second look back on 2010 we picked our favorite videos that didn't necessarily go hyper viral -- the ones that warrant more than an e-mail forward or quick tweet. You'll find Zuckerberg's weirdest on-stage performance, the beginning of the Kinect hacks frenzy (as well as a few failures) and some good, ol' fashioned slo-mo camera tricks. Head after the break for 24 videos from the past 12 months we'll unearth years from now to see what a weird year it truly was.

Continue reading 24 Videos From 2010 That Should've Gone Viral, But Didn't

Switched24 Videos From 2010 That Should've Gone Viral, But Didn't originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 29 Dec 2010 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>topvideosviral videosViralVideosYearInReviewWed, 29 Dec 2010 14:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Sad Keanu, Antoine Dodson Costumes Contribute to Hallo-Meme Season]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/10/17/sad-keanu-antoine-dodson-costumes-contribute-to-hallo-meme-seas/http://www.switched.com/2010/10/17/sad-keanu-antoine-dodson-costumes-contribute-to-hallo-meme-seas/http://www.switched.com/2010/10/17/sad-keanu-antoine-dodson-costumes-contribute-to-hallo-meme-seas/#commentssad keanu and antoine dodson costumes Only two short weeks remain for indecisive Halloween revelers to prepare relevant, timely and hilarious costume conversation pieces. Fortunately, the Internet provides an unceasing slew of costume ideas, and Nerve has selected a few of the Web's trendiest memes to inspire procrastinating masqueraders.

The list includes the expected offerings of Double Rainbow Guy, Sad Keanu (with ample time left to grow a patchy Cliff "Wolfman" Claven beard) and Antoine "Bed Intruder" Dodson. The Nerve contributions even include tips for sexing-up and feminizing those already classic characters (although the eroticizing process basically just involves the addition of fishnet stockings).

Continue reading Sad Keanu, Antoine Dodson Costumes Contribute to Hallo-Meme Season

SwitchedSad Keanu, Antoine Dodson Costumes Contribute to Hallo-Meme Season originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 17 Oct 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>halloweenhalloween2010HalloweenCostumeslolzmemestopwebSun, 17 Oct 2010 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Keanu Reeves Didn't Know About 'Sad Keanu,' But Now He Does]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/10/04/keanu-reeves-didnt-know-about-sad-keanu-but-now-he-does/http://www.switched.com/2010/10/04/keanu-reeves-didnt-know-about-sad-keanu-but-now-he-does/http://www.switched.com/2010/10/04/keanu-reeves-didnt-know-about-sad-keanu-but-now-he-does/#commentsKeanu Reeves may know a lot of things, but when it comes to his online presence, he seems pretty clueless. In a recent interview with the "actor," New York Magazine's Vulture asked Reeves about his innermost thoughts on 'Sad Keanu.' The image of Keanu eating a sandwich has become a meme, complete with a ton of requisite, creatively photoshopped versions. Reeves, perhaps not surprisingly, had no idea of what it was. Eventually, though, New York Magazine's Logan Hill explained the phenomenon to Keanu (although it took a while), and he seemed to be amused, saying, "Oh, that's funny. So they like take paparazzi pictures and re-contextualize them? Funny."

Reeves went on to point out that "when you think of how bad that stuff can go, ['Sad Keanu'] sounds like a pretty good clean fun one to have happening." Which, if you think about it, is very true -- and kinda 'sad.'

SwitchedKeanu Reeves Didn't Know About 'Sad Keanu,' But Now He Does originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 04 Oct 2010 12:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actorInternetinterviewkeanuKeanuReeveslolzmemesmoviesphotosphotoshopsadSadKeanutopMon, 04 Oct 2010 12:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Twitter TV: CBS Buys Show Based on 'Don't Tell Steve' Account]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/09/28/twitter-tv-cbs-buys-show-based-on-dont-tell-steve-account/http://www.switched.com/2010/09/28/twitter-tv-cbs-buys-show-based-on-dont-tell-steve-account/http://www.switched.com/2010/09/28/twitter-tv-cbs-buys-show-based-on-dont-tell-steve-account/#commentsdon't tell steve '$#*! My Dad Says,' as we predicted, is probably the worst show on network television. As it turns out, though, the show's painfully flat series premiere hasn't discouraged CBS from pursuing another show based entirely on a comedic Twitter account.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the network has now inked a script deal to produce a new series based on the Twitter account @shhhdontellsteve, a handle that provides semi-amusing stories about one man's roommate. The new show will reportedly be produced by CBS TV Studios and Katalyst, a production company owned by Twitter aficionado Ashton Kutcher. Kutcher and his team of executive producers, of course, will still have to come up with a convincing pilot before the show gets the green light, and constructing a compelling script around bro-centric one-liners certainly seems like a challenge. But, after some 12.5 million viewers tuned in for the premiere of '$#*! My Dad Says,' CBS must feel confident that people actually want to watch a Twitter-themed program -- regardless of how terrible it is.

SwitchedTwitter TV: CBS Buys Show Based on 'Don't Tell Steve' Account originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 28 Sep 2010 09:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AshtonKutcherCBSDontTellSteveShitMyDadSaysSocialNetworkingtoptvTvShowstwitterWilliamShatnerTue, 28 Sep 2010 09:20:00 EST<![CDATA[helveticaBOMB: Heartsick Sentiments and Random Photos]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/09/13/helveticabomb-heartsick-sentiments-and-random-photos/http://www.switched.com/2010/09/13/helveticabomb-heartsick-sentiments-and-random-photos/http://www.switched.com/2010/09/13/helveticabomb-heartsick-sentiments-and-random-photos/#commentsscreenshot from helvetica bomb Do you love those Tumblrs, filled with photos of broken wine glasses and rain-spattered window panes, that concede breathless phrases like, "without you, forever i am lost"? Well, Web app helveticaBOMB will aid your Photoshop poetry by choosing a random snapshot from its database for your stricken slogans. You could try being funny, too; it's allegedly an "experiment in interaction." Helvetica bombs away!

SwitchedhelveticaBOMB: Heartsick Sentiments and Random Photos originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 13 Sep 2010 15:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>helveticaHelveticaBombtoptumblrwebMon, 13 Sep 2010 15:50:00 EST<![CDATA['Pac-Man' Chomps on Humans in Guillaume Reymond's Reenactment]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/09/11/artist-films-live-action-pac-man-reenactment/http://www.switched.com/2010/09/11/artist-films-live-action-pac-man-reenactment/http://www.switched.com/2010/09/11/artist-films-live-action-pac-man-reenactment/#commentsWe can't tell what's more endearingly bizarre: French-Swiss artist Guillaume Reymond's freeze-frame, live-action game of 'Pac-Man,' or the game's 8-bit sound effects mimicked in a French accent. Head after the break, and decide for yourself.

Continue reading 'Pac-Man' Chomps on Humans in Guillaume Reymond's Reenactment

Switched'Pac-Man' Chomps on Humans in Guillaume Reymond's Reenactment originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 11 Sep 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gaminggeekguillaumereymondpac-manpacmantopvideogamesSat, 11 Sep 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[YouTube Stars and Hasbro Team Up With 'Trivial Pursuit: Bet You Know It']]>http://www.switched.com/2010/09/09/youtube-stars-and-hasbro-team-up-with-trivial-pursuit-bet-you/http://www.switched.com/2010/09/09/youtube-stars-and-hasbro-team-up-with-trivial-pursuit-bet-you/http://www.switched.com/2010/09/09/youtube-stars-and-hasbro-team-up-with-trivial-pursuit-bet-you/#comments'trivial pursuit: bet you know it' Among nerdier interests, your writer is very much a fan of Trivial Pursuit. (What other activity would demand the entirely pointless knowledge that Dr. Pepper debuted at the Louisiana Purchase Exhibition in 1904? Sadly, none.) Game-maker Hasbro has lately been working its way into the digital realm (notably with the buggy and entirely underwhelming iPhone version of Pursuit), and its most recent venture is a partnership with YouTube, which pits the knowledge of Internet users against the creators of classic video memes in a Web-based game called Trivial Pursuit: Bet You Know It.

Used as an advertising plug for the new version of the Pursuit board game, Bet You Know It asks users three questions, in series, as they try to rack up "chips" for the 'The People.' You then use those chips to bet against meme-makers like Tay Zonday and the Numa Numa guy, gaining points for The People if you correctly guess whether or not the particular Web-celebrity knows the answer to a question.

Continue reading YouTube Stars and Hasbro Team Up With 'Trivial Pursuit: Bet You Know It'

SwitchedYouTube Stars and Hasbro Team Up With 'Trivial Pursuit: Bet You Know It' originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gameshasbroTimeWastertimewasterstoptriviatrivial pursuitTrivialPursuitwebyoutubeThu, 09 Sep 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA['Cache Rules Everything Around Me': A GIF Mashup by Evan Roth]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/09/09/cache-rules-everything-around-me-a-gif-mashup-by-evan-roth/http://www.switched.com/2010/09/09/cache-rules-everything-around-me-a-gif-mashup-by-evan-roth/http://www.switched.com/2010/09/09/cache-rules-everything-around-me-a-gif-mashup-by-evan-roth/#comments'cache rules everything around me' 3-D graffiti tech pioneer Evan Roth has gone back to 2-D with 10 minutes of animated GIFs, set to a mix of Girl Talk tracks and called 'Cache Rules Everything Around Me.' A music video that recalls both YTMND and 4Chan, but with a danceable beat, 'Cache' references classic GIF memes alongside the more obscure. Revolutionary? No. But a tasty pop culture soup, most definitely.

Continue reading 'Cache Rules Everything Around Me': A GIF Mashup by Evan Roth

Switched'Cache Rules Everything Around Me': A GIF Mashup by Evan Roth originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animated gifAnimatedGifevan rothEvanRothgifsgirl talkGirlTalktopThu, 09 Sep 2010 11:45:00 EST<![CDATA[ESPN Ad Pokes Fun at Ole Miss Admiral Ackbar Mascot Campaign]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/09/08/espn-ad-pokes-fun-at-ole-miss-admiral-ackbar-mascot-campaign/http://www.switched.com/2010/09/08/espn-ad-pokes-fun-at-ole-miss-admiral-ackbar-mascot-campaign/http://www.switched.com/2010/09/08/espn-ad-pokes-fun-at-ole-miss-admiral-ackbar-mascot-campaign/#commentsAdmiral Ackbar Campaign While the University of Mississippi students' campaign to elect Admiral Ackbar as the school's new mascot has been squashed, ESPN isn't ready to let the rebellion die. The sports network recently filmed a commercial featuring students lobbying for and against the Star Wars Supreme Commander. "We are in need of a new Rebel leader," one student pleads. However, Lucasfilm claims Ackbar is too busy "fighting evil forces in another galaxy."

Continue reading ESPN Ad Pokes Fun at Ole Miss Admiral Ackbar Mascot Campaign

SwitchedESPN Ad Pokes Fun at Ole Miss Admiral Ackbar Mascot Campaign originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 08 Sep 2010 09:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AdmiralAckbarcommercialespnfunnymemesmoviessportsStarWarstopWed, 08 Sep 2010 09:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Double Rainbow Guy Shills for Microsoft]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/09/02/double-rainbow-guy-shills-for-microsoft/http://www.switched.com/2010/09/02/double-rainbow-guy-shills-for-microsoft/http://www.switched.com/2010/09/02/double-rainbow-guy-shills-for-microsoft/#commentsDouble Rainbow Guy After Paul "Bear" Vasquez went viral with his rather enthusiastic response to seeing a "double rainbow all the way across the sky," we thought he would quietly fade back into obscurity. Even after The Gregory Brothers autotuned Bear's wonderment within an inch of its life to create one minute and 30 seconds of accidental pop brilliance, there was no reason to expect that, two months later, we'd still be talking about him. But the team at Windows Live Photo Gallery thought the former cage fighter was a perfect match for a video to promote its panorama stitch feature. Check out the video after the jump in which Bear, with significantly less enthusiasm, marvels at yet another double rainbow, then snaps three pictures of the refracted light and combines them to create a single panoramic image that captures the entire rainbow. While we might not be free of the nature lover's ramblings just yet, this video does make one thing clear: Bear won't be making the leap to acting anytime soon.

Continue reading Double Rainbow Guy Shills for Microsoft

SwitchedDouble Rainbow Guy Shills for Microsoft originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>double rainbowDoubleRainbowmicrosofttopwindowswindows livewindows live photo galleryWindowsLiveWindowsLivePhotoGalleryThu, 02 Sep 2010 12:06:00 EST<![CDATA[NSFW Haven Chatroulette Getting a Redesign?]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/08/23/nsfw-haven-chatroulette-getting-a-redesign/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/23/nsfw-haven-chatroulette-getting-a-redesign/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/23/nsfw-haven-chatroulette-getting-a-redesign/#commentsscreenshot from a chatroulette cam session Andrey Ternovskiy, creator of the infamous Chatroulette, has taken down his site. Perhaps due to the pervasive presence of penii on the cam-sharing network, Ternovskiy writes, "The experiment #1 is over for now. Thanks for participating - Redesigned and updated version of the website will be launched tomorrow." (With fewer phalli?) Shawn Fanning, creator of Napster and CR adviser, has also reportedly cut ties with the company. Curious.

SwitchedNSFW Haven Chatroulette Getting a Redesign? originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 23 Aug 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>andrey ternovskiyAndreyTernovskiychatChatRouletteredesignshawn fanningShawnFanningtopwebwebcamMon, 23 Aug 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Auto-Tuned Accidental Singer Antoine Dodson Hits the Billboard Hot 100]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/08/21/auto-tuned-accidental-singer-antoine-dodson-hits-the-billboard-h/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/21/auto-tuned-accidental-singer-antoine-dodson-hits-the-billboard-h/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/21/auto-tuned-accidental-singer-antoine-dodson-hits-the-billboard-h/#commentsAntoine Dodson and The Gregory Brothers If you don't know who Antoine Dodson is, and haven't heard the 'Bed Intruder' song, you've been missing out. We don't have time for a full recap, so catch up by checking out Antoine's original appearance on the Web, thanks to his on-camera rant about a man who attacked his sister. The over-the-top tirade was ready-made for memedom. But things really took off when the Gregory Brothers, the quartet behind Autotune the News, got their melodically inclined mitts on the clip, and turned it into three-and-a-half minutes of pure (accidental) pop brilliance.

Since landing on iTunes earlier this month, the 'Bed Intruder Song' has sold tens of thousands of copies, climbed the iTunes charts, and even entered the Billboard Hot 100. The song reached number 89 on the Billboard charts this week, surprising everyone -- even its creators. To our knowledge, this is the first viral video-inspired track (and really, a viral video in and of itself) to enter the pop charts. It's a legitimate Web sensation that has inspired numerous cover versions, including this incredible marching band version.

Continue reading Auto-Tuned Accidental Singer Antoine Dodson Hits the Billboard Hot 100

SwitchedAuto-Tuned Accidental Singer Antoine Dodson Hits the Billboard Hot 100 originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 21 Aug 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>antoine dodsonAntoineDodsonautotune the newsAutotuneTheNewsgregory brothersGregoryBrothersSat, 21 Aug 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[As Dems Seek 'Macaca' Vids and Whitman FAILs, We Want Politicians Off Our Memes]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/06/30/as-dems-seek-macaca-vids-and-whitman-fails-we-want-politician/http://www.switched.com/2010/06/30/as-dems-seek-macaca-vids-and-whitman-fails-we-want-politician/http://www.switched.com/2010/06/30/as-dems-seek-macaca-vids-and-whitman-fails-we-want-politician/#commentsFiled under: ,

Meg Whitman fail squaredSince President Obama's campaign for the Oval Office began back in 2007, we've known that politicians have been made aware of this whole Internet thing, and have found that it can be a useful tool for spreading their truths, half-truths and lies. We've written recently about Obama's new iPhone app, and even how the septuagenarian Senator Ike Skelton has taken to the "Twitters" (Obama's coinage) in anticipation of election season. Powers that be and aspiring politicos alike are infiltrating and even co-opting every aspect of online culture, including our beloved memes.

Modern American campaigns are no longer built on policies or platforms, but rely instead on attacking one's opponent hard and fast. And what's the best way to tap into the mindset of hip, young, would-be voters? Why, just latch onto the touchstones of Internet culture to sway their short attention spans. Take Republican Meg Whitman, California gubernatorial candidate and former eBay CEO, as a prime example. Her campaign is currently under fire by none other than FAIL Blog and The Cheezburger Network, accusing her of appropriating their "'FAIL' in Impact font under silly picture" format for a video spot against Jerry Brown.

Continue reading As Dems Seek 'Macaca' Vids and Whitman FAILs, We Want Politicians Off Our Memes

SwitchedAs Dems Seek 'Macaca' Vids and Whitman FAILs, We Want Politicians Off Our Memes originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AccountabilityProjectBarackObamaBenHuhCheezburgerNetworkDemocraticNationalCommitteefailFailBloggaffesGeorgeAllenGeorgeW.BushicanhascheezburgerJerryBrownJoeBidenmacacaMegWhitmanmemesMicheleBachmannmidtermelectionspoliticsRahmEmanuelSarahPalintopyoutubeWed, 30 Jun 2010 08:45:00 EST<![CDATA[BBC: Horse-Boy Google Street View Web Gimmick Is Important News]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/06/26/bbc-horse-boy-google-street-view-web-gimmick-is-important-news/http://www.switched.com/2010/06/26/bbc-horse-boy-google-street-view-web-gimmick-is-important-news/http://www.switched.com/2010/06/26/bbc-horse-boy-google-street-view-web-gimmick-is-important-news/#commentsFiled under: ,

Who is Horse-Boy? Internet mystery! You can debate your iamwhoiams all night, but Horse-Boy is a true conundrum. How do we know? Why, the BBC told us so.

Britain's biggest news organization is baffled by Horse-Boy, a shadowy figure dressed in what could only be described as a perplexingly purple button-down shirt, who has a horse's head in his human head's place, and has made surprise appearances on Google Street View in Aberdeen. Is it just a man in a mask? We're not sure, since the BBC found one intrepid commentator who casts doubt on Horse-Boy's humanity: "Horse boy isn't a person," says Gareth Remblance. "It's a cheap mask." Dear God, horse masks have come to life in Scotland.

Continue reading BBC: Horse-Boy Google Street View Web Gimmick Is Important News

SwitchedBBC: Horse-Boy Google Street View Web Gimmick Is Important News originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 26 Jun 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vuvuzela bunnies
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In celebration of... well, we're not sure what exactly (perhaps to raise awareness of migraine sufferers), Google has added a vuvuzela button to YouTube. Just click the soccer ball icon to overlay a loop of the blaring World Cup staples over almost any video on the site. It's great for transforming seemingly harmless clips (of bunnies staring, for instance) into terrifying, Stanley Kubrick-esque sequences. If you want to add the horns to non-video content, there is always Vuvuzela Time, which puts an image of a horn-blowing man and a loop of the bee-like din over any webpage (like this one). We're still quite amazed at how quickly vuvuzelas went from interesting cultural curiosity to over-saturated meme. [From: Mashable]

Continue reading Add Vuvuzelas to Almost Anything Online, Even YouTube

SwitchedAdd Vuvuzelas to Almost Anything Online, Even YouTube originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 24 Jun 2010 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>footballgooglememememessoccersportstopvideovuvuzelawebworld cupworld cup 2010WorldCupWorldCup2010WorldCupSouthAfricayoutubeThu, 24 Jun 2010 11:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Know Your Meme Educates Users About Fair Use]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/05/01/know-your-meme-educates-users-about-fair-use/http://www.switched.com/2010/05/01/know-your-meme-educates-users-about-fair-use/http://www.switched.com/2010/05/01/know-your-meme-educates-users-about-fair-use/#commentsFiled under:

Know Your Meme Educates Users About Fair Use
Normally, Know Your Meme spends its time explaining the latest viral phenomena sweeping the Web. But Thursday, the site dedicated an episode of its Web video series to protecting the future of memes by explaining how to defend yourself against a YouTube takedown under Fair Use.

Fair Use allows for limited, unlicensed inclusion of copyrighted material in other works for the purposes of commentary, criticism, news reporting or education. In light of the recent takedown of mashups based on the German film 'Downfall' about Hitler's final days in power, Know Your Meme and the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) have embarked on a campaign to educate the public about Fair Use and how to fight back against wrongful removal of your content.

Continue reading Know Your Meme Educates Users About Fair Use

SwitchedKnow Your Meme Educates Users About Fair Use originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 01 May 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>effElectronic Frontier FoundationElectronicFrontierFoundationfair useFairUseknow your memeKnowYourMemememememesTakeDowntopwebSat, 01 May 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[LOLCats, a Storied History Spanning a Century]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/12/09/lolcats-a-storied-history-spanning-a-century/http://www.switched.com/2009/12/09/lolcats-a-storied-history-spanning-a-century/http://www.switched.com/2009/12/09/lolcats-a-storied-history-spanning-a-century/#commentsFiled under:

Gather around, all you Internet wanderers, for a little story of a cat and a cheezburger. Once upon a time, a young entrepreneur took a fat gray cat and put, in a sans serif font like Arial or Impact, the words "I CAN HAZ CHEEZBURGER." Thus, a meme was born. But, as Mental Floss points out, the world of laughter and cats has been closely intertwined since the turn of the century. The gray cat, since dubbed 'Happy Cat,' was posted in early 2007, but image board troublemakers 4Chan started Cat Saturdays (known as Caturday) -- a day to post ridiculous pictures of cats to offset the depravity of the site -- around 2005. Though not a feline, Oolong the Bunny was discovered in 2000, spurring the hilarious meme, "I have no idea what you are talking about, so here's a picture of a bunny with a pancake on his head."

Despite the mockingly hilarious Laugh-Out-Loud cats (and their made-up history dating them to 1912-1913), Mental Floss has pointed out an early, real LOLcat that appeared in a 1929 issue of Parents Magazine. The image depicts a histrionic cat "laughing" with the caption, "Ha, Ha, Ha, It must be so!" The idea behind the photograph was to have it hang in the nursery, effectively terrifying children away from ever owning felines. While 1929 seems like a long time ago to be LOLing at cats, photographer Harry Whittier Frees, says Neatorama, took small animals and dressed them up in ridiculous clothes as early as 1903. Employed by Rotograph, a popular postcard company, Frees often added his own captions, like "How's the weather out?" or "What's delaying my dinner?" (Too bad cheeseburgers weren't even invented then!). As Frees, erm, matured, he created more costumes and relied less on punchlines, which can be seen in his later, William Wegman-style work. It seems his most LOL-worthy material was produced between 1903-1906, before he turned into a creepy cat person.

Continue reading LOLCats, a Storied History Spanning a Century

SwitchedLOLCats, a Storied History Spanning a Century originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 09 Dec 2009 09:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CatshistoryhumorLOLlolcatsmemememesphotographytopWed, 09 Dec 2009 09:20:00 EST<![CDATA['Keyboard Cat' Spreading Painful Hilarity Across the Web]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/05/25/keyboard-cat-spreading-painful-hilarity-across-the-web/http://www.switched.com/2009/05/25/keyboard-cat-spreading-painful-hilarity-across-the-web/http://www.switched.com/2009/05/25/keyboard-cat-spreading-painful-hilarity-across-the-web/#commentsFiled under:



During our quest to stay abreast of the latest Web memes -- and to break up the doldrums of your day with some comic relief -- it has been impossible to ignore the explosion of "Play him off, keyboard cat" videos. If you're not familiar with this cute little virtuoso, keyboard cat interrupts awkward and painful moments with some sweet, jazzy piano riffs. The original video was created by Brad O'Farrell, using an old clip from graphic designer Charlie Schmidt. Inspired by O'Farrell's creation, YouTube users everywhere have taken to crafting their own videos featuring the feline sensation.

Continue reading 'Keyboard Cat' Spreading Painful Hilarity Across the Web

Switched'Keyboard Cat' Spreading Painful Hilarity Across the Web originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 25 May 2009 13:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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For those who don't follow Internet trends, 'meme' refers to an idea or joke that becomes widely popular on the Internet, especially once it spreads to non-Internet-savvy groups, such as politicians. Some notable recent memes include RickRoll, LOLCats, Chuck Norris "facts" and pretty much any video of an annoying kid doing something ridiculous on YouTube. The latest meme-du-jour, or flavor of the day? Bacon.

A recent story in The Los Angeles Times investigates the smorgasbord of bacon-related products inundating the Web, including: an alarm clock perfect for TV boss Michael Scott, iPhone carrying cases, and even a bacon bra. Some of the ideas seem like extreme experiments in self-control, or torture. For example, the bacon lampshade sounds delicious, especially once the heat from the bulb starts warming up the pork, resulting in an irresistible aroma wafting throughout the house. Mmmmm, bacon.

Seeking to explain bacon mania, Mark Milian of the L.A. Times approached several industry insiders for help. One, Bonny Giardina, a chef instructor for the Hipcook school in L.A., explained, "Everything tastes better with bacon," adding that even vegetarians "always say 'The hardest thing I have to gIve up.. is bacon'". But, why? Mr. Baconpants, a commenter on the original article, nails it, in our humble opinion. He says, "[The] reason that bacon is so popular is because almost everyone LOVES bacon. And since we are living in a time where healthy eating is almost government mandated people want to rebel. Bacon is our symbol of freedom in the fight to eat what we want." Give us bacon, or give us death!

Continue reading Bacon Craze Latest 'Meme' to Sweep the Web

SwitchedBacon Craze Latest 'Meme' to Sweep the Web originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 05 Apr 2009 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The popular Web site 4chan was started by a 15-year-old boy in his Long Island bedroom, and continues to be used by 15-year-old boys in their Long Island bedrooms. Boobie pics and skeevy comments are rampant on the site, cuz, well, boys will be boys. And they'll be even pervier cloaked in 4chan's total Internet anonymity (unlike other sites, such as MySpace and Gawker, 4chan does not require that any personal info be divulged in order to post comments, not even a bogus e-mail address).

Site founder Christopher Poole began 4chan as a simple message board for text and images and hoped to use it as a forum for sharing Japanese manga paraphernalia.

But unexpectedly, 4chan is responsible for much more than the viral posting of nudie pictures and anime. The site has been credited with spawning a plurality of Internet memes and many concepts that advertisers are trying to harness for campaigns.

J.I.C. -- 'Meme' is basically 'Net-speak for 'trend,' and describes such sundries as the infamous LOLcats, (cute pictures of cats with weird misspelled captions) and 'Rick Rolling' (where someone sends you a link to an "amazing" video which turns out to be Rick Astley's 1988 hit "Never Gonna Give You Up,") and viral videos.

Experts are impressed with the proliferation of memes from the lo-fi site, which features a simple layout and aesthetic that harkens back to the early days of the Internet. Despite 4chan's notoriety, it remains, in the words of the Wall Street Journal, a "modest operation" compared to other golden-goose startups. Apparently the site's junior-high slumber party atmosphere, while encouraging creativity, has frightened off advertisers, who don't want their adverts posted next to D.I.Y. porn and other potentially controversial content. Ironically, while advertisers are seizing on to the cleaner memes and whatnot borne from 4chan, Christopher Poole still has just one employee, who, he says "makes more money than I do."

Though Poole would not divulge his 4chan earnings, and is definitely no Mark Zuckerberg, we're still sure he makes more money than us. [Source: WSJ]

SwitchedAd Agencies Run to Saucy Lo-Fi Web Site for Hip Ideas originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 11 Jul 2008 10:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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