- Russia bans Scientology and L. Ron Hubbard – “After some individuals in Siberia—literally, Siberia!—received Hubbard’s books and videos, customs officials sent the titles to psychologists, who agreed that the works should be criminalized on the basis that they contained “ideas justifying violence in general and in particular any means of opposing critics of Scientology.—
- Scary robot helps deaf people to speak – From Emerson.
- Protect your precious bodily fluids – A piece on my local news about one of our local anti-flouridation group leaders.
- Seeking: designer for deeply spiritual website – Clients From Hell features someone who thinks their web designer is from hell. From Chasmosaur.
- Cute Animal Friday! Have you ever noticed how adorable bats are? The new, fuzzy Doctor from Josh. Mark sent in these photos of Bornean wildlife.
That robot reaches into the deepest depths of the uncanny valley. I’m glad it’s helping people to make up for its creepiness.
Ugh, give me sign language any day of the week over that thing. (Yes, I know, early stages etc.)
The fuzzy Doctor is my new favorite Doctor.
I have always loved bats. Our house totems are bats and cheetahs. [Which are also cute.]
I really need a TARDIS. Not to go anywhere, mind you; just to have a place to put all the books.
When the *Russians* say you’re too repressive, it’s time to take a step back…
Is everyone getting a scientology.org banner ad at the end of the Client from Hell story, or just me?
I have never understood my sister’s fascination with guinea pigs until this moment.
Fluoride propaganda – This is not a story about a conspiracy theorist, it is a study on how not to do reporting. CT nut (CTN) says fluoride is toxic, causes multiple diseases, causes cancer, and “multiple studies accumulated over the decades” back him up.
ADA & CDC say fluoride in tap water is perfectly safe, has been awarded “one of the great health achievements of the 20th century”, and CTN is making this up.
CTN replies that lots of science supports his position, and some dentists (his) agree with him, therefore the opinion that its safe is NOT unanimous.
Fox News conclusion: I guess we’ll never know who is right!
Not ONCE did they ask any one to back up their claims for science or “studies” that support them. They treat claims of science and studies as opinions, and therefore everyone is equally entitled to them.
@Bjornar:
No Scientology for me. Off to the side, I got Living Hope Church in Colorado Springs (where my ISP address is located) and “Jesus loves you” at the bottom.
Clients from Hell story: Client: â€I see. No, we need a designer who is…you know, not in league with the devil.â€
Best line ever.
Those accursed evil psycho-devils have struck out against insanitology yet again.
Wow. Matt Smith just got the damn role, and he’s already let himself go. He’s not even wearing his tie. Shave, man!
All the best web designers are from Hell.
That’s why the layouts are so devilishly clever.
Devil’s food cake is more delicious than Angel Food cake for a reason, people.
Of course the scary talking bot is from Japan. This is also the country that produced a robotic teacher who brainwashes human children . That and a few more: http://www.fusionfilter.com/?p=96
There’s also Morgui, who was banned from the presence of children: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2003/jul/17/highereducation.science
I could talk about creepy bots all day.
And OMG the bat holding a baby bottle!!!!
it’s like Japan is under the misconception that robots have to be a Faustian bargain. they are insanely useful and well made….but have the price of causing nightmares. Does every robotocist in Japan have the last name Farnsworth?
@k-rex: Separated at birth, anyone? Morgui looks a lot like Geoff Peterson, the Robot Skeleton Sidekick on the Craig Ferguson show.
Yikes. That bot is a lip-reader’s nightmare. Since the video was lacking captions, I thought I’d provide a transcript. Here’s what the speech bot has to say:
ba-buh-uah-buh-ba-BAH-bu-bup-bup-bup-BAH-buh-buh-ba-AH-ah-uh-uh-ah-AU-m-uhuh-ah-AH-uh-uh-ah-AH
Fortunately, we Deaf people have better things to say in sign languages which are also a lot more attractive to look at. Language is not synonymous with speech.
@Amberjoy:
That doesn’t mean this isn’t a valid way to go about things.
@Bjornar: I got Christian Lifestyle.com, with a picture of SallyzLove, a woman looking for a man. Pretty face, but no boobies (in the picture).
@Amberjoy:
That is exactly what the robot was saying. It wasn’t supposed to be speaking, just making human-like sounds. It’s not advanced enough to speak yet. Actually, the sounds were creepy as hell, too.
I don’t think the point is to replace sign language, just to help people who are working on vocal speech. The article wasn’t really clear on how it’s supposed to do that, though.