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The Museum of Sex... coming soon to Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, its first exhibition to be NYC Sex: How NYC Transformed Sex in America, including many items from private collections that have never been shown anywhere else. {more inside}
posted by dhartung at 11:11 PM PST - 6 comments

Microsoft has designed a Windows XP patch that will trick computers into behaving as though IE, Outlook Express, and Messenger aren't there, though not removing them, per the requirements of its antitrust settlement. They demonstrated a working version to the AP yesterday. Oh yeah, and they're releasing it as a 40 megabyte download. In August. And it's other primary function will be to potentially sabotage the operating system. Good ol' Microsoft.
posted by gsteff at 9:52 PM PST - 14 comments

Kazaa and related filesharing companies are breathing their last breath [nytimes link, reg required] as legal fees overwhelm the "start up" companies. the riaa again seems to be succeeding in shutting down file sharing companies by simply tying them up in court for so long that their funds dry up. but, as the 2nd generation of filesharing goes the way of napster hope rises in the rumors that the technology behind kazaa and others has been sold.
posted by sixtwenty3dc at 8:11 PM PST - 8 comments

FBI orders ISP to remove Daniel Pearl murder video
The video [not work safe, or even home safe] that surfaced shortly after his death has been targeted by the FBI for removal on the internet, apparently using the 1996 federal obscenity law. Anyone want a Bonsai Kitten or a Y2K Video also? The Editors Note speaks volumes: After this story was edited, FBI spokeswoman Sandra Carroll called Wired News to say the bureau was merely giving advice to websites hosting the Pearl video -- and was not threatening prosecution.
posted by plemeljr at 8:02 PM PST - 48 comments

Finally some more news about Orson Scott Card's book Ender's Game, and the plans to make it into a movie. Obviously I do have the fear that they'll make it suck - but if they do a good job with this, I'll be more excited about it than any movie I've seen in years!
posted by twiggy at 4:55 PM PST - 42 comments

Give it away now. Salon article on cd-music seller FightCloud.com, which gives CDs away "free" but is profitable. How? By charging a $4.95 "shipping fee". Nevertheless, because of the extremely low cost to produce CDs, an estimated $2.64 of that shipping fee is net profit, which is then split 50/50 with the artist. While FightCloud is a small independent company, is this model something that will eventually challenge the big labels to either change or be eclipsed?
posted by hincandenza at 4:52 PM PST - 10 comments

Britney Spears. How do I spell thee? Let me count the ways...
posted by srboisvert at 2:13 PM PST - 19 comments

Ex-Klansman Bobby Frank Cherry sentenced to life in prison for the Sept. 15, 1963, bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama. Few things bring a smile to my face like a hateful old racist terrorist getting sent off to spend the rest of his days as a prison wife.
posted by Ty Webb at 1:36 PM PST - 32 comments

Can dropping out of school be a good career move? According to Fabula magazine some teenagers can thrive if they leave state education and endeavor to teach themselves at home. This is 'unschooling' and the writer seems to think it's becoming an increasingly popular way to go: "Unschoolers can read what they want, volunteer, do internships, or become an apprentice. The can also write a novel, tackle advanced math problems, go on hikes, or even audit classes in college (which are very different from high school classes). The point is to do whatever they’re excited about." Which sounds fine in theory, however how are they going to survive in the job market? I'm having enough issues and I've a degree and six years experience in a number of positions. Sooner or later surely things will come home to roost for them eventually. Won't they?
posted by feelinglistless at 12:37 PM PST - 41 comments

Video games for your kitty "Cyberpounce - The world's one and only computer cat toy!" Cat lovers take note.
posted by betobeto at 12:36 PM PST - 7 comments

No More Malaria? The first step has been taken to making mosquitoes incapable of passing on malaria. But, should we?
posted by Irontom at 11:51 AM PST - 22 comments

Giving telemarketers a taste of their own medicine. It seems too good to be true, but Tom Mabe is managing to make money by messing with their minds. His tormenting even extends to the web. His page is currently the top result on a Google for telemarketers, which is likely a thorn in their side. He's thought up some great responses to use when for some strange reason you just can't hang up the phone. Besides saying you're dead, what have you said to get rid of them?
posted by jaden at 10:47 AM PST - 62 comments

Pen Spinning was cool, but now there's ZippoTricks!
posted by TuxHeDoh at 10:40 AM PST - 12 comments

Very cool artwork made out of pieces of toast of various done-ness. "The toaster toasts and when it does this it reproduces itself." If I had a nickel for every time I made that observation. (via Bifurcated Rivets)
posted by luser at 10:29 AM PST - 8 comments

CA Earthquake forecast... Apparently, the earthquake that Matt felt recently had been forecast by a group of scientists with a new predictive modelling method. That particular earthquake was just on the edge of their confidence interval, but four other recent earthquakes fell well within the predicted boundaries.
posted by SpecialK at 9:43 AM PST - 8 comments

Coming soon to a supermarket checkout lane near you -- E Ink Corporation's "Ink in Motion" displays will look like a piece of cardboard (like the back of a chewing gum display box), but will flash a graphic at you. To follow: larger indoor and outdoor signage, screens on PDA devices, etc. Better angle visibility, brightness, contrast, than electronic screens; runs forever on a small battery. Comprehensive and informative site about technology that has gotten little attention but could revolutionize display technology, the sign business, point-of-purchase marketing, and publishing. (Previous 2001 MeFi mention in a comment but much new info.)
posted by beagle at 9:38 AM PST - 8 comments

Does privacy have a place in society anymore? Or is it incompatible with a crowded and technologically-advanced world? If we must submit to constant surveillance, who should we trust to watch?
posted by rushmc at 9:23 AM PST - 21 comments

Stanford links genius and manic depression... I feel SO much better now... (via FARK)
posted by Samizdata at 9:15 AM PST - 7 comments

Escaped Sudanese slave, Francis Bok is becoming a celebrity[WSJ sub]. He has testified before Congress. Redemption (buying) slaves is one way to set some free. But is that a scam which will encourage the slave trade? What can we do to free them all?
posted by Geo at 8:30 AM PST - 5 comments

While W is off building the case for a war against Saddam, senior military officials have serious doubts about the wisdom of a US invasion of Iraq. But they're keeping quiet because "they fear they would come out on the wrong side of Bush's eventual decision." Can you blame 'em?
posted by dack at 8:26 AM PST - 41 comments

Assistant's Revenge So she got fired! But she did get to tell her boss off in the New York Post!
posted by wsfinkel at 7:49 AM PST - 44 comments

US Army Introduces "America's Army" PC Game Developed by the U.S. Army and Department of Defense experts in simulations and virtual environments, America's Army blends two simulations: Soldiers, a role-playing portion, and a first-person action game, called Operations. The Army will distribute America’s Army for free through distribution partners that include leading computer game magazines, Army events, recruiting stations, and through internet download.
posted by Stuart_R at 7:42 AM PST - 24 comments

Outta my way, or under my wheels! According to this survey from the American Iron and Steel institute, Miami has the rudest drivers in the country. I live in Miami, and it's true. If you disagree with me, you're a slack-jawed moron.
posted by groundhog at 7:30 AM PST - 21 comments

Morel Sightings 2002 There's a fungus among us. Morels are one of the most highly sought-after, delectable wild mushrooms. Each spring, morel hunting goes into high gear in many parts of the country. This site has state-by-state reports. (mine is in MA) You can learn more about these spongy fungi here and here. If you do go out foraging for them, just remember...if you don't know it, throw it!
posted by martk at 7:07 AM PST - 14 comments

Cop a corpse for a couple of C-notes Spring is in the air, and the cadavers are in bloom; one of the more charming cottage internet industries is the production of life - er, deathlike rubber deadguys. Have a stroll through these charming storefronts, and pick a necrophiliac lovedoll of your very own.
posted by Perigee at 6:15 AM PST - 1 comments

Captain of Irish World Cup squad Keane sent home
This is big news here in Ireland. He's our best player - he keeps the team together on the pitch. But after some incidents in the past couple of days, and some prima donna style behaviour (something he's always been known for), he's been told to feck off. I think the manager did the right thing, but I can't help thinking that our chances of getting out of our group have been diminished...
posted by tomcosgrave at 6:12 AM PST - 27 comments

Does everyone have a twin lurking around somewhere? Look-A-Likes seems to think so - they hire out wannabe doppelgangers and tribute artists for all your fake celebrity needs. The resemblance is uncanny in some instances (Xena and George Michael spring to mind). And be sure to visit what I think is the first version of their site.
posted by iconomy at 6:09 AM PST - 14 comments

[this is bad] Now you can buy your way onto Filepile.
posted by johnnydark at 5:23 AM PST - 86 comments

Warwick university has banned England flags from its campus for the duration of the world cup. Does this tell us anything about tolerance, nationalism and patriotism in a multi cultural society?
posted by Fat Buddha at 4:01 AM PST - 25 comments