Is Social Media Ruining Your Social Skills?

Schools.com recently collected a bunch of findings and created the infographic you see below.

Personally, I just had the most amazing philanthropic experience on Facebook. My boss is desperate for Radiohead tickets and put up a post asking her friends if anyone had one available. Knowing what a hardcore fan she is, I clicked share (yes, Facebook has finally installed share functionality to statuses that don’t have an image, video or link attached – this was my first one!) and sent it out to my network.

Within two hours a friend of mine responded and had two tickets she needed to upload. I earned nothing from the exchange beyond the satisfaction of helping two friends out ­– not to mention getting brownie points with the boss. Needless to say, I was feeling rather warm and fuzzy afterwards.

For me: social media is one of the greatest assets to my mind, spirit and soul. I don’t think this infographic is a particularly good cross-section of society as a whole in any case…

What do you think? Has social media had a more negative or positive effect on your life?

Is Social Media making us Socially Awkward?

[By Schools.com | Via Mashable]



First Dredd 3D Movie Trailer [Video]

Here is the first trailer for Lionsgate’s Dredd, starring Karl Urban and Lena Headey. Dredd 3d will be hitting the big screen on September 21,2012.

So what’s your verdict about the trailer, geeks? Yeah or Meh?

Wake The Dragon Within

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Taken a Game of Thrones quiz to figure out your house and determined you’re a long lost cousin of Daenerys Targaryen? Feel the need to commit to the part?

Well a Seattle artisan is here to help. This epic set of dragon wings has been made with genuine leather, a wireframe structure that allows for some limited customisation of the shape, and a multi-buckled harness that will make sure your wings stay attached as you storm down the Tower of the Undying to retrieve your dragon children.

And, uh, just in case: these won’t turn you into a dragon – you will not be able to fly. Please don’t jump of buildings with these on. Perching at the edge for gargoylistic effect would be kinda cool – if it wasn’t so stupidly dangerous!

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[$199 at ThinkGeek | via GeekAlerts]



George Takei making comic appearance

George Takei has become quite the icon of popular culture these days (if you don’t already follow his Facebook page then you are seriously missing out) and so it’s no real surprise that the latest in the Archie comic spin-offs will feature a George Takei cameo.

With a history of quite classic comics, the Archie series have been on top of their game with progressive new issues and spin-offs. The character Kevin Keller has recently gained a bit of a spotlight as he married his African-American doctor boyfriend – making a statement on gay marriage equality, which is a hot topic in politics. Now with his own spin-off series, he will get to meet one of his lifelong idols, George Takei.

The idea was born when artist Dan Parent met our Star Trek hero at a conference and pitched the idea to him. Of course, George Takei was thrilled to be a feature, and I’m sure he is eagerly awaiting the issue, which is to come out in November.

[From BuzzFeed | Via The Mary Sue]

BBC Greenlights Muppets No Strings Attached

The recent film The Muppets didn’t wow the boxoffice but it did spark enough nostalgia to bring back a Muppet Show on TV.

Maybe not your TV, but the people in the UK will be treated to No Strings Attached, a Jim Henson production greenlit by the BBC. The show will be quite similar in format to the original Muppet Show with Muppet characters in a world where Muppets and humans co-exist. There will be a whole new cast of Muppets and will reportedly have two celebrity guests per episode.

There was an attempt to resurrect the Muppet Show that updated the concept called Muppets Tonight, and instead of a Vaudeville variety show the updated version was a live television variety show. The original Muppets and some new faces were introduced, and even Statler and Waldorf (the heckling old men in the balcony) were now in a nursing home, heckling the television. It only ran two seasons in ’96 to ’98, so I hope No Strings Attached does better.

No word on whether Kermit or any of the classic Muppet gang will make appearances in No Strings Attached, but as with select BBC shows, if its popular enough we might get our own version!

Via

Matt Harding is Back! Where the Hell is Matt? (2012) [Video]

Matt Harding, the guy who, back in 2005, and then later in 2008, travelled throughout the world to record himself dancing in as many country as possible is back, and this time, he adds a little variety to his dance routines. Check it out!

[Wherethehellismatt]

Hamster Band!

I’m not sure how many of you remember The Hamsterdance Song from the 90s, but it seems that the hamster world has finally moved on from 90s cheese and broken into the world of jazz.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen hamsters look so damned cute.

[Via College Humor]

Dudes: Time to Club Away the Trolls

http://vimeo.com/44117178

Isn’t it about time that we stood up and said that trolling just isn’t particularly cool? I’ve never really understood the appeal of pulling others down “just for the fun of it” without really meaning what you’re saying, anonymous or not. I figure it’s a natural evolution of the phone pranking that used to happen when the Internet wasn’t so mainstream. But has trolling taking light-hearted banter and prankstering – or even the idea of playing devils advocate – to a nasty level that just isn’t acceptable?

I’m inclined to agree with this guy, how about you?

[Via Vimeo]