Grace told IndieWire that he undertook the ambitious fan edit project in part to unwind from his newest role in Spike Lee’s BlacKkKlansman. Grace indicated that he felt stressed from having to portray white supremacist David Duke, and diving into Tolkien’s cinematic world was something of a version of therapy. (He also shared his belief that The Hobbit shouldn’t have been so greatly expanded upon for the big screen in the first place
Alright, let’s see what we have today, first up, this amazing ad from Guinness:
Also in the world of advertising, this guy spend over $1,000 on Twitter ads because an airline lost his luggage and he wanted them to actually do their job.
Russia is now moving towards forcibly taking children away from LGBT parents. At the end of the G-20 summit, when Obama met with Activists, they begged him to help get them out of the country. Things are only going to get worse as we head towards the Olympics.
Utah follows in Florida’s idiotic footsteps. Again, for those keeping score: those on public assistance are far less likely than the general public to be on drugs, stop wasting money.
And finally, a great idea for a public service campaign:
First up, need a pick-me up? Watch this crazy video. Sometimes I really miss soap operas.
Or just watch this:
Just remember, the separation of Church and State is only applicable if it’s what you want. Or something like that.
I never thought of it this way, but second amendment extremists have met their match: insurance companies.
Whoever is running the social media accounts at JCPenny is awesome:
As a reminder, Orson Scott Card, the writer of Ender’s Game, is a hateful bigot. Like, he has said that he thinks members of the LGBT community should be rounded up arrested and put in camps. But now, he wants us to forget about that, so he can make money on his new movie. Needless to say, the responses have been epic, and I won’t be seeing the movie.
And this is what happens when capitalism goes unchecked:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvA1E2MgrI4
There is a cool documentary coming out about Walt Disney trying to secure the rights to Mary Poppins, and it looks amazing. Also, Tom Hanks looks exactly like Walt Disney himself. Check it out here.
First up, if you use Chrome, check out this really fun map of the cosmos.
Here’s what I just don’t get about those who stockpile guns. I can’t imagine living life so scared of the world. And that’s what the NRA does, convince people to be afraid. And just a reminder, the NRA represents the gun makers, and works to make them money. So making the public afraid enough to stockpile guns is their goal.
Yes, I’m excited, considering Benedict continued to hide child molesters and defend them in court (see: Australia, L.A., et. al.). But I can’t imagine the next pope is suddenly going to drop the homophobic, misogynistic, anti-sex views. I’m not holding my breath. Corporate Hallucinations covers it here.
And this happened the day it was announced:
The other big news is Orson Scott Card being tapped to write a new Superman series. Card, is a very outspoken homophobic bigot (as well as hating the Jews, you know, for being Jews). He’s entitled to his opinion, and I’m entitled to not buy his comics. That’s how it works, although you’ll probably notice that the far-right complains and claims they are being harassed and victimized when the center/left does anything they disagree with. However, when someone like Card, who has been quoted saying that it should be illegal to be gay, gives tons of money to hate groups like the FRC and NOM (and is a member of their board), it’s a bit beyond his opinion and more like a crusade on his part. So excuse me as I try to protect myself. Anyway, the Gutters covers it here.
If this was a Holocaust denier or a white supremacist, there would be no question. Hiring that writer would be an embarrassment to your company. Well, [Orson Scott] Card is an embarrassment to your company, DC. And of all the characters Card could have been hired to write, you give him Superman? The character that taught me to lead by example? To do the right thing, even when it was hard? To keep going, even when it seemed hopeless? What an insult. Kids are killing themselves. They are killing themselves in a climate of intolerance and homophobia publicly fostered by people like Orson Scott Card. You don’t have to contribute to this. You shouldn’t. You mustn’t.”
In case you missed the story, a group of parents and students in Indiana wanted a “traditional Prom,” because the idea of seeing same-sex couples walk in holding hands is so repulsive to them. The school has nothing to do with it, although one of the teachers has said on camera that gay kids “serve no purpose.” The community, a local church and the school are reaching out to all kids, and you can read about the whole ordeal here.
For Stockholm Pride, their organizing committee made this web app that goes through your Twitter feed and shows you where it lies on the sexuality spectrum. Aside from giggling like I was 12 (yes, I know, sometimes I’m very immature, but it keeps me young and happy, so leave me be), I enjoyed the description, I thought it was fitting.
First up, a couple social media updates. First, the person responsible for the Red Cross’ twitter feed tweeted under that account, when he thought it was his personal account. The result actually was a ton of people pledged to donate blood with some help from Dog Fish Beer. Pretty cool to read about how a company dealt well with a faux pas.
And to follow up, Slog links to two maps: one here, the other here, to help you track the revolutions of the Middle East.
We went out last night for a friend’s birthday, and what has become somewhat of a tradition, there was a lot of Bacon on Dana’s fries. So in honor of that, I give you this amazing chart.
Take a look at this, it’s really cool to watch. I’m pretty sure I’ve seen an older version of this as a TED talk, but this is way cooler:
Naturally the election came up in conversation. Trying to be even-handed and polite, the Brits said something diplomatic about McCain’s campaign, expecting Bush to express some warm words of support for the Republican candidate.
Not a chance. “I probably won’t even vote for the guy,” Bush told the group, according to two people present. “I had to endorse him. But I’d have endorsed Obama if they’d asked me.”
Remember when the Internet killed GAP’s new, awful logo? Here’s a refresher. And here’s a fun idea about what the creative meeting was like.
If you read nothing else about alcohol, make sure you read about the science. Remember, the science.
I never really thought to add smoking and reading, but, someone else did.
Last year, the Westboro Baptist Church picketed outside of Twitter. because God hates messages that are 140 character or less…or something. But they got rick-rolled!
Check out some other awesome signs here. I love when nerds counter-protest!
This is amazing! Apparently, doctors in the U.K. have been able to bring about brain activity on a man in a coma who was declared brain dead, and now they can ask him simple questions. Amazing!
Gamespy has a list of the 25 worst stock video game photos, check them out here, and below is a favorite:
Making a website or some other pursuit and need a dummy image? Here’s a dummy image generator, pretty handy when you need it.
Have I told you lately how much I want this? Really, this would be awesome right next to a Lost Orchid Station sign. Dorkiest garden ever!
It’s from last year, I believe from when Facebook once again screwed up their privacy settings, but check out this history of media scares.
Okay, that’s it for now, I think. Catch everybody soon!
