| December 4, 2005 |
Best Rejected Advertising
Here  are ads you're not going to see. Not because you fast-forward them out of circulation on TiVo, but because these print, TV, radio, and billboard ads have been banned for reasons of "taste and decency." This site, based on a forthcoming book, lets you be the judge. Is this PETA commercial featuring a terrorist turkey too violent for Super Bowl viewers? Do these controversial public service ads from South Africa, in which children apprise us of their violent futures, encourage criminality? Objections from the Cosmetics Toiletry & Perfumery Association sealed the fate of these ads for the TV series "Six Feet Under." And a hundred posters had to be torn down overnight after officials judged this Russian Finance magazine ad featuring copulating currency signs immoral. As the magazine's publisher said, "I thought the currencies were dancing ... but after hearing from Mr Presnyakov I saw that, yes, maybe, this is a love scene." Likely story. (in Marketing & Advertising) |
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| December 3, 2005 |
Popcorn Song
So  the first question you're probably asking is: What on earth is the Popcorn song? Well, you may be more familiar with the infectious little ditty than you realize. So take a listen to this sound clip, and then we'll continue. Yep, that's the one. And strangely enough, hundreds of versions of this tune exist, many of which have now been neatly compiled and annotated for your listening pleasure on this site. Originally released in 1972 by composer Gershon Kingsley and later popularized by the delectably titled Hot Butter, the Popcorn melody continues to inspire or haunt legions of artists. Even Aphex Twin got in on the act, and it doesn't get any cooler than that, right? (in Rock and Pop) |
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| December 2, 2005 |
OB-GYN Instrument Collection
Warning:  If you or anyone you know expects to do some time in the delivery room and the word "forceps" makes you queasy, you may want to look elsewhere for the time being. Having said that, The College of Physicians of Philadelphia invites you to "step inside the world of medicine" with this tour through antique and modern gadgets employed in the service of obstetrics and gynecology. Highlighted with a bright light and white background, innocuous-sounding instruments such as the inhaler, the speculum, or the scale take on a mind-boggling or even terrifying effect. And yet, at one time or another, doctors have wielded the Anteversion Pessary and the Wire Ecraseur in the interests of women's health. Though we can't fathom the role of the mustard-radish spoon, we're not sure we want to know, either. (in Health > Medicine) |
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| December 1, 2005 |
design*sponge
From  bad album covers to tacky living, the Web has proved a boon for questionable tastes of all kinds. But the forces of sleek Scandinavian style haven't given up the game just yet. For over a year now, design*sponge has been holding its own in the fight for good taste and cool stuff. Created by a "southern transplant turned Brooklyn-based design junky," design*sponge scours the Web for the lovely, the whimsical, and the stylish. In honor of the season, design*sponge is running a guide to gifts under $50, so there's no excuse for unsightly presents under the tree this year. Of course, the porcelain nightlight of a dog with a cone around its neck has us rethinking the kitsch/cool dichotomy, but 'tis the season, right? (in Shopping) |
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| November 30, 2005 |
YD Industries
YD  Industries has been at the forefront of every important social and commercial trend since 1985. Bathtub gargoyles, pool gondolas, tofu-fed beef, you name it, YD's done it. Here on the long-awaited official site, you'll find their complete catalog and a nifty Media Barn that features all kinds of audio-visual treats like Gloria Estefan humming Bach and a fun tire-burning fitness video. But for a sneak peek inside the dynamic creative cauldron that is YD, head straight to "The View from Here," an employee blog by H. V. Smith. H.V. dishes on... - Work: "A tip for Linda in payables: Your repeated handing back of the PVO to me with no note or indication what is wrong with it is both passive AND aggressive."
- Life: "Yu-gi Oh. What the heck? Seriously."
- The cafeteria: "Thank GOD for bagel dog Wednesdays at Order Up!"
...and so much more. Thanks H.V., and thanks YD! (in Humor > Parody) |
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| November 29, 2005 |
The Crooked Road
The  aptly named Crooked Road snakes it way through 250 miles of southwestern Virginia. Along the way it traces the lively history and current strumming of the mountain music made in those parts. This richly-imbued site from The Roanoke Times follows a music writer, a photographer, and a videojournalist as they bump down that rural thoroughfare "like an old-time medicine show." Each stop serves up video of back-lots or county stages and profiles of guitar makers, clawhammer banjo pickers, and country music royalty. A multimedia inset includes a breakdown of instruments (complete with video of performers plunking away), the anatomy of a bluegrass tune, and audio tours. Pack your bags and get ready to roll -- the long path of the Crooked Road, and the sounds of American roots music, await you. (in Music) |
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| November 28, 2005 |
Lifehacker
Work  hard, pay bills, clean house, hit the town, fix the car, restart the computer... Face it -- with all the details we encounter daily, life needs hacking. Lifehacker first came online in January 2005 and has since become a popular daily source of tips, tricks, and hacks to help keep your head straight and get things done. (Disclaimer: The geek-to-live blog was also recently embraced by our own Yahoo! News.) Taking a cue from the Lifehacker ethos, we thought we'd prepare a little list for you... Life Hacks to Do Today (in Blogs) |
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