Don't Hate the Player, Hate the Brain

Researchers have recently identified something in the human brain that they are calling the ‘Hate Circuit’, which consists of two subcortical areas of the brain that work in concert to create the emotional response of hatred in human beings. The Wellcome Laboratory of Neurobiology at UCL discovered this circuit in a study they conducted, wherein the brains of participants were scanned as they were  shown pictures of people they personally hated, interspersed with other familiar, but otherwise neutral acquaintances.

When the subjects were shown pictures of the hated subject, two areas called the putamen and the insular cortex kicked into high gear. These areas are also associated with motor planning–so when the participants saw the control, their brains immediately began preparing to act.

Now, that’s not to say they were revving up to fight or to flee–just gearing up for some sort of physical reaction. But if you’re not fighting or running, and your brain is still signaling some kind of action, what do you think that action’s going to be?

That’s right, science has officially found the ‘fuck you’ center of the brain.

Time To Saw My Own Legs Off

Nadya Vessey lost her legs at the knees when she was a child... and now special effects and costume design company Weta Workshop has built a prosthetic, fully-functional mermaid tail for her at her request.

The tail is composed of wetsuit fabric and plastic and is custom painted, and allows Nadya to swim effectively.

This is so cool I don't even know where to begin. If we had the technology to give me gills too, I'd be chopping at my knees with a hatchet while typing this.

Data vs. Picard... WHO YA GOT?!

Brent Spiner at a convention last year busting Patrick Stewart's chops (while being filmed by Michael J. Fox, apparently). Good times, good times... if these two are STILL doing conventions after all this time, they must really like their fans.

Is it just me or does Patrick Stewart not age? I'm starting to wonder if he has a portrait in his attic.

I Like My Critics Angry

If you play video games and British sarcasm is your cup of tea (god, I'm such a hack), then you really should check out the series of reviews by Yahtzee Croshaw called Zero Punctuation. Above are a few choice snippets of his hilariously scathing game reviews... just don't blame me when he makes you question why you like your favorite game...

DaHjaj 'oH QaQ jaj Daq Hegh!

Colorado Springs police are reporting that a man carrying a bat'leth is robbing 7-Elevens in the area. So far, no-one had been injured and the suspect is still at large.

I'm pretty sure that if I was manning the counter at a 7-11 and some dink walked in with one of these, I'd be too busy laughing to put up much of a fight. Although, if he made his demands in Klingon, that would be pretty damn cool...

Forget Typhoid Mary. Here's Malaria Bill

Apparently, while speaking at the Technology Entertainment and Design conference in California a couple of days ago, Bill Gates unleashed a swarm of mosquitos into the crowd to raise malaria awareness, stating, "Not only poor people should experience this.."

First of all, This is some serious super-villiany shit. The fact that if everyone in the room sued him for this he could pay the damages out of pocket is kind of scary. If Bill ever gives a lecture on sewage treatment, I would recommend not attending.

Secondly, this has to be the most bugs ever released by Mr. Gates since Windows ME...

Anyone Have John Connor On Speed-Dial?

Slashdot reported on Thursday that researchers in California have developed an artificial muscle that heals itself and generates electricity. 'We've made an artificial muscle that, when you apply electricity to it, it expands, more than 200 percent, the motion and energy is a lot like human muscles,' said Qibing Pei, a scientist at UCLA and study author. The researchers used flexible carbon nanotubes as electrodes. If an area of the carbon nanotube fails, the region around it seals itself by becoming non-conductive and prevents the damage from spreading to other areas. This material also conserves about 70% of the energy you put into it. As the material contracts after an expansion the rearranging of the carbon nanotubes generates a small electric current that can be captured and used to power another expansion or stored in a battery.

This is fascinating stuff, especially for those of us who await Skynet's inevitable take over of the planet.

Gotham by Bricklight

Just found out about this and thought I'd share... especially since even the concept is enough to have my inner 11 year old jump for joy. Information is limited, but it appears to be in development by Traveller's Tales and has a release date of Spring 2011.

If it's anywhere on par with the LEGO Star Wars series, this is going to end up being a must-have.

Spongebob sings Eminem

I found this while surfing late tonight and had to share. It truly has to be seen to be believed.

I Dig The Zoolights

Zoolights starts tonight at the Denver Zoo, featuring 38-plus acres of lights including over 150 animated animal sculptures. I've been a couple times before and heartily recommend it for everyone with children or for people like me who are just kids at heart.

I will say this, though... go now before the snow comes. The displays are beautiful and the walk is refreshing, but only if you aren't slogging through a foot of the cold nasty wet stuff...

Countdown to IRON MAN

I'm really looking forward to the big screen adaptation of Iron Man, set to come out May 2 of next year... If history has told us anything, it's that movies based on Marvel Comics are either really really good (see Spiderman) or really REALLY bad (see Daredevil). From what little I've seen so far, this looks like it's going to be a good one...

Of course, scoring alcoholic millionaire actor Robert Downey Jr. to play alcoholic millionaire industrialist Tony Stark has to be the most brilliant stroke of casting this century...

Movie trailer and some pretty cool desktop wallpapers here.

Quick, Somebody Call John Connor

The Earth comes a step closer today to being scoured of human life by Skynet as Toyota announces it has created violin-playing robots. Toyota claims the future harbingers of mankind's destruction were developed "to support people's everyday life."; however, we all know it's just a matter of time now before California's current governor begins attacking women named "Sarah".