This is a very cool bit of Flash ActionScript programming which uses a video of Michael Jackson’s “Black or White” to do real-time facial recognition. It can also pick out where the eyes are. If you have a web camera, select the ‘webcam’ checkbox, and it will try to recognise your face while you move your head around.
Click on the image below to try it out:
Black or White Face Recognition
You can read more about how this was done here:
(Hat tip: David Joffe)
I’ve started doing CrossFit. It’s bloody tough, but fun. This is what it is:
I love this video. Watch it in high-def mode if you can:
“Inspirationz fine art motivational posters and prints are the perfect gift for anyone with a penchant for profound quotes and powerful art the kind that lifts your spirit and portrays man’s essential nature.”
Choi+Shine Architects designed these beautiful, yet functional humanoid power pylons for Iceland’s electrical transmission system:
You can see more here:
http://www.choishine.com/port_projects/landsnet/landsnet.html
This reminded me of a quote from one of my favourite movies, The Castle‘s Darryl Kerrigan: “Dad, he reckons powerlines are a reminder of man’s ability to generate electricity.”
(Hat tip: teh_aimee)
“The budget should be balanced, the treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed lest Rome become bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance.”
– Cicero, 55 BC
Evidently nothing.
(Hat tip: my dad)
UPDATE: See the comment by Grant. It seems there is some doubt around the origins of this quote. Thanks Grant! I still approve of the sentiment, and wish more modern politicians would too.
On the Rocks – Bad Romance:
To really appreciate it, you’ll probably have to watch original first. If you haven’t seen it yet: Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance”
(Hat tip: Noodlefood)
On July 1st National intends to inflict on New Zealand the world’s most comprehensive and expensive emissions trading scheme. It will increase the cost of power and petrol, forcing food prices to rise along with the cost of all other goods and services. Australia has just suspended their scheme until 2013. New Zealand should do the same otherwise we risk an exodus of businesses relocating to Australia to avoid the cost-burden on wealth creators that this scheme will impose. We want this petition to send the Prime Minister the strongest possible message to suspend the ETS. Please support this petition and get everyone else to do so too as the more people who sign, the more powerful our message.
To sign the petition please click here
OK. This is crazy. You need pretty strong nerves just to watch this.
(Hat tip: Leo B)
Twitter / jpistorius