Education

One Is The Loneliest Number, Unless You Attend Sex Ed Classes in Spain!

by Ron Callari

You've got to "hand it to" the Spaniards. Differing markedly from our puritanical society, they're taking a very touchy subject matter and handing it off to their students...literally! While some feel that pleasuring one's self should be taught behind closed doors or picked up in the streets, the country's Extremadura region has chosen to address it front and center in their classrooms.

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Cyberchondria & The Art Of Googling Oneself Silly!

by Ron Callari

An actual research study titled "Cyberchondria: Studies of the Escalation of Medical Concerns in Web Search" was recently conducted by Microsoft researchers Ryen W. White and Eric Horvitz to analyze how the Web enables those obsessed in researching illnesses. A survey of 515 Microsoft employees determined that Internet surfing regarding health issues is on the rise. Inquiring minds want to know what's ailing them and why they are obsessed with tracking down health symptoms online from the common cold to cancer.

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NC-17 Rating For Xbox 360 Users Restricts Tweets

by Ron Callari

Restricting Xbox Live for 17 yrs-old and younger

Not only are teenagers 17 and younger allowed to watch certain movies, Xbox 360 just banished them from accessing social networks. Strange that the teen demographic that is the target market for Xbox systems are restricted from from the Xbox Live's new integration of Facebook, Twitter and Last.fm. And with Christmas right around the corner!

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Mrs. Brady Turns Entrepreneur With The Flo Club, Teaching Seniors About Technology

by Beth Hodgson

Computer and internet use is no longer just for the younger generations; but for those who try to get online later in life, there are greater challenges since they haven't had the lifelong exposure that many that are part of the younger demographic have. An unlikely entrepreneur has stepped forward to provide a service that helps seniors overcome their challenges when using technology, and you know her best as Mrs. Brady.

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Even The Taliban Are Social Networking

by Ron Callari

Did the "voice of jihad" just get a little louder? Afghan tribalism has origins that date back 1400 years to the early Muslim and Islamic civilizations. With a lifestyle based on jihad and an economy that thrives on opium trade, who would have thought that these warring factions in Afghanistan and Pakistan would ever embrace social media as a means to communicate.

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ScamVille? A New Online Game? Who's Up For The Challenge?

by Ron Callari

Michael Arrington from Techcrunch wrote a very insightful article titled "Scamville: The Social Gaming Ecosystem of Hell," exposing Zynga and its scam-laden lead gen-type offers devised for their ever-popular Facebook games of Farmville and Mafia Wars. I challenge one of the more ethical game developers to actually use Arrington's expose to develop the real thing - an actual Facebook game called "ScamVille!"

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Barcode Plus: Company That Believes In Full Consumer Disclosure

by Beth Hodgson

There's a black market for stolen goods in many countries around the world that get passed off as legitimate. Not only is this misleading to unsuspecting consumers, they can encounter legal ramifications for purchasing counterfeit goods. In order to help businesses and consumers verify the legitimacy of their purchases, Barcode Plus has been created.

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Learn Japanese or English with a Geek Goddess at Idols Foreign Language Academy

by Steve Levenstein

Japanese Idols... they're not jeweled statues you'll find in a temple. These idols are pretty young girls who show off her cute looks and debatable talents on TV, at websites, in magazines and now... in a unique Akihabara language school.

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Honda Bicycle Simulator: Not As Fun As You Think

by Chris Weiss

Thinking about trading your sedan in for a bicycle? Consider getting up to speed on traffic safety before that first commute.

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Gyrowheel Makes Kid Cyclists Feel Good About Themselves

by Chris Weiss

For young children, Gyrowheel could be the coolest invention since the water pistol. Eliminating the need for training wheels, the wheel helps children to learn how to ride a two-wheeler.

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Top Ten Baby Halloween Costumes

by Ron Callari

Halloween costumes for babies are their first initiation into the one holiday of the year that requires them to be someone else. Yes, even though your baby don't even 'what' they are, let alone 'who' they are, this doesn't stop parents from wanting to confuse them even more, by dressing them up in a clever disguise.

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What Are BuckyBalls?

by John P. Barker

What are BuckyBalls? Possibly the coolest educational toy (and best use of technology as a frivolous time-killer) that I've seen in a while...

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Healthy Or Not? Independent Group Tests Pet Products!

by Lady Bee

When you buy a bed or food bowls or toys for your pets, you believe that they are safe. Or maybe you just hope they are not harmful, depending on how skeptical you are. Perhaps you assume that the government would have recalled a product if it were not healthy for your pet. Maybe it would, if the government tested all products, but it doesn't. Who will? Who does?

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Oddfellows: Three Inches of Genius

by John P. Barker

Want a little bit of inspiration while working on your next invention? These little guys may not help you lift your tools, they may be able to lift your spirits!

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Cough Please: Japan Tobacco's 'Smoking Manners for Adults' Ads, Part 7

by Steve Levenstein

The success of Japan Tobacco's Smoking Manners for Adults campaign is debatable, though the Tokyo Subway authority's series of monthly Subway Manners posters proves imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. For JT, however, everything must come to an end - much like lit cigarettes - so let's enjoy ads 61 through 73!

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Mein Kampf Manga Blitzes Bookstores With Comic Nazi-ness

by Steve Levenstein

Fancy a little Adolph with your anime? Japan has something for that: a manga comic version of Hitler's guide to world domination. Anybody seen Mein Manga?

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100 Years Of Social Media

by Ron Callari

Social media is not a phenomenon exclusive to our current Digital Age. It has a long tradition and distinct parallels with events in the past that seem to run in 100 years cycles. Editorial cartoons, postcards and even the Industrial Revolution were all forebearers to how we communicate today through social media.

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Digital Criminals Preying On Social Networks

by Ron Callari

Its important to be aware of your surroundings and suspicious activity at all times,whether you are crossing a highly trafficked street in Manhattan or posting your profile to a social network. All the same rules apply and then some. Letting our guard down online creates greater risks as an alarmingly high proportion of users are prepared to be 'friends' on social networks with people they don't really know.

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Young Leaders in Arab Worlds Learn How Social Media Makes Change

by Ron Callari

As was witnessed recently with the Iranian Twitter Revolution and the protesters making their voices heard on Twitter and Facebook this past June, the Arab World is embracing social media in an impacting way. Now more important than ever, the Middle East is involved in open dialogue, no matter what risks may be incurred as a result.

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Sony Reader vs Amazon's Kindle - Battle For e-Readership!

by Ron Callari

It all started in 2008 when Sony rolled out its "Reading Revolution," to spark the imaginations of young readers and engage the public in digital reading. However somehow along the way, Sony lost its steam and Amazon's Kindle seized the moment to become the dominant force in the burgeoning e-Reader industry. Now late in 2009, the Sony Reader is re-engaging its marketing prowess to beat down its competitor and regain prominence.

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