Exploding whale threatens Canadian town

I really wish that headline was exaggerated somehow. Sadly, no.

A dead blue whale has washed up in the small Newfoundland town of Trout River (seriously Canada, name your towns better!), attracting a wave of tourism. Unfortunately the small town isn't really geared up to dispose of a 25-metre whale carcass, and it's starting to get a little pungent.


never, ever type 'exploding whale'
 into a google image search

More alarmingly, the corpse is now beginning to bloat, sparking fears of an internal gas explosion (still not exaggerating). Currently refused any government assistance, the town population of 688 are now faced with a battle aginst the clock to somehow remove the carcass before things get... messy.


Original story: Escapist

Amazon buys comiXology - removes purchasing from Apple and Google apps

Sooner or later, someone had to succeed in digitising comic books. Stan Lee almost went bust trying it in the early 90s, but finally comiXology managed to make it work (aided by easy to access WiFi and tablets). For the past couple of years, the comiXology app has been one of the most popular for in-app purchases on the Apple Store, helping boost the flagging sales of traditional, paper comics.

Of course, success breeds attention, and comiXology have drawn the attention of no less than Amazon, who snapped the company up earlier this month. All well and good, Amazon has a reasonable reputation for investing in their acquisitions.

Last week, however, news broke that comiXology would start enforcing local pricing structures, making their products considerably more expensive outside of the US (which makes sense for paper comics - they have distribution costs to pay for - but not for digital products). Then on Sunday Amazon really dropped a curve ball by removing in-app purchasing completely from the Apple and Google versions of the app. Users of any non-Amazon version of the app are now forced to buy their comics through the website before they can read on their mobile device. What do Amazon gain from this? Simple, Apple and Google take 30% of the puchase price from in-app purchases - money that now goes to Amazon.

comiXology on iPad no longer includes in-app purchasing

Only time will tell whether this works out for comiXology. While they'll be taking more money from Apple and Android users, they'll also potentially be putting off customers using these platforms. For the time being, however, it's safe to say it's a move that's left many users a little bit peeved.

Lucasfilm ditches Star Wars Expanded Universe

Growing up, there was nothing more important to me than Star Wars. Even today, I have a great love of anything to do with the franchise, so long as it's not horrifically bad (and let's not pretend that that doesn't account for a whole lot of stuff). One of the reasons I was able to fall so deeply in love with Star Wars was that it wasn't just three films - I was the perfect age for the new Expanded Universe books and comics of the 1990s. I must have read a hundred Star Wars novels and, for me at least, they were as much a part of the overall experience as the films were.

Sadly, Lucasfilm announced on Friday that the Expanded Universe (EU) was no more, that all of the books and comics that I held so dear in my youth were being cast from Star Wars canon. This was kind of expected - I mean, with new films set during the same, post-Return of the Jedi time period, Lucasfilm were hardly going to be willing to go along with the myriad weird and wonderful stories and characters that populated the EU. The problem Lucasfilm are likely to face (which is entirely of their own making) is that many of the EU books were painstakingly edited to create an enticing ongoing story spanning 40-odd years after the end of Return of the Jedi. Many of the regular characters had become as familiar and dear to the hearts of the Star Wars die-hards as Luke, Han and Leia are to fans of the films alone. Lucasfilm have yet to confirm whether all of the characters and concepts from these later stories will be abandoned, or whether they intend to reweave some of the existing elements around the new films.

The appropriately titled 'A New Dawn' will be the
first book set in the new continuity, serving
as a prequel to the Rebels animated series.

The first books set in the new post-Return of the Jedi continuity, and tying into Episode 7 (due for release on 18th December 2015) and the new Rebels animated series, are scheduled for release later in the year. Whether or not they will attempt to reintroduce fan favorites such as Grand Admiral Thrawn, Mara Jade or Jacen, Jaina and Anakin Solo, we'll just have to wait and see.

Original story: Star Wars

Thieves: We're in it for the honey...

Sometimes people do things so insane that I just can't work out how they conceived the idea in the first place. Case in point - thieves in Perthshire have stolen thousands of bees.

Bees. The perfect honey heist.

Yes, bees - the buzzy yellow and black things that make honey. Why would you possiby steal bees? I can't imagine they're too easy to fence. A cheap way into the honey industry? Who knows?

Source: BBC

Physics students (sort of) learn how to throw a fireball

Sometimes I can't help but think that scientists have way too much time on their hands. Especially three physics students from the University of Leicester, who have been investigating how an ordinary human being might throw a fireball without any additional source of combustion. The solution is simple - just hurl a gasoline soaked volleyball at a constant speed of 93mph or higher. The viscous drag forces would ignite the gasoline and hey presto, fireball.

Picture credit: Nintendo

The slight problem is that the fastest recorded volleyball throw is 66mph, and the ball would start to slow as soon as it left the hand. This would make igniting the ball impossible for an unaided human, which is presumably a relief considering the proximity of the thrower's gasoline soaked hands. Besides, I'm still holding out for someone discovering how to set things on fire by glaring at them...

Source: Escapist Magazine

Tuesday Top 5: Modern Children's TV for Adults

We all crave a a little nostalgia from time to time, and what better than crashing on the sofa watching your favourite Saturday morning cartoon from your childhood? Admittedly some stand up better than others, but the question is this - would you still enjoy these shows without the nostalgia? Can adults genuinely enjoy children's programming made for a different generation?

Personally I love cartoons, and believe that you're missing out on some fantastic television by disregarding shows made for children. Here are a list of my Top 5 modern children's cartoons that you can enjoy as an adult.

5. Charlie and Lola (2005-8)


Picture credit: BBC

Okay, I'll admit pre-school programming isn't for everyone. The BBC's adaptation of Lauren Child's 'Charlie and Lola' books, however, are in a league of their own. Eschewing the patronising tone of many pre-school shows, 'Charlie and Lola' embraces a slightly surreal and highly enjoyable sense of humour. I'm not ashamed to admit that I bought the DVD box set years before I had any children...

4. Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008-13)

Picture credit: Lucasfilm

I love Star Wars, but it isn't a franchise that has enjoyed a rich legacy. Some poor prequel films, a truckload of books, comics and games of wildly varying quality, and a couple of unbelievably terrible 80s cartoons have long left fans of the original films starved for worthwhile spin-offs. Enter 'Star Wars: The Clone Wars'. Set between Episodes 2 and 3, this CGI cartoon initially focused on Anakin Skywalker and his new apprentice, before expanding out to follow a huge cast of characters. The show didn't shy away from the nature of war, as characters often met brutal or emotional ends as the conflict continued. 'Clone Wars' also managed to infuse both Anakin and the clones with the genuine personalities that were lacking in the prequel films, and addressed how morally questionable it might be to grow clones to serve as expendable troops. It achieved this while maintaining the sense of humour and adventure associated with the original films. Certainly one of the best additions to the Star Wars franchise since the early 80s.

3. The New Captain Scarlet (2005)

Picture credit: ITV

The final show that Gerry Anderson made prior to his death was this dark CGI reimagining of 1960s puppet classic Captain Scarlet. When I say dark, I mean it - 'New Captain Scarlet' draws its cues as much from horror films as it does of the espionage adventures that influenced the original show. The Mysterons are brutal and unstoppable, many of the heroes are moral greys willing to go to almost any length to stop the Martian invasion. A botched airing on Saturday morning TV ultimately meant a premature end to this fantastic show. Personally, I would think the show probably unsuitable for children a lot of the time, but it makes great viewing for adults.



2. Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated (2010-3)

Picture credit: Warner Brothers

Like Star Wars, Scooby-Doo has had near continuous spin-offs since the original series ended, and like Star Wars, most of them have been beyond terrible. 'Mystery Inc.' replaced the underwhelming 'What's New Scooby-Doo?' in 2010 and immediately added a self-aware, tongue-in-cheek humour to proceedings. I have laughed myself to tears more times watching this show than most sitcoms, and it (finally) manages to make all five members of the Scooby gang equally likable and entertaining. It's not all laughs though - the humour doesn't dilute the influence of classic horror films that manages to make some episodes genuinely scary. Add a healthy dose of cleverly worked references to classic films and TV shows, and you've got a show that is solid gold entertainment for both kids and adults.

1. Samurai Jack (2001-4)



Picture credit: Jaystab on deviantArt

Samurai Jack is one of those few children's shows that manages to maintain an incredibly high artistic and creative level without compromising its target audience. It is the story of a samurai thrown into a dark sci-fi future so he would be unable to prevent the dark lord Aku from taking over the Earth. Trapped in his nightmare future, Jack is constantly attempting to return to the past to prevent this future from occurring. Taking inspiration from a wide range of sources, Samurai Jack frequently manages to be exciting, original, and beautifully artistic. Add in a generous sense of humour and a willingness to poke fun at itself, and you've got yourself a very entertaining piece of television.

Joss Whedon releases new film online

Joss Whedon, the cult god/lord behind Buffy, Firefly, Dr. Horrible, yadda yadda (you know who Joss Whedon is, right?), has decided to release his latest film via online video site Vimeo. 'Your Eyes', the second film from Whedon's micro-studio Bellwether Pictures, was made available immediately following the film's premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival. Streaming it will set you back $5/£3.

Picture credit: Bellwether Pictures

The film is a supernatural love story, focusing on the relationship between two strangers who believe they share a telepathic connection. It was written and produced by Whedon, and directed by Brin Hill. I'll give it a watch when I get a chance, but if it's on a par with Bellwether's first film (Whedon's 2013 adaptation of 'Much Ado About Nothing') then I'm expecting it'll be something of a treat.

Formula One: China

The 2014 Formula 1 season was always going to be a peculiar one, what with the sweeping technical changes and what-not, but I'll admit to being surprised at just how much the changes seem to have affected everything to do with the sport. The opposition coming from various fields, the drastic under-performance of some of 2013's top teams and drivers, and the rapid turnover of team staff seem to be just the most visible tip of a general confusion iceberg.

The Chinese GP perhaps underlined just how much the sport seems to have been thrown off-kilter. I'm not going to go into the result, there weren't any great surprises there. Sadly the race failed to live up to the excitement of the Bahrain GP two weeks ago. From the outset, however, things seemed a little under prepared.

Pastor Maldonado failed to get his car out in qualifying.
The McLarens completely failed to perform, both in qualifying and in the race.
The start was a bit messy, with a rare first corner bumps for Alonso and Rosberg (each hitting a Williams).
Kimi Räikkönen continued to be unable to drive his Ferrari, before giving a journalist questioning his motivation an expletive-laden defense of his performance.
The Williams pit crew apparently failed to tell right from left and scuppered Massa's race by attempting to put his tyres on the wrong wheels.
Vettel continued the trend of refusing to obey his team's instructions, telling teammate Ricciardo "tough luck" (before Ricciardo overtook him anyway).
An over-enthused marshall started waving the checkered flag during lap 54 (of 56) - officially ending the race early.

Picture credit: EPA

Personally, I'm a fan of the new format F1, though the rules changes simply don't seem to have been implemented very well.  The number of very public detractors coming from within the sport is troubling, as is the apparent situation that certain teams seem to be so focused on improving their performance that they've left basic elements like pit stops and driver discipline completely by the roadside. As the season heads to Europe in three weeks, fingers crossed that they manage to leave these embarrasing mishaps behind them so that focus returns to racing.

Earth-like planet found

I am not ashamed to admit that I am a big fan of Sid Meier's Civilization games (even if he can't spell Civilisation). For me, the most satisfying victory has always been to send a spaceship packed with eager colonists soaring into the heavens, bound for a new life in Alpha Centauri. What I never quite understood was what the colonists hoped to achieve once they got there - given that Alpha Centauri is a binary (or even tertiary) star system, there really wasn't much hope of them surviving. Oh well, maybe they should have thought that one through a little better.

Fortunately for aspiring colonists everywhere, NASA takes these things a tad more seriously. The Kepler space telescope was launched in 2009 specifically to find Earth-like planets that may hold the potential to support human (or any) life. It has to date discovered 961 planets orbiting 76 different stars. Finally, with Keplar 186f, it may have struck pay dirt.

Picture credit: NASA

Kepler 186f is a planet slightly larger than Earth, and crucially lies with the habitable zone where water can exist in a liquid state. This doesn't guarantee there is any water, of course, or an atmosphere or any of that kind of luxury that might make a place seem homely. In fact the small size of the planet's star likely means it would be a radioactive hellhole. Still, beats being torn apart by warring gravitational forces, am I right?

Source: BBC News

Resurrection

Finally getting around to bringing this thing back to life. I made the decision to remove the archive of old posts - Google had already deleted all the images, so they were a sad and sorry bunch. Also, not all that interesting. So, we'll see how long this lasts.

Picture credit: 60sDude