After my wonderful plumbing experience yesterday, my mind cannot make sense — or find a theme — in this collection of news articles. I’ll leave it to you to find the theme, or determine whether these items need to be tossed into the garbage disposal and washed away. Let’s just hope they don’t clog your pipes…
- Survivor – My Guilty Pleasure. One of my guilty TV pleasures is the TV show Survivor. I’ve never been able to describe why this show is still head and shoulders above other reality shows. This article presents one analysis of why Survivor is successful. For me, its success comes from (a) the shifting alliance aspects of it — the show is very much like the game Diplomacy with negotiation, trust, and bluffing at its heart; (b) the skillful editing used to craft a story and create characters; and (c) the quality shown in the casting to find a group with strong personalities that draw one to watch.
- This American Life. This week, TAL reaches a milestone – episode #500. To commemorate this, BuzzFeed presents the story of how TAL got started, and how it reached episode #500. Related to this, FlavorWire presents their take on their 15 favorite episodes to date.
- Hidden Environmental Impacts. Earlier this week, I wrote about how copper mining — required to move to a green environment — really isn’t so green. Another thing that isn’t green are music festivals. This article from LA Weekly is a great exploration on the trash problem created by many festivals.
- Autopsy Results. OK, here’s a real weird one. Some people decided, for the hell of it, to do an autopsy of a “Baby So Soft” doll. Here are the grisley results. You’ll never look at a child’s doll the same.
- Looking at Things Differently. Speaking of looking at things differently, here are 11 classic works of art reimagined with people of color.
- NSA and the CIA. On the grounds of the CIA is a sculpture with an encrypted message. The CIA recently believed they had solved the message. However, the NSA really solved it first.
- Places to Go in The San Fernando Valley. Here’s a nice article commemorating Universal City Walk reaching 20 years. City Walk was a trendsetter — it led to Downtown Disney and other integrated shopping areas that are regional draws at theme parks. Don’t like that? How about an old-fashioned soda shop in Canoga Park?
- Bringing Up The Rear. Bringing up the rear are a few totally pointless things. First, a gun that uses salt to shoot flies. I have no idea how effective it is. Secondly, a list from the good folks at Vanity Fair point out 40 signs that you’re a BuzzFeed list maker who has run out of ideas. Thirdly, there’s a Wesley Crusher Beer. Lastly, somebody put dummy names for the pilots of the Asiana 214 crash on a recent news report on KTVU. Alas, they made it onto the air. Yup. Today, your flight is commanded by “Sum Ting Wong”, assisted by “Wi Tu Lo”, “Ho Lee Fuk”, and “Bang Ding Ow”. I can only shake my head. Someone has likely been handed their walking papers. Naturally, the station has apologized.
