Archives for Cool Sites
That Is What My Youth Was For…
I’m a little skeptical of any claims regarding the Flynn Effect. Today’s kids just don’t seem that smart, particularly when they seem to need the help of Leslie Feist just to learn to count to four:
When I was a kid the Pointer Sisters helped me learn to count to twelve.
On a somewhat related note, check out this Sesame Street parody of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit from a few seasons back. It’s a little shocking that the folks at the Children’s Television Workshop were willing to reference a show about sex-crimes as source material for kids programming.
Yes, the Richard Belzer muppet is awesome.
They Were Expecting Remy the Rat?
Patton Oswalt delivered the commencement address at Broad Run High School last month.
You really have to wonder if the school administrators were expecting his remarks to contain colorful metaphors like this:
All of you have been given a harsh gift. It’s the same gift the graduating class of 1917, and 1938, and 1968 and now you guys got – the chance to enter adulthood when the world teeters on the rim of the sphincter of oblivion.
Sphincter jokes notwithstanding, there’s some good advice in his speech and it’s worth reading in its entirety.
Take the Google Challenge
We are here at the Internet, where we’ve secretly replaced the US patent database they usually serve with Google. Let’s see if anyone can tell the difference!
The Blackstronauts
This faux documentary on “The Old Negro Space Program” is the funniest thing I’ve seen this year. The director managed to perfectly emulate Ken Burns’ style.
The doctored historical photos are a riot. Every detail is absolutely brilliant–it even lampoons the poetic Sullivan Ballou letter prominently featured in The Civil War.
Hey Students! Yeah You!
Each summer, one of my clients sponsors a series of seminars for undergraduates, graduate students, and recent college graduates. The events cover a wide variety of issues and consist of lectures, discussions, films, and social events lasting well into the night.
This year, they are sponsoring eleven seminars nationwide.
Alex DeLarge Would Like It…
This new VW Golf commercial just made my morning.
(Via Kottke.)
The [NameVoyager][1] is a wonderful Java visualization of the Social Security Administration’s [baby name database][2], which I’ve [posted on][3] in the past. Below is the graph that corresponds to my given name, Patrick. ![Name Voyager][4] Try typing in some of today’s trendier names, like Dakota or Caleb. [1]: http://babynamewizard.com/namevoyager/ [2]: http://www.ssa.gov/OACT/babynames/ [3]: /archives/004737.php [4]: /wp-content/uploads/images/namevoyager-patrick.jpg
Nickelback Sucks
All Things Considered had an especially entertaining segment on yesterday’s show profiling the Nickelback anti-fan who brought the world the classic Internet hit “How You Remind Me of Someday.”
If you haven’t heard the remix, be sure to check it out.
I Like the Prisoner Costume
The Stranger published this fantastic feature on 2004’s scariest Halloween costumes for kids.
The Humanity!
In case you were wondering what it’s like to experience a tapeworm infestation (with nice illustrations).
Gene’s Back
Gene is back from London and his travel observations may be the best blog post I’ve read all year:
I don’t have much to say about London. It wasn’t really British enough for me. It was like America, except with uglier people and better pubs.
Oh Well, There’s Always Next Year…
I think I need either Paxil or Zoloft after visiting this website. It tells you what other people accomplished at your age.
The site may very well be the most efficient way to break down any last remnants of self-respect you may have.
They Killed Kenny…

How would you look as a Southpark character? Find out.
Easy as ABC
Find out what happens when a forensic artist uses age progression techniques to determine how Michael Jackson would look had he passed on the plastic surgery.
I Hate Your Taste In Music
Somehow I doubt that this music review site is what the people at Amazon had in mind when they released APIs for accessing their site content.
The Agora
This online bartering community could be the next big thing. I’ll think I’ll have to sign up and see how it works.
Hmmm. What are my three crapiest CDs?
www.rapistfinder.gov
It seems that you can log right onto the Metro Police website and find out how many convicted sex-offenders live in your neighborhood.
Could someone please explain to me why they don’t have an online registry of convicted murderers?