The Few. The Proud. The Pokémon Trainers.

Look who's playing Pokémon Go!

Get off the firing line, Pikachu! That's a safety violation! pic.twitter.com/WilmXFBHlf

— U.S. Marines (@USMC) July 11, 2016

World of Warcraft In-Joke Surprisingly Applicable to Syria

Taiwanese News Animators vs. PS4

As the folks at Geekosystem said, "It is truly bananas, and absolutely worth your time."  Take a look:

Quote of the Day: Samuel L. Jackson on Gun Violence

From a recent interview during which the reporter asked about Newtown:

"I don't think movies or video games have anything to do with it. I don't think [stopping gun violence] is about more gun control. I grew up in the South with guns everywhere, and we never shot anyone. This [shooting] is about people who aren't taught the value of life."

Or more to the point, "don't care about the value of life."

Quote of the Day: the Rush to Blame

From the good folks over at TechDirt:

The tragedy last week in Connecticut is still horrifying to think about on many different levels -- but the constant search for blame, and using it to support pet political ideas is troubling. This isn't to say that we don't necessarily need to have a "conversation" on various hot potato political issues, but basing it around an event like this isn't likely to be a productive and informed conversation, but one driven purely by emotions. I understand the desire, and the idea that making use of such a tragedy to create political will to do something, is all too tempting. But I fear what happens when we legislate around emotions, rather than reality. And, no I'm not even going to touch the question of gun control or mental health treatment. Both obviously evoke strong opinions from people on all sides of the issue (and, contrary to popular opinion, there are more than two sides to those issues). Instead, let's talk about the rush to blame video games and TV shows, as seems to happen every single time there's a mass shooting -- and almost always done with no evidence. 

"World of Warcraft" and Israel's Rocket-Hunting Ace

This article from April seems timelier than ever:

While many of the boys in Idan Yahya’s high school class were buffing up and preparing themselves for selection into elite combat units, this gawky teenager was spending “a lot of time” playing Warcraft. ... People in the army describe him variously as a geek and an ace. But the geek who grew up playing Warcraft is now a highly prized soldier on the cutting edge of real war craft. He’s the Israeli army’s top rocket interceptor.

20 TED Talks Not to Bother Watching

LOL!  Usually I enjoy TED talks a lot, but here's a hilarious list of 20 that aren't worth your time.  #8 made me laugh out loud.  An  entire TED talk about how to tie your shoes?  Come on, people.  If you want a truly great TED talk, do watch this one, Hans Rosling and the magic washing machine.

Friday Fun Video: the Hunt for Pikachu

Eggs-Cellent Easter Humor

Look at these delightful Easter eggs!

The Cine-Sib Recommends: "Assassin's Creed 3"

The game will be set during the American Revolution!  He and I especially loved the previous one that was set in Renaissance Italy.  Here's the trailer for the new game to be released October 30:

SOPA Resistance Is Not Futile!

Well, well, well.  Keep pushing back, fellow geeks and nerds!  More here.   On a related note,  the January 18 protest plan seems also to be proceeding.

Friday Fun Video: Roommates and Portals

Here's a hilarious little video playing with the idea of the game "Portal":



SOPA and the Gamer Congressman

Here's something fascinating ... and hopeful.  I give you a blurb from a post by Representative Jared Polis (D-Colorado) who voiced the following on a gaming forum.  Good on you!

Awesome: Playable "Angry Birds" Xmas Lights

Some background info:

Help! The pigs are trying to ruin Christmas. Grab the sling shot and fire those birds! From the people who brought you the Guitar Hero Christmas Light game! Running on two computers and 10 Light-o-rama 16 channel controllers, uses more than 20,000 lights and less than one cent of electricity per game. Audio is broadcast on 99.1FM, and the controller has a long enough cord for people to play in their cars on the street. Easier than the iPhone version, and bigger too.

Awesome!

Geek Fun: 8-Bit Christmas Carols

What happens when Christmas carols meet video game soundtracks?  

LOL: the "Angry Birds" Pizza

Here is a hilarious version of "playing with your food":

Gaming While the Eurozone Burns

I'm not making this up!  Because the European Central Bank seemingly has nothing better to do, it's made Economia, a game about monetary policy. Then again, the game's opening image might be unintentionally truthful about the folks in charge:

But is it worse than World of Borecraft?

World of Warcraft's Virtual Economy

Occupy Azeroth?

A Notable Day

Today is:

• Veterans Day (Remembrance Day in the British Commonwealth)
• A numerical oddity -- it's 11/11/11!
• Nigel Tufnel Day for all you "Spinal Tap" fans, and last but not least,
• The release date for "The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim" -- rejoice, video game geeks!

Halloween Hilarity: Pop Culture Jack-o-Lanterns

LOL.  The Justin Bieber pumpkin is probably the most terrifying thing I've seen this Halloween.