Overnight Open Thread

So on to Week #2 of the year...

Things Babies Born in 2011 Will Never Know

At the beginning of every year articles come out designed to make you feel old. So I'd be remiss if I didn't include at least one of them. What's surprising in this one is how many modernish things are already on their way to obsolescence:

CDs: First records, then 8-track, then cassette, then CDs — replacing your music collection used to be an expensive pastime. Now it’s cheap(er) and as close as the nearest Internet connection.

Dial-up Internet: While not everyone is on broadband, it won’t be long before dial-up Internet goes the way of the plug-in phone.

Talking to one person at a time: Remember when it was rude to be with one person while talking to another on the phone? Kids born today will just assume that you’re supposed to use texting to maintain contact with five or six other people while pretending to pay attention to the person you happen to be physically next to.

One picture to a frame: Such a waste of wall/counter/desk space to have a separate frame around each picture. Eight gigabytes of pictures and/or video in a digital frame encompassing every person you’ve ever met and everything you’ve ever done — now, that’s efficient.

And here are some jobs that 2011 babies probably won't be doing in their lifetimes:

1. Photo Processors
2. Video Store Clerk
3. Bank Tellers
4. Travel Agents
5. Non-Profit Organization Staff
6. School District Employee

Dick Winters of 'Band of Brothers' Fame Has Died
Rest in peace Major Winters.

Islam: Not Popular in Europe
Well not among the non-Muslims:

Others – 55 per cent in France and 49 per cent in Germany – believe the ‘influence and visibility of Islam’ is ‘too large’, while 60 per cent in both countries say the reason for the problem is Muslims’ own ‘refusal’ to integrate.

Just as crucially, 42 per cent of French and 40 per cent of Germans consider the presence of Islamic communities ‘a threat’ to their national identities.

The Forgotten Muppet: Roosevelt Franklin
He was the first black muppet but viewers complained both that he was too black (a stereotype) and that he wasn't black enough. So he was phased out in the mid 70's - one of the first victims of political correctness.

Alien: A Film Franchise Based Entirely on Rape
I've read various analyses of the Alien series making this point but I had no idea that screenwriter Dan O'Bannon wrote the script with this explicitly in mind:

"One thing that people are all disturbed about is sex... I said 'That's how I'm going to attack the audience; I'm going to attack them sexually. And I'm not going to go after the women in the audience, I'm going to attack the men. I am going to put in every image I can think of to make the men in the audience cross their legs. Homosexual oral rape, birth. The thing lays its eggs down your throat, the whole number.'"

History Channel Declines To Show Actual History Series

Despite having been completed and scheduled to air this spring, The History Channel has decided not to air The Kennedys — the controversial miniseries about the JFK presidency — saying it was “not a fit for the History brand.” According to Nellie Andreeva @ Deadline, political pressure from the Kennedy family may have played a role in the shocking cancellation.

Concept Cars From The Past
So why can't car companies produce designs like this today? These seem pretty aerodynamic and with modern materials and manufacturing could be fuel efficient and safe. The PT Cruiser is proof that a car could be fairly successful just based on looks even if it's mediocre in every other way. Why not match up some of these retro looks with modern frames and engines?

What Women REALLY Want: To marry a rich man and stay at home with the children
Feminists hardest hit:

Most women still prefer to marry a man who earns more money than themselves and would stay at home with their children if they could afford it, a new survey has revealed.

Despite years of equality campaigning and advances for women in the workplace, 64 per cent say they aspire to find a husband who brings home a larger pay packet than themselves.

Who's Scarier on the Road - Teens or Oldsters?
Actually they're pretty much equally dangerous.

Safety Tip For The Moronettes: Don't Accept Any Sex Toys From Your Ex

A jilted lover has been arrested after he allegedly wedged gunpowder, buck shot and BB shot into a sex toy to make it explosive.
Police claim that Terry Allen Lester planned to hand the device, found in a container labelled ‘Christmas Gifts’, to one of three ex-girlfriends over Yuletide.

Sexy Geek Contest: Ace of Spades Losing Badly
Sadly Ace is now out of the running, but Hannah Minx can still use your help.

Weekly AoSHQ Commenter Standings
Top 10 commenters:
1 [548 comments] 'toby928▒' [76.92 posts/day]
2 [399 comments] 'CDR M'
3 [381 comments] 'Vic'
4 [380 comments] 'garrett'
5 [329 comments] 'sifty'
6 [328 comments] 'Kratos (Ghost of Sparta)'
7 [279 comments] 'Jane D'oh'
8 [264 comments] 'Y-not'
9 [226 comments] 'logprof'
10 [218 comments] 'AmishDude'

Top 10 sockpuppeteers:
1 [92 names] 'toby928▒' [12.91 unique names/day]
2 [85 names] 'garrett'
3 [73 names] 'kbdabear'
4 [73 names] '18-1'
5 [49 names] 'fluffy'
6 [44 names] 'Wyatt Earp'
7 [41 names] 'andycanuck'
8 [38 names] 'logprof'
9 [38 names] 'garrett'
10 [38 names] 'Blackford Oakes'

The group. Yeah.

Tonight's post brought to you by bikers:

Notice: Posted by permission of AceCorp LLC. Please e-mail overnight open thread tips to maetenloch at gmail. Otherwise send tips to Ace.

posted by Maetenloch at 09:33 PM

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