Pop Culture

From Make: "Graphic designer Lucy Sansom turned her sister into a human theremin and then made this video demonstrating how she is played." She wrote, "Using conductive ink, theremin circuitry, and a nice little amp, I made my sister in...
From Make: "Graphic designer Lucy Sansom turned her sister into a human theremin and then made this video demonstrating how she is played." She wrote, "Using conductive ink, theremin circuitry, and a nice little amp, I made my sister into a fully functioning musical instrument." [via clifyt]
31 minutes ago
The Globe and Mail, a respected national Canadian newspaper, has run an absolutely sensational and jaw-dropping investigative story chronicling the shady lives of the immediate family of Toronto Mayor Rob "Laughable Bumblefuck" Ford, inc...
The Globe and Mail, a respected national Canadian newspaper, has run an absolutely sensational and jaw-dropping investigative story chronicling the shady lives of the immediate family of Toronto Mayor Rob "Laughable Bumblefuck" Ford, including his brother, City Councillor Doug Ford. The Globe piece details how Doug Ford was allegedly one of the top drug traffickers in the Toronto suburb of Etobicoke, supplying the lower-level dealers in the region and running with a notorious gang, many of whose members ended up junkies and were arrested for habit-feeding property crimes. The piece also discusses Randy Ford, who was also allegedly in the drug trade, and who was arrested for his part in a kidnapping, allegedly over a drug deal. Ford's sister, Kathy Ford, is alleged to have ties to the Canadian chapter of the KKK, and to have been involved in spectacular, drug-related violent incidents. Finally, the Ford brothers' close advisor, David Price (heretofore known as Rob Ford's former coach), is described a Doug Ford's former drug-dealing partner. Rob Ford has been in the news since last week's revelation that both the Toronto Star and Gawker claimed to have been shown a video in which the mayor of Canada's largest city smokes crack cocaine, passes racist remarks about the kids on the football team he used to coach (he's been fired from that job) and calls Liberal Party leader Justin Trudeau (son of Pierre Trudeau), "a fag." Ford has been refusing to speak to the press or answer questions -- apart from a few cursory denials -- ever since, and I think this prompted the Globe to go digging in his past to see if there was anything in his history or family that suggested he might be involved in hard drugs. I'm guessing Ford wishes now that he'd just had a press conference. In recent years, the Ford family home has become known for the annual barbecue, attended by hundreds of neighbours and a Who’s Who of Conservative luminaries – including Prime Minister Stephen Harper and federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty. But in the 1980s, the finished basement at 15 Weston Wood Rd. was one of the many places Doug Ford did business, the sources said. “Justin” recalled descending to the basement on one occasion to buy hash from Mr. Ford, and on numerous other occasions watching as it was sold. He said he couldn’t recall exactly how much hash he purchased that day, but that it was enough to require a triple-beam balance scale – the kind used in most high-school science classes. Normally, street-level dealers in that era relied on Pesola scales, the compact tubes often used by fishermen to weigh their catch. “If you went over [a quarter-pound], you had to go up to the three beamers – because you could get up to a few pounds on it,” he explained. As a dealer, Doug Ford was not highly visible. Another source, “Tom,” who also supplied street-level dealers and has a long criminal record, said his girlfriend at the time would complain, whenever he was arrested, that he needed to be more calculating “like Doug.” Mr. Ford’s approach, sources said, was to supply a select group that in turn distributed smaller amounts across Etobicoke. Globe investigation: The Ford family’s history with drug dealing [Greg McArthur and Shannon Kari/Globe and Mail] (Thanks, Charlie!)
44 minutes ago
Memorial Day is almost here, which means your favorite white summer wear can see the light of day, especially if you’re spending your days basking in the sun while on vacation. Some of our favorite celebs have done just that, and w...
Memorial Day is almost here, which means your favorite white summer wear can see the light of day, especially if you’re spending your days basking in the sun while on vacation. Some of our favorite celebs have done just that, and we’ve immortalized their summer fun in our gallery. Aren’t you already jealous? Better make some moves and starting planning that big trip! [Photo Credit: Splash News]
about 1 hour ago
Men mean well, but they usually say "good".— Jaydi Samuels (@JessCallMeJaydi) May 13, 2013
Men mean well, but they usually say "good".— Jaydi Samuels (@JessCallMeJaydi) May 13, 2013
about 1 hour ago
Artist Ilona Gaynor produced a piece called "Under Black Carpets" that took the form of detailed plans for robbing five banks near LA's One Wilshire building, simultaneously. Gaynor worked with the LAPD and the FBI to produce a collectio...
Artist Ilona Gaynor produced a piece called "Under Black Carpets" that took the form of detailed plans for robbing five banks near LA's One Wilshire building, simultaneously. Gaynor worked with the LAPD and the FBI to produce a collection of fictional forensic evidence from these robberies, which were then exhibited. Now, Gaynor's trying to raise £20,000 to take the exhibit to tour the show. £30 gets you a cool-looking book, and £40 gets you the book and a tee. WAIT, ARE YOU REALLY GOING TO ROB THESE BANKS? No. This is strictly a design / art project. The exhibition of the work will be presented to the audience as a police investigation, detailing the remaining evidential material after the event has taken place, something that could be argued or challenged as material (evidence) in a court of law. The work itself will take form as sculptures, architectural models, technical drawings, films and photography. It will open as a solo exhibition (Special Project) at the Lisbon Architecture Triennale opening from Sep 12th - Dec 15th 2013. Under Black Carpets, kickstart a bank heist. (via Beyond the Beyond)
about 1 hour ago
You can't beat a moment like this!
You can't beat a moment like this!
about 2 hours ago
Boing Boing reader Keane Beamish shot this wonderful photograph of the Aurora Borealis in Unst, in the Shetland Islands to the north of Scotland. There are more northern lights photos, and wonderful landscape shots, in his photo set, her...
Boing Boing reader Keane Beamish shot this wonderful photograph of the Aurora Borealis in Unst, in the Shetland Islands to the north of Scotland. There are more northern lights photos, and wonderful landscape shots, in his photo set, here. Shared in the Boing Boing Flickr Pool.
about 2 hours ago
The new International Symbol of Accessibility replaces the old, static "disabled" icon, which depicted a rather static, object-like disabled person in a wheelchair -- the new ISA shows a person zooming dynamically in a wheelchair instead...
The new International Symbol of Accessibility replaces the old, static "disabled" icon, which depicted a rather static, object-like disabled person in a wheelchair -- the new ISA shows a person zooming dynamically in a wheelchair instead. It's been officially adopted in NYC: After several years of petitioning for change, designers from Gordon College in Massachusetts have come up with an alternative to the traditional stick figure sitting back in a wheelchair. Their new character is dynamic, leaning forward with its arms at the ready. "It's such a forward-moving thing," Victor Calise, commissioner of the New York mayor's Office for People With Disabilities, told The Chronicle of Higher Education. Calise, who himself was paralyzed in a cycling accident at the age of 22, plans to begin putting the new logo in place all over New York City this summer. Revamped disability icons coming to New York City (Thanks, Matthew!)
about 2 hours ago
(YouTube link)Vivid Sydney is an annual festival going on now through June 10th, featuring light shows, music, drama, and other performances in Sydney, Australia. This video show parts of a light show called PLAY by Spinifex Group projec...
(YouTube link)Vivid Sydney is an annual festival going on now through June 10th, featuring light shows, music, drama, and other performances in Sydney, Australia. This video show parts of a light show called PLAY by Spinifex Group projected on the Sydney Opera House. The full 14-minute Spinifex show is also available to watch. You can see more video clips of the opening night of the festival at vimeo. -via reddit
about 2 hours ago
Photo by Gouldina1, shared in the Boing Boing Flickr Pool. Photo by David Glicksman, shared in the Boing Boing Flickr Pool. Photo by Stuart Watson, shared in the Boing Boing Flickr Pool. Photo by Doran, shared in the Boing Boing...
Photo by Gouldina1, shared in the Boing Boing Flickr Pool. Photo by David Glicksman, shared in the Boing Boing Flickr Pool. Photo by Stuart Watson, shared in the Boing Boing Flickr Pool. Photo by Doran, shared in the Boing Boing Flickr Pool. Photo by donovanbeeson, shared in the Boing Boing Flickr Pool.
about 3 hours ago