Link-Off

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Weekend Geek Links of the Week

What do some scientists think humans will look like in 100,000 years? Like characters out of manga books. [Mother Nature Network]

Some important Microsoft investors are telling Microsoft’s new CEO that he should drop Bing, Surface and Xbox from the company’s portfolio. [Washington Post]

Developer Jeff Vogel explains why Dong Nguyen pulled down his wildly popular Flappy Bird and how the vitriol from both random folks on the internet and the gaming media can get to you. [The Bottom Feeder]

EA’s Chief Creative Officer doesn’t see the problem with the SimCity and Battlefield 4 launches because the games sold well. It looks like EA is trying hard to win a third-straight Worst Company in America award from The Consumerist. [Rock, Paper, Shotgun]

If they go with a more Olympic-style model, could the World Cyber Games be revived and thrive? [eSportsMax]

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Wednesday Link-Off: The Best of Times, The Blurst of Times

anais-pouliot-victoriassecret14-04Before any accuses me of breaking my Olympic boycott, I insist that stories embarrassing to the IOC and the Sochi Organizing Committee are in keeping in the spirit of the boycott. I am not supporting them with the Olympic links in this post.

Alright, it’s Wednesday which means that it’s time for the links. Since it’s the run up to Valentine’s Day, here’s a Valentine’s Day themed shoot from Canadian Victoria’s Secret model Anais Pouliot.

Occupy Wall Street protester Cecily McMillan is facing seven years in prison for being beaten unconscious by the NYPD. You can’t call it “the American justice system” because clearly there is no justice. (The Sparrow Project)

Michael Sam has a very good chance of being the first openly gay athlete in a major American team sport after coming out this weekend. Hopefully that doesn’t drop him right out of the upcoming NFL draft. (Outsports)

While we’ve been focusing on Russia’s domestic issues that have made these games morally unbearable, Putin’s backing of the Syrian government has allowed for them to slaughter thousands of innocent civilians. Why is Russia allowed to host these Olympics despite their near cartoonish villainy. (The New Yorker)

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Sunday Link-Off: End The Games Before They Really Begin

laura-vandervoort-maxim14-04I’m going to warn you that if you’re looking for coverage of Olympic sports, you’ve come to the wrong place. I am in no mood to celebrate “the world coming together.” There are bigger fish to fry in Sochi. There will be Olympic coverage but I promise that sports fans won’t be interested.

But since it’s Sunday, I’ll have the column tomorrow. For now, it’s time for the links. Here’s Laura Vandervoort.

Not all Russians are as heartless as Vlad Putin and cronies. A hastily assembled dog rescue effort backed by a Russian billionaire is trying to rescue as many strays from Sochi as possible before the government-hired contractor kills them. (New York Times)

So it turns out that Sochi is ready for sports but not ready for anyone or anything else at these Olympics. Hotels for media have been an utter embarrassment for a supposed first-world country that was supposedly ready to host the Olympics. Then again, it’s probably just a way to distract the media from Russian gay bashing and dog killing. Why are you supporting these Olympics by buying the merchandise and watching the events? (Washington Post)

By the way, how did we all miss the symbolism of Germany’s rainbow uniforms? (Sports Grid)

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Entertainment Link-Off: Building Blocks

emma watson wonderlandI’m back! So we’re officially in February and I’m finally posting the first Entertainment Link-Off of 2014. The past month has been hectic with no steady internet and lots of moving around. Here’s to new beginnings and a wonderful new year ahead. Now this weekend at the box office, you got a star-studded yet critically panned flick The Monuments Men taking on the surprisingly certified fresh Lego Movie. Better yet, if you’re in Australia, just go watch the Robocop remake. Actually, on second thought, don’t. Anyway, let’s kick off the ELO with Emma Watson’s latest shoot from Wonderland. 

After the jump some aca-amazing news, a certain Parks and Rec moment ruined by a thief, Sherlock will be back, zombie beavers beware and another new installment to the Matt Damon/Jimmy Kimmel feud. Continue reading →

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Wednesday Link-Off: Not So Super Bowl

sarah-stephens-newyorker14-01So… That was allegedly a Super Bowl. At least Bruno Mars wasn’t as bad as he could have been. And I was outscoring Denver against the spread for the first 44:59 of the game. What a sad game.

Anyway, it’s the middle of the week which means that it’s time for the links. Let’s start with Aussie model Sarah Stephens.

Woody Allen’s daughter, Dylan Farrow, talks about how her famous father molested her as a child. And Hollywood is honouring this man? (New York Times)

Gun violence in schools doesn’t seem to be on the decline. An examination of the personalities of the men involved tend to indicate some common social and psychological factors. No, it’s not video games. (Al Jazeera America)

The Conservative government is planning to introduce the “Fair Elections Act” which will allow the wealthy to make more political donations, restrict the investigative authority of the Chief Electoral Officer and tighten voter ID laws. In other words, it’s fair to Harper. Everyone else? Too damn bad. Welcome to Harper’s America Canada. (National Post)

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Sunday Link-Off: Just Super

martha-hunt-victoriassecret14-09Happy Super Bowl Sunday everyone! Hold on to your wallets today. Broncos -2 is probably going to see a lot of action on either side. I’d tell you what I’d bet but resident gambling guru Scott would say I have a gambling problem because I never win. He seldom loses so says he doesn’t have a problem. That’s how things work around here. Just like in sports, you’re judged on your win/loss record.

Anyway, it’s time for the links. Let’s kick off with Martha Hunt. (See what I did there?)

Justin Trudeau has a plan to completely overhaul the Canadian Senate. The only problem is that the way he wants to make the change may make it very difficult to make happen. (MacLean’s)

Ontario’s minimum wage is going to $11 per hour with an automatic annual increase based on inflation. But is that increase really enough? (Canadian Business)

Headline of the year all of time: Toronto Mayor Rob Ford defends fellow Canadian Justin Bieber. (Talking Points Memo)

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Weekend Geek Links of the Week

This is the single most comprehensive look at how gamers deal with morality systems in games that you’ll ever read. Absolutely fascinating piece. [Journal of Games Criticism]

You know, I’d like to change my Twitter handle to something shorter but still easily identifiable as my own personal account. After reading the experiences the man formerly known as @N had when someone stole his PayPal and GoDaddy accounts to steal his Twitter handle, I think I’ll keep my undesirable handle. [The Next Web]

Remember last week’s etg post about Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition’s framerate? Well, turns out that the initial reports were mostly accurate. While the PS4 had a wider range of FPS than anticipated, the Xbox One version never climbed above 30 FPS and was outperformed by an average of over 20 FPS. [Digital Foundry]

The man behind the Black Mesa mod for the Source Engine got his hands on Valve’s new VR device. Here are his impressions. [Carlos Montero]

If it was Doritos, it would be the most cliche gamer snack ever but this is pretty close. In Japan, you can now get packets of Mountain Dew flavoured Cheetos. [FoodBeast]

With files from et geekera. For more from et geekera, follow on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Tumblr and RSS.

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Wednesday Link-Off: The Politics of Failure

danielle-knudson-guess14-02We’re just a few days away from the Super Bowl and can you feel the excitement in the air? Okay, neither can I. All I can feel is frozen. Mind you, I would like watching a game with snow and cold. It’s like the Snow Bowl edition of the Grey Cup. Fantastic setting for a football game.

Anyway, it’s Wednesday so that means that it’s time for the links. Let’s start with Canadian model Danielle Knudson.

It’s been a while since we had some good old-fashioned fact checking but Rob Ford’s speech to the Toronto Economic Club warranted it. It was for the stuck in an elevator story though. (Torontoist)

While the Americans are struggling with unemployment after the bank bailouts and economic crisis, Iceland letting banks failing has allowed their unemployment to get below 4%. (Bloomberg)

People often mock Republicans for living in a bubble and creating their own reality but Ted Cruz confirmed that on national TV this weekend. He went on Face the Nation and flatout lied about the government shutdown. Even veteran journalist Bob Schieffer couldn’t help but laugh at him. (Raw Story)

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Sunday Link-Off: Rumble

aj-cook-maxim14-03If it’s a Sunday, then it must be time for us to drop some links for you to read. Since there’s no football this weekend, there isn’t much for you to do, right? Wait. Pro… Bowl? Never heard of it.

Anyway, let’s kick it off with Canadian actress AJ Cook.

There’s no proven link between vaccinations and autism but there is a proven links between the decline in vaccinations and increased instances of preventable diseases. Fools who believe anything have brought this upon themselves. (Los Angeles Times)

Remember last year’s big maple syrup heist? Here’s a recap in illustrated form. (Modern Farmer)

The Lufthansa heist immortalized in Goodfellas has been solved. Did no one watch the movie? (New York Post)

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Wednesday Link-Off: The Return

kim-cloutier-aubade14-03The Lowdown Blog is back in business this morning. And because today is Wednesday, it’s time for us to do the middle of the week set of links. Some of these links are a little old but I think they’re still important reads for you.

Let’s start today’s links with blog favourite and Canadian model Kim Cloutier.

Ontario PC party leader Tim Hudak has unofficially kicked off his election campaign with a promise to create one million new jobs. However, history shows that it’s extremely unlikely to happen. (MacLean’s)

Is the Harper Government trying to destroy science in Canada? The government is engaged in the closing of scientific libraries and destruction of documents. (Daily Kos)

The Democratic Party might be leaning towards running Hilary in the 2016 Presidential election but they’re still not in great shape to hold onto The White House. (Washington Post)

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