So Microsoft have just announced two tablets their producing in-house to go with the launch of Windows 8 and shieeeeeet. Me like.

There will be two versions: one with an ARM chipset which most tablets and smartphones today use; and a second one with Windows Pro and a ivy bridge i5 chipset inside making it essentially a full powered computer, comparable to the capabilities of today’s ultrabooks. Hell, couple that with its options for decent storage space (32, 64 or 128 Gbs), HDMI out, MicroSD slot, USB port and a ‘smart cover’ with an built-in keyboard and touch pad and these babies look to be just perfect for what I’ve been searching for in a new portable computing device.

Audrey Hepburn

Yousuf Karsh (1908-2002) is one of the masters of 20th century photography. His body of work includes portraits of statesmen, artists, musicians, authors, scientists, and men and women of accomplishment. His extraordinary and unique portfolio presents the viewer with an intimate and compassionate view of humanity.

A fine portraits collection of his more famous subjects can be found here. And his official website here.

I keep telling myself that the last post about Prometheus would, well… be the last post about Prometheus, but this concise list of 43 ‘lessons’ learned from the science from the film, then led to this post-viewing analysis that is now my official favourite response to the film.

Caution: spoilers somewhat ahead.

Okay, so it’s another video that uses the Requiem for a Dream overture, but this chronological recap of Breaking Bad’s first four seasons is phenomenally well done and worth a watch before season 5 starts next month (woo!).

Warning: herein contains spoilers…

• Backstage gossip from touring Guns N Roses roadies
• The Necronomicon-Thin Crust pizza (I like to call it a Necronominom)
• How a Boiled squid inseminated a woman’s mouth
• Stoya on the difference between a prostitute and a porn actress
• Yanis Varoufakis on becoming Valve’s economist-in-residence for their virtual economies
• Why smart people can be so dumb
• Is Creativity Sexy? The Evolutionary Advantages of Artistic Thinking
• Singularity University Rule #1: The best way to predict the future is to invent it
• Lifehacker’s guide on how to tie your running shoes
• New Yorker’s Ryan Lizza on reporting and how Twitter has fostered a crisis in political journalism
• These are the books that will make you totally undateable
  

  “Eat Pray Love. Elizabeth Gilbert isn’t a bad person, but if this book is your choice, you are.”

• Interesting discussion on How To Talk About Books You Haven’t Read
  

  “Non-reading is not just the absence of reading. It is a genuine activity, one that consists of adopting a stance in relation to the immense tide of books that protects you from drowning. On that basis, it deserves to be defended and even taught.”

• A visual summary of Michael Fassbender’s role in Prometheus
• Oh Christ, I thought I could avoid posting a “call me maybe” cover thing, but this MC Chris version with bath salts zombies is catchy.
• Also, Star Wars subtitled with existential philosophy

And for your funny late show segment of the day, here’s 30 Rock’s nice guy Jack McBrayer and Triumph the Insult Comic Dog visiting the Weiner Circle, Chicago’s infamously hostile hot dog stand.

On genetics, how we’re all related and good ol’ incest.

• So Long Judy Freudberg, Sesame Street Veteran; Writer Behind Land Before Time and American Tail
• Goddamnit… 35mm Film is About to Die – Studios Plan to Go With All Digital Projection by 2014
• Oh please fucking yes: HBO Considering Bored to Death Movie
• Video: a very brief online peek at upcoming Life of Pi adaptation
• The Evolution of Aesthetics: The Origins Of Music And Visual Art
• Bad astronomer on Will we ever… live on the Moon?
• Concerned Scientists Fight Back Against Ignorance in Washington DC by building a Center for Science and Democracy
• Opinion: Obama Might Lose (And He Might Win)
• Why Are Traffic Lights Red and Green? (sorta explained)

And today’s trailer is Julie Delpy’s sequel to 2 Days in Paris, now with more glasses…

So, this weeks internet appears to have been brought to you by the letter ‘Prometheus’ as pretty much every site or blog I go to has some opinion, or reference to an opinion about it.

I’m definitely a fence sitter in that I love pretty much every single technical/design aspect of the film, while finding the story and thematic concepts wholly underwhelming in contrast. I also just realised that on reflection, I could also be disappointed with the ‘science’/realism of the film (like the fact the entire plot revolves around journeying to a star formation that in all probability, has shifted position/alignment since being first painted 35,000 years ago); but now I’m slowly realising that my new understandings of physics has ruined the potential to ever fully enjoy another action (or sci-fi) film.

Anyhow, the online reactions and discussions have been quite illuminating; from literary analysis and theological allusions to simple hilarious hate, but my current favourite is probably this video where a group of friends decided to watch the entire Alien/Predator chronology of films and record their ratings before heading off the Prometheus itself. Good fun.

Must also add this short making-of featurette on the fantastic soundscape of Prometheus.

By now, you’ve probably seen this hilarious photo series by Lithuanian photographer Tadao Cern. Now see the slow-mo video version..

Thanks Colossal.