The República Update

RSS Feed Homepage

Articles: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

100 NOVEL INTROS
2012-01-23 14:30:00
Here's one for all the reading enthusiasts--a list of 100 first lines from some of the most popular novels ever written--The Stranger, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Don Quixote , 1984, and many more. It's pretty interesting to be able to see and juxtapose all of those infamous introductions in one sitting! Check out the entire list for yourself here.
More About: Books , Reading , Novels , List

WARREN BUFFETT AND JAY-Z
2012-01-20 18:30:00
Music mogul, Jay-Z, was in the spotlight this past Wednesday as he re-opened his famous 40/40 Club in New York City. The star-studded evening was graced with a handful of celebs, one of which was probably more noteworthy than the rest--Warren Buffett . The multi-billionaire was caught enjoying the scene and remodeled look of the trendy establishment. Photographers even caught him throwing up Jay-Z's infamous "Roc Diamond." Now we've seen everything!
More About: Business , Music , Events , Luxury

ANONYMOUS DEFENDS MEGAUPLOAD
2012-01-20 18:14:00
Hacker group Anonymous sprang into action yesterday afternoon by causing havoc and taking down a slew of targeted websites including the U.S. Department Of Justice, U.S. Copyright Office, Recording Industry Association Of America (RIAA), Motion Picture Association Of America (MPAA) and Universal Music Group. The move comes in response to the recent indictment of download website, Megaupload. Authorities argue that the site was once the 13th most-visited website on the internet and responsible for the distribution of loads of pirated television shows, software and games. All this comes in light of the recent Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and Protect IP Act (PIPA) currently making their rounds among U.S. lawmakers.
More About: Politics , Congress , Technology , Hacks , Film

STUFF [PEOPLE] SAY
2012-01-19 19:02:00
Unless you've been living under a rock, chances are you've caught one or two of these parodies. But if not, here's our montage of the most popular "Stuff [People ] Say" clips. Enjoy all of the inappropriate (not politically correct) laughs on us!
More About: Comedy , Commentary , Film , Parody

PICKIN' AND TRIMMIN'
2012-01-19 17:52:00
Whether you're in the hustle and bustle of the big city or the remote town of Drexel, North Carolina , there's something about the nostalgia of a traditional barbershop that preserves local history. The following is a documentary shot by Matt Morris that captures just that--the story of a southern shop and its infamous Bluegrass music sessions.
More About: History , Film , Community , Documentary

CRAIGSLIST THE MUSICAL
2012-01-18 18:38:00
CBC broadcaster Bill Richardson and singer/songwriter Veda Hille are the culprits behind the quirky new musical, Do You Want What I Have Got? A Craigslist Cantata. The show is a musical parody based largely on Craigslist want-ads and the theme of humanity in the age of social networking and exchange. It will make its big debut at this year's PuSh International Performing Arts Festival in Vancouver, Canada. Expect lots of laughs and weirdness like irregular cat hats, mounted lobsters, and a slew of other want-ad mentions.
More About: Comedy , Music , Creative , Musical , Theater

HEALTHY PARENTS FELLOWSHIP
2012-01-18 17:41:00
New York City-based non-profit, Health y Kids In The Heights, is spearheading a campaign that will empower neighborhood parents to become leaders in healthy living. The Healthy Parents Fellowship program is dedicated to battling child obesity in the neighborhood of Washington Heights. Led by founder and health activist, Catarina Rivera, the initiative is currently seeking funding to jump start its goals of health and entrepreneur training for parents, publicity for the project, materials and supplies, and space for its work. Washington Heights ranks second-highest in the city for childhood obesity. The Healthy Parents Fellowship really wants to change this statistic by developing community leaders that will in turn, activate community awareness. You can help fund their cause here. Only 16 days left for them to reach their goal of $2500 USD.
More About: Education , Entrepreneurship , Community

WIKIPEDIA BLACKOUT
2012-01-17 07:04:00
Wikipedia and founder Jimmy Wales will be protesting the U.S. Stop Internet Piracy Act (SOPA) and Protect IP Act (PIPA) today. The English version of the online user-based encyclopedia will not be greeting visitors with the usual search bar and information. Instead, those that log on can expect to read the company's stance on the bills and information on how to take action against them. Online news link service, Reddit will also join Wikipedia in the 24-hour blackout. Fight the power!
More About: Politics , Business , Technology , Government

COLLAPSIBLE CUTTING BOARD
2012-01-17 05:46:00
Progressive International has designed a cutting board with a savvy addition. Their Counter Edge Cutting Board features a detachable side bin that's perfect for collecting unwanted bits or separating chopped goods. Kitchen warriors can snag their very own for $24.99 USD here.
More About: Design , Food and Drink

PARIS VS NEW YORK
2012-01-17 05:30:00
Two of the world's most iconic cities, Paris and New York , go head-to-head in a humorous and visual hardcover. A concept that began with Vahram Muratyan's online travel journal is now a blog and book, Paris Versus New York: A Tally Of Two Cities. Included in the iconic mix are fundamental contrasts between the subway and metro, bagels and baguettes, and The Apple Store (cube) and The L'ouvre (pyramid) among others.

DAFT PUNK CLASS
2012-01-16 18:01:00
Dani, an English teacher that's currently working in Korea, recently exposed her 7th grade kids to the magic of electronic music group, Daft Punk . The premise was to use the band's music to encourage learning among the children. The following is the result--a funky little performance that not only looks cool, but also helped the students with their English word recognition. Literally too cool for school!
More About: Education , Music , Creative , Kids

DC COMICS TATTOO HOAX
2012-01-14 00:52:00
Yep, we've been suckered! Earlier we reported a post about DC Comics and their supposed litigation against fan tattoos. Turns out the story was a complete hoax from 2011. The original April Fool's story appeared on ComicMix. We're sure we weren't the only guys that got had. We can imagine all the take-downs during that week. We apologize anyway and we won't be returning any calls to Hawkman, Superman or responding to any Justice League threats...
More About: Animation , Tattoo , Joke , Legal

DC COMICS VS TATTOOS
2012-01-13 18:00:00
In a pursuit that's almost too incredible to believe, lawyers representing the comic book pioneers over at DC Comics are actually handing out cease and desist notices to fans with tattooed art that they deem copyrighted material. The suits, apparently on call from Warner Bros. (DC's parent company), began handing out official notices while on the floor of the C2E2 convention in Chicago last month. And here's what they had to say about it:
More About: Politics , Animation , Fans , Lawyers

WYCLEF AND THE QUAKE
2012-01-13 15:51:00
The following is a makeshift documentary of the devastation that took place during the 2010 Haiti earthquake. Musician and producer, Wyclef Jean, and his associates dived head-first into the mayhem to capture what the world had yet to see. It's been two years since and the effects of the quake have rendered the country helpless still. The end of the video lists the harsh reality in numbers: 316K people perished, 300K injured, 1M orphaned children, and 1.2M homeless. Wyclef's foundation Yelé continues to do what it can to offer relief. Don't forget to support!
More About: Politics , Government , Events , Film , Quake

PHONE STACKING
2012-01-12 18:00:00
While we do admit that cellphone tech posts do make their way around here pretty often, this one's a little different. This one's actually about avoiding your phone, especially during dinner with friends. It's called "phone stacking" and here's how it works: everyone places their cellphones facedown on the table (you can stack them for more suspense), then the rules are simple, first person to pick their's up to check for missed calls or messages pays the tab. Sounds easy enough, right? Go for it on the next night out with amigos. We pretty much guarantee a fun time!
More About: Technology , Electronics , Phone , Dinner , Food and Drink

BAJA ECO-LOFTS
2012-01-12 15:00:00
Here's a preview of the Endémico Resguardo Silvestre Hotel, set to be completed later this year in the Valle De Guadalupe area of Baja California . The sleek habitat will feature twenty independent eco-lofts that are 215 square feet each. Each one is designed from steel and wood in minimalist fashion with a wooden patio deck and clay fireplace to top it off. Visitors of the Habita hotel group establishment can expect an amazing view of the valley, a stunning pool, and a nearby winery. Very nice!
More About: Design , Travel , Architecture , Luxury

MUSIC OF THE HEMISPHERES
2012-01-11 19:37:00
Is music at the root of our human consciousness? This is the question that filmmakers, Elisa da Prato and James Fideler, attempts to tackle in her upcoming documentary, Music Of The Hemispheres (MOTH). The project focuses on the Music Of Thought Hypothesis theory by philosopher/professor, Dan Lloyd, who studies brain activity and its connection to music. This is accomplished through fMRI brain imaging, which then gets converted into sound via brain-data sonification. The result is a striking "symphony" of a person's thought patterns! Readers interested in making the completion of this project and film a reality can connect to the MOTH Kickstarter page here and pledge. Only 14 days to go for it to reach its $16K USD goal.
More About: Science , Health , Creative , Technology

JEREMY SCOTT X ADIDAS ORIGINALS KIDS
2012-01-11 18:04:00
Outside-of-the-box fashion designer, Jeremy Scott, has unveiled his 2012 Adidas Originals Spring/Summer footwear line for the kiddies and man is it cool! Expect kid-sized versions of his the already-funky designs. Think plush, colorful, and with animals and wings.
More About: Creative , Design , Kids , Fashion , Footwear

VIDEO GAMES AND ARMY GUNS
2012-01-10 16:46:00
In a controversial move, the U.S. Army will be teaming up with CTA Digital, makers of guns for video game systems, to create military-branded product for popular combat titles like Call Of Duty 3: Modern Warfare. It is reported that the guns will feature a high level of authenticity including the Army's logo. What's most striking is that the move is part of an effort to recruit more young people into the armed forces via the glorification of games and guns. Nuts!
More About: Video , Design , Technology , Government , Video Games

BOUNCE THAT MAN JUNK
2012-01-10 16:26:00
Meet Jenna Marbles, an internet sensation that whips up weekly comedic videos about her random thoughts and happenings. Her latest feat, however, isn't some self-made web cam video, it's a full-on music video production dedicated to male genitalia. "Bounce That D*ck" is Ms. Marbles' comedic response to years of sexist pop music videos that only glorify scantily clad women. She's decided to turn the tables and it's hilarious!
More About: Comedy , Music , Film , Music Video , Tube

TEXTING WHILE WALKING
2012-01-09 18:41:00
The New York Times recently ran an Op-Doc story on the dangers of texting while walking. Along with the alarming stats (1000 pedestrians in the ER in 2008) is a short PSA film by Casey Neistat that visually breaks down the act and all its levels of offense. Take heed!
More About: Media , Technology , Film , Walking

ROLLS-ROYCE RECORD YEAR
2012-01-09 15:47:00
Not sure about everyone else, but when we hear the phrase "global recession" we pretty much assume that all world markets are taking some kind of hit, no? Well, according to Rolls-Royce sales in 2011, such isn't necessarily the case for luxury car sales, in fact, the company reported its most successful year to date! The infamous makers of the Phantom sold a whopping 3,538 vehicles last year, 391 more vehicles than their last record year in 1978. It's also highly relevant to note that sales growth in worldwide markets had much to do with the feat. The company reports a 47-percent increase in the Asian Pacific region, 17 in North America, 23 in the Middle East , and a 30-percent growth at home in the UK. Astonishing. Further proof that while things may be globally awry, upper class spending's got more than a healthy pulse!
More About: Business , United States , Cars , United Kingdom

TELECOM ACT DEMISE
2012-01-06 15:38:00
Just last month, communications giant, Verizon, signed a $3.6 billion dollar deal with "competitors" Comcast, Time Warner, and Bright House Networks. Experts argue that the alliance unofficially spells out the end of the United States ' Telecom Act of 1996--a congressional bill that promised consumers fair and competitive tele-communications services. And now a second part of that multi-billion dollar deal is speculated to draw out how each company will actually stay out of one another's way and possibly sell each other's services to overlapping customers--in other words, a cleverly disguised monopoly, as the New York Times reports:
More About: Business , Internet , Technology , Government

KANYE WEST HIRING
2012-01-06 15:00:00
International Hip-Hop artist and producer, Kanye West, recently announced the inception of his very own creative company--DONDA. Named after his late mother, Dr. Donda West, the venture is going to be dedicated to producing projects and products that, as Yeezy describes, will marry emotional wants with utilitarian needs. And he's not looking to tackle it alone. Mr. West is actually calling out thinkers and creatives from all walks: architects, scientists, teachers, designers, and more, to reach out and join the action:
More About: Business , Music , Creative , Design , Projects

SUBWAY FLEXING
2012-01-05 18:53:00
Flexing, aka Bonebreaking, is a form of street dancing that involves rhythmic contortions, slides, glides, pops and locks. Think breakdancing, meets robot, meets industrial grime. Here's a premier group from Brooklyn, New York City known as NextLevel Squad "flexing" their stuff inside the subway system. At about 4:28 it gets surreal--these guys are intense!
More About: Creative , Pop , Film , Dance

FIELD CANDY TENTS
2012-01-05 18:00:00
FieldCandy is a UK-based company dedicated to making outdoor camping cool and design-forward. They do so by producing some of the funkiest and unique tents around. Check out their line of hi-res imagery that's sure to make a camper out of even the most demanding design aficionado!
More About: Creative , Design , Outdoors , Travel

DIGITAL BORDER CROSS
2012-01-04 18:58:00
In an obvious sign of the times The Guardian reports how Canadian citizen, Martin Reisch, was able to successfully cross over into the United States using an iPad that displayed scanned version of his passport. As the story goes, Martin had forgotten his physical passport at home, two-hours back in Montreal . It was a longshot, he admits, but after telling border agents about how he was delivering Christmas gifts for his friend's kids and showing them the digital document, it was a go. Granted, it probably won't happen all the time, it was great for Mr. Reisch to know that his scanned version went a long way. He's even got hopes about it officially being instated:
More About: Technology , Government , Travel

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA NOSES
2012-01-04 08:04:00
They say God is in the details, and apparently so are the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! Presenting Teenage Mutant Ninja Noses--a Tumblr blog dedicated to the art of the popular 90's kids cartoon ubiquitously drawn onto all sorts of noses. Yep, celebrity noses, user-based noses, and more!
More About: Animation , Cartoon , Creative , Kids , Celebrity

LUXURY CEREALS
2012-01-04 07:09:00
Self-proclaimed glam foodie, Tricia, of Sip Chat Chow, presents her unique series of couture breakfast cereals. She says that the idea combines her love of fashion with her love of food and amazing style:
More About: Luxury , Cereals

GOLDEN SNOWBOARD BOOTS
2012-01-03 15:16:00
Japanese designer, Osamu Koyama, of Complete Technique, was inspired to take his love for precious metal, molding, anime, and Nike's Greek reference to a new level. The result is the American Eagle Zoom Force 1, a winged Nike snowboard boot cast in gold. These are ill!
More About: Animation , Sports , Creative , Design , Japan