Tasers don't kill people...

...excited delirium kills people. Or at least, notes SlashDot, that's what an Ohio judge said last week.

Taser International recently started a legal campaign against medical examiners who claimed tasers contributed to the cause of death for several people. On Friday, an Ohio judge ruled in favor of the stun gun manufacturer (free registration may be required). While they do have a number of scientific studies on which they establish their claims, it's interesting that the alternate cause of death they champion — excited delirium — appears only in police reports on the deaths of difficult or drug-addled inmates, not in medical textbooks. Of course, that may change soon — Taser is funding and promoting research on the subject. Coroner reports such as the ones in this case contributed to the UN's opinion that taser use is tortur.

And just as a reminder -- "taser" may not be used as a generic verb.

Tasers don't kill people...

...excited delirium kills people. Or at least, notes SlashDot, that's what an Ohio judge said last week.

Taser International recently started a legal campaign against medical examiners who claimed tasers contributed to the cause of death for several people. On Friday, an Ohio judge ruled in favor of the stun gun manufacturer (free registration may be required). While they do have a number of scientific studies on which they establish their claims, it's interesting that the alternate cause of death they champion — excited delirium — appears only in police reports on the deaths of difficult or drug-addled inmates, not in medical textbooks. Of course, that may change soon — Taser is funding and promoting research on the subject. Coroner reports such as the ones in this case contributed to the UN's opinion that taser use is tortur.

And just as a reminder -- "taser" may not be used as a generic verb.

When the cooking is hot...

...you can turn to this NASCAR Barbecue, for sale at eBay. It's very...very. Starting bid is $16,995.00...no takers, yet.



Via Geek Alerts.

When the cooking is hot...

...you can turn to this NASCAR Barbecue, for sale at eBay. It's very...very. Starting bid is $16,995.00...no takers, yet.



Via Geek Alerts.

I'll take "scary anatomical art" for $200, Alex

Neat-O-Rama provides the detail for this rather cool, rather disgusting piece of art:

Not entirely anatomically correct (nor real) this heart fountain spews, shoots, and jets “blood” all over the box it is contained in much to the amazement of the spectators. Created by artist Billy Chasen this fountain was displayed at the American Heart Association (AHA) 2008 “Heart of New York Gala”, which took place at Waldorf Astoria in NY City.

Here's the video:

I'll take "scary anatomical art" for $200, Alex

Neat-O-Rama provides the detail for this rather cool, rather disgusting piece of art:

Not entirely anatomically correct (nor real) this heart fountain spews, shoots, and jets “blood” all over the box it is contained in much to the amazement of the spectators. Created by artist Billy Chasen this fountain was displayed at the American Heart Association (AHA) 2008 “Heart of New York Gala”, which took place at Waldorf Astoria in NY City.

Here's the video:

Normally, I don't do cute

However, these dominoes really tickle my funny bone in a very indulgent-aunt way. They're £8.95, from the Children Salon.



Via Nerd Approved.

Normally, I don't do cute

However, these dominoes really tickle my funny bone in a very indulgent-aunt way. They're £8.95, from the Children Salon.



Via Nerd Approved.

We mean it. Honest. Please?

PopGive.com offers several stop signs from Oak Lawn, Illinois, where authorities worked to make the signs more effective. In 2007, the city began "hanging some humorous additions to the city stop signs in an attempt to have drivers obey the signs. They added slogans such as 'and smell the roses' and 'means that you aren't moving' to 50 stop signs."

We mean it. Honest. Please?

PopGive.com offers several stop signs from Oak Lawn, Illinois, where authorities worked to make the signs more effective. In 2007, the city began "hanging some humorous additions to the city stop signs in an attempt to have drivers obey the signs. They added slogans such as 'and smell the roses' and 'means that you aren't moving' to 50 stop signs."

Man uses (beer) coffin early...

An Illinois man's custom-made beer can coffin was put to good (early) use when he filled it up with ice and beer for a party Saturday. Although he fits the coffin (he gave it a test-ride), he's not planning to use it for its intended purpose anytime soon, but spending all that money for a one-shot deal seemed rather foolish.

Man uses (beer) coffin early...

An Illinois man's custom-made beer can coffin was put to good (early) use when he filled it up with ice and beer for a party Saturday. Although he fits the coffin (he gave it a test-ride), he's not planning to use it for its intended purpose anytime soon, but spending all that money for a one-shot deal seemed rather foolish.

Bravo to the skeptics

The Guardian has the good sense to be skeptical about the frenzy surrounding a man who allegedly grew back a (or some of a) finger using a miraculous product made of powdered pigs' bladders.

Good for them. As they report it, everything about the story looks questionable (not that either the BBC or the other news outlets that ran the story seemed to ask a lot of questions).

Bravo to the skeptics

The Guardian has the good sense to be skeptical about the frenzy surrounding a man who allegedly grew back a (or some of a) finger using a miraculous product made of powdered pigs' bladders.

Good for them. As they report it, everything about the story looks questionable (not that either the BBC or the other news outlets that ran the story seemed to ask a lot of questions).

What *not* to study

The Boston Globe offers a list of 30 of the fastest declining occupations. If you are thinking of a career change, you probably don't want to go into photographic processing (no shock there), wallpaper hanging (huh), shoe and leather working, or the other jobs they mention here.

I'm delighted to see telemarketing on the list.

What *not* to study

The Boston Globe offers a list of 30 of the fastest declining occupations. If you are thinking of a career change, you probably don't want to go into photographic processing (no shock there), wallpaper hanging (huh), shoe and leather working, or the other jobs they mention here.

I'm delighted to see telemarketing on the list.

Okay, quiz time...

This $15.95 product is the "Barak Obama Hope-on-a-Rope." According to the seller, 33% of all proceeds go to the Obama campaign.



Why is it purple? According to the product page, "Rejuvenate with the 'breath of fresh air' scented, Barak Obama shaped, red and blue makes purple soap on a rope."

So, here's the quiz:

[Poll #1182784]

Okay, quiz time...

This $15.95 product is the "Barak Obama Hope-on-a-Rope." According to the seller, 33% of all proceeds go to the Obama campaign.



Why is it purple? According to the product page, "Rejuvenate with the 'breath of fresh air' scented, Barak Obama shaped, red and blue makes purple soap on a rope."

So, here's the quiz:

[Poll #1182784]

Cyclone death toll exceeds 10,000

According to CNN, the Myanmar government is saying that the death toll from the weekend's horrific storm is more than 10,000 people.

The storm packed 150 mph winds and dumped 20 inches of rain on the country, prompting unprecedented calls for international assistance from Myanmar's ruling junta.

International relief is expected to begin arriving Tuesday.

Cyclone death toll exceeds 10,000

According to CNN, the Myanmar government is saying that the death toll from the weekend's horrific storm is more than 10,000 people.

The storm packed 150 mph winds and dumped 20 inches of rain on the country, prompting unprecedented calls for international assistance from Myanmar's ruling junta.

International relief is expected to begin arriving Tuesday.