Ensuring the Authenticity of Your Programming… With Paid, Planted Callers

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Well, here’s a shocker: Some of the people who phone in to talk radio shows (that caller with the pitch-perfect rant, provocative comment or burning question) may actually be hired actors reading from scriptsI’m not an angry listener, but I play one on radio!

If [the actor] passed the audition, he would be invited periodically to call in to various talk shows and recite various scenarios that made for interesting radio. He would never be identified as an actor, and his scenarios would never be identified as fabricated—which they always were…

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Top 10 Photos of the Week

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The inside-outside upside-downside car. The most fun you can have on four headrests

“I can stand brute force, but brute reason is quite unbearable. There is something unfair about its use. It is hitting below the intellect.” – – Oscar Wilde

“I can stand brute force, but brute reason is quite unbearable. There is something unfair about its use. It is hitting below the intellect.” – – Oscar Wilde

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Thai Parliament Building Made from 200,000 Food Cans

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An uncanny replica of the new Thai Parliament building.

If you’re a fan of Canstruction art, you’re going to love this – a group of Thai students have built a replica of the new Thai Parliament building using around 200,000 food cans.

The event took place during the “Health Food and Ingredients Thailand 2011″ exhibition and, as you can imagine, grabbed a lot of attention…

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Breathalyzer Nintendo Game

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Baltsy Adams – game programmer.

DrunkenNES is a video game controlled by breathing into breathalyzer built into a modified game cartridge. It was developed by Baltsy Adams, pictured above. Points are awarded based upon level of intoxication (the drunker the player, the higher the score). This video illustrates game play. (after jump…)

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California Libraries Targeted for Takeover by Private Equity Firms

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Public libraries in Camarillo, Santa Clarita and Ventura have all been targeted for a takeover by Library Systems and Services (LSSI), a private company headquartered in Maryland and majority-owned by the private equity firm Islington Capital Partners. Privatizing public libraries means libraries will be de-professionalized and residents will pay more and receive less, while LSSI makes a profit for its investors and shareholders. Instead of listening to residents, the City Council created a ‘Citizen’s Advisory Committee’ to review Santa Clarita’s library system and its needs and make recommendations for moving forward with LSSI. The committee had no decision-making power, and was widely criticized as a thinly veiled attempt to silence critics.

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Sword Swallowing: The World’s Most Dangerous Form of Therapy

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World Sword Swallower’s Day was celebrated at Ripley’s Odditoriums around the globe.
Six sword swallowers participated in New York City: Harley Newman, James Stilianos,
Nicholas Penney, Veruschka, Todd Robbins and Riley Schillaci.
Also pictured is Robbins’ son, Finn, who celebrated with a foam sword.

Ask professional sword swallowers about the dangers of their art, and they’ll tell you their lives are at risk with every swig of steel. But for some, the perilous stunt is what helps life go on. Natasha Veruschka — a New York City belly dancer and sword swallower. For her, the ancient art has proved therapeutic since the passing of her husband, Terrance Shands-Galloway, in November.

The couple had been married for 22 years. He was also her manager throughout her 10-year career.

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The Hair Museum of Avanos

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Hair today and tomorrow?

Regarded as one of the weirdest museums in the world, the Hair Museum of Avanos, in Cappadocia, is definitely a must-see if you’re into bizarre tourist spots.

Ever since 3000 BC, Avanos has been known for its high quality earthenware, made from the mineral-rich mud of the Red River, but in recent years, the town has mostly been mentioned in relation to a unique hair museum created by skilled Turkish potter Chez Galip.

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Justin Bieber to Launch … Feminine Hygiene Product Line?

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Thinking about Justin Bieber at least once a month.

Just when you thought “Bieber Fever” was over, Justin Bieber has decided that tampons and maxi-pads should be a reminder that he is indeed everywhere.

The 16 year old pop idol had teamed up with Kotex to design and launch his own line of femenine hygene products which will be launched exclusively at Wal-Mart…

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South Korean Government: ‘Wear Thick Underwear’

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Thicker underwear for lowering energy consumption.

The government of South Korea has ordered all government employees to start wearing thick underwear—the high-tech thermal kind preferred—to stave off quickly rising energy consumption levels.

As of January 17th, public servants in South Korea must turn off all heating devices from 11:00am to 12:00am and 5:00pm to 6:00pm…

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The Top 20 Rudest Cities According To Foursquare

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A lot of valuable information can be gleaned from location-based service Foursquare. Foursquare’s engineers have compiled this list of the cities with the highest percentage of tips containing curse words. So is it rude to say your service was fucking incredible?!

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Canadian Man Claims to be World’s Fattest Contortionist

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Matt Alaeddine World’s Fattest Contortionist

With the ability to press his soles to his cheeks, turn himself into a human dart board, and dislocate his shoulders to escape from a straitjacket, Matt Alaeddine’s resume reads more like a medical examiner’s report. Couple that with his sizable mass — well over 400 pounds — and the Edmonton comic and contortionist has found a ticket around the world, securing him a place in the infamous Jim Rose Circus…

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Discover the Hidden Patterns of Tomorrow with Futurist Thomas Frey
Unlock Your Potential, Ignite Your Success.

By delving into the futuring techniques of Futurist Thomas Frey, you’ll embark on an enlightening journey.

Learn More about this exciting program.