For anyone out there like me who was wondering what all the fuss was about over on the Swiss/Franco border this week, I'm pretty sure this video will clear things up.  Who would have though scientists were not only smart but could flow like Lil' Wayne?

In what will come as a shock to pretty much no-one, UK researchers have conducted a series of experiments to scientifically prove the phenomenon know as beer goggles. A panel of 84 heterosexual youths were given controlled portions of Passion Pop (probably) and asked to rate the attractiveness of people presented in a series of photos.  Remarkably, the results showed that when drunk, the panel found not only the opposite sex but also the same sex, to be more attractive. Of course, this has long been known by regular drinkers and fans of NOFX who realise that whether wearing, or being viewed through said goggles it’s the beauty within that really counts.

The above video is an ad for the newly relaunched energy drink, Mother. In it’s first incarnation it was heavily hyped but ultimately failed to take off due to a mix of bad marketing and terrible taste. As you can see in the video, the company has taken the bold step of admitting the drink was terrible to begin with and taken the necessary steps to rectify what was once wrong. This, in my opinion, puts them in dangerous territory.

Lets take a look at another similar attempt to dodge criticism of a product. Since it’s beleaguered launch early last year, Windows Vista has been met with universal criticism for being overpriced, resource hungry and difficult to use. Last week Microsoft began the process of trying to win back the hearts and minds of consumers with the help of a rather ill conceived marketing ploy. It gathered 200 or so Windows users who had a negative perception of Vista and took them Microsofts HQ where they were given a sneak peak of the next Windows operating system, codenamed “Mojave”. Over 90% of users reacted positively, only to be told that the "new system" was in fact Vista all along. The idea being that their perception (and that of millions around the world) has been misplaced the entire time.

What kind of company has to trick it’s users into thinking that their product isn’t that bad? And in Mother’s case, why would they think consumers would be inclined to go back to a product that, by their own admission, is terrible in the first place? Is it just me or do these
companies play their customers as fools, believing that a slickly packaged marketing campaign will erase previous brand perception and we’ll be happy to jump back into bed with them? It’s time companies and advertising firms wised up to the fact that customers want transparency, consistency and honesty from a brand.

Following the BBC's lead, Australia's most loved TV station (sorry channel 10) has this week launched a new website that allows users to stream selected tv shows free and instantly onto their computers from anywhere in the world.  Dubbed iView, the site features a number of channels ranging from kids shows to current affairs and documentaries.  Having had a poke around I can say it's easy to navigate,
fast to use with programs starting almost instantly and although less than a week old has an impressive number of shows to whittle away the working day. With innovation like this, it's little wonder why ABC has been at the forefront of television and media for so long.  I hope other TV stations are paying attention, this is what people want, not another surf lifesaving
reality show.

It's that time of day where the brain is getting sluggish and the eyes tired. Just to rub in further how little control we have over the genius mechanics of our bodies, why not give this a go?

1. While sitting where you are at your desk in front of your computer, lift
your right foot off the floor and make clockwise circles.
2. Now, while doing this, draw the number '6' in the air with your right
hand. Your foot will change direction.

Amazing!!

Wow. This is blowing my mind right now. The above video is the latest film clip from British stalwarts, Radiohead and in continuing their tradition of breakthrough concepts they have delivered their latest single "House of Cards". I still don¹t fully understand what¹s happening here, but instead of using traditional (and lets face it, outdated) cameras and lights, the entire thing is filmed using Geometric Informatics and Velodyne LIDAR These systems were used to fire lasers at Thom Yorke and the gang whilst simultaneously converting that data into the moving pictures you see above. What¹s even MORE amazing about this technology is as it is all data, not a series of rapidly moving pictures like we¹re used to, you are able to manipulate it in real time however you please. Kind of like an interactive itunes visualiser. Now if you¹ll excuse me I have to have a lie down before my head explodes.

We’ve all been known to overstate and say the odd outlandish comment every now and then, but nothing comes close to the clanger dropped by Philippe Starck at a press conference back in March. One of the worlds most prolific and innovative designers stunned fans worldwide by claiming, “design is a dreadful form of expression" and with only the slightest hint of regret, stated he would quit design in 2 years time.  Fast forward to July and design lives on with none other than Starck himself unveiling what can only be described as the worlds most beautiful wind turbine, dubbed the “Democratic Ecology”. To be manufactured by Pramac, a generator company, it is hoped the turbine will power between 20%-60% of an average household and cost a very eco-friendly $630 when it hits the production line some time in the future.  He may disagree but with such innovative and revolutionary thinking, lets hope Philippe Starck can manage to squeeze out a few more designs like this before the next 2 years are up.