Derren Brown's Blog, page 80

I want to spend a penny, not go to the shop: nurses to be taught euphemisms

"Norfolk hospital organises lessons for foreign nurses to avoid cultural misunderstandings with patients.

Foreign nurses are receiving a crash course in euphemism after bewildered patients expressing the wish to "spend a penny" found themselves being escorted to a hospital shop. Norfolk's Queen Elizabeth hospital has organised special "adapting to life in Norfolk" sessions for Portuguese staff whose otherwise excellent English results in too-literal translations of everyday expressions...

9.2 Million Adults In The UK Have Never Been Online

"A whopping 9.2 million UK adults have never been online according to data released by the Office of National Statistics, out of a population of around 62 million or one out of every seven Britons.

The ONS figures show some pretty interesting trends; more than one million UK citizens have used the internet for the first time over the last 12 months, although the OAPs, low income earners and those without qualifications represent an overwhelming portion of those who never used the internet.

97 p...

Derren Brown Live – 08/09/10 – Exclusive Trailer

Derren Brown Live – 08/09/10

Coming soon to Channel 4, Derren Brown, the acclaimed psychological illusionist, returns to Channel 4 for a thought provoking – and life transforming – special.

Following the successes of previous television specials such as Russian Roulette Live, Séance, The Heist and The Events, Derren once again creates edge-of-the-seat television as he takes 'average Joes' on an extraordinary psychological journey.

In a powerful transformation, which will include an amazing, must-watch live finale, Derren r...

PZ Myers on Religion in the science classroom

PZ Meyers admits he's not the politest person in the world. In this talk he throws about some rather abrupt insults at the creationist movement and why he is justified in doing them. He mentions his talks with Dawkins

Prof. Paul Zachary Myers works with zebrafish in the field of evolutionary developmental biology (evo-devo). A selfavowed godless liberal and outspoken atheist, he is a vocal skeptic of all forms of religion, superstition, spirituality and pseudoscience.

He is quoted as having...

1.25 Gigawatts of Solar Thermal Power Approved in California in Past Two Days Will Double US Capacity

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"There've been multiple gigawatts of solar thermal power plants planned for various places in the California desert for some time, but finally some more of them are getting the approvals need so that construction can start: The US Bureau of Land Management has issued a final environmental impact statement for the 1,000 MW Blythe Solar Power Project; and the 250 MW Beacon Solar Energy project has received final California state approval as well.

The smaller of the two first: Renewable Energy...

Rare fire tornado caught on film

"Severe drought and strong dry winds in Sao Paolo have caused a rare fire tornado in the northwest city of Aracatuba. A three month drought in the region has led to brush fires across Brazil, creating the conditions for the fire tornado. Fire tornados, also known colloquially as fire devils, happen when a fire acquires a vertical rotating column of air. Some can be more than a half a mile tall and contain winds over 100 mph.

In 1923, Great Kanto earthquake in Japan, ignited a firestorm that...

Great Guerrilla Advertising

"Guerrilla Advertising is an unconventional way of performing promotional activities. Usually very funny or subtle, it's a great way to promote a business with a low budget and generate buzz. But you'll need lots of creativity.

Here are some great guerrilla ads examples. They are simply brilliant."

Vacuum cleaner ad:

Inventive mobile carrier ad:

See more at Funnymos (Thanks Tracey)

Tiny apartment shows the value of a good fit

"WE SIT IN the "cafe area" of Steve Sauer's minuscule apartment enjoying the view from the home's only window, street level. Dogs on leashes and legs on humans pass by on a warm Lower Queen Anne evening.

Sauer stands up. This is to demonstrate that at 6-foot-2 he has a no-more-than-needed 2-inch clearance between his head and the ceiling.

Sauer likes this precision. Awkward spaces, wasted places annoy him. Two alarm clocks, two music sources, extra furniture. Needless, needless, needless.

"What ...

When getting away means staying in touch

"People used to go on holiday to unplug. Now they're demanding to be plugged in. That secluded, desert island-type getaway may soon be as dated as the post-vacation slide show as more travelers use e-mails, Facebook and Twitter to nurture the ties that bind even while they get away from it all.

"For many travelers figuring out how to stay connected is as integral to the travel process as packing sun lotion and swimwear," said Amelie Hurst of travel website TripAdvisor. "In times gone by this j...