Chris Hardwick's Blog, page 1764
May 5, 2018
An Inventor Used a Nintendo Switch and Labo to Operate a Wheelchair
Since the very beginning, Nintendo has been all about creating innovative experiences with their video game controllers. Like, here’s a fun fact: The NES controller was the one that popularized the D-pad that has been on virtually every game controller since. Since then, whether it’s the unconventional N64 and GameCube controllers, the Wii remote, the Wii U game pad, or the current Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons, Nintendo has always thought differently when it comes to input.
The Joy-Con is particularly interesting because of how versatile it is, as the cardboard Labo kits prove. There are so many things you can do with a Joy-Con or two, like go fishing, play “All Star” by Smash Mouth, and now, operate a wheelchair (via Kotaku).
世界初！ニンテンドーラボで操作する電動車椅子。移動するための乗り物車椅子だけど、@origamicat さんの手にかかると一瞬にして「オレのバイク」に！こうなってくると車椅子ユーザーで良かったとさえ思えてきます。やっぱヒーローやな！オリィさん！任天堂×オリィ研究所 pic.twitter.com/PAuvPt2FPk
—
Spinning Arrow Illusion Gives Deep Insight into Perception
Kokichi Sugihara, the master illusionist and mathematics professor at Meiji University in Tokyo, Japan, is at it again with an illusion that would make Gob from Arrested Development leap out of a freakin’ window. It’s an arrow that both spins and doesn’t spin simultaneously, and reveals some literally unthinkable shortcomings in the way we perceive the world around us.
A post shared by physicsfun (@physicsfun) on Apr 30, 2018 at 8:43am PDT
Follow the link in my profile for info about where to get this illusion arrow and other amazing items featured here on @physicsfun #illusion #ambiguouscylinderillusion #ambiguouscylinder #geometry #mirrorreflection #physics #ambiguousobject #kokichisugihara #physicstoy #math #mathtoy #mathstoy #optics #opticalillusion #3dprinting #perspective #science #scienceisawesomeSploid picked up on the little head-scratching arrow, which was posted to Instagram by physicsfun, and then reposted to reddit. And although it may seem like straight-up Melisandre magic from Game of Thrones at first, there is a mind-blowing geometrical reason for why this arrow cannot be turned.
Sugihara, who’s dedicated his life to mathematics and career to “the application of geometry to the engineering sciences,” has basically been developing a way for computers to take drawn 2D diagrams and turn them into 3D objects. This is essential for machine vision, which is key for mapping terrain and environment…which is crucial for everything from self-driving cars to robots.
Even more wild images created by Sugihara. Video: YouTube/ The Illusion Contest
During his research into machine vision, Sugihara did something innovative: he tried to have a computer recreate a 2D drawing of an optical illusion–you know, like these, which really bend the ol’ human brain. But instead of being brain-bended by the illusion, the computer simply created the 3D object, which Sugihara says could never have been imagined as possible with human visual perception systems.
This means the machines are making new shapes we literally can’t conceive of by bypassing our normal assumptions about reality. And when you look at that non-spinning/spinning arrow, you’re looking at a real-life manifestation of an object that has been designed by a computer based on a 2D optical illusion. An object we couldn’t have ever thought of without computers.
via GiphyHow much does your brain hurt right now? What kinds of crazy inconceivable objects do you think machines are going to create next? Let us know in the comments!
Featured Image: physicsfun, Fox
More archery!
Expert archer fires deadly turning arrows around walls.
Follow an arrow’s flight with a GoPro.
Danish archer Lars Andersen answers his critics.
May 4, 2018
Nerdist News: WTFriday #3: Ranking the MCU Films!
MAY THE FOURTH BE WITH YOU! We’re looking at one of the biggest franchises of all time. No, not Star Wars. The other Disney property, the Marvel Cinematic Universe…and with your help, we’re going to rank all NINETEEN films! Plus a whole bunch trailers from Red Dead Redemption to Ant-Man and The Wasp dropped and we’re breaking them down. Plus Who’s Hotter? The robot from Lost In Space or Thanos? Seriously, its a debate on the internet. And finally – in honor of cinco de cuatro , we thought we’d attempt to stump our panel with some Arrested Development trivia!
Be sure to check out WTFriday live every Friday at 1PM (PDT) on Alpha!
STAR WARS-Inspired Pins Feature BB-8 Living His Best Life
When BB-8 first made his appearance in Star Wars: The Force Awakens it was the first time we had seen a spherical astromech, and it was a wonder to behold. Watching him cruise across the desert planet, the round droid quickly became a fan favorite and he instantly became an artists’ muse.
Just when you think that options are limited for certain droid body types, BB-CRE8 comes up with a series of pin designs featuring BB-8 mashups you have to see to believe.
Enamel pins showcase the domed droid dressed to impress in Dapper Day attire, Batman cosplay, and even Disneybound outfits. When it comes to food mashups, BB-8 fits the bill as creative designs transform him into everything from a BBQ grill, to a donut, a cinnamon roll, and more. Clearly his frame lends itself to the more circular foods.
A post shared by Jenn Fujikawa (@justjennrecipes) on Apr 21, 2018 at 3:38pm PDT
In addition to fabulous mashups, movable pins are a thing now and what’s better than a rolling droid? A rolling droid with a hidden porg! The lovable friend-not-food makes an appearance in a sliding pin that opens up to reveal a little peek-a-porg inside.
After the success of their pin trade, BB-CRE8 is also branching out into fashion, with a line of tongue in cheek items that play off skate and sneaker culture like their Supreme Leader shirts, a hilarious mashup of the popular Supreme brand and of course Snoke, Supreme Leader of the First Order.
Their latest fashion foray is Star Wars socks. Everyone needs a good pair of socks and these spotlight galactic battles, lightsabers, and that very special droid rolling along through Jakku—ironic considering the droid is without feet.
Check out some of our favorite Star Wars accessories in the gallery below and for all of BB-CRE8’s pins and clothing designs, check out bbcre8.com.
Which accessory would you wear to show off your BB-8 love? Let us know in the comments and tag @nerdist and @justjenn on twitter!
Image: BB-CRE8
More Star Wars!
Where to start reading Star Wars books.
When The Last Jedi cast said they hate porgs.
A bounty of delicious Star Wars treats.
Foot Locker Debuts STAR WARS Collection with Lando and Fanny Packs
When Donald Glover showed off Lando’s cape room on the Millennium Falcon, you couldn’t help but be a little jealous. While we all can’t have a dedicated closet for capes like Lando, we still want to look our best when headed to the theater to see Solo: A Star Wars Story. Foot Locker has you covered with the release of their first-ever Star Wars capsule collection full of exciting apparel and accessories from New Era, Hex, and Stance. Clothing is adorned with favorite classic characters as well as new Han Solo items.
The slick new designs feature classic Star Wars—Luke, Han, and medal-less Chewie—as well as the new/old versions of those scoundrels from Solo: Alden Ehrenreich as young Han, Glover as young Lando Calrissian, and a sprite Chewbacca.
And fans of Lando can rejoice, because there’s clothing solely dedicated to the ol’ smoothie himself. No one can resist this charming attire. He truly belongs here with us among the clouds.
The fabric patterns for the accessories are worth a closer look too. The prints depict Han’s gold dice, classic comics, and the carbonite math equation that is hilariously sad: poor, frozen Han. We love you, but you know that.
Let’s pay attention to the best of the bunch here: fanny packs! They’re back in fashion and adding Star Wars details makes them all the better. Now you can tote around snacks, action figures, power converters from the Tosche Station, you name it. If you think it, you can fanny pack it.
Check out the collection in the gallery below. If you want to deck yourself out head to toe in this special collection, it debuts in stores and online at footlocker.com on May 24, just in time for the release of Solo: A Star Wars Story.
Which items will you be wearing to a showing of Solo: A Star Wars Story? Let us know in the comments and tag @nerdist and @justjenn on Twitter to show us your ensemble!
Images: Foot Locker
More galactic fashion!
Dress like Han and Lando with Hot Topic’s Solo collection.
Sneakers covered in porgs.
And also Han Solo sneakers.
This LEGO Millennium Falcon Pedicab Would Crush the Kessel Run
Heathrow Airport might have celebrated this year’s May the 4th by offering fans of the galaxy far, far away imaginary flights to famous Star Wars planets, but lucky fans in New York City got a chance to take an actual trip on a famous ship thanks to The LEGO Group. Because they built a working Millennium Falcon pedicab, and it’s all to help support a fantastic charity.
Fans who didn’t want to feel like they were walking across Tatooine on a very hot Star Wars Day in the Big Apple had the option to take a pleasant ride around Bryant Park in a LEGO facsimile of our favorite old hunk of junk. And while it might not have been equipped with a hyperdrive (solely powered by two human legs, though we bet a small Wookiee would be able to go much faster), it was still most impressive. That’s because the 9-foot long, 6-foot wide ship required 20,300 bricks and 396 hours (16-and-a-half days) to design and build.
We’re very jealous of everyone who had the chance to sit in the most famous Star Wars cockpit ever, but this was all to raise awareness for a great cause. The LEGO Group is helping to promote the current charitable campaign Roar for Change, “a global challenge that supports UNICEF’s lifesaving work for children around the world.” Running until May 25, Star Wars: Force for Change will be donate one dollar for every public “post, like, or share on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter that includes #RoarForChange,” up to one million dollars.
So even if you’re nowhere near NYC make sure you help out this great charity, especially because sending out a tweet is even easier than getting a ride in a pedicab.
What’s the next ship from the galaxy far, far away you’d love to see made out of LEGO bricks? Construct your best idea in our comments section below.
Images: The LEGO Group
More Star Wars!
A Star Wars canon timeline.
8 brilliant Princess Leia moments in Star Wars comics.
Heathrow Airport sets flights to Star Wars planets.
The Russo Brothers Confirm INFINITY WAR Soul Stone Theory
Warning: There are massive spoilers ahead for Avengers: Infinity War !
Avengers: Infinity War has been out a week, and it’s still causing major feels for fans over its downer of an ending. We were expecting a cliffhanger to set the stage for Avengers 4, but that snap at the end and the fate of Gamora have left us wondering how Marvel is going to address or even reverse the ending in the sequel. Now, Anthony and Joe Russo have dropped a few critical hints about the closing moments of Infinity War. Today’s Nerdist News takes you into Soul World to tell you what it means.
Join host and the last surviving member of the Black Order, Jessica Chobot, as she relates a recent Q&A appearance by the Russo brothers in which they confirmed the theory that Thanos’ reunion with Gamora was not a hallucination or a vision. Instead, Thanos retreated into Soul World, the realm located within the Soul Stone that in the comics has been known to keep the souls of its victims. Thanos may have reluctantly killed Gamora to obtain the Soul Stone, but her spirit still resides within it.
This is actually very good news for anyone who wants to see Gamora back in her own body for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. In Marvel’s comic book universe, Thanos killed Gamora when she turned against his plans of cosmic destruction, and her soul was kept in Soul World for several years after her death. During the Infinity Gauntlet storyline, Gamora, Pip the Troll, and Adam Warlock all managed to escape Soul World and get new bodies in the process.
Without Warlock, it might be easier to get the Infinity Stones from Thanos than to simply extract Gamora’s essence from the Soul Stone. But it’s not impossible. And while Gamora appeared to Thanos as her younger self, we think we haven’t seen the last of her adult incarnation. In fact, we’re wondering if the souls of every victim killed by Thanos’ snap have found their way into Soul World. If so, Gamora’s reunion with the Guardians of the Galaxy may come sooner than expected.
What do you think about the Soul World revelation? Let’s discuss in the comment section below!
Images: Marvel Studios
More of the latest news!
Three ways Avengers 4 could wrap up Infinity War.
How Ant-Man and the Wasp fits into Infinity War.
How Avengers: Infinity War‘s deaths could be permanent.
A (Mostly Complete) STAR WARS Canon Timeline
The Star Wars universe is all connected. Unlike most large franchises, the current storytelling universe for Star Wars, a.k.a. canon, includes films, television series, video games–basically all published material. This approach to storytelling began in April 2014 (books, etc. published before then were classified as Legends, though they were never really canon anyway). It’s a massive puzzle for Lucasfilm to fit together to make sure nothing contradicts established characters or timelines. A story being classified as “canon” doesn’t automatically place it on a pedestal or anything. All canon means is that a given story affects and can be affected by other things in the Star Wars universe.
And of course a book or comic not being canon shouldn’t stop you from reading it. Good stories are good stories, regardless of whether they affect current Star Wars events or not, and are absolutely worth your time. Ahem.
So, what does the Star Wars canon timeline look like? Using the films as the anchors and the Battle of Yavin as a date point (BBY means before the Battle of Yavin, ABY means after the Battle of Yavin), let’s break down where the television series, books, and comics fall on the timeline. Many of the books and comics take place concurrently.
Darth Maul
A five-part comic miniseries about Darth Maul’s training with Darth Sidious.
Episode I: The Phantom Menace
The beginning of Anakin Skywalker’s story and the Star Wars saga.
Obi-Wan & Anakin
A five-part comic miniseries about Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker’s early years together.
Episode II: Attack of the Clones
Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala fall in love and the Clone Wars begin.
Jedi of the Republic – Mace Windu
A five-part comic miniseries about Mace Windu forming a Jedi squad to investigate mysterious Separatist activity.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
An animated movie and a six-season animated television series detailing the adventures of Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Ahsoka Tano during the Clone Wars.
Dark Disciple
A novel about Jedi Quinlan Vos being sent on a mission to assassinate Count Dooku and becoming entangled with Asajj Ventress.
Darth Maul: Son of Dathomir
A four-part comic miniseries (and the only Dark Horse comic in canon) about Darth Sidious trying to take out Darth Maul and his Shadow Collective.
Catalyst: A Rogue One Novel
A novel about Galen Erso’s history with Orson Krennic and the Empire. Note: events in the novel continue past Revenge of the Sith.
Kanan: First Blood
A six-part comic miniseries about Caleb Dume’s earliest adventures in the Clone Wars.
Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
The Clone Wars continue, Palpatine rises to power, and Anakin becomes Darth Vader.
Kanan: The Last Padawan
A six-part comic miniseries about how Caleb Dume/Kanan Jarrus escaped Order 66.
Ahsoka
A novel about what Ahsoka did after Order 66 and how she became involved with the Rebellion.
Lords of the Sith
A novel about Emperor Palpatine and Darth Vader crashing on Ryloth and trying to get off the planet alive (spoilers: they succeed).
Tarkin
A novel detailing Wilhuff Tarkin’s origins and ambitions, including his involvement with the Death Star.
Rebel Rising
A novel about what happened to Jyn Erso after Saw took her away from Lah’mu in Rogue One.
Thrawn
A novel about Thrawn’s arrival from the Unknown Regions and his rise to power in the Empire.
A New Dawn
A novel about how Hera Syndulla met Kanan while fighting the Empire.
Leia, Princess of Alderaan
A novel about Leia’s teenage years on Alderaan and her early missions for the Rebel Alliance.
Star Wars Rebels
A four-season animated series about one Rebel cell (the Ghost crew) and the formation of the Rebel Alliance.
Battlefront: Twilight Company
A novel about a company of Rebel soldiers on the ground trying to making a difference. Note: the story continues concurrently with the original trilogy through The Empire Strikes Back.
Lost Stars
A Romeo and Juliet-esque novel about two childhood friends who join the Empire, but then one defects to the Rebellion. Note: the story continues concurrently with the original trilogy through the Return of the Jedi and beyond, to the Battle of Jakku.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
A ragtag group of rebels come together to steal the Death Star plans.
Episode IV: A New Hope
A farm boy from Tatooine meets a rebellious princess and a scoundrel and they take on the Galactic Empire.
Battle of Yavin
When the Rebel Alliance destroyed the first Death Star.
Princess Leia
A five-part comic miniseries about Princess Leia searching for surviving Alderaanians in order to preserve their culture.
Chewbacca
A five-part comic miniseries about Chewbacca escaping after he crashes onto an Imperial-controlled planet.
Star Wars
An ongoing comic series about the adventures of Luke, Leia, and Han set between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back. Note: some issues in this series take place BBY.
Darth Vader
An ongoing comic series about Darth Vader learning about Luke Skywalker and trying to be the best Sith he can be. Note: some issues in this series take place BBY.
Battlefront: Inferno Squad
A novel about the formation of Iden Versio and her squad of elite Imperial soldiers and their first mission.
Heir to the Jedi
A novel about Luke trying to learn more about using the Force.
Doctor Aphra
An ongoing comic series about Doctor Aphra, a chaotic neutral archaeologist who once helped Darth Vader.
Lando
A five-part comic miniseries about Lando Calrissian and Lobot plotting to steal a valuable ship.
Han Solo
A five-part comic miniseries about Han Solo participating in a famous starship race while on an undercover assignment for the Rebellion.
Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
The Rebellion takes a hit, but keeps on fighting, and Luke learns about his connection to Darth Vader.
Episode IV: Return of the Jedi
The Rebel Alliance wrecks a second Death Star and defeats the Empire.
Shattered Empire
A four-part comic miniseries that picks up right after the Battle of Endor and introduces Poe Dameron’s parents.
Aftermath
A novel about Rebels, a former Imperial, and a bounty hunter ending up together and taking a stand against the remnants of the Empire.
Aftermath: Life Debt
The second part of the Aftermath trilogy with a sub-plot about Han and Chewbacca liberating Kashyyyk from the Empire.
Aftermath: Empire’s End
The conclusion of the Aftermath trilogy that sees the New Republic defeat the Empire once and for all with the Battle of Jakku.
Battle of Jakku
The end of the Empire (and the birth of the First Order).
Last Shot
A novel about Han Solo and Lando Calrissian trying to stop a device that has the power to destroy the galaxy. Note: some events in this book take place before BBY.
Phasma
A novel about Phasma’s past and how she came to join the First Order.
Bloodline
A novel about Leia facing the rise of the First Order, grappling with the New Republic, and forming the Resistance.
Poe Dameron
An ongoing comic series about Poe’s mission and team right after he’s recruited by Leia, including the search for Lor San Tekka. Note: some events in this comic take place after The Last Jedi.
Episode VI: The Force Awakens
The Resistance scores a victory against the First Order, and Rey from Jakku searches for Luke Skywalker.
Captain Phasma
A five-part comic miniseries explaining how Phasma escaped the trash compactor on Starkiller Base.
Episode VIII: The Last Jedi
Rey learns about the Force from Luke, and the First Order strikes a devastating blow upon the Resistance.
Note: Forces of Destiny is canon, but episodes take place all over the timeline, so it’s not included. Video games, unreleased/unpublished material, short stories, young readers books, comic adaptations of books and movies, and junior novels are not part of this list.
Bookmark this page, as it will be updated with releases in the future.
Images: Lucasfilm
Amy Ratcliffe is an Associate Editor for Nerdist. She likes Star Wars a little. Follow her on Twitter.
More Star Wars!
Where to start reading Star Wars books.
When The Last Jedi cast said they hate porgs.
A bounty of delicious Star Wars treats.
Pikachu Isn’t a Mouse After All—He’s a Squirrel!
In the case of many of the 800 known Pokémon roaming the world, it’s pretty obvious where their real-life inspiration comes from. For example, Charizard is derived from a fiery dragon, Zigzagoon is some sort of jagged racoon, and Mr. Mime is a street performer who won’t leave you alone on your way home from work.
Then there are those that you think you have a firm grasp on, but you’re actually woefully unaware. The one I’m thinking of in particular is Pikachu, the franchise mascot, who is quite famously referred to as a “mouse Pokémon.” But as it turns out, Pikachu was actually inspired by squirrels.
In a recent interview with Yomiuri (via Kotaku), Atsuko Nishida, who worked with Game Freak during the days the original Japanese Pokémon Red and Green, revealed Pikachu’s true origins: “At that time, I was really into squirrels. so I wanted the character to have puffy cheeks. Squirrel tails are cute (so I wanted it to have a tail). However, I wanted the character to have a lightning element, so I made it shaped like lightning.”
Just looking at Pikachu, this makes a ton of sense. It stands on its hind legs, like a squirrel would. It also has a giant prominent tail, like a squirrel does. Pikachu’s famous electric cheeks are even inspired by squirrel physiology, Nishida says: “For example, when hamsters stuff themselves with food, their entire bodies become round, right? But for squirrels, it’s just their cheeks.”
Now that the squirrel is out of the bag, do you think there are any other Pokémon whose inspirations are different from what the world thinks? Share your wildest theories in the comments below!
Featured image: The Pokémon Company
More Pokénews!
This Pokémon hack is a great reason to jailbreak your phone
Does Detective Pikachu’s new voice freak you out?
Dreamcasting all 150 original Pokémon
NASA Is Sending Satellites Named Wall-E and Eve to Mars
Remember the scene in WALL-E when our titular hero and Eve are floating around in outer space, and upon their discovery of their ability to navigate the dark void, they start doing a poetic dance around the Axiom ship? Of course you do, but if not, here it is:
The reason I bring it up is because this is about to happen in real life… sort of: NASA is preparing to send a pair of cubesats (small, suitcase-sized satellites) named Wall-E and Eva (after Wall-E’s endearing pronunciation) to Mars, as Mashable notes. NASA is launching the InSight lander to Mars on Saturday, and the cubesats — together called MarCO, short for Mars Cube One — will be on the same rocket.
Wall-E and Eva have an important mission, too: Cubesats have never traveled millions of miles through deep space, so far having only been developed for Earth’s orbit, so this serves as a test to see if they will be able to relay information from the InSight lander back to Earth. It would be great if this ends up working because cubesats are significantly lighter and cheaper than traditional spacecraft, but it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world, since InSight depends on other orbiters for communication.
If they do work, the technology could be sent to distant planets and moons to make communication from these celestial bodies to Earth easier, or in some cases, possible at all. And that’s just another reason why WALL-E is one of the best movies of all time.
Featured image: Disney/Pixar
More for the science person!
This website lets you know if Thanos killed you !
The solution to dangerous space junk is apparently a giant harpoon !
8 brilliant Princess Leia moments from Star Wars comics!
Chris Hardwick's Blog
- Chris Hardwick's profile
- 132 followers
