The Robot Matrix

From a recent Lapham's Quarterly:

[via Flavorwire]

I like that mythological and future robots are included, but the one thing I take issue with is having the Furby so high on the intelligence scale. Sure, they appeared to learn English (i.e., that owner's input [teaching] changed the Furby's output), but really they were all programmed to slowly switch over from speaking "Furbish" to English at a pre-determined rate, regardless of how much one spoke to them. Which makes the whole "banning Furbys at confidential meetings" craze ridiculous for more than just the reason that people were bringing Furbys with them to work. 

In an Aeroplane Over Wall Street

So remember the Radiohead hoax? How there was supposed to be a concert at Occupy Wall Street? That didn't happen, but Jeff Magnum (Neutral Milk Hotel) showed up Tuesday night to perform an impromptu set of requests. You can watch the whole thing on LiveStream. Even though the visuals are kind of shit, it's definitely worth at least listening to if you need a little beauty in your life. 

I love how informal the whole thing is (I guess it's hard to be removed when you're standing in the middle of a crowd, but I'm sure some performers would be). Magnum says, "I'm here cause of you, so just tell me what you want to hear." Between the requests, sing-alongs, and regular banter/conversation/milling about, it seems more like having an insanely talented friend hanging out in your backyard, and less like a concert (except for the fact that it's Jeff fucking Magnum). From the little bit of the scene you can see on the video, it's easy to forget how insane the whole situation is until the end of each song, where the cheers are louder than the visible number of people could produce. 

Get ready for chills:

[via Gothamist]

I'm biased because of pre-existing personal preference, but I'm gonna put up my fists and say Jeff Magnum > Thom Yorke.

Watch the whole Arrested Development panel

Okay, I promise this will be my last post about the recent Arrested Development reunion at the New Yorker Festival, but you'll thank me. You can now watch the entire 1.5 hour panel in all of its glory, so long as you "like" The New Yorker on Facebook. Go about your business. 
[via Splitsider]

Explained with a Venn Diagram

As everything should be.

Looks like Will Arnett isn't playing second fiddle to anyone, standing third in line for anything, finishing fourth, etc.

[via Splitsider]

Free beer from The Onion and another free movie screening

The Onion is hosting a free happy "hour" from 7-9p tomorrow (10.5). Unclear what kind, but there will be a lot of free beer. Floyd, NY (131 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn). RSVP to onewyork@theonion.com [via My Free Concert]


Also, The Print Up has details on a free advance screening of Immortals on Thursday 10.6 at 6p. It's at the AMC Empire 25 (234 W. 42nd St.), but you have to RSVP. Check it out for details.

NOBODY WE KNOW LIVES THERE.

alt text: "even meta-problems like 'too many time machines' or 'time machines have screwed up other time machines' can be solved with time machines. IT'S A UNIVERSAL PANACEA THAT ALSO LET'S YOU SEE IF NESSIE WAS EVER THERE (continuity)."

[via Dinosaur Comics]

Partridge Watch '11

Apparently this:

was spotted walking around Greenpoint today. It's believed to be a Chukar Partridge, a gamebird normally found in the Midwest. Someone's lost. [via Gothamist]