Holyrood’s Hot Five – Our Top Weird and Wonderful Links from the Net

Blog


THE REVOLUTION IS RIGHT HERE … RIGHT NOW (Scott)

For many business people, their first introduction to social media involved watching  a clever video mashing together a Fat Boy Slim soundtrack with amazing statistics about the digital revolution.

Since being launched by Socialnomics author Erik Qualman in 2009, the first video has been updated several times.

The third iteration of the video was launched this month – with some staggering, fast-moving stats about online marriages and the numbers of Farmville playsrs. Take four minutes or so to remind yourself why social media is crucial, whatever line of business you are in.

http://www.socialnomics.net/?p=3790

 

RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION? NOT FOR THE FLYING SPAGHETTI MONSTER (Adrian)

It’s been a while since I’ve seen a good story about the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster – the American “religion” created by atheists as an antithesis to intelligent design. But this latest one from Austria is an absolute belter.

Young atheist Niko Alm has won the right to be shown on his driving licence photo wearing a pasta strainer on his head, after successfully claiming that the utensil was sacred religious headgear for his Pastafarian faith. Arguing that as his light-hearted religion believes that the world was created by an omnipotent being made of spaghetti and meatballs, he claimed his makeshift headwear should be treated the same as a Jewish Kippah or a Muslim Hijab – and somehow succeeded.

Although Austrian police have tried to brush off the incident, Niko’s stance has successfully made a mockery of the strict “no headwear except in extreme religious cases” restrictions that Austria enforces on passports and ID photos. And, in one swoop, this guy has not only ridiculed his own country but also managed to promote an organisation that ridicules organised religion. Outstanding stuff.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-14135523

 

SWEET SLUMBER? (Andrea)

Need help getting out of bed in the morning? Someone has found you the perfect answer – the five most evil alarm clocks that will strike the fear of sleeping in, into you. Whether it’s watching your precious being shredded, or shaming you out of bed by calling a random person in your phone’s contacts. You’ll never miss that bus again.

http://www.unplggd.com/unplggd/the-top-5-most-evil-alarm-clocks-ever-149755

 

SCHOOL UNDER FIRE FOR HEADING DIGITAL REVOLUTION (Laura)

Tablet computers are big news in the digital and communications world just now, so its no surprise that a school in Kent have jumped on the digital bandwagon and ordered a series of shiny new iPads for its students to use. The tablet computers will be great for interactive learning and will help the pupils hone their digital skills – the only snag is that the parents of the pupils will have to fork out £600 each to pay for them. Understanably parents at the school are not happy about this and think that the school should reassess their request. Whilst they might revolutionise learning, it seems an awful lot of money to pay for a system that is probably going to be replaced by something more up to date over the next few years.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2014908/School-orders-parents-buy-children-600-iPad2.html

 

BULL STICKS IT TO THE MAN (Pamela)

You’ve got to love stories like this.  A guy in Spain decided that it would be a good idea to strip off and streak in-front of a raging bull during a traditional run, but he got more than he bargained for.  To the delight of onlookers, the bull made a beeline for the guy and got a few strikes in.  Luckily enough the man walked away with only minor injuries.  Could have been a whole lot worse though, but it would have served him right.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/8640133/Naked-man-gored-by-bull-in-Pamplona.html