Mission To Mars

It's a big day for Earth. Curiosity, the most advanced spacecraft ever sent to another planet, managed to pull off its extremely complicated landing procedure last night (Sunday, 5th August, 2012). Here's an interesting video that delves deeper into the exact technologies involved in landing Curiosity on Mars.

Curiosity is set to begin its two-year hunt for the building blocks of life. In other words: signs that we may not be alone in the universe... Exciting stuff right? Because the landing occured about 154 million miles from Earth, the entire landing sequence had to be automated - a decision that may have had engineers at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in La Cañada biting their nails off. To add to the difficulty, the Earth also "set" below Mars' horizon shortly before Curiosity was due to land, making direct communication with mission control almost impossible. Needless to say, early this morning, space scientists heard the phrase they had been waiting on for 10 years: "Touchdown confirmed."

Curiosity is set to revolutionise our understanding of the Red Planet. It will spend the next few years gathering evidence that Mars is, or was, capable of fostering life. You can keep up with all things Curiosity on Twitter, and make sure to add to the conversation by using the #MarsCuriosity hashtag. Have a great week!

Microsoft Unveils Surface Tablet

Microsoft's new tablet is a unique expression of entertainment and creativity. At least, that's what they'd like you to believe. Let's face the facts here: it's not that unique or creative. We've seen similar hardware from the likes of Apple and Samsung. Okay, so they don't offer built-in stands/keyboards or - what appears to be - the ability to change colour - but those are just novelties anyway. One area that Microsoft's new offering does stand out in though is its delivery. Watch this video:

My inner nerd just trembled a little. What do you think? Will this one take a bite out of the mighty Apple? Will it launch into a space far beyond the Galaxy? Or will it just skim the surface? Comments below.

Blatant Racism On Social Networks

This post has been taken down because people got antsy. 

Is Heineken Sponsoring Illegal Dog Fighting?

So, this picture did the rounds this morning, and in its wake it left a wave of criticism and hate towards the Heineken beer brand. People threatening to boycott the brand; people swearing that they'd never drink Heineken again (we've all said similar things before I'm sure), but how valid is this really?

Here's my thinking: which is more likely?

Heineken: we’re one of the most well-known brands in the world. In light of this fact, we are going to sponsor illegal dog fighting, knowing full well there will be video cameras recording the action. We have every faith that this will never find its way anywhere near social networks.
Or,
Anonymous: we hate Heineken and would love to decrease their popularity and/or sales. Let’s get a teenager who knows Photoshop (a little bit) to place some Heineken banners in this super low-res photo and get it trending on Facebook and Twitter. Boom.
Or,
Venue: we stock Heineken and use Heineken branding in our venue. Unbeknownst to most people, we also use the venue for illegal dog fighting matches. We have full-on film crews on location to get all the action on camera. We honestly haven’t even considered the fact that the Heineken branding might find its way to social networks. Oops.

People just love to jump on the hate wagon. I'm not claiming to know the truth of all this. For all I know, the people who do branding for Heineken were genocidal dictators in their past lives. But a simple visit to Heineken's website or - God forbid - a Google search wouldn't hurt. Here's the statement from Heineken regarding the picture. You can see the real thing on their site.

Statement: Images of dog fighting circulating on the internet

Images are circulating on a number of websites showing what appears to be an illegal dogfight with Heineken banners (placed upside down) clearly visible. HEINEKEN is shocked and disappointed by this image. HEINEKEN is not and would never knowingly be associated with illegal activities, including those involving cruelty to animals. This is a gross misrepresentation of our brand and our legal team is now investigating the source of the picture and will take the necessary measures. We ask anyone with information regarding this picture such as the source, or the venue where it has been taken to contact us.

So there you have it. Have a good day!

What is SOPA and PIPA?

In light (or dark) of what is currently happening in the world of Internet law, here's an infographic to explain SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) and PIPA (Protection of Intellectual Property Act).

source: americancensorship.org

Support the cause! For more information check out the Wiki Page.

A Clever Use For The New Facebook Timeline

I found this on TNW yesterday and thought I'd share it. I'm sure you've all had the new Facebook Timeline rolled out to your account by now, (if you haven't, visit someone who has and click on the Get Timeline link near the top of their profile) and are painstakingly scouring the last few years of your online life in between bouts of head-shaking and face-palming. That's perfectly normal. If you don't know what I'm talking about, check out the video below:

Anyway, an Israeli agency (McCann Digital) recently found a clever use for the Facebook Timeline. Check out their campaign for the Israel Anti-Drug Authority.

Check out the fictional Adam Barak's entire Facebook Timeline. Happy Friday; don't do drugs.

Mister & Misread: The Beginning

Here’s a quick update on all things Mister & Misread.

M&M are proud to be working alongside Sovereign Entertainment (Ash, The Black Hotels, Wonderboom, The Parlotones). They have taken us under their wing and are assisting us in delivering the best music possible – from us to you. We’re enormously excited to be working with such an esteemed brand in the industry – both in SA and internationally – and look forward to the future with enthusiasm and exhilaration!

M&M recently recorded our first demo at Sound & Motion studios, Cape Town. Silver Linings is available for streaming from our SoundCloud  as well as on our Facebook Page. Let us know what you think!

Silver Linings by mrandmisread

M&M gigs for the coming months include but are not limited to:

• 22nd November | &Union (#tuesonfire) | Acoustic Act
• 26th November | Synergy Live Festival (LMG Stage) | Boschendal Wine Estate, Franschhoek
• 2nd December | Bright Street Summer Festival | Somerset West

FB Events will be created shortly to help ya’ll remember what’s up!

Lastly, we’d like to say thanks to a few people that helped us get where we are in such a short space of time:

Chris Captivate from Purple Cow, Tecla Ciolfi and Mike Smith from YourLMG, Corne Geyer from Sovereign Entertainment, Metoikus Cadmus of CADMUS Studios, Tiffany Cuff from Radio Helderberg 93.6fm, Karen Rykaart, Mark Swemmer from the Nameless Pub, Megan Douglas from Mango, our friends and family - and every other person who was involved in getting Mister & Misread to where we are today.

We honestly love you all!
Mister & Misread x

FNB Rewards Customers With iPads, HTCs and Blackberries

First National Bank is giving their loyal customers discount amazing prices on the iPad 2, HTC Sensation, BlackBerry Bold 8520, HTC Flyer, and HTC Wildfire S devices. I know right?

Unfortunately, the deal is open to Gold and Platinum Cheque account holders only. Devices will apparently be pre-loaded with the FNB banking app, and the costs will be included in your monthly bank charges. As in - you won't even notice the money leaving your account.

Here's the question: exactly how much is this going to drain from your account every month? FNB provided the following details on the discounts and financing options available:

So how do you do it? Super simple: SMS “phone” or “tablet” to 32812. Standard network rates apply. Don't mention it ;)

New York Pioneers The Outdoor Smoking Ban

As of today, New York has has become a slightly worse place for smokers of the humble cigarette. That's right: they've banned smoking outdoors in NY. Of course - being based in South Africa - this doesn't bother me much. That being said, living in a third-world country hasn't blinded me to the very real possibility that this ban will catch on like wildfire. As history has proven time and time again: when the US talks, the world listens.

New York authorities have taken measures to ensure that popular public outdoor venues - including beaches, municipal parks and even Times Square - have become tobacco-free. Violators of this new law can be faced with a hefty cash fine (even heftier if you're on holiday from SA). Apparently city authorities are hoping that the smoking ban is enforced by the NY citizens themselves - 'cause we all know that your average New Yorker is an environmentally-conscious human being with aspirations for world peace and an inherent sense of selflessness... We'll see how it goes.

Not quite.

I'm willing to take a bet that the people in charge of passing this law aren't smokers. Sigh (cough).

We Survived The Fire

There was a massive fire in Somerset West this weekend. Our house is pretty far up the mountain so we were slightly worried, but we woke up alive this morning, feeling fresh and blister free. But seriously, the fire was bad and people lost shit. Not cool, smokers! What? It wasn't the smokers? It was a CONTROLLED FIRE!? Didn't look very controlled to me... Oh I see, it must've flared out of control due to the powerful south east-er we experienced yesterday. Stupid weather. If only there were a way to predict the weather. Some kind of... weather forecast.

Nature Reserve: don't just start fires whenever you feel like it. That's not "reserving". For more information, check out the articles on Times Live, News24 and IOL.

EDIT: Apparently, the fire was a controlled fire started on Wednesday in Erinvale. The remains of the fire continued to burn until Saturday - an unfortunate mistake - and reignited when the wind picked up. Coincidentally, the picture below was taken inside Erinvale Estate.

Oh. Thanks for that.

The Egyptian Revolution [Egyptians Gonna Egypt]

I will be updating this post tonight. I'm sure you all know that there is something of an uprising happening in Egypt at the moment. Right now I don't have time to scramble for specifics or detailed information; work has got me well busy. Keep yourself busy so long by watching the video below - which is possibly one of the most epic videos on the Interwebs at the moment.



Remember to follow Speak2Tweet on Twitter for live updates straight from Egyptian citizens. Also, include the #Egypt hashtag in related tweets so that there is a central point for information online.