Although the video after the break is about the production of iPads, it’s also a behind the scenes look at Foxconn, where Rob Schmitz, Shanghai Bureau Chief of American Public Media’s Marketplace, recently gained access to speak candidly with workers. During the visit, he noted the hoards of people lining up to get jobs and the city-like size of the Foxconn campus, where nearly 50,000 of the company’s 240,000 employees live. Schmitz also spoke with his tour guide, Louis Woo, about the recent media coverage surrounding the factory’s working conditions in the wake of several employee suicides.
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There are two videos in this post—one is full of people doing amazing, beautiful things. The second is full of catastrophic stupidity and fails.
Get on the rollercoaster of humanity after the break.
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For years, world renowned skateboarders have attempted to pull off a successful 1080, a three-rotation aerial maneuver that seemed virtually impossible until it was conquered by a 12-year old skating prodigy from Malibu. After several failed attempts, Tom Schaar performed the first successful 1080 at MegaRamp at Woodward West action sports camp in Tehachapi, California last Monday, saying:
“It was the hardest trick I’ve ever done, but it was easier than I thought.”
Hit the jump to check out the video.
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Remember this guy? His name is Jack Blankenship, and he is was running for president of the University of Alabama. In their April 1st edition, The Crimson White reported what everyone knew was coming:
“the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees announced Jack Blankenship as the next president of the University of Alabama.”
Check out his promo video after the break.
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Steve Mahan, who has lost over 95% of his vision, recently got behind the wheel of Google’s self-driving car, using it to run errands and pick up tacos.
Google admitted that the car followed a pre-planned route, and was unwilling to outline the car’s current abilities and limitations – however, the test is quite impressive and shows the potential of the technology. Project leader Sebastian Thrun says that computer-controlled cars would be able to drive in close formation to increase the traffic capacity of existing roads, saving Americans an estimated 4 billion hours of wasted time and 2.4 billion gallons of gas.
Check out the demonstration after the break.
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If you think the obesity epidemic is confined to humans, guess again, because pet and home insurance company More Than predicts “that over half of the nations dogs will be overweight by 2022.” This prompted the company to develop this prototype “Stair of the Dog 2022″, which at the push of a button will haul your dog’s frame up the steps. Just look at him. He knows things have gotten out of hand.
The developers are hoping that the £5,000 doglift will be mass produced for the growing market. Check out an additional photo after the break.
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Why does this seem so familiar? …. oh wait, that’s why. Apparently there a growing demand for Twitter toilet paper, which resulted in the formation of a new business called “Shitter”, which will print the contents of one or more feeds from your Twitter account onto four rolls of white cotton toilet paper and deliver them right to your door.
If you’re worried about quality, you can take comfort in the fact that the paper is two ply, meaning it will be able to handle all the ink required to transfer your Twitter musings while treating your ass like a delicate flower. However, at $35 a pop, it’s likley to be the most expensive wipe you’ve ever had.
(GetShitter via HuffPo)
In order to back up their claim of being ““more talented than the Beatles, Stones and Zeppelin combined”, Tenacious D is releasing their new album Rize Of The Fenix on May 15. To get a taste of the upcoming action, and to view cameos by the likes of Val Kilmer, Jimmy Kimmel, Maria Menounos, Josh Groban and Dave Grohl, check out the video after the break.
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Claiming to be sick and unhappy with the the work he was offered, a 56-year old, unemployed Austrian man decided to take matters into his own hands when he was told he must find a job or lose his free ride from the government.
Ahead of a scheduled medical exam to verify his claim, the man decided the best way to ensure a favorable outcome was to saw off his own foot – which he then threw in an oven to prevent reattachment. He was later found in his garage suffering from extensive blood loss, and was transported to the hospital in time to save his life.
Unfortunately for the man, lacking a leg won’t mean a free pass from work. A job center spokesman said: “He will be assessed once he is out of hospital and we will see what work we can find for him.”
(AustrianTimes via TDW)
