Gweek is Boing Boing’s podcast about comic books, science fiction & fantasy, video games and board games, tools, gadgets, apps, and other neat stuff. In this episode, Rob and Mark interview Jonah Weiner, the author of “Where Do Dwarf-Eating Carp Come From?” an article in the New York Times Magazine about the game Dwarf Fortress. Show notes: 1. Dwarf Fortress, Rob’s experience with the game. 2. The amazing crime comic book mini series Blue Estate . 3. Boing Boing switches from Movable Type to WordPress and hopefully gets a lot faster. 4. LEGO Mindstorms . 5. Dexter Industries’ Sensors for LEGO Mindstorms 6. Six Days , by Philip Webb. 7. Interview with Jonah Weiner, author of Dwarf Fortress article in the NY Times Magazine . 8. 1000 True Fans , by Kevin Kelly. 9. Dungeons of Dredmor . 10. Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup . Download Gweek 010 as an MP3 | Subscribe to Gweek via iTunes | Subscribe via RSS | Download single episodes of Gweek as MP3s

Follow this link:
Gweek 010: Losing is Fun!

Did I really get drunk at lunch and spend the last two hours asleep on the john ? You know I did! And since my brain never recovered from the nap (plus my legs fell asleep and I beat my face on the towel bar standing up), here’s a little burlesque cosplay action to end the week. LA Weekly reporter/photographer Erin Broadly sent me these shots from the recent ‘Ladies of Sci-Fi Burlesque’ show at Bordello (do you need a gaffer next time?) including “Pris from Blade Runner , Ripley from the Alien franchise, Maria from Metropolis , Aeon Flux, Barbarella and Metroid’s Samus Aran.” I posted a SFW shot or two from each act after the jump, but you’ll need to check out LA Weekly’s coverage for the full 42-picture set (some NSFW ). So yeah, if you need me I’ll be drunk for the next 72 hours. Did I say 72? Because I meant 48. No, no I didn’t either. Somebody’s writing tyrannosaurs wrecked on Monday! Hit the jump for a bunch more and link to the entire gallery.

Continue reading here:
Sci-Fi Strippin’: More Cosplay Burlesque Action

Hey, Bostonites! I’ll see you tonight at the Harvard Bookstore (1256 Mass Ave) at 7PM for the US launch of my new novel, Makers ! (New Yorkers, and Philadelphians — see you later this week!) US/Canada tour

See original here:
MAKERS US launch at Harvard Bookstore tonight, 7PM

A concept by Croatian designer Zoran Sunjic , these LED handrails could help light dark stairways to prevent commuter spills, tumbles, or muggings. Should these handrails ever see the light of day (har), I trust they’ll be available in teal or turquoise. From LED bikes to RAZR-like radar detectors , Tron-like aesthetics really are in full effect. [ Toxel via Design Launches via New Launches ]

Here is the original post:
Tron-Watch ‘09: LED Handrails

James White, the brilliant designer responsible for BBG’s spectral background and much else besides , created this gorgeous poster for the forthcoming movie, Tron Legacy. This isn’t official by any means, but it would certainly be a dream job to design a poster for the film, especially since they slated the mighty Daft Punk to create the score. So if anyone at Disney reads this, give me a call End of Line.

Read more here:
Power On Self Test: Tron Legacy

The fighting space cock-bot contest ends today , August 7 at 11:59pm PST . So far, my fave was submitted by Alli . For more info, check here . Good luck! Previously: Abstract Robot Duck Our huge “concrete cocks” Penis iceberg Cock: Indian art Giant penis on Microsoft map

View post:
Contest: Last Chance To Win The Fighting Space Chicken

Movie makeup and special effects wizardy is very much a study and exercise in materials science. Since the dawn of film, artists have been been toying with synthetic appliances, pigments, and all kinds of organic matter. Through the years, new materials, digital tools and rendering software, like ZBrush , have boosted efficiency and creativity. Rick Baker , the legendary makeup artist behind films like An American Werewolf in London , Thriller , and those Eddie-Murphy-fat-guy films, isn’t a purist when it comes to adopting new technologies. He’s stated very clearly that he embraces the use of CGI because it can accomplish what’s literally impossible &mdash even for him. And yet, for the upcoming film The Wolfman , starring Benicio Del Toro (pic above), the guru of gore decided to go old school. As an homage to makeup artist Jack Pierce, who created the effects in the original film from 1941, the Academy Award-winning special effects master decided to ditch silicone and other newfangled materials for the stuff of yesteryear &mdash foam rubber, acrylic teeth and yak hair. Yes, yak hair , which Pierce used along with kelp to transform Lon Chaney into the o.g. wolfman. So how does Baker’s wolf compare? Not sure. The film was originally due in April, got bumped to November. Color me curious to see the transformation and F/X, but concerned about everything else. Previously: Horror movie makeup of 1933 - Boing Boing Wiccan teen suspended for wearing make-up - Boing Boing Crazy makeup kits are the ultimate transformer gadgets A Visual History of Cosmetics Gadgetry Free Halloween skin for Shuttle KPC owners - Boing Boing Gadgets

Link:
Movie Makeup Tip: It’s OK To Go Old School

Read the original:
Legs

Goodbye, Michael . Even with all the problems, you were one of the greats. [via Karina ]

Originally posted here:
Video: Michael Jackson’s Captain EO

Theirs is a wonderful gallery of designs , mockups and creative ideas: wouldn’t it be cool if all of them were realized and a concert performed?

Excerpt from:
The imaginary musical instruments of Yanko