Chinglish lesson of the day: Do not scream

The top 10 worst technology predictions of all time

Gordon Crovitz has recently written an interesting op-ed about why technology predictions are mostly “bunk.” In his op-ed piece, he listed his “Top 10 Worst Technology Predictions” of all time as the following:

• "Inventions have long since reached their limit, and I see no hope for further developments," Roman engineer Julius Sextus Frontinus, 10 A.D.
• "Everything that can be invented has already been invented," Charles Duell, commissioner for the US Patent Office, 1899.
• "The Americans have need of the telephone, but we do not. We have plenty of messenger boys," Sir William Preece, chief engineer at the British Post Office, 1878.
• "Who the hell wants to hear actors talk?" H.M. Warner, Warner Bros., 1927.
• "I think there is a world market for maybe five computers," Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943.
• "Television won't be able to hold on to any market it captures after the first six months. People will soon get tired of staring at a plywood box every night," Darryl Zanuck, 20th Century Fox, 1946.
• "The world potential market for copying machines is 5,000 at most," IBM executives to the eventual founders of Xerox, 1959.
• "There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home," Ken Olsen, founder of mainframe-producer Digital Equipment Corp., 1977.
• "No one will need more than 637 kb of memory for a personal computer—640K ought to be enough for anybody," Bill Gates, Microsoft, 1981.
• "Next Christmas the iPod will be dead, finished, gone, kaput," Sir Alan Sugar, British entrepreneur, 2005.

On the other hand and according to Crovitz, science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke was an exception to the rule that predicting the future of technology was hard as he predicted everything from satellite communications systems to the Internet. His op-ed is worth a quick read.

Weird travel gadgets: USB powered air conditioned shirt by Kuchofuku

If you are planning a trip to the tropics in summer time, this USB Air Conditioned Shirt has fans powered by a USB drive that will blow fresh air into the shirt. Beats having to sit there and fan yourself! Available from the Japan Trend Shop for US$230.

Chinglish lesson of the day: You can enjoy the fresh air after finishing a civilized urinating

Weird travel gadgets: Nano-UV disinfection scanner

If you are traveling and are worried about all of those new and scary diseases out there like bird or swine flue, this nano-UV disinfection scanner can destroy all kinds of dangerous microorganisms without toxins or side effects (I can just imagine someone using this on an airplane before they take their seat). The scanner is 3 3/4"H x 1 3/4"W x 1"D and uses two AAA batteries. Available from Skymall.com for US$59.99.

Achmed the dead terrorist christmas special

What would Christmas be without some politically incorrect humor?

Chinglish lesson of the day: F*** the certain price of goods

Everyone hates inflation – including merchants!

Weird travel gadgets: Travel bidet

Perfect for European and perhaps Japanese travelers, this pocket-size Travel Bidet was designed for those traveling to (shall we say) less sophisticated countries (perhaps America included!). Available from Skymall.com for US$44.95.

Why airlines should not piss off celebrities

Hat tip to the Dallas Morning News’ Aviation Blog for posting this video of Craig Ferguson's recounting of a recent airplane trip he attempted to take on Continental and why you should never piss off celebrities – especially comedians!

Great moments in journalism: How privatization gets reported in America

Here is what happens when you announce that unionized janitors will be laid off in order to save taxpayers some money: They don’t show up to work but the media and the Democrats do with their cameras. Read the full story on Politico or view all of the pictures on the site of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin.

Chinglish lesson of the day: Please keep up your belongings

In the Shanghai subway:

Weird travel gadgets: Pickpocket alarm

The next time you are on a crowded bus or subway, the Doberman Security’s tiny watchdog will hold your cell phones and wallets securely in place. And if anyone tries to snatch them, a 95-decibel alarm louder than the average lawnmower will alert even those who are hearing impaired. Available from Amazon.com for US$14.99.

Great moments in journalism: The Tiger Woods crash animation (Chinese version)

In case you have somehow missed it, here is the original Chinese version of the Tiger Woods crash video. Its the latest creation of Jimmy Lai and his Hong Kong-based Next Media tabloid group and you can read more about the Tiger Woods animation in the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times. In fact, the animation has proved to be so popular that other Tiger Wood’s inspired animation videos are floating around on YouTube.

Singaporean english kills the english language funny Talk

If you are having a party in Singapore, no need to worry ar. We hav beef fly rice. We hav da flu jus. Big c*** also got...

Weird travel gadgets: Metal-detecting sandals

In case you are planning a visit to the beach soon and you are worried about stepping on broken glass or much worst, these metal-detecting sandals can detect metal up to two feet below the sand. The sandals requires one 9-volt battery which provides up to six hours of use. Available from Hammacher.com for US$59.95.

Chinglish lesson of the day: Loving life, don't turn round the handrail

Real (Japanese) men own - pink cell phones

The Eccentric Japan blog has noted the latest trend in accessories for the Japanese man: Pink cell phones. In fact, there is a new commercial featuring actor Hiro Mizushima with his cool new pink cell phone but somehow though, I don’t think Western men are ready for them just yet:

Weird travel gadgets: Touchscreen cell phone watch

This cell phone for your wrist operates on the same tri-band network as other cell phones enabling you to both place and receive calls in most of the world's countries. And if you need to carry on conversations “wrist-free,” it also comes with a Bluetooth headset. Available from Hammacher.com for US$199.95.

Chinglish lesson of the day: Please care your behaviors to parallel with the image of the Stone Forest Scenery

In other words, don’t F*** around!

 Photo by Lori Ann.

Weird photo of the day: Obese American Airlines passenger in an economy class seat

This photo of an overweight passenger in an economy class seat on American Airlines has made the rounds on several aviation related blogs but I do have to wonder if the photo is actually for real. Then again, I have seen plenty of people his size in America or elsewhere lately. You can read more about the story and the debate about what should be done with obese people who fly on the FlightGlobal blog and on the Airliner Blog.