Showing posts with label Conversations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Conversations. Show all posts

This man is on a mission to help feed homeless people in Scotland

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LONDON — A 24-year-old man from Edinburgh in Scotland is launching a campaign to try and feed as many homeless people as possible.
Last Friday, fast-food worker Robert Aitken bought 60 burgers and went out onto the streets of Edinburgh to give them to the people he found sleeping rough.

SEE ALSO: 7 unique challenges homeless women face — and what you can do to help
A photo of Aitken — who apparently works over 60 hours a week — was shared on Facebook by Mat Bryant.
"He pays for this from his own pocket and asks for nothing in return," Bryant said. The post has been shared almost 80,000 times since it was uploaded on Saturday.
Aitken himself also took to Facebook to tell his story, and to link to a JustGiving page he's set up in an attempt to raise £500 ($721) for local homeless people.

Here's Aitken's story in full.

Finally heading home from Edinburgh after my very first feeding the homeless ambition. Going into McDonalds and spending £70 of my own cash in order to see these HUMAN BEINGS fight on one more day, I met so many amazing people with so many amazing, humorous and some horrible stories about these people. You luve lifes off luxury compared to these himans that face a day to day challenge to stay alive. 3 hours I have been out and I am freezing, I cannot imagine how they last the cold nights out there.
I met a man named Davie, his story hit my heart the most. He had been serving his country for 13 years and had to leave because he had ptsd. Coming back to civilization after so many years at war wasn't easy for him. He began to break down, a grown man breaking down because he has nothing. I became overwhelmed and began to cry myself. I hugged him and said your not alone. These small words can change someones thoughts about life and the future. Also giving them some food gives them that bit of hope that there is decent human beings out there. My mission when I set out was to get a smile on skmeones face and I feel I have achieved this with every person I spoke to tonight.
My only ask of this post is to simply look differently at homeless people. They are human beings. The have got feelings. They want the same as everyone else, to live a life of happiness. A simple gesture of me sitting sleaking with them, hugging, crying and laughing with them has left me feeling amazing that I have impacted so many people. I started out with 60 cheeseburgers, some fries and a few bottles of water and some cups.
I have set up a funding page to help with the financial side of things. I would be over the moon if I could get to do this on a weekly basis. Unfortunatly my income is not enough to support this challenge.
This is not a post seeking likes or shares but simply a post that is asking you to look at a different way of judging people, or making an impression of someone. Sit down have a talk with them and you will realise how similiar these great people are to ourselfs. Ohhh and please buy them some food and water. Its the vitals in life they dont care about anything else.
I have set up a just giving page for anyone who wishes to donate. Every little helps.
At the time of writing, Aitken has already raised well over £2000 ($2884) on his JustGiving page.
He's continuing to go out and help homeless people, too.
Aitken told the Edinburgh Evening News that he's thought about doing what he did last Friday for awhile now.
"My aim is to raise awareness of these people and what some of them have gone through," he said.
"Homeless people are human beings, they've got feelings and want exactly the same as everyone else."

Listen to David Bowie's incredible isolated vocal tracks from his iconic songs

Davidbowie




Following the death of cultural icon David Bowie, isolated tracks of some of the rock singer's most well-known songs have been making rounds on the Internet.
The tracks, unsurprisingly, demonstrate the musician's vocal prowess, which helped to define his career.
SEE ALSO: David Bowie's oddly beautiful life in rare photos










Released in 1972, "Starman" — from his album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars — was only Bowie's second hit (the first being "Space Oddity") and the first song to catapult him to megastardom.
Listen to the full album track here:





If you don't notice much of a difference between the two tracks, that's the point. Ziggy producer Ken Scott previously said in an interview that Bowie wanted that pure vocal quality to live on.
"I would set the level, we would roll tape and that was it," Scott said. "That became the performance everyone heard. Whether or not you love his voice is a personal matter, but his ability to put those performances across is beyond admonition. And that doesn’t mean they’re perfect. There are places where the pitch is slightly off, or the timing is slightly off. But they’re human."
The Internet also resurrected the track of Bowie and Queen's Freddie Mercury singing "Under Pressure," which according to blog Open Culture was born out of a "marathon session of nearly 24-hours."


The song was also originally titled "People on the Streets" before Bowie changed it to "Under Pressure." It was officially released in 1981. Listen to the full version below:

Mark Zuckerberg vows to 'fight to protect' Muslims on Facebook

Mark-zuckerberg-muslim-support
After a controversial week in American politics, Mark Zuckerberg, CEO and cofounder of Facebook, has shared his support for Muslims around the world.
In a short Facebook post on Wednesday, Zuckerberg pledged his support for Muslims, informing the Facebook community that the social network is "a peaceful and safe environment."
SEE ALSO: Mark Zuckerberg's paternity leave hobbies are posting cute baby pictures and jumping into Facebook comments
Though he didn't name names, Zuckerberg is likely referring to statements delivered by presidential candidate Donald Trump, who this week called for a total ban on Muslims entering the U.S.
In the post, Zuckerberg used his own faith and upbringing to share his ideals on how attacks on freedoms affect everyone.
"As a Jew, my parents taught me that we must stand up against attacks on all communities," Zuckerberg wrote. "Even if an attack isn't against you today, in time attacks on freedom for anyone will hurt everyone."

15 people made famous by the internet in 2015

Internet_famous_people

You don't need a red carpet to be a celebrity anymore. All you need is an Internet connection.
Throughout 2015, our news feeds were dominated with plenty of inspiring, hilarious or even heartbreaking stories that we couldn't get enough of. More often than not, these stories weren't about some Hollywood A-lister or a reality star, they were about regular people like us.
These people found their 15 minutes of fame using the power of the Internet.





Take a Peek at Santa's Pinterest

Santa-claus

Pinterest is a great resource for the holidays. Recipes, gift ideas, decor — it's all there.
While pinning a new cheese ball recipe to test out this year, we wondered what old Saint Nickwould put on his own pinboard. Maybe he needs some new boots or something to help refresh his multi-language abilities. Or maybe just a lot of cookie recipes he'd like to see on ChristmasEve.
We tapped into the holly jolliest parts of our brains and came up with what we think the big guy would include.
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Santa's Pinboard

This Is What Booze Looks Like Under a Microscope

Dirty-martini-bevshots-hi-res-for-mashable
Turns out Great Uncle Phil was right all along: Concocting the perfect whiskey ginger nightcap really is an art form.
A website called BevShots captures photographs of alcohol taken through the lens of a microscope. The rainbow-like patterns it produces are then converted into metallic prints, bar accessories and even clothing, meaning you can (almost literally) say you're wearing what you drink.
Granted, it's less this:
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Image: Tumblr, never-perfect-always-original...and more this:
Screen Shot 2013-12-17 at 11.00.42 AM
The idea dates back to the early '90s. Michael Davis, a research scientist at Florida State University, was looking for new ways to fund his lab. He'd compiled hundreds of photographs of DNA, biochemicals and vitamins from working for more than 20 years as a researcher, and figured they had the potential for commercial art.
He pitched the photographs to a handful of retail companies, but not to much luck. One necktie manufacturer, however, suggested he switch his focus from DNA to cocktails. It looked just as cool, he figured, but it would bring with it the ability to "wear" a popular drink.
Davis returned a few weeks later with photographs of several popular adult beverages, and soon, the Molecular Expressions Cocktail Collection of ties was born. In the resulting years, he sold more than 5 million ties.
The sales slowed down eventually, however, and the photos were nearly forgotten. Then, in the early 2000s, Davis met entrepreneur Lester Hutt at Florida State. Hutt was interested in launching a startup in partnership with the science department, and when he came across Davis' photos and the necktie collection, he knew he'd found what he was looking for.
"I just remember thinking, 'These are really fun, modern art pictures. They're simple and just easy to look at,'" he says.
With Davis' permission, Hutt launched BevShots, and turned the somewhat dormant photos into paintings, knickknacks and fashion accessories. They've since added non-alcoholic photos of cranberry juice and cola to the collection, too.
BevShots creates the photographs by crystallizing the drinks. For the full effect to take place, Hutt says, the alcohol — or soda — needs to be frozen, then shot under a polarized light microscope. The colors appear after light shines through the crystal, creating a basic rainbow affect.
Here are a few of our favorite images from the collection:
American Amber Ale:
file_8_6Image: BevShots
Bloody Mary:
file_13_31Image: BevShots
Gin and Tonic:
ginandtonicmetallicImage: BevShots
Coffee Liqueur:
file_5_40Image: BevShots
Margarita:
file_13_39Image: BevShots
Sex on the Beach:
file_23_112Image: BevShots
Tequila Sunrise:
file_26Image: BevShots
Whiskey:
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Image: BevShots
White Russian:
file_13_47Image: BevShots
White Zinfandel:
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Take a look at all the products, from straight-up gin to ginger ale, on BevShots.

JK Rowling Is Turning 'Harry Potter' Into a Play

Harry Potter fans knew the eighth movie couldn't truly be the end.
First, JK Rowling announced a new movie rooted in her wizarding world. Now, fans have a new reason to rejoice: Rowling will produce a Harry Potter play.

The play, which the Daily Mail reports is a prequel of sorts, will focus on the orphan boy who lived under the stairs. It will be set when Harry Potter was still in the dark about his magical abilities.
Rowling will collaborate with producers Sonia Friedman and Colin Callender, as well as the selected screenwriter. The show will likely debut before 2016 in London's West End, giving Potter fans plenty of time to make travel arrangements.

'Harry Potter' Actors Then and Now Harry%2520then%2520and%2520now

Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter)

What more is there to say about The Boy Who Lived? Radcliffe has begun the impossible task of separating himself from the iconic role by buddying up with John Hamm in the series "A Young Doctor's Notebook." Weasley%2520twins%2520then%2520and%2520now

James and Olive Phelps (Fred and George Weasley)

One would think the mischievous pair of twins might want to blaze their own trails after being an on-screen duo for so long. Or they could star as Rosencrantz and Guildenstern in an upcoming production of Hamlet and continue developing their excellent chemistry. That works, too.Luna%2520then%2520and%2520now

Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood)

The Hogwarts student who no one could ever really figure out recently starred in the short "It Don't Come Easy" as a shy wallflower, demonstrating that several of the franchise's actors are partially tied to their Hogwarts counterpart for the foreseeable future. Dean%2520then%2520and%2520now

Alfie Enoch (Dean Thomas)

The loyal Gryffindor peer and Quidditch teammate of Harry and Ron hasn't done much acting since the Potter films, although he did appear in an episode of BBC's drama "Broadchurch."Neville%2520now%2520and%2520then

Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom)

Lewis' transformation from the gawky Neville of the early films into a dashing young man gave hope to bumbling adolescents everywhere. Career-wise, Lewis recently took the leading role in "The Rise," a crime movie about revenge and drug kingpins. Cho%2520then%2520and%2520now

Katie Leung (Cho Chang)

Fans will surely remember the exhilarating and hilariously awkward kiss shared between Harry and Cho in Order of the Phoenix. These days, Leung is a featured character on Hulu's mini-drama "Run."Seamus%2520then%2520and%2520now

Devon Murray (Seamus Finnigan)

The clumsy kid who's notorious for having potions explode in his face is now a full-grown man with stubble. Murray hasn't done any acting since the Potter films, but he's still an active participant in promotional events for the franchise.Ginny%2520then%2520and%2520now

Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley)

The younger Weasley sister who eventually steals Harry Potter's heart is now set to star in a comedy about small-town beauty pageants. Dudley%2520then%2520and%2520now

Harry Melling (Dudley Dursley)

If there was any child in the Harry Potter franchise easier to hate than Malfoy, it was Harry's chubby, obnoxious cousin Dudley. Since the series ended, Melling has undergone both weight and fame loss, and he couldn't be happier about it. Malfoy%2520then%2520and%2520now

Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy)

The actor responsible for everyone's favorite antagonist is soon to be starring in the film "In Secret" as a sickly man with whom his cousin is forced into a loveless marriage. When's Felton going to get to play a good guy?Hermione%2520then%2520and%2520now

Emma Watson (Hermione Granger)

While Watson has grown up, she still hasn't lost touch with the endearingly dorky Hermione. Watson's latest endeavor is a role in the upcoming Biblical epic, "Noah."Ron%2520then%2520and%2520now

Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley)

We fondly remember young Ron's crippling fear of spiders and ability to be eating in many as scenes as possible. Most recently, Grint made his on-stage debut as a drug-dealing bad boy in "Mojo" -- a far cry from the wide-eyed face on the left.

'Beyonce Think Pieces' Hashtag Mocks Media's Reaction to Album

Beyonce
When big things happen, the media sometimes gets a little carried away as it tries to spin stories from the newsy yarn.
So when Beyonce dropped the surprise of a century by releasing a new album with no warning or press, the media did what it does best — started creating think pieces.
In no time at all, journalists began over-analyzing Beyonce's every lyric, nitpicking every dance move and over-thinking every costume change from her visual album, in hopes of generating stories on feminism, the Illuminati and the singer's impact on fill-in-name-of-any-topic.
But let's call a spade a spade — it's just an album (albeit spectacular). But, if anything, it was simply a genius marketing ploy on Queen B's part. But that didn't stop Twitter from mocking the stories with the hilarious hashtag that began trending Wednesday afternoon.
Check out 20 of the best think piece headlines, below.

Shia LaBeouf Tweets About Plagiarism Allegations: 'I F*cked Up'

Shia-labeouf-twitter.jpgActor and director Shia LaBeouf fired off a collection of Twitter missives early Tuesday morning, owning up to accusations that his new short film HowardCantour.com plagiarizes Daniel Clowes' 2007 comic Justin M. Damiano. The film was posted online on Monday.
"I f*cked up," LaBeouf wrote at the end of his six-tweet explanation (below).
The allegations surfaced Monday night after Clowes, a veteran graphic novelist, discovered LaBeouf's 11-minute film about fictional film critic Howard Cantour, played by Jim Gaffigan.
Eric Reynolds of Fantagraphics, a publisher of comic books and graphic novels, is among those who noticed the film's dialogue and imagery looked and sounded eerily similar Clowes' comic, which is also about a film critic undergoing struggles. But LaBeouf did not credit Clowes or reference Justin M. Damiano in any manner.
On Twitter, Reynolds wrote that LaBeouf "must be delusional" and "WTF was [he] thinking?"
"What he should really do is between he and Clowes," Reynolds told Mashable via email on Tuesday. "But if it were up to me, I'd make him give out nothing but Daniel Clowes books — with apologies — for the holidays."
In his public apology on Twitter, LaBeouf admits Clowes' work served as inspiration for his short film, which is now password protected — though a trailer is still live here.


Redditors Resurrect Family History With Beautiful Photo Restorations

Redditors Resurrect Family History With Beautiful Photo RestorationsAoqrc
In this digital age, everything we do is recorded for posterity in the vast archives of the Internet. In 50 years, our children will be able to look back on our lives through the archives of sites like Facebook and Flickr.
Past generations have not had this luxury. Many of their memories are locked in finite scraps of photo paper, just one small house fire or an angry ex-girlfriend away from oblivion. These old photos rarely stand the test of time, becoming wrinkled, torn or discolored with age.

Enchanting Colorized Photos Breathe New Life Into History
The Redditors of r/Picrequests are fighting the flow of time — with Photoshop.
This small, but devoted, community of Photoshoppers restore damaged images to their former glory. Any Reddit user can scan the pieces of a ripped up or wrinkled photo and post it to the subreddit. From there, several of the community's Photoshop artisans usually accept the challenge and repair the image, free of charge.
The Photoshop wizards of r/picrequests not only work for free, but also frequently get little thanks from those they help.
"Sometimes people are extremely grateful, sometimes not so much," says Reddit user Gingerma, who repaired a torn up photo of a man's deceased wife. His contribution earned him a mere 20 upvotes and no response from the original poster.
When pic requesters do thank their Photoshop saviors, however, it can be spectacular. Dave Humphreys, a.k.a. Unhi, spent three hours restoring an 87-year-old sailor's headshot, which was posted by the man in the photo's grandson. When he received the restored photo, he posted this video in thanks for Humphreys' sweat and tears:

How to Be Passive Aggressive on Twitter

How to Be Passive Aggressive on TwitterTwitter-passive-aggressive

Oh, how nice of you to finally get around to reading this article. We were beginning to worry.
If you've spent much time on Twitter, you'll have likely noticed a bit of passive aggression coming from the site's 232 million monthly active users. Like celebrity snark and the excessive use of hashtags, passive aggressiveness has become a hallmark of the dark side of Twitter, filling your timeline with vaguely pointed sarcasm.
The immature, non-confrontational behavior is so prevalent it's earned an unofficial moniker: "subtweeting." Think of subtweets as Twitter gossip, veiled insults seemingly directed at no one in particular, though very clearly referencing a specific person or event. Lest you think it's a phenomenon limited to Twitter's youngest users, think again. Not even celebrities are above the act, as evidenced by one well-known exchange between Kobe Bryant and Mark Cuban.
If you'd like to give your passive aggressiveness a boost, our tongue-in-cheek guide should get you subtweeting at peak capacity in no time.

1. Subtlety Is Everything

When you're getting started with subtweets, make sure you aren't directly mentioning the object of your virtual venom. This defeats the whole purpose of subtweeting, which is to remain as ambiguous and evasive as possible.
Passive McDonalds tweet
Image: TwitterLet's talk about what this tweet is doing wrong. First, Kristen has listed far too many of her targets by name. If, say, Mr. McDonald's or Mr. Breakfast were to see this tweet, they'd discover her unfiltered hatred, as would all of her followers.
Not ideal.
For a more passive aggressive approach, subtly express your vitriol while still dropping enough hints. That way, the focus of your anger has only a vague idea of who you're referencing. See below:
The revised tweet is dripping with passivity. The butt of our aggression is clear, but it's stated in a more reserved way, achieving the desired effect without the consequences. A+ subtweet.

2. Deny, Deny, Deny

If you're ever caught in the act of subtweeting and subsequently called out by your subtweetee, your first and only line of defense must be one of rigid denial.
Subtweet denial
Image: TwitterPassive aggressiveness on social media is not a proud act; admitting to it can ruin your Mr. Nice Guy reputation. While this problem could probably be avoided by simply not subtweeting in the first place, denial is really the subtweeter's only option. The above conversation achieves this wonderfully, never admitting to immaturity and steering away from culpability of any kind. Exceptional.

3. When in Doubt, Subtweet Deeper

Once your subtweet game nears professional level, you can safely begin to explore the world of online passive aggression on a slightly deeper level. This includes moving to other social networks — maybe Instagram and Facebook — or subtweeting multiple targets at once.
subtweetception
Image: TwitterHere, the subtweeter has subtweeted the object of her aggression about previous subtweets. Some may think this approaches too much subtweeting, but that level doesn't exist. Those just getting started with passive aggressiveness on social media should not attempt this before consulting their doctor. Stunning subtweet.

4. Look to Experts for Advice

Like fingerprints, snowflakes and Daniel Day-Lewis films, no two subtweets are exactly the same. The best way to get an idea of your personal style is to observe and imitate the styles of those you respect. Below, we've included a small sample of notable subtweeters.