Captivating Connections.

is this even a scandal anymore?

michael vick + peta = no go.

"People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, perhaps feeling the same backlash from its own members that is popping up on message boards and chat rooms, said it is no longer in talks with jailed former NFL superstar Michael Vick to appear in public-service announcements for the animal-rights group.

Dan Shannon, director of youth outreach and campaigns for PETA, told AdAge.com the group wanted to work with Mr. Vick if the disgraced star -- due to be released from prison on May 20 after being convicted of running an illegal dog-fighting ring -- was willing to take a psychological evaluation for anti-social personality disorder."

Um, can someone explain why ANYONE thought this was a good idea to begin with?

can social networks rewire your brain?

Yikes!

 

According to neuroscientist Susan Greenfield, “social networking websites are causing alarming changes in the brains of young users,” arguing that “sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Bebo are said to shorten attention spans, encourage instant gratification and make young people more self-centered.”

 

Taking it one step further, Oxford University neuroscientist and director of the Royal Institution, Baroness Greenfield, claims that social networks, video/computer games and TV shows have the ability to “effectively 'rewire' the brain,” arguing “We know how small babies need constant reassurance that they exist. My fear is that these technologies are infantilising the brain into the state of small children who are attracted by buzzing noises and bright lights, who have a small attention span and who live for the moment.”

 

Those are some intense statements, and reminds of the whole “tv will rot your brain” argument used when I was a kid.

 

What do you think?

payment plan options for entertainment.

You know how you know the economy is tanking? When music festivals are starting to offer payment plans.

For the first time in the 10-year history of the event, Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, Calif., offered the option of spreading out the $269 cost of a three-day pass.

Customers had two options besides buying their ticket in one payment: splitting the amount into two equal parts or putting down 10 percent of the total, then paying the rest in two installments, in March and April, before the festival begins on April 17.

Other music festivals taking the same approach include Bonnaroo in Tennessee, All Points West in New Jersey and Country Thunder in Arizona.

really?? REALLY???

picking priorities.

Well this should get your attention:

According to new research, "46 percent of women and 30 percent of men would opt to forgo sex for two weeks instead of giving up access to their precious Internet for the same period."

You can insert your own sassy joke here. No, really, go for it.

Done? Alright, let's continue on then, shall we...

"More broadly, those surveyed said access to the Internet ranked highest among the discretionary spending items they could not live without. Cable television, dining out, shopping for clothes and gym memberships followed in declining importance.

Along similar lines, 61 percent of the women surveyed said they would rather go without TV for two weeks than lose access to the Internet for one week."

take a test, get an ad.

Listen: I'm all for creative ad placement and integration, but there are some things that should be considered somewhat 'sacred', schools being one of them.

I get it that times are tough and we need creative ways to ensure our kids are getting the best education possible, and, if done well, these ads aren't very invasive. And, honestly, I'm ok if it is a somewhat education company like a newspaper placing the ad. But, can you or will you draw a line? I DON'T want to see certain types of products on those pages (and I'm sure you can guess what those are).

I see both sides of the argument, but something doesn't sit well with me. What do you think?

i'm sorry but..

...did anyone else thing this whole CNN hologram thing was just rediculous???

Even Anderson looks like he's thinking "what the heck am I doing??"

fast pjs?

Um...

"[Burger King] will soon launch a line of BK-branded T -shirts, an exclusive collection of men's sleepwear and loungewear, and government-operated and authorized instant lottery tickets and merchandise."

Really?? REALLY?!!?

when online dating is no longer doing it for you...

"A Manhattan lonely heart wants to buy a $3 million Super Bowl ad so she can advertise her availability to millions of potential husbands nationwide.

Amy Borkowsky - who gives her age as somewhere between Carrie and Samantha - is confident she'll up her odds of marriage if she markets herself to an audience of captive, guacamole-gutted football fans.

'Dating is a numbers game,' she said. 'I need to reach a large pool of guys.'

To that end, she has created a Web site, SuperBowlSingleGirl.com, to raise money to reach her multimillion-dollar goal to buy a 30-second shot at love."

Really? REALLY?!?!

put your goggles on.

I don’t know if this is a super-late April Fools Day gag or what, but, apparently, the brilliant minds at Gmail are providing a new tool to help you “stop sending mail you [will] later regret.”

 

The new Labs feature, Mail Goggles (sort of like ‘beer goggles’, get it?) will help keep you from sending those regrettable emails some people send during the late night hours (often fueled by alcohol) to ex-whatevers or other people.

 

I have a feeling, funny or not, this tool could be quite helpful to some people.

 

Between this and the built-in phone breathalyzer, soon drunks will have no excuse for any social or media faux pas.