I love the look of intense concentration of the faces of the divers in these photographs from the USA Olympic Diving Trials.

However, the pick of the photos (IMHO) doesn't even feature the diver's face.

The Taipei 101 skyscraper deploys a huge pendulum to ameliorate the effects of earthquakes:

Taipei 101 includes a 728-ton sphere locked in a net of thick steel cables hung way up toward the top of the building. This secret, Piranesian moment of inner geometry effectively acts as a pendulum or counterweight – a damper – for the motions of earthquakes.

I suppose that if the building should collapse the prospect of a 782-ton ball escaping the confines of the tower and bouncing down the street will be the least of anyone's worries…

[Via The Morning News]

Simon Caulkin despairs at the prospect of the 'Compassion Index':

In private, Labour politicians acknowledge that managing by targets has gone too far. 'You see, public services were so bad we had no choice,' is the current party line. Now, the voices add soothingly, 'we can back off a bit and allow choice and the public to drive improvement'.

If only it were so easy. Loosening the reins suggests that the horse was pulling the cart in the right direction. In fact, the past 10 years' 'reforms' have done such a thorough job of roughing up and desensitising the beast that urgent remedial action is needed to socialise it again.

For proof, look no further than Alan Johnson's inexpressibly depressing announcement the week before last of a 'compassion index', the results to be published on an official website, to show how kind hospitals are to their patients. This is so tragic that it's hard to know where to begin (although I already have an idea of the ending). But let's try. [...]

[Via Memex 1.1]

Batman on taking Superman down.

[Via Oliver Willis]

So pretty.

[Via The Sideshow]

Coco Wang's series of Earthquake Strips tells stories of the reactions of ordinary Chinese people to the 12th May earthquake.

Panda Panda is my favourite of the ones I've read so far, closely followed by Getting A Refund.

[Via James Fallows]

Alison Bechdel's Compulsory Reading: very good.

[Via Blog of a Bookslut]

A teaser for Doctor Horrible's Sing-Along Blog.¹ Quoth Joss Whedon:

It’s the story of a low-rent super-villain, the hero who keeps beating him up, and the cute girl from the laundromat he’s too shy to talk to.

[Via Fourth Edition]

1. a.k.a. What Joss Whedon, Nathan Fillion and Neil Patrick Harris Did during the WGA strike. ↩

Ninjas on ice: stealthy.

[Via LinkMachineGo!]

The Birds Barbie Doll.

Sadly, the link promising that we can See More Hitchcock dolls lies: 'The Birds Barbie' is the only Hitchcock-related doll on offer. I was hoping to see their take on Marion Crane or Judy Barton or Lisa Carol Fremont.

[Via GromBlog]

Lady Spins On An Escalator.

A neat trick, but probably not something I'll try out next time I'm in my local shopping mall…

[Via Progressive Gold]

The Stalled Server Room:

Hi all.

As you all are aware, we have new tenants that have moved into the 2nd floor suites. The access to the server room is now via the women’s bathroom.

There will be a sign on the woman’s door that can be changed from OPEN to CLOSED and vice versa.

Should you need to enter the server room, please change the sign to CLOSED. Once you are done, please change it back to OPEN.

Once you enter the bathroom, you will be able to access the server room via the handicapped stall. Please close the stall door prior to entry, just in case someone doesn’t see that the bathroom is closed.

I know this isn’t ideal, but if we adhere to this protocol, I don’t think anyone will be disrupted.

Thanks! Let me know if you have any questions.

Yes, they have a photo of the new server room.

Brings a whole new meaning to the term "core dump…"

The Website Is Down: just another day on the IT Help Desk.

[Via MetaFilter]

I'm going to try to get back into the habit of doing these posts weekly:

• Round 'n Round
• Woofstock. I adore the first image – something about the expression on the dog's face is hugely appealing.
• "Foighidinn…"
• Dusty Icefield
• The Sage Gateshead: a nicely framed shot, excluding the clutter of the neighbouring buildings to emphasise what a striking building it is.

Dance Off with the Star Wars Stars.

I reckon couple #1 were robbed!

[Via Lots of Co., via web-goddess]

The Labour Party is in big trouble:

Ed Miliband opened the day with evidence of extreme party unity. "Tony Benn gave me my first job in politics opening letters in his basement. But I know things are bad for the government right now," Ed said, gesturing to Tony sitting in the front row, minus pipe, "because he's been leaving answerphone messages asking if there's anything he can do to help."

Mark Pilgrim on election fever:

There are many things people do not know about BARACK OBAMA. It is every American’s PATRIOTIC DUTY to read this message and pass it along to all of their friends and loved ones.

[...]

Barack Obama says the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE every time he sees an American flag, and he has an American flag in EVERY ROOM in his house. Some days it takes him OVER 45 MINUTES to get out of his house. He also ends every sentence by saying, "WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL." On the INTERNET there is video of Obama quietly mouthing the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE in his sleep.

[...]

PLEASE FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW! SPREAD THE TRUTH ABOUT BARACK OBAMA!!!!!

"I would love to know what sick bastard at Kellogs came up with this genius idea."

The Homunculus Nebula.

I know it's a composite image, no doubt with all sorts of false-colour enhancement applied, but still: damn thats impressive!

As one, 30,000 American high school students cried out wrote: This … is … Sparta!

[Via Lots of Co.]