Toward Our 3D Future

If the past couple of years have been about one theme for me investment-wise, they have been about exploring the bridge between bits and atoms with a series of bets aimed to make a path between the digital world and the physical one we populate. And no, I am not talking about ordering a pizza from my smartphone or getting a maid-on-demand to come clean my house within an hour, but rather… Read More

Gary Johnson At CPAC: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

NATIONAL HARBOR, MARYLAND -- Typically, when a politician meets a reporter for an interview, decorum dictates that said politician offer up a bland pleasantry to break the ice. "Thanks for spending time with us!" or "Try to keep up!" are standard.

When I meet former New Mexico governor and 2012 Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson at this year's Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), he takes a different tack.

"So you drew the short straw? Some reporter always does."

Johnson is a friendly, kinetic presence, but he isn't exactly the brightest star in the political universe right now, a fact he'll readily concede and even point out. Like much of the Libertarian Party, he finds himself in a precarious position heading into 2016. On the one hand, his laissez-faire platform has never been more popular, with the public increasingly skeptical about developments like the war on drugs, the militarization of America's police departments and an increasingly intrusive regime of government surveillance.

On the other hand, his policy agenda is being partially appropriated by both of America's dominant political parties, and the popularity and likely presidential campaign of libertarian-leaning Sen. Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) has only served to further diminish the Libertarians' standing.

I encounter Johnson as he's manning the booth of his advocacy organization, Our America Initiative, talking with supporters and catching knowing glances from passers-by. Where most prominent politicians would never deign to be seen very long in the deepest, most zoo-like bowels of CPAC, Johnson is happily holding court. Indeed, it feels at times that Johnson is no more a sideshow than The Weekly Standard's photo booth or the gentleman nearby dressed as Captain America.

When an aide tries to interject some optimism by pointing out that Johnson finished third place in CPAC's 2011 straw poll of presidential candidates, Johnson, who governed New Mexico from 1995 to 2003 and turned 61 this year, offers a characteristic retort.

"Yeah, you can see where that got me."

Despite his less-than-hopeful outlook on his own political standing, Johnson remains cautiously optimistic about the effects of Paul's success.

"If Rand Paul wins the nomination, that'd be terrific," he tells me. "If he were to prevail he'd be the best Republican nominee in a long time." His enthusiasm for the GOP field, however, ends at Paul. "Based on the current crop, I'd vote for the Libertarian candidate," he says.

But Johnson still sees a lot of daylight between him and Paul on issues like marriage equality, reproductive rights, drug reform, foreign policy and immigration reform, and makes no attempt to hide it.

"He's a social conservative and I'm not," Johnson says. "I think he's towing a fine line on the whole military intervention thing" -- a reference to Paul's efforts to soften his image as an isolationist.

"I call it punting. His dad [former congressman and presidential candidate Ron Paul (R-Texas)] punted, too. They punt on drug policy, they punt on marriage equality."

That said, Johnson, who says he is still hasn't decided whether to seek the Libertarian Party's nomination in 2016, is somewhat agnostic about the daunting prospect of another nationwide campaign. He hates it. I mean, he really hates it.

"When I ran in 2012, 90 percent of what I did ended up being wasted time. I must have spent three months on Internet radio talking to people who I envision were guys in their mid-40s and the only people listening were their parents in the room upstairs."

He adds that not all Internet radio hosts live in their parents' basement, before continuing, "I'm a horrible fundraiser and I must have spent months on the phone talking to people. I like talking to people but I never get around to raising any money. I just can't ask for money. It's not in my marrow."

"You can't meet everybody," he says. "You can't stand somewhere for hours on end because it's just draining."

But it's not all that bad. Events like CPAC offer Johnson the opportunity to mingle with a largely receptive audience. Even supporters of other candidates come and pay Johnson respect -- seeking a sort of absolution from the current high priest of libertarianism. A woman wearing a Ted Cruz sticker asks Johnson about his views on disability policy. She tells him about her condition, which causes her to experience seizures regularly.

"Are you doing CBD?" he asks. "It's marijuana based."

One man wearing a Rand Paul sticker approaches and urges Johnson to get in the race to keep things competitive. A group of college-aged men profess their admiration. "You were such an inspiration to me!" says one. Another man, in a cowboy hat and a shirt that reads "COPS SAY LEGALIZE POT ASK ME WHY" is an old acquaintance who briefly catches up with Johnson.

"For me right now, this does not suck," Johnson says. "So this go around, if I end up doing it, it's not going to suck!"

"Although I might discover new kinds of suck," he adds with a laugh. "But I won't relive the old kinds of suck."

One of the biggest obstacles Johnson sees is being admitted to the presidential debates -- he was excluded from most of the GOP primary debates in 2012 before he switched to run as a Libertarian, and even then was excluded from the general election debates. In his view, a feedback loop emerges when pollsters and debate organizers exclude third-party candidates, thereby diminishing their stature with the electorate.

Although being in the debates would have its pitfalls, too.

"Even if I were to appear in the presidential debates, holy shit! Can you imagine the anxiety of appearing in a presidential debate?"

But far from being bummed about his semi-obscure place in the political zeitgeist -- or his .9 percent showing in the 2012 presidential election -- Johnson couldn't be enjoying life more. That's not surprising, as his life is almost certainly better than yours or mine.

He engages himself in a number of different passion projects. In addition to the Our America Initiative, he's the CEO of Cannabis Sativa, a $100 million market cap marijuana company (ticker symbol HI -- get it?), which he insists on numerous occasions will "survive 100 years from now." The Coca-Cola of weed, if you will.

But easily the most envy-inducing parts of Johnson's existence are his outdoor hobbies, which he pursues with great relish from his home in Taos, New Mexico. He recently ascended the "Seven Summits" -- the highest points on each continent -- when he climbed Mount Vinson in Antarctica. More recently, he competed in a race on Al's Run, a notoriously treacherous slope in Taos Ski Valley, finishing third behind a 31- and 21-year-old.

But mostly, as the governor puts it, he just "skis and hangs out."

And while most serious politicians would spend the rest of their lives chasing after more favorable election results, Johnson's joie de vivre helps him have the perspective to be content with the fact that 1 million people wanted him to be the most powerful person in the world.

"There's no itch," Johnson says flat-out when asked if he ever misses elected office. "I don't feel an itch."

"It's the right thing to do [running for president]. If anyone else were doing this, I'd be back home. I love my life."

Later, during a debate over drug legalization between Johnson and former Congresswoman Ann Marie Buerkle, Johnson fakes a heart attack and falls over on the stage to illustrate his opinion of Buerkle's anti-drug arguments.

“You know, I think the governor has had great fun with his humor," Buerkle, now a commissioner on the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, says. “It’s not funny. It is something that we as Americans have to pay attention to.”

Johnson is having great fun, which begs the question: Why on earth would he want to be president?

5 can't-miss apps: 'Sheepop,' Clinique, Nat Geo View and more

Between freedom-loving llamas on the loose in Arizona and the dress that broke the Internet, you may have overlooked some of this week's best new apps.

Luckily, each weekend, we round up our favorite new and updated apps, so you won't miss out.

See also: Why that dress looks white and gold: It's overexposed

This week's list includes a new photo-focused app from National Geographic, a game called Sheepop that challenges you to throw sheep, and an app to help you manage all your subscription services

Check out the gallery, below, to see all the apps that made our list of top picks. And if you're looking for more, take a look at last week's roundup of can't-miss apps. Read more...

More about Tech, Android Apps, Ios Apps, Apps Software, and Weekly App Roundup

Tinder Plus Will Launch On Monday

Tinder Plus, the dating app’s first step into the wonderful world of freemium monetization, will launch on Monday for $9.99, according to sources familiar with the matter. Tinder Plus includes at least one highly requested feature and a few others that are meant to add broader functionality to the service, which essentially boils down the usual online dating experience into a simple… Read More

Leonardo DiCaprio To Play Multiple Personalities In New Film

Leonardo DiCaprio could play 24 different personalities in the upcoming film "The Crowded Room." According to The Hollywood Reporter, DiCaprio's production company Appian Way and New Regency are coming together to produce it.

The movie will reportedly be adapted from the Daniel Keyes' nonfiction book "The Minds of Billy Milligan." Keyes tells the story of Milligan, a man who went on trial in the '70s for three rapes. He was the first person to successfully use multiple personality disorder as a defense.

DiCaprio and New Regency also teamed up recently on the film "The Revenant," which is due out next Christmas. That project includes "Birdman" director Alejandro González Iñárritu and actor Tom Hardy.

For more, head to THR.

William Shatner Tweets His Regrets That He Can't Attend Leonard Nimoy's Funeral

William Shatner took to Twitter on Saturday to express his regret over having to miss Leonard Nimoy's funeral.

Though the two "Star Trek" actors were very close friends, Shatner explained in a series of tweets that he won't be able to attend Nimoy's funeral on Sunday, due to a previous commitment to appear at the Red Cross Ball in Florida Saturday night. Though he will not be present at the funeral, Shatner said he plans to honor Nimoy's life from afar.

I am currently in FL as I agreed to appear at the Red Cross Ball tonight. Leonard's funeral is tomorrow. I can't make it back in time.

— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) February 28, 2015

I feel really awful. Here I am doing charity work and one of my dearest friends is being buried.

— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) February 28, 2015

So maybe tomorrow we come together here and celebrate his life.

— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) February 28, 2015

So let's spend some time tomorrow celebrating Leonard's life and remembering the man.

— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) February 28, 2015

Shatner and Nimoy starred as Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock, respectively, on the "Star Trek" television series and in multiple feature films. Nimoy died Friday at his home in Los Angeles, at the age of 83. Following the announcement of Nimoy's death, Shatner released a statement expressing love for his longtime friend.

"I loved him like a brother," he said. "We will all miss his humor, his talent, and his capacity to love."

Neil deGrasse Tyson answers all of your curious questions about space

Neil deGrasse Tyson is doing what he does best: blowing minds.

The acclaimed astrophysicist sat down with Mashable to answer SnapChat users' interesting and downright strange questions about the universe.

See also: Neil deGrasse Tyson reveals meaning of life to 6-year-old: 'Explore as much as you can'

The most pressing conundrums that have been weighing on your mind have finally been answered, from whether aliens exist to what dogs smell like in the cold, empty vacuum of space.

Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments. Read more...

More about Viral Videos, Space, Videos, Funny, and Nerdy

Soccer fans join diverse rally against anti-Muslim demonstrators

LONDON — Pegida, a far-right German organisation against the so-called "Islamisation of the West" were outnumbered by counter demonstrators Saturday at its first major demonstration held in Britain.

See also: Germany's far-right movement stirs ghosts of gruesome past

Pegida, which stands for “patriotic Europeans against the Islamisation of the west”, held the demonstration in Newcastle city centre, but found itself countered by an umbrella group of called Newcastle Unites, made up of trade unions, politicians and fans of Newcastle United Football Club among others.

The Pegida demonstration was joined by members from other British far-right groups, the English Defence League and National Front Read more...

More about Uk, Us World, Newcastle, Pegida, and Far Right

Netanyahu's Legacy: a Fractured Israel and a Divided America

In a few days, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will mount the podium of the US Congress to speak before a joint session of the House and Senate. He will use the occasion to blast Iran and issue dire warnings about the current US-led negotiations designed to limit Iran's nuclear program.

Having successfully used his two previous appearances before Congress to announce his intent to scuttle the Oslo peace process (1996) and to sabotage President Obama's plan to restart Israeli-Palestinian peace talks (2011), Netanyahu apparently hopes to use this address to stiffen the resolve of those in Congress who are opposed to the current negotiations with Iran. The ever-cocky Prime Minister, no doubt, believes he will once again be successful.

That this speech occurs a scant two weeks before Israelis go to the polls is, for Netanyahu, the "icing on the cake" since it will display for voters back home his supreme mastery of America. It will also, he hopes, divert attention from his recent financial scandals and his failure to establish a secure peace or to provide for the well-being of his people.

What the Prime Minister did not expect was the fire-storm his appearance would produce. Since he has repeatedly asserted that "I know America", he should have anticipated that his deliberate effort to embarrass the US President would not sit well with the White House or its allies. By having his Ambassador to Washington, a former Republican Party operative, conspire with the Speaker of the House to arrange this speech, the Israeli leader displayed remarkably short-sighted arrogance. But then, this is one of the draw-backs of cockiness.

Since the speech was announced, negative reaction has been growing. At first criticized as a "breach of protocol" and an "unseemly partisan move", the response has developed into an increasingly hostile war of words and action. The While House has charged that the Prime Minister's behavior is "destructive of the fabric of the [US-Israeli] relationship". Secretary of State John Kerry chided Netanyahu's critique of the Iran negotiations as uninformed. And, as of Friday, 36 Members of Congress had announced their intention to boycott the speech. One Representative told me he expected the number of boycotters to grow in the coming days.

Equally significant has been the reaction in Israel, where not only Netanyahu's opponents have accused him of the risky business of "playing politics inside American politics". A former head of Mossad charged that the speech was "pointless and counterproductive". And even Israel's President recently weighed-in criticizing the Netanyahu gambit.

There have been those who suggest that this is but "a tempest in a teapot" that will soon settle down once the Israeli elections are over. I think not.

Netanyahu may still be reelected, although polls are showing that he will have to scramble to cobble together the 60+ Knesset members he will need to form a government. Since the announcement of his speech to Congress, Netanyahu's slight lead over his "center-left" opponents in the Zionist Union has evaporated. The two parties now appear to be running dead even-- with each garnering 23 or 24 seats in the next Knesset. Given the fragmentation of Israel's right wing parties, Netanyahu may be able to forge a coalition of 60+, but it will be a grouping of aggressive ego-driven hardliners who will only serve to exacerbate tensions with the US.

As of now, it appears that even if the Zionist Union edges out Netanyahu's party, they will have no chance of forming a cohesive coalition that will be able to effectively govern and advance peace. This is so for two reasons. For one, the left is too weak. While the positions of the Zionist Union are closely aligned to those espoused by Washington, it is unlikely that they will be able to find enough like-minded Knesset members to establish a ruling majority. Because they will need to include rightist groupings to reach the 60+ threshold, the government they form will be hamstrung from the beginning.

An additional issue is the fact that what will likely emerge as the third or fourth largest bloc in the Knesset is the Arab Union--a first ever grouping of smaller Arab parties. Since they are expected to win between 12 to 15 seats in the next Knesset, it will be impossible for the "center-left" to amass 60+ seats without the agreement of the Arab bloc. However, it is unlikely that the Arab group will be included in any government formation. Thus, they will be reduced to the same "silent partner" status they had during Rabin's tenure in the early 1990's. This will serve to create a dysfunctional situation in which the government can only be sustained by the acquiescence of the Arab bloc. But this will, in turn, inhibit such a government from taking any dramatic steps toward peace lest it be attacked by the right for acting without the support of the "Jewish majority". The result will be paralysis.

This will be Netanyahu's legacy: a deeply divided Israel which will have either a hardline government that will continue to take hostile steps provoking Palestinians and further frustrating peacemaking efforts or a weak and dysfunctional centrist government that will be incapable of acting decisively for peace.

A further impact of Netanyahu's behavior will be seen here in the US. Israelis console themselves that polls continue to show that a majority of Americans support their state. What they ignore are the follow up questions which show Americans increasingly frustrated by and deeply divided over Israeli policies. Majorities oppose settlements and oppose Israel actions that conflict with American policy. And when asked whether the US should side with Israel, the Palestinians, or "not take either side", two-thirds consistently choose the last option. More striking is the fact that 76% and 70% of Democrats and Independents, respectively, say "not take either side"--as do 75% of those under 50 years of age, 76% of non-whites, and 72% of women. Only Republicans believe that the US should take Israel's side--49% of whom feel this way, against 47% who say "not take either side".

It may very well be that when Netanyahu is finished his big Washington adventure, plenty of officials in Washington will insist that "the US-Israel bonds are unbreakable". And many in Congress will still jump, when asked, to do Israel's bidding. But that's not the whole story, since he will leave in his wake a fractured Israel and a deeply divided America. Such will be the master manipulator's legacy.

Follow @AAIUSA for more.

Algeria From A Drone Might Be The Most Stunning Place We've Ever Seen

Algeria is a place of nearly unimaginable beauty and diversity. From the heights of the Tell Atlas mountains to the bleakly beautiful desert expanse of Tamanrasset Province, it offers truly unforgettable landscapes. The country that inspired the works of Camus, Algeria also reflects the beauty and complexity of an ancient civilization, mingled with the effects of more than 100 years of French occupation.

A new project, SkyCam Algeria, has set out to capture the country's diverse attractions in a set of incredible photographs taken from drones. Using a GoPro camera, SkyCam Algeria captured the snowy peaks, desert vistas and ancient edifices that make Algeria such a unique -- and irresistible -- place to visit.



A version of this post originally appeared on HuffPost Maghreb.

Mr. Burns at ACT: Hilarity Begins With Apocalyptic Events

After the apocalypse, riding a Simpsons episode into the future.


Photos by Kevin Berne




Humans have passed hours sitting around campfires and swapping stories as long as they have known how to make fires and grunt. OK, I can't prove that but I challenge anyone to disprove it. So what could possibly be special about a fireside bull session driven by efforts to recall people and events that might have some meaning to everyone in earshot?

In Anne Washburn's Mr. Burns, a post-electric play, that sort of al fresco gathering, deep in a Northern California forest, is special. For seven strangers, survivors of a catastrophe that shattered the world they knew, it opens doors to the future by revealing aspects of the past: fragments of shared knowledge and experience.

Their common thread -- which they follow to bizarre and hilarious ends -- is The Simpsons. Memories of recalled episodes provide not only grist for conversation but also direction and meaning to uprooted lives. Considering the place of TV in contemporary America and the fact that Matt Groening's animated satire is still going strong in its 26th year, finding a better touchstone would be difficult.

A sellout in its New York premiere in 2013, Washburn's dark comedy is receiving rollicking treatment from American Conservatory Theater in the Geary. The production was mounted jointly by ACT and the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, where it will move in late March.




Ryan Williams French (left) and Jim Lichtscheidl, Charity Jones and Anna Ishida rehearse a well-known episode from The Simpsons.

Although the setting is apocalyptic, Mr. Burns offers only a scant and tentative glimpse at the disaster that brought the group together. It involved, among other things, a nuclear meltdown that destroyed the nation's electric grid, and presumably similar grids all across the world. There was no going back.

What matters for these survivors is the need to preserve and hand down something of their shared history, connecting generation to generation. They can do it only through the spoken word, a medium that is not anchored in stone or printed volumes. It evolves.

The show's three acts span 82 years, long enough for shards of remembered tales to grow a life of their own, adding and transforming elements while retaining enough of their source to remain recognizable. I don't know whether any Simpsons episode ever lifted tunes from Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado but it surfaces hilariously here, as do slivers of commercials for chablis and Diet Coke, among others.

In the fireside give-and-take, memories are fuzzy and script lines may be shaky, but the response is ecstatic when someone hits on the actual words and their source. The past, after all, must be carried forward with accuracy.

By Act Two, seven years later, the group has become one of many troupes of storytellers competing for audiences, and lines have assumed a life of their own as commodities to be bought and sold, usable only by their owners.




Andrea Wollenberg narrates a staging of The Simpsons' 'Cape Feare.'

Seventy-five years later, in ACT Three, storytelling has become a polished theatrical art, displayed here by familiar characters in a narrative that blends whimsy with homicidal melodrama. It's The Simpsons, re-created darkly.

Washburn's inventive antics are delivered with vigor and tonal variety by a no-star cast of eight: Nick Gabriel, Anna Ishida, Kelsey Venter, Ryan Williams French, Charity Jones, Jim Lichtscheidl, Tracey A. Leigh and Andrea Wollenberg. Wollenberg doubles as an offstage instrumentalist and impressive on-stage singer, and David Möschler provides expert instrumental support. Michael Friedman composed the wide-ranging score and Washburn added the lyrics. Mark Rucker directed.

The three acts (staged with one intermission) take place in very different venues -- a dense forest, a graffiti-spattered industrial building and a brightly cartoonish houseboat -- all beautifully realized by Ralph Funicello. Alex Jaeger did the costumes, in styles that range from contemporary streetwear to gaudy apparel and wigs straight out of The Simpsons.

Being reasonably familiar with the TV series will certainly let a viewer pick up nuances that went over my head, and I'm sure over many others, but you don't have to be a Simpsons addict to appreciate the delights of Mr. Burns. It sizzles.

Mr. Burns, a post-electric play runs through March 15 at American Conservatory Theater's Geary Theater, 415 Geary St., San Francisco.Tickets are $20-$120, from 415-749-2228 or www.act-sf.org.

The Student Heroes of Newark

Sometimes, in the midst of powerful interests steamrolling communities, we are reminded that silence is a choice. One example was last November in the small city of Richmond, California where oil and gas giant Chevron put down $3 million to buy the city council election but were beaten back by a slate of candidates with only $50,000 to spend. Another example has been unfolding in Newark, New Jersey where state appointed Superintendent Cami Anderson has wreaked havoc upon the school system with her "One Newark" plan that was put into full implementation this school year. One Newark, the fruition of a partnership between Governor Chris Christie and the former mayor of Newark, Senator Cory Booker, and backed by Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, throws open the entire school district to school choice and expanded charter school options. In practice, the implementation has spawned chaos and situations that would be intolerable to parents and students anywhere, but which have been forced upon the district with no recourse due to state control of the schools.

Bob Braun, the former education reporter for the New Jersey Star Ledger, has relentlessly documented Anderson's tenure as superintendent and the series of rolling disasters One Newark has spawned. Braun has documented schools that were slated to close under Anderson even though they were succeeding and beloved. He has documented Anderson's abrupt decision to stop attending board of education meetings from which she has been absent a full year. He was there to cover the insensitive and incompetent summer enrollment where parents who had taken time away from work just to get put into the school selection pool waited for hours and were sent away with nothing. He was a main source of information on Barringer High School where parents and students marched out to protest the deplorable conditions that persisted well past the opening of the school year.

Anderson, for her part, has remained an elusive figure in the city but has traveled widely to talk about education. However, even outside of Newark, she has refused to face the people whose school system she runs, canceling a public talk at the American Enterprise Institute in November when Newark students and parents arrive in Washington, D.C. to demand answers from her. Even state legislators have had to make repeated requests and wait nearly a year for Anderson to appear at the joint committee on education to answer questions about her performance in Newark.

In the face of this superintendency characterized by arrogance, silence, and disregard for community, few adults have managed to bring adequate attention to the situation. And then there is the Newark Students Union, a collection of young activists acting as the conscience of Brick City. The students, who have staged a number of direct action protests this school year, made national and international headlines on February 17 when they walked out of another board meeting where Anderson was absent and occupied the Superintendent's office suite, refusing to leave until Anderson met with them and agreed to attend a school board meeting. The district administration initially responded with hostility, calling the students trespassers and sending police to the students' homes to "inform" parents of the situation:

Nothing sez I care abt kids like send. cops 2house. How abt talking 2them #Cami ? @NewarkStudents @BobBraunsLedger pic.twitter.com/ey7NPMG2qJ

— Marie Corfield (@mariecorfield) February 19, 2015

The student occupiers got support from local clergy, Mayor Ras Baraka, and former talk show host Montel Williams who took to Twitter to offer encouragement and to chastise Anderson for her continued refusal to meet with them:

#CamiAnderson - if you are afraid meet with @NewarkStudents (all 8 students currently in your office) why r u in education? #OccupyNPS

— Montel Williams (@Montel_Williams) February 20, 2015

The Newark Students Union provides an extremely compelling case for their occupation:



The students ended their occupation after Anderson met with them for an hour, something that the state legislature took nearly a year to accomplish. In their meeting, Anderson agreed to attend a board meeting this week. However, that pledge was swiftly broken as the board met on the 24th with Anderson nowhere in sight:

And Where's Cami? Not here! #ournewark #wherescami http://t.co/BAJ4MfbJEv

— Newark Student Union (@NewarkStudents) February 25, 2015

It may be back to business as usual in the Superintendent's office in Newark as Cami Anderson continues to push changes and incompetent management upon the children and families of the city and ducks her legal and ethical responsibilities to meet with them. However, in one very important way, business cannot return to usual. These eight student activists showed that decision making power may have been placed in the hands of those who refuse to listen, but that the Newark's families do not have to relinquish their voices because of it. The students drew national and international attention to an arrogant and damaging way of doing business that sees itself as a national model for urban education. In four days of direct action, they got from Cami Anderson something that the school board and state legislature have failed to get: her presence. They have gained notable advocates who have platforms capable of amplifying their message far beyond Newark.

I am immeasurably impressed with these young heroes. We should all support them.

Android games come to the TV via 'hover' technology, but is it any good?

Most Android mobile games don't translate well to a TV experience for one reason: They're designed to be played on a touchscreen. There are games that work with a gamepad, but they need to be optimized for it, and not every game is. Using smartphones and tablets as controllers is also a no-no since you constantly have to look down at them to see where you're tapping or swiping.

A new Kickstarter project called Zrro claims it can bring a touchscreen gaming experience that doesn't suck to the TV, with a controller that uses "hover" technology.

See also: OUYA: Fun for Hackers, But Not Ready for Retail Read more...

More about Gaming, Android, Hover, Hands On, and Tech

12 times Leonard Nimoy's voice prospered beyond Spock

Behind an iconic haircut was a booming voice that truly was prosperous. But Leonard Nimoy was more than just Spock.

Nimoy, who died Friday at age 83, was a Star Trek mainstay and a legend in the science-fiction world. He was also a musician, a poet and a prominent voice actor

See also: Leonard Nimoy's final tweet is a beautiful way to remember the iconic actor

With a booming voice that resonated in films, cartoons and video games, he was a perfectly logical fit for the roles of sinister villains and wise, old patriarchs. His repertoire ranged from starring in animated features to cameos in bizarre games. Read more...

More about Lists, Watercooler, Videos, Leonard Nimoy, and Spock

Bella Thorne Opens Up About That Controversial Zendaya Hair Comment

“Fashion Police” host Giuliana Rancic recently apologized to Zendaya Coleman for offensive comments she made about her hair on the Oscars red carpet. Since then, Zendaya has publicly accepted Rancic’s apology on Instagram. Now, her best friend Bella Thorne is speaking out.

In a video from RyanSeacrest.com, a Twitter fan asked Bella her thoughts on the situation. After immediately describing Zendaya’s Oscars look as “absolutely just stunning and gorgeous,” Bella opened up about Rancic’s comment.

“I know Giuliana, and I know Zendaya, and I know them both personally. And honestly Giuliana is a really sweet person. And Zendaya has been on 'Fashion Police' as a guest, and Giuliana just goes on and on about how much she loves her. So I think when Giuliana made that comment, although this doesn’t justify it in any way, I think that she didn’t mean it like that, and that it probably just came out wrong because she really loves Zendaya. And I love them both.”

Bella and Zendaya starred in Disney Channel’s “Shake It Up” together, and the BFFs often show their support for each other on social media.

so proud of my boo @bellathorne do your thing baby girl! #moviestar #proudsister #goseethat #TheDUFF pic.twitter.com/UZDDBe2opY

— Zendaya (@Zendaya) February 21, 2015

How beautiful did my babygirl look!? @zendaya workkkkkkkk

A photo posted by BELLA (@bellathorne) on Feb 25, 2015 at 10:06am PST

"The DUFF" star ended her response by pointing out the harsh criticism teens face today.

"People have to remember that there is so much criticism going out to teens and the way they look and the way they dress … and people are just growing up. We’re all growing up. We’re all trying to find ourselves."

H/T RyanSeacrest.com

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About that Donald Trump speech at CPAC …

Real estate mogul and reality TV personality Donald Trump on Friday sought to paint himself as a Washington outsider ready for the national stage.But in a question-and-answer session with Fox News host Sean Hannity following his speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference, he fell back to a familiar pattern: questioning whether President Obama was born in the United States:Read full article >>

Storify Founders Leave For Open Source, Baby

They’ve got new tales to tell. After five years running Storify, which lets you collect social media updates into narrative timelines, co-founders Burt Herman and Xavier Damman are leaving the startup which was acquired by Livefyre in 2013. They’re passing the reigns to several original Storify members, who will keep the service running. Herman’s plan is to focus on raising… Read More

The Internet reacts to the death of Leonard Nimoy

The Internet grieved on Friday after hearing the news that Leonard Nimoy died at the age of 83

The actor, most famously known as Spock from Star Trek, was more than just an actor. He was a role model for all things nerd culture, a director, a singer, a photographer and a voice actor

See also: Leonard Nimoy dies at 83

Fans and celebrities alike took to social media to honor all of his accomplishments, and to remind all of us to live long and prosper. Read more...

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A Fight For Immunity

Every Thursday when I go on Instagram<, I am greeted with a myriad of baby photos captioned with a #tbt. Throwback Thursday, as it is abbreviated, is a time where a social network sharing the world in the present takes a trip to (in most cases) a nostalgic, happy moment in the past. Last Thursday, though, a very different type of #tbt came across my feed. My cousin, a successful, dedicated, radiant young woman and soon to be college graduate, had posted a photo of herself with a very swollen face. In the caption, she stated, "This is not an attractive #tbt. My face is swollen from being on a high dose of steroids for an extended amount of time. My body was extremely inflamed and my Crohn's disease and psoriatic arthritis were very active."

First, I would like to make a point (or state an opinion, really), that a bodily reaction to an illness, or a physical mark from such an experience does not make someone less attractive. It is, in a way, one's own badge of courage. You have fought, you are fighting, or you have survived the fight. A physical change or a resulting handicap does not make you unattractive, it shows you are a warrior. That is exactly what my cousin is; that is exactly what anyone fighting any sort of illness is: a warrior.

A warrior displays courage, integrity, heart, and passion. Not many people I know would willingly share a photo of themselves at an incredibly difficult (and vulnerable) moment in their lives, but my cousin did, and she did it with courage, integrity, and heart. For it was a risk she took with a passion to make a change that could impact and educate our society on a topic that many know little about, but so many suffer from daily. Autoimmune diseases affect 50 million Americans. Researchers have identified almost one hundred different autoimmune diseases and there are at least 40 more diseases with an autoimmune basis. Autoimmune disease is one of the top 10 leading causes of death in women in all age groups, even female children. They are chronic, they are crippling, and they require a dramatic lifestyle shift that impacts every aspect of daily life.

I, too, was one of the millions of people that had no idea what these diseases were capable of. It wasn't until the summer of 2011 when they would become a reality for someone whom I love, admire, and respect so dearly, my cousin Lilly.

That summer, Lilly woke up one morning with paralyzing joint pain. She was literally incapable of moving. She gained twenty pounds in one week from inflammation and was entirely dependent on her family for support in even the smallest of tasks.

After what seemed like one million visits to the doctor accompanied by the same number of medication trials, she was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. Soon after, she returned to school for the fall semester with a compromised immune system and a daily struggle with what should be effortless tasks.

One weekend during that following winter of 2012, Lilly was in and out of the ER three times. At that point, breathing and swallowing were even unfathomable due to the pain they caused. Every test was yielding negative results, though, and each day was ending with more frustration and pain. After admission to the hospital, a twenty five pound rapid weight loss, and a camera study, it was finally revealed that her stomach was infiltrated with bleeding ulcers, leading to the diagnosis of Crohn's disease.

Lilly was an incredibly active young woman, and after that weekend she was bed-ridden for seven months. Even going down the stairs resulted in extreme exhaustion. I had no idea how incapacitating and debilitating this was going to be for her. No one did. No one could foresee how long this road to recovery would truly be. With the help of an incredibly supportive family, and one hell of a dedicated spirit, though, she was able to travel that road.

With the help of a mom who would never take no for an answer from a doctor, a mom who never stopped reading about ways to help and heal her daughter, a mom who cooked meals without sugar, meals without dairy, meals without gluten, a mom who read articles through the night to find a way that her daughter could be happy and healthy with a disease that would be with her for life, Lilly could walk the road to recovery. With the help of a father and siblings and family who supported her endlessly in every endeavor, every apartment move, every awareness campaign, she could walk the road to recovery.

The following year brought a return to school but not without weekly infusions, medication alterations, joint inflammation drainings and appointments. Her body was fighting every medication the doctors presented, but after years of trying and failing, one finally worked better than the rest.

And now we find ourselves in the present. Winter 2015. If you looked at Lilly today, you would never know the hell she has been through. If you look at any person with an autoimmune disease, you often would not. You would never have guessed that her diet needed to be refined sugar-, dairy- and gluten-free. You would never guess that just years ago she could barely walk, move or breathe. Today, Lilly shines brighter than she ever has. That is the thing about an autoimmune disease: it stays with you forever, but if you have the dedication and strength required to fight it, you will be a warrior, and you will win.

Lilly has dedicated and continues to dedicate her life to one mission: live in a way to ensure that someday no one will have to experience what she did. An autoimmune disorder does not disappear, but with the proper lifestyle and treatment you can successfully and happily live a life in remission from crippling pain.

March is autoimmune disease awareness month. Fifty million Americans are living with one of these diseases. Chances are, you know a few. Reach out, educate yourself, allow yourself to recognize the struggle that so many Americans face and help in any way you can. Celiac's Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Crohns, Psoriasis, Type I Diabetes, Grave's Disease, Vitiligo: these are just a few of the over one hundred disorders out there. Sometimes in today's society, it is hard to support a cause without a face. I hope after reading this, you see a face. You see a daughter, a friend, a mother, a brother, a husband -- anyone.

If you are looking for a way to help, or just want to learn more, Lilly has kickstarted a Campaign entitled 50 Cents for 50 Million. If everyone simply donated 50 cents, we could be a whole lot closer to avoiding seven month bed rests and hundreds of failed hospital tests for the 50 million Americans living with these diseases. We could help to find a future where only one or two tests are needed to find one drug, so people do not have to suffer for years without ever receiving an answer or a cure.

To read more about Lilly's story, submit your own story about a journey with an autoimmune disease, educate yourself on all of these diseases, or read more about supporting this cause, you can check out the campaign website here .

If you are suffering from an autoimmune disease and feel alone, or would like lifestyle and recipe suggestions, you can check out Lilly's autoimmune blog that chronicles daily life with an autoimmune disease.

If you are discouraged by years of incapacitating pain, failed diets, failed medications, and failed treatments, do not forget this: you are a warrior. You live every day fighting for immunity. This March, let's all fight, too. Let's fight for immunity. For fifty million Americans, we will.

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