The Great Separation

Sega's Robotic Pet Cat

Meow-oddity - Some news items make me want to scratch my head and ask, "Whaaat?"

For those of you who don't want all the hassle of pet care:

Sega Toys' Dream Cat Venus is sure to be your favorite fake pet ever

Dream Cat Venus -- as this one's been dubbed -- has sensors in its forehead, and touch sensors in its body so that it can react when petted. Apparently more lifelike than previous version Smile, Venus also purrs when certain words are spoken. Sega Toys says this is the right choice for those who just don't have the time for a real pet. We're also pretty sure it's non-allergenic (unlike real felines), cheaper to own (doesn't eat or need to see the vet), and totally won't mind if you head out on vacation for three weeks at a pop without telling him. We'll still feel the guilt though. This kitty's going to be available starting July 30th in Japan for about $110. 

I suppose our government might think about about getting some of these robotic cats for all those elderly women we are reading.

Amazon Bans Gang Rape Video Game.

After the fact - When did perversion become common place and marketable?

I saw this article over the weekend. It makes me ill to know that someone out there thinks it would be loads of fun to simulate gang raping a woman, virtual or not.

Here's the article link:

Rapelay virtual rape game banned by Amazon 

In Rapelay, gamers direct a character to sexually assault a mother and her two young daughters at an underground station, before raping any of a selection female characters.

The game was intended for release just in Japan, but was on offer to British buyers through Amazon Marketplace, the section of the online store's website open to third-party sellers.

But Amazon has now withdrawn the game after complaints from users, deeming it to be inappropriate. "We determined that we did not want to be selling this particular item," a spokeswoman said.

Frankly I am shocked that it took complaints from users of Amazon for them to find this material "inappropriate."

Not only is it inappropriate, but it's detestable and frankly I think it could be argued that it's a harm upon society.

God does not want us to dwell upon such things let alone act them out in our house again and again with a video game so that we become numb to such a horrible act.

It saddens me to think about what kind of society we are becoming.

Guitar Hero Game Spurs Christian Guitar Praise Game.

Pic'n the strings - Wired has a post about a game coming out for the Mac and Pc in the same vein as the popular Guitar Hero game but it uses Christian artists like Jennifer Knapp.

It's called Guitar Praise: Solid Rock.

What's interesting to me is not that such a game is out for the Christian market, after all that market is huge, but the post on wired is very sarcastic and snarky toward Christians.

If you read some of the comments you will find similar feelings.

Follow the link on the page to the blog BoingBoing where the news of the Guitar Praise game hit first and this quote stuck out to me:

I used to be a Christian. Born of atheist parents, I stumbled upon this on my own. But there was a day my faith disintegrated: it was when I realized that the exact same sensation of God's love that I felt at Christian gatherings was absolutely indistinguishable from the adrenaline rush and sense of cultural belonging that I felt at a rock concert.

Makes my spirit ache. I think this reaction is one of the problems I have with big concerts, particularly those that have altar calls. Too many in our culture live based upon their emotions, the recent so-called "revival" in Lakeland, FL, is one example. The church for the most part has failed to teach and instruct.

You might want to read some of the comments on BoingBoing page as well.

Some of the views about Christians that are expressed are saddening and troubling to me.

You a Lonely Man? Here's Your Robot.

Um... Your Blade is Running. - Okay, here's a oddity for you that is very telling. Telling either of the culture in Japan or the state of manhood in the world. I've not decided upon which it is.

Either way my first reaction is to laugh. My second is to cry.

From Reuters - "Japan's robot for lonely men".

She is big-busted, petite, very friendly, and she runs on batteries.

A Japanese firm has produced a 38 cm (15 inch) tall robotic girlfriend that kisses on command, to go on sale in September for around US$175, with a target market of lonely adult men.

There's a video attached to the story. If I can secure it later, I'll post it here (Secured: see below). I had to laugh when they showed the attractive female telling how great of a girlfriend this robot made.

It's a creation of Sega and is named EMA.

Here's the video:

You may remember these two related items from that area of the world:
The Boyfriend Arm Pillow for Single Women.

First the Boyfriend Arm Pillow now the Girlfriend Lap pillow.

Face Book. Are You Using It?

Just where does this social networking cable plug in? - It's just a quick post, but I wanted to let you, my smart, incredible, erudite, humorous, and stunning readers know that I'm on FaceBook.

So if your on that social network feel free add me. I've added a little badge dohicky to the left side bar there with my picture.

Video of The World's Largest Swimming Pool. Why?

Don't forget your water wings. - This really is amazing. Terribly strange too. Living in Florida on the coast I've never really understood why hotels and houses have swimming pools next to the ocean. Seems silly to me. And a waste of greenbacks.

However this resort in Chile seems to think it a great idea and has created one giganto swimming pool that is sure to be one of the world's wonders. One reason they give is that the beach is terribly dangerous for swimmers, so I guess that's a good reason for a pool.

Next thing you'll see is some Hollywood type making a horror film in it where some shark makes it into the pool.

Suicide Cult in South Wales?

Disheartening - I just saw this news item headlined on Drudge.

There's been an epidemic of suicide hangings in Bridgend, South Wales.

Here's ThisIsLondon's headline: Number of young people found hanged in 'suicide cult town' rises to 13.

Most appear to be connected to each other through links such as online social networks. All apparently have hung themselves.

"I am very concerned," he said [coroner Philip Walters]. "It is very important that we get to grips with the situation.

Victim: Natasha Randall was found hanged last week. At least 12 others youngsters from Bridgend have died in the same way within the past year

"There are 12 young men and one young woman involved and all were found hanged in the area in the last year."

It's terribly sad. From what I can read these young people had a lot to live for. It's obvious that friends and family who loved them are distraught and confused as to why they would do such a thing.

It's just mind blowing.

When I see things like this becoming more and more frequent I can't help but wonder if it isn't a sign that the days are growing shorter till the Second Coming of Christ.

Apple. That's One Thin Laptop.

Tech envy - Mercy, Apple's new MacBook is incredibly light and thin.

Those of you with disposable income, feel free to buy me one ;-)

Video of the Week: Robots have Feelings, Too.

Cartoons made flesh... err kind of. - I suppose it was just a matter of time but it looks like parents now have the option of getting a real pet for their kids or a robotic one. And what five year-old boy wouldn't want a dinosaur for a pet?

I Think I Want One: Amazon's Kindle.

When tech envy bytes - I do believe I want one of these Kindle thingys. Only thing is $400 cold bills is hard for me to swallow. Still, it's pretty awesome tech. I've been a big believer in electronic-ink and have been looking forward to wide spread use.

All said, this tech looks very promising. You can read magazines, books, blogs, newspapers, etc.