STUFF: News, Technology, the cool and the plain weird

[MIKA27]

Tesla's Cybertruck Can Charge The Cyberquad In The Bed

With all the talk centring around Tesla’s incredibly angular new Cybertruck, it’s easy to forget that Elon Musk actually announced something else alongside it. The “one-more-thing” tacked onto the reveal this time is something called the Cyberquad, an ATV that can climb into the bed of the Cybertruck.

The Cyberquad is painfully reminiscent of its Cybertruck predecessor, all sharp angles that look like they’d belong on a pixelated Batmobile. But it is a pretty neat pairing—the Cyberquad fits perfectly into the bed, and it can even charge there.

The truck bed is fitted with 110/240V outlets and an air compressor, meaning that you can plug the ATV in to charge up after you’ve had your off-road fun.

Tesla didn’t reveal anything else about the Cyberquad. No specs, no pricing, no information on whether or not this thing will actually ever make it into production. So, grain of salt and all that. I’m also guessing this will take a bite out of the Cybertruck’s range. But let’s take a moment now to appreciate it before we have to return to reality. 

[Ken Gargett]

2 minutes ago, MIKA27 said:

What Are Lost Continents, And Why Are We Discovering So Many?

With all the talk centring around Tesla’s incredibly angular new Cybertruck, it’s easy to forget that Elon Musk actually announced something else alongside it. The “one-more-thing” tacked onto the reveal this time is something called the Cyberquad, an ATV that can climb into the bed of the Cybertruck.

The Cyberquad is painfully reminiscent of its Cybertruck predecessor, all sharp angles that look like they’d belong on a pixelated Batmobile. But it is a pretty neat pairing—the Cyberquad fits perfectly into the bed, and it can even charge there.

The truck bed is fitted with 110/240V outlets and an air compressor, meaning that you can plug the ATV in to charge up after you’ve had your off-road fun.

Tesla didn’t reveal anything else about the Cyberquad. No specs, no pricing, no information on whether or not this thing will actually ever make it into production. So, grain of salt and all that. I’m also guessing this will take a bite out of the Cybertruck’s range. But let’s take a moment now to appreciate it before we have to return to reality. 

i'll bite. what the hell has this to do with lost continents? 

[MIKA27]

The Knights Of Ren Gather In New Footage For Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker

 

Just a month to go now. Here’s some new footage to tide you over.

In a newly released 30-second TV spot for The Rise of Skywalker, things are coming to a head. We see and hear some familiar things: Rey and Ben gearing up for a climactic confrontation, Luke imploring a listener (probably Rey) to face fear, as confronting fear is “the destiny of a Jedi.” We’ve got some new stuff, too: a big, big, big laser tearing into the ground, more glimpses of the chaos of the various battles between Resistance and First Order across the sequel’s varied locations, and, perhaps most interestingly, a glimpse of the Knights of Ren, gathering in the desert.

Soon, we might find out what the Knights’ deal is. And we’ll find out how Palpatine came back. And is Rey a clone? Probably not, but is she????

(No.)

Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker comes out December 19, 2019. 

[MIKA27]

Dwayne Johnson Hints That Black Adam Will Introduce The Justice Society Of America

Though most of Black Adam’s stories revolve around his ongoing battle against Billy Batson and the rest of the Shazam crew, according to Dwayne Johnson, the character’s upcoming feature film will actually introduce another rather significant element of DC’s comics lore to its cinematic universe.

In a recent interview with Screenrant, Johnson explained that because Black Adam is set to be an origin film of sorts, audience members shouldn’t expect to see him facing off against Shazam just yet, but he added we will get to meet the Justice Society of America. Unsurprisingly, Johnson didn’t go into detail about how the JSA will factor into the movie—all he said was, “JSA. We will introduce you to that, the world to JSA”—but there are a number of different directions Black Adam could end up going because of the narrative complexities that define the super team.

Originally, the JSA was a group of Golden Age heroes from All-Star Comics including Alan Scott as the Green Lantern and Jay Garrick as the Flash. While All-Star comics ended in the early ‘50s, DC would eventually incorporate the JSA into its larger multiverse comics continuity in Crisis on Infinite Earths, the event that reimagined the team as the precursor to the Justice League, explaining how and why there were so many similarities between the two groups.

Because the JSA’s traditionally been depicted as being from another era, there’s a chance that Black Adam could very well be set in the past and the titular villain ends up having to do battle with them. It’d be an interesting way to further explore the DCEU’s history in the same way that the first Wonder Woman film did, and it would give Black Adam the kind of gravitas befitting a true supervillain when the film hits theatres in 2021.

[MIKA27]

25 minutes ago, Ken Gargett said:

i'll bite. what the hell has this to do with lost continents? 

LOL!!! 

I was going to post something else, edited it, but when I keep hitting save, it simply doesn't correct it.

For me, the site has been a little glitchy today to say the least.

That's my excuse anyway 

[MIKA27]

On another note....anyone seen this sport from Russia?

Hilarious commentary

 

[Ken Gargett]

10 minutes ago, MIKA27 said:

For me, the site has been a little glitchy today to say the least.

That's my excuse anyway 

it has asked me six times (again) if i am a robot and once told me i was!! 

[MIKA27]

Just now, Ken Gargett said:

it has asked me six times (again) if i am a robot and once told me i was!! 

That's it!! Phew.... Thought there was something wrong with my PC too.  

[MIKA27]

Death to Scotch Snobbery

This episode of the award-winning podcast Life Behind Bars breaks down the biggest Scotch whisky misconceptions.

When did drinking Scotch get to be so damn complicated?

There are rules, myths, legends and half-truths that are, for lack of a better term, absolute and utter shite. They can also unfortunately lead to Scotch shaming, preventing you from drinking what you really want to drink. (Bartender: Please just add a few ice cubes to my dram and hold the sanctimonious lecture about the sanctity of whisky’s purity.)

Drinking whisky should, of course, be enjoyable. On this episode of the award-winning podcast Life Behind Bars, co-hosts David Wondrich and Noah Rothbaum help you cut through the Scotch snobbery by breaking down the biggest Scotch misconceptions and falsehoods. 

So fix a Scotch anyway you like—seriously, we won’t judge you—and listen to this episode of Life Behind Bars. 

 

[MIKA27]

Texas Chainsaw Massacre Reboot: Release Date & Story Details

 

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, which is currently celebrating its 45th anniversary year, seems to be the next big horror film on the block for the reboot treatment.

Though the most recent film in the franchise, Leatherface (2017), was a flop, this film is the most promising opportunity to revive the franchise to date as it comes attached to a very big name in the horror scene: Fede Alvarez. Tobe Hooper's 1974 masterpiece has spawned seven other films in total including sequels, a prequel, a remake, comic books, and a 3-D film.

Horror fans were largely impressed with Alvarez's take on another beloved franchise with his 2013 reimagining of Sam Raimi's classic, The Evil Dead (1981), which makes him a natural choice to produce this film. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is known for having some strange continuity issues as well, which means a refresh to the system could be exactly what the franchise needs, especially since most of the recent films haven't been well-received.

TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE REBOOT IS IN DEVELOPMENT

In August of 2018, Legendary Pictures bought the rights to the Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise from Kim Henkel, who co-wrote and produced the original film with the late Tobe Hooper. Legendary Pictures has announced that they are planning not only a reboot of The Texas Chainsaw massacre, but a TV series.

Deadline announced that Fede Alvarez and writing partner Rodolfo Sayagues, who work together under their production company, Bad Hombre, have signed an exclusive partnership with Legendary Pictures, which confirmed their attachment to the production side of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre reboot. Chris Thomas Devlin has been attached as the project's writer.

WHAT WILL THE REBOOT'S STORY BE ABOUT?

The reboot has been described as a continuation of the classic tale much in the same way David Gordon Green's 2018 Halloween movie followed up from John Carpenter's original film. The project may have a few pitfalls in that direction, given the fact that the role of Sally Hardesty couldn't be played by original actress Marilyn Burns, since she passed away in 2014. Likewise, where Carpenter oversaw aspects of production with Halloween, Tobe Hooper passed away in 2017. The film's other star, Gunnar Hansen (Leatherface), died in 2015.

Since Burns won't be able to reprise her role, the plot might instead choose to focus on a different family member making their way back to the Sawyer farm, perhaps in search of revenge. Hardesty may have made it out alive, but her brother, Franklin, didn't escape Leatherface's chainsaw rampage.

Depending on what canon the reboot chooses to acknowledge, it is possible to write out Hardesty entirely, as the events of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III and Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation both mentioned her being institutionalized after her escape and the latter noted she died there in 1977.

WHEN WILL THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE REBOOT BE RELEASED?

It will still likely be at least a couple years before we see The Texas Chainsaw Massacre's reboot in theaters since filming hasn't even started on the project, but with such reputable talent attached, it's bound to be a film worth getting excited about.

 

[MIKA27]

Seiko Adds 2 ‘Tuna’ Divers To Their Prospex Street Series Watch Collection

We were excited to see Seiko embrace streetwear culture with their most recent collection of Prospex watches. And while the trio of offerings that came with the announcement was more than enough, we were doubly happy to hear the Japanese brand still had more to offer — a pair of handsome ‘Tuna’ diver’s watches.

Called simply the SNE541 (black and silver) and the SNE543 (black and green), these new additions share much with their predecessors — including the shrouded tuna can-shaped case from which they’ve garnered their nickname, offset crowns, textured silicone straps, and (of course) their reliable solar-powered movements. The differences, however subtle, are still very much present, like monochrome bezels with more aggressive jimping and rectangular markings on the bezel and dial, as well as rectangular luminescent hands. Priced at $400 and $450, respectively, these new streetwear dive watches are available now. $400+

[MIKA27]

Kindling Cracker King

The new Kindling Cracker King is a larger version of the award-winning design of the original Kindling Cracker firewood splitter and allows you to split even larger firewood, easily, safely and fast. Invented by a 13 year old girl for a school science fair project (advanced from prototype to production in just two years), the Kindling Cracker safely turns firewood into kindling. The tool lets you cut kindling safely and easily without having to swing a sharp axe. Rather than swinging a blade at the wood, the device lets you split wood against a blade inside the iron safety ring, by taping it with a mallet or even another log. The cast iron device is the safest, fastest and easiest way to make the best kindling for your fire.

[MIKA27]

OMEGA SEAMASTER JAMES BOND LIMITED EDITION SET

Containing not one but two 007-inspired Omega Seamasters, this limited edition set is for the true James Bond fan. Both of the watches — one stainless steel, one 18K yellow gold — feature a black ceramic dial laser-engraved with a gun-barrel design, 18K yellow gold hands, indexes, and Bond family coat-of-arms at 12 o'clock, and a secret "50" hidden in the lume of the 10 o'clock hour marker to mark the 50th anniversary of "On Her Majesty's Secret Service". Likewise, both timepieces are powered by a Calibre 8800 movement and have a numbered 18K gold plate (yellow for the steel, white for the gold) on the side of their 42mm case. Each of the watches ships on a rubber strap, and is joined in the Globe-Trotter suitcase by a matching NATO strap and additional stainless steel bracelet. Limited to just 257 sets.

[MIKA27]

Stop Teasing And Give Us The RX-Vision GT3 Already, Mazda

It’s not every day that I actually fawn over a concept car, praying it goes into production instead of just remaining in teaser status forever. But that’s exactly what Mazda has done to me with its RX-Vision GT3 concept teaser. Honestly, it may just be the first car in quite a while to genuinely take my breath away even if it’s only destined to exist in the Gran Turismo video game series.

I am, for one, heartbroken.

Why is it that all the coolest shit isn’t actually destined for reality? The RX-Vision GT3 concept appeared only briefly in sketch form at the World Final of the FIA World Tour in Gran Turismo Sport event held in Monaco. It was basically just a way for the automaker to say, “look—a cool thing!” and then leave it at that.

The sketch that was released is gorgeous. It’s dramatic as hell and almost has a Mercedes Benz AMG GT shape to it, with the cockpit pushed to the rear of a long nose. The dramatic splitter in the front and the giant rear wing are, in my opinion, very very cool. It’s futuristic without trying too hard (I’m looking at you, Lamborghini). It looks fast, sleek, and like it’ll be a hell of a lot of fun to drive. You can thank Ikuo Maeda, Mazda’s head of global design, for this bad boy.

It just sucks that you can only drive it in a video game.

Not much else was revealed about the concept. We know it’ll have a 48:52 weight distribution with a front-mounted engine and that’s... pretty much it. It is a car destined for a video game, after all. Mazda isn’t really obligated to start giving out a ton of specs to get people interested. Right now, it mainly just needs to look cool. There’s not even a guarantee that car in the game will look anything like the car in the sketch.

But I’m begging you, Mazda: please make this a real vehicle. It’s already based on the standard ol’ RX-Vision concept, just with added race-car flair—it wouldn’t be hard to just make some modifications! I would be the very first person in line to buy this magical beast. I would line up as soon as the first rumour was announced.

I might even just get in line now. You know. Just in case.

[MIKA27]

Mangia! Inside Luciano Pavarotti’s Italian Kitchen

We chatted with the famous tenor’s widow, Nicoletta Pavarotti, about her husband’s culinary legacy and the cookbook she’s creating from his personal recipes.

“There’s one thing I have to say about Luciano’s favorite foods—it’s all about Modena,” Nicoletta Pavarotti tells me on the phone from the very town of Modena, where she shared a home with her late husband and has lived since the great tenor passed away 12 years ago. 

Best known to contemporary American audiences for being the set of Aziz Ansari’s Italian adventures in Netflix’s hit Master of None, the gorgeous town, set 26 miles from Bologna in the Emilian countryside, has given the world more than a few wonders: Enzo Ferrari, the founder of the eponymous race car company; chef Massimo Bottura’s Osteria Francescana, one of the world’s best restaurants; balsamic vinegar, not the caramel-infused version but the real deal that takes a full 12 years to mature; and Luciano Pavarotti, arguably the greatest classical singer of the century.

Remembered as the gentle giant of the opera world, Pavarotti was above all a prodigiously gifted musician with perfect pitch and a clear, voluptuously beautiful voice. He skyrocketed to stardom in the early 1970s and, soon afterwards began to advocate for many humanitarian causes. 

Along with his friends José Carreras and Plácido Domingo, known as the Three Tenors, he sang in sold-out stadiums all over the world and turned the aria Nessun dorma from Puccini’s Turandot into the closest thing the opera world has had to a hit song in the 20th century. 

A major star on all continents (he was the first classical singer to fill concert halls in China), Pavarotti was also a tabloid obsession, both for his love life (his relationship with future wife Nicoletta Mantovani, 34 years his junior, in the early 1990s while he was still married to his first wife was quite a scandal) as well as his remarkable girth and recurring efforts to lose weight. 

“One must remember that Luciano went through World War II as a child,” explains Nicoletta Pavarotti. “He suffered from hunger and always remembered those painful years. His humanitarian action—when he was alive and to this day through the Pavarotti Foundation—focused on kids who are the victims of war. Undoubtedly, he kept an appetite and also the desire to welcome people with food, to share what he had. In our house, any guest would be immediately dragged into the kitchen for a bite. It was Luciano’s way to welcome people. And when he cooked, the message was I want to make you, all of you who are gathered around the table, happy.”

Born to a baker and a factory worker, the future tenor grew up nourished on some of the greatest Italian dishes, such as lasagna, tortelloni, and pasta al sugo (the true name of Bolognese sauce, never—locals will tell you with a death stare—to be eaten with spaghetti). The menu usually included Parmigiano cheese and prosciutto from nearby Parma, vegetables from the garden and pasta fresca made by hand every day, and some dishes reserved for special occasions, like tortellini in brodo (in broth) that is traditionally eaten on Christmas. His favorite wine, tasted in childhood as was the custom then since it was considered safer to drink than water, was Lambrusco.

The Pavarotti legend is rife with stories of how he remodeled the hotel suites he stayed in, requesting in advance for the minibar to be replaced with a large fridge and for a professional-grade kitchen to be set up. 

His friends would often gift him food, knowing no better way to make him happy. According to a memoir by Pavarotti’s longtime assistant, Edwin Tinoco, pop star Sting once sent the tenor a giant Roquefort cheese. Tinoco also recounts how Pavarotti would travel with provisions, including several pounds of spaghetti and huge Parmigiano cheeses, Teflon pans and favorite wooden kitchen spoons. 

As remembered in Ron Howard’s recent documentary about Pavarotti, the singer would cook himself wherever he was staying. “Pasta, always pasta, that was his favorite in any form,” says Nicoletta Pavarotti, adding she and her team “are working on a book of his recipes. He took notes in his agendas. He got very specific with the way he would cook some traditional Emilian dishes. It is extremely moving for me to see his writings, it brings back something of him. And it’s funny too, his playfulness appears clearly in those pages.”

A 1988 New York Times article recorded the maestro’s efforts to keep his weight under control. “‘At 11:45, I make a little veal with vegetables,’ said Pavarotti.‘Then at 3:45 I have a piece of prosciutto. Then at 4:45 a second prosciutto with bread; you need some sugar when you sing. You need the energy. Zap! You cannot be romantic on stage without some sugar.’” 

Even on this 1,800 calorie-a-day diet, far from his more regular indulgent practices, Pavarotti sounds remarkably enthusiastic about food. Nicoletta Pavarotti remembers fondly her husband’s ability to find pleasure in every meal. “Luciano was a man of passion, for his art, for his friends, for life in general. He had a great appetite for life, and his love for food was just one side of that. His curiosity, his enthusiasm were that of a child. How wonderful to keep that quality all your life!”

No wonder that Ron Howard, a director whose trademark is an upbeat outlook on life, chose Pavarotti as a subject. To watch his documentary is to whet your appetite for great music but also for the Emilian assortment of pasta and prosciutto, best, of course, accompanied with a glass of chilled Lambrusco.

[MIKA27]

The Balvenie Unleashes A 50-Year Scotch Blend From A Certified Malt Master

To some folks, blended scotches are considered inferior to single malt offerings — especially to those who cite purity as a desirable trait. However, if you take a look into the actual practice of blending, you’ll find that it takes a tremendous amount of skill and knowledge. And that’s just one of the reasons you should be excited about a new Speyside whisky release, The Balvenie Fifty: Marriage 0197

This particular blended scotch whiskey was created at the behest of The Balvenie by Malt Master David Stewart MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) — a feat in and of itself. It’s comprised of a number of ultra-rare scotches aged, at minimum, for 50 years in American Oak casks pulled from the oldest sections of The Balvenie’s stocks. The final result is said to have deep notes of oak tannins, dark fruit, bitter chocolate, and intense spices. And like it’s 2018 predecessor, Marriage 0962, it’s excruciatingly expensive at $38,000 a bottle.

 

[MIKA27]

42 Researchers Stranded In Antarctica After Icebreaker Broke Down

A team of 42 French researchers are stranded on an Antarctica research base after a busted propeller prevented an icebreaker ship from taking them home.

Dozens of crew members are currently stationed at France’s Antarctica base Dumont d’Urville, which depends on deliveries from the L’Astrolabe ship, according to Australia’s ABC news.

Last week the icebreaker was supposed to deliver supplies—including food, scientific equipment, and mail—and pick up researchers. But the ship’s propeller broke, according to a November 15 announcement from the Polar Institute of France. The ship is stranded in Hobart, Tasmania, waiting to be repaired.

ABC reports that the crew has not received fresh supplies since the L’Astrolabe restocked the base last February, and that many researchers are desperate to take the ship home so they can reunite with their family.

The leader of the Dumont d’Urville mission, Alain Quivoron, told ABC that several crew members are “disappointed.”

“Most of the younger members of the mission would have been happy to stay longer, but the older ones find the situation inconvenient and would have preferred to come back to their families,” Quivoron told ABC.

But help is on the way. The Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) is dispatching its icebreaker ship, Aurora Australis, to deliver supplies and collect researchers.

“There is a great spirit of co-operation and support among the nations working in Antarctica and we are very happy we can help our French colleagues when needed,” AAD director Kim Ellis said in a statement.

The ship will stock up at Hobart then cruise to Dumont d’Urville and the French-Italian base Concordia. According to the Australian government, the Aurora Australis is set to arrive at the first station by late December.

[MIKA27]

'It's Pathetic:' World Fails To Protect One Of The Most Eaten Sharks

Disbelief and disappointment are some of the more PG-rated reactions coming from the ocean conservation community on Tuesday in response to a decision not to protect mako sharks. A closely-watched measure to protect IUCN Red List Endangered fish failed to pass at an international meeting that ended Monday due to objections from the European Union (EU) and the U.S., two political bodies not traditionally thought of as ocean conservation “bad guys.”

This surprising failure occurred at the annual meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), a treaty-established international group of fishing nations that come together to decide on fisheries management or conservation issues that affect them all, especially with respect to fish that live on the high seas or regularly migrate between national borders. At this year’s ICCAT, one of the most-watched conservation proposals wasn’t about tuna at all, but about mako sharks, which are commonly caught as bycatch in tuna fisheries. These animals just received an Appendix II listing at CITES earlier this year that regulates international trade of makos, and all eyes were on ICCAT to see if fishing nations would give these animals even more protection that they so desperately need.

The specific proposal that ocean conservationists were closely following called for a total prohibition on landing mako sharks. Any sharks accidentally caught by tuna fishermen would have to be released (or discarded if dead, because saying “you can’t sell them unless they’re dead when they reach your boat” creates some perverse incentives). ICCAT’s scientific advisory committee recommended the total prohibition, and noted that it might take up to 50 years for overfished mako shark populations to recover even if all fishing stops now. The measure, which was led by Senegal and Canada, was ultimately defeated because the EU and the U.S. (the top- and third-ranking fishing nations for mako sharks by landings) didn’t want a total prohibition on landings, preferring to still allow some fishing.

Conservationists who were hoping to build on momentum from CITES were surprised and angry at the outcome, especially given the reason the measure didn’t pass.

“It’s pathetic,” Sonja Fordham, President of Shark Advocates International, told Earther. “ICCAT had urgent advice to protect makos, discussed it for eight days straight, and still failed to act! It’s been particularly distressing to watch the U.S. and the EU act as primary obstacles to consensus, given that these parties have national prohibitions on other shark species and have long promoted science-based shark conservation.”

Though the EU sometimes slides under the radar in environmental discussions when it comes to the ocean, many European nations’ fishing regulations are extremely problematic. For example, if you asked 100 vaguely environmentally aware people who the worst offenders in ocean conservation issues are, I bet most would say China or Japan, and approximately zero would say Spain but the latter is also way up there.

“The EU’s lead role in the depletion of Atlantic mako sharks is nothing short of scandalous,” Ali Hood, the Director of Conservation for the Shark Trust, a UK shark conservation non-profit, told Earther. “Spain and Portugal take the lion’s share of this valuable, vulnerable resource, with no limits on catch. This short term economic interest has skewed the stance of the EU as a whole, resulting in an unworkable and wildly unpopular position that has scuppered the best chance to turn the tide for this endangered species.”

EU fishing fleets engage in plenty of bad behaviour, but the nation that proposed the most troubling alternative to the scientist-recommended total ban on keeping mako sharks caught as bycatch was the U.S.

“Of three ICCAT proposals to limit the catch of mako sharks, the U.S. proposal was the only one that would allow killing of makos that make it to the boat alive,” according to Alejandra Goyenechea, Senior International Counsel at Defenders of Wildlife. “This is unacceptable, it’s simply too late for half measures. There are no more spare makos.”

In addition to the bad news for makos, an annual proposal to strengthen a ban on shark finning was defeated yet again due to opposition from Japan and China, two nations which are stereotypical ocean conservation “bad guys.” That said, those nations both notably supported the proposed mako shark prohibition. In a rare bright spot, a proposal to improve the management of blue sharks was accepted, as was a proposal to more formally include shark conservation in ICCAT’s mandate. But those areas of agreement lost their lustre due to the continued struggles of mako sharks.

“It’s a shame that the dramatic failure of mako shark protections has cast a shadow over some truly significant achievements for sharks,” Fordham said. “ICCAT finally adopted hard catch limits for blue sharks in the North and South Atlantic, a first for the world. And after many years of negotiation, ICCAT also finally agreed to revised text that, once ratified, will strengthen its conservation mandate.”

[MIKA27]

The New Ford Bronco R Failed To Finish The Baja 1000

Over the weekend, the new Ford Bronco (as the Ford Bronco R prototype race truck) took its first stab at the pinnacle of North American desert racing, the Baja 1000. It was a triumphant launch ahead of the return of the production Bronco, but the race didn’t end as triumphantly as it started. The Bronco R DNF’d after issue upon issue.

The No. 2069 Bronco R prototype is listed with driver Cameron Steele as having finished almost at the bottom of its results classification, as one of the many vehicles with a “DNF” marking for “did not finish” next to its placement. The cause for the DNF isn’t listed, but Ford communications manager Mike Levine sent a statement to Jalopnik about what happened, saying the race is “one of the most gruelling” in the world and that’s why Ford took the truck there.

Levine summarized the issues the Bronco R prototype had as such:

Quote

 

We had several challenges during the race, including:

· Getting hit and becoming stuck after a trophy truck hit the Raptor in San Quetin Wash near race mile 190. That’s desert racing!

· This damaged a skid plate that also led to damaging the transmission cooling lines. We fixed the skid plate at Pit 2 but didn’t catch the transmission leak until after it started slipping. It made it to Pit 3. This took several hours to repair.

· Around race mile 480 we broke a fabricated lower control arm. This was replaced but took another 90 minutes or so.

· Ran into aftermarket cooling fan issues around race mile 580. By the time it was repaired at Pit 5 it was about 8:30 at night. The next portion was challenging and risky to get help on the course if something happened, and we’d likely wouldn’t finish until after the official time limit expired.

 

But the pre-production parts tested on the Bronco R prototype, Levine said, “performed flawlessly. No engine or chassis issues.”

Levine also tweeted about the result, saying it was disappointing not to finish the race but that Ford will continue to “test and further improve the Bronco R prototype” before coming back next year.

Ford unveiled the Bronco R race prototype that would continue its Baja history earlier in November, without sharing many details of the truck or what would carry over into the production car. But, as we wrote at the time, Ford said Baja would be a test of several components of the road-going Bronco, including an unspecified drivetrain.

A release from Ford said the truck aimed “to prove out the upcoming production Bronco’s powertrain and architecture.” At least we know it got tested!

[MIKA27]

Bond 25: No Time to Die Trailer May Drop Next Week

It looks like we may be getting a trailer for No Time to Die aka Bond 25 as early as next week. The upcoming film in the Bond franchise will be Daniel Craig’s last. His first appearance as Agent 007 was in 2006’s Casino Royale. His Jason Bourne-esque take on the character brought the fictional spy to a whole new generation. Since then, Craig has embodied Bond three times; the last time was in 2015’s Spectre. No Time to Die will end the story of Craig’s Bond (and potentially Bond as we know it).

No Time to Die has taken quite some time to come together. The movie marks the end of five intertwined stories; Craig's Bond has been given the most linear thread of movies in the character's history on screen. That, combined with the pressure of wanting to send Craig off into the sunset with a good supervillain, has undoubtedly contributed to pre-production issues. Originally, indie filmmaker Yann Demange was set to direct the film. Demange was relieved of his directorial responsibilities when Danny Boyle pitched his own idea for it. Boyle then began work with his writing partner John Hodge. Just as casting was underway, Boyle and Hodge left the project due to creative differences. Cary Joji Fukunaga has since stepped in to direct with a plethora of writers to work on Bond 25’s story (including Fleabag mastermind Phoebe Waller-Bridge).

According to Collider, Cary Joji Fukunaga and cast members Daniel Craig, Rami Malek, Lashana Lynch, and Léa Seydoux are all set to appear on Good Morning America next Wednesday, December 4th. The group's appearance has led many to deduce that a trailer will premiere on GMA. Production on the film apparently went off without a hitch and ended last month. With an April 8, 2020 release date, it seems like the right time for Bond fans to receive their first glimpse of No Time to Die.

The amount of time the film spent in pre-production had only increased fan anticipation for the film. A lot of people didn’t even think there would be another Daniel Craig Bond movie. The actor has made comments in the past about being tired of playing the character, saying things like he would “rather slit his wrists” than do another Bond movie. Those comments were admittedly sarcastic, referring to the struggle of being a middle-aged action hero. Regardless, the character has changed his life, and No Time to Die aims to deliver him a worthy sendoff.

Not much is known about the future of the Bond franchise after Craig's departure (other than Phoebe Waller-Bridge is set to write the next movie). Many theories revolve around the idea that No Time to Die will either kill Bond off or have him permanently retire (because this is "no time to die"), leaving the door open for another type of 00 Agent. The franchise has exclusively been headlined by men; perhaps it's time for a female Bond (of sorts). If they were to do this, the new character would most likely not be "James Bond;" they would merely take up the mantle/position. Regardless, after Craig hangs up his suit and tie, James Bond will be in need of an overhaul equatable to the one he was responsible for in 2006.

[MIKA27]

This Man’s Whisky Collection Just Won a Guinness World Record

Whether you’re collecting based on awards, group recommendations or what friends are telling you, it’s a fair bet you think you have one of the best whiskey collections in the world. While that might certainly be true in some circumstances, it’s not true in the global sense because the “World’s Most Expensive Whisk(e)y collection” belongs to Vietnam resident Viet Nguyen Dinh Tuan with a 535 bottle collection valued at over $16,729,000 US dollars.

This insane collection of two-decade year old whiskies was recently confirmed by Guinness World Records to be the most valuable in existence and includes everything from a 1926 Macallan Fine and Rare to one of the oldest Bowmore releases known to exist and represents an entire lifetime of collecting on behalf of the collector. Viet has absolutely no intentions of selling any part of the collection–which is why we love him–but that doesn’t mean his impressive feat isn’t worth recognizing.

[MIKA27]

MARVEL COMICS NO. 1 COMIC BOOK

The highest-graded copy of the very first Marvel issue, this copy of Marvel Comics No. 1 recently became the most expensive Marvel comic ever sold at public auction. Rated a 9.4 out of 10, it is the most well-preserved copy of this 1939 release in known existence, and one of only three copies rated 9.0 or higher. It contains the debuts of the Human Torch, Ka-Zar, Angel, and Sub-Mariner, but is more notable for its rarity than its contents, and is a truly remarkable piece of comic book history. While the auction might be over, the new owner is proactively entertaining offers, so for the right amount, it might still be available.

Bid now: $1.26 million

 

[MIKA27]

'Reflections of Death' Puts James Bond's Comic Career in Overdrive

The hardcover anthology will be released ahead of the 25th Bond movie, 'No Time to Die.'

James Bond is set to return to the big screen next year, and Dynamite Entertainment will mark the event with the release of James Bond in ‘Reflections of Death,’ a hardcover anthology of stories from an all-star lineup of creators.

The 128-page book features more than 20 creators — including Andy Diggle, Mark Russell and Luca Casalanguida — contributing “case files” of various Bond missions being investigated by Moneypenny as she works towards freeing herself from an unfortunate kidnap situation.

Vita Ayala and Danny Lore, the writers of the upcoming James Bond ongoing series set to launch in December, will contribute the framing story of the collection centering around Moneypenny.

Other creators involved in the collection include Greg Pak, Gail Simone, Benjamin Percy, Jordi Perez, Robert Carey, Eoin Marron and Kewber Baal. The cover comes from British illustrator Fay Dalton, whose work has previously appeared in the Folio Society’s editions of Ian Fleming’s Bond novels Casino Royale, From Russia With Love and Moonraker.

“We're incredibly fortunate to work with so many talented creators, and of course they all want to write one of the most crucial characters in modern fiction!," Dynamite CEO and publisher Nick Barrucci said Tuesday in a statement. "Just in time for the new movie, for fans to enjoy a bounty of Bond, too!"

James Bond in ‘Reflections of Death’ is set to be released in February.

[Fuzz]

5 hours ago, MIKA27 said:

MARVEL COMICS NO. 1 COMIC BOOK

The highest-graded copy of the very first Marvel issue, this copy of Marvel Comics No. 1 recently became the most expensive Marvel comic ever sold at public auction. Rated a 9.4 out of 10, it is the most well-preserved copy of this 1939 release in known existence, and one of only three copies rated 9.0 or higher. It contains the debuts of the Human Torch, Ka-Zar, Angel, and Sub-Mariner, but is more notable for its rarity than its contents, and is a truly remarkable piece of comic book history. While the auction might be over, the new owner is proactively entertaining offers, so for the right amount, it might still be available.

Bid now: $1.26 million

 

Ooooh mama!

[MIKA27]

Eruption Of Indonesian Volcano In 2018 Generated A Tsunami At Least 100 Metres High

The eruption of Anak Krakatoa in 2018 produced a tsunami that, for a short while, was somewhere between 100 to 149 metres tall, according to new research. Had the Indonesian shoreline been closer to the volcano, this disaster would’ve been much worse.

When Anak Krakatoa erupted on December 22, 2018, it caused a landslide that triggered a dangerous tsunami in Indonesia’s Sunda Strait. Around an hour after the eruption, waves reaching between 5 to 13 meters tall smashed into the nearby coasts of Java and Sumatra, plunging inland to as far as 330 meters in some places. The tsunami caught residents completely off guard, resulting in the deaths of 427 people.

As for the size of the tsunami in the moments immediately following the landslide, that’s been less clear. New research published this week in Ocean Engineering is adding new colour to this rare event, showing that the tsunami, during its first several minutes of existence, was absolutely monumental in size.

Computer simulations of the tsunami suggest the initial wave was somewhere between 100 to 150 metres tall. The new research, led by Mohammad Heidarzadeh, an assistant professor of civil engineering at Brunel University, shows the disaster could have been much worse had the Indonesian coast been situated closer to the Anak Krakatoa volcano.

A wave of this height make a lot of sense given how much material was lost during the eruption. Pics of Anak Krakatoa after the ensuing landslide show the volcano missing an entire side. Somewhere between 150 to 170 million cubic metres of the mountain entered into the water.

“When volcanic materials fall into the sea they cause displacement of the water surface,” said Heidarzadeh in a press release. “Similar to throwing a stone into a bathtub—it causes waves and displaces the water. In the case of Anak Krakatoa, the height of the water displacement caused by the volcano materials was over 100 [metres].”

Diagram showing how the volcano produce a wave of such magnitude.

Heidarzadeh and his colleagues used computer models to simulate the size of the tsunami. They also used sea-level data gathered from five different locations near the volcano to validate the simulations. The best model pointed to a peak intensity lasting for around 6 to 9 minutes after the eruption, at which time the tsunami was generating energy equal to magnitude 6.0 earthquake.

The wave quickly dissipated owing to the combined effects of gravity and friction. As gravity pulled the bulk of water downwards, it created added friction along the seafloor. The wave shrunk considerably, but it still wreaked havoc when it eventually hit Java and Sumatra.

That said, the tsunami was still 80 meters tall when it struck an uninhabited island a few kilometers away from Anak Krakatoa. Had a hypothetical landmass existed at a distance of about 5 kilometres from the volcano, it would’ve been struck by a wave reaching somewhere between 50 to 70 metres, according to the research.

Looking ahead, Heidarzadeh has plans to work with the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) and the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT) to develop a new tsunami response plan for the region.

Anak Krakatoa has a history of inflicting misery. In 1883, an eruption generated a tsunami around 42 metres tall when it hit the coast, resulting in 36,000 deaths—a time when the region’s coastal areas were far less populated.