You probably know that RadioHead just released a new album that people can pay whatever they want for. You can check that out on the RadioHead.com website. This is what I call a “reality based approach.”

In reality, we have to understand that it’s very difficult to control what people do. Since the album is going to be downloaded for free on the internet anyway a reality based approach is to make it easy for people to give you money.

This has been a pretty solid success. A recent new york times article reports that the average sale price is $8. The same article also talks about how economists are baffled that people would pay anything at all, if they don’t have to.

ummm, just to be clear, people who don’t understand tipping are autistic douchebags.

Also, a lot of people are heralding this as the death of the music industry. I doubt it, but is anyone really surprised that both fans and artists are eager to get away from and industry that’s been a total dick?

Here’s another example:

…duh.

also, duh. Here’s an example of the Reality Approach from the same article

Also, people are going

:: Via Kai ::

also, this is a amazing article on how the CIA used a fake sci fi movie to sneak hostages out of iran.

:: whoa via wired ::

For those who dont know, it means Holy Land. But the best part is: ITS A JESUS THEME PARK!!! YES! There’s a JESUS THEME PARK in Argentina. It has reenactments of the resurrection AND a 40 ft. animatronic Jesus. If its not raining this weekend, I am totally going. Possibly alone, since no one else seems to think this is funny, except me. Possibly, hilarity will ensue. To learn more:Tierra Santa

Holy Crapmonkeys!

This is a church website. It is awesome. Make sure your sound is on.

In the 12th and 13th centuries the church declared a holy war on cats, because….they were ambassadors of the devil. After two years of persecution the cat population in europe was decimated and there followed an explosion in the rat population…bringing the plague! Then the catholic church reversed its decision and anyone caught abusing a cat would be excommunicated.

–TitaniumDreads

ps I read this in a book called The Little Book of Bad Taste, I googled around a bit but wasn’t able to find a source. I did find info that a lot cats were killed because it was suspected that they actually carried the plague…

glad that the good reverend could clear that up, I have to..umm…go now.

–TitaniumDreads

This comes from my friend Melanie who lives in germany doing some manner of medical research.

::: original on flickr via Email {Thanks Melanie!} :::

One thing that I continually find fascinating is that nearly every other industrialized country takes an active role in encouraging arts and culture. My friend Shaun {the first person I’ve ever met from Tasmania} was just telling me that the Australian government subsidizes radio stations. He said that it makes australian bands more likely to make it big and be heard because they don’t have to get signed to a gigantic label if they want to be played on the radio.

I guess a church tax goes too far for me but I can’t quite figure what makes a church tax much different than an art tax….

{thanks Ian!}