Video: a nerd dream come true: Science Cheerleaders!

We've seen all kinds of cheerleaders – but how about science cheerleaders?

Attention nerds, Science Cheerleaders is here. Founded by former high IQ 76ers cheerleader, Darlene Cavalier, Science Cheerleaders has a commendable mission: "To unite the citizen’s desire to be heard and valued, the scientist’s growing interest in the public’s involvement, and government’s need to garner public support. The Science Cheerleader serves to get the conversation going, rally the troops, solicit views from all sides and change the tone of science and science policy in this country."

The site started as an offshoot from Cavalier's online campaign advocated for the reopening of a congressional tech office. Her website featured videos showing 76ers cheerleaders rattling off scientific facts. Cavalier told Philly Metro, “I started to hear from NFL and NBA cheerleaders with science degrees who said, ‘I want to get involved.’ I never imagined it would turn into what it turned into.”

The group is behind a number of science based projects including scistarter.com, a site allowing untrained collaborators to work on research projects, such as com gathering pollution data and monitoring insect swarms. Very cool science.

 
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Photos: Does nude protest work? From the Doukhobors to FEMEN

Doukhobors in 1903 - not a pretty sight!

We can thank the Doukhobors in the early 20th century for initiated nude protest, but protesting in the buff really didn't gain momentum until the 1960's ,when people realized the power of "letting it all hang out." PETA has done an admirable job of putting naked, attractive women in public for their cause, but likely no one has done it better in recent times as the bizarre protest group FEMEN. I say bizarre because they appear to be a group of women from the Ukraine whose sole activity is to  protest anywhere about anything. In the nude of course. The group's listed purpose is "to develop leadership, intellectual and moral qualities of the young women in Ukraine. To build up the image of Ukraine, the country with great opportunities for women" Well yes, if the FEMEN women are an indication, they do have great looking women, then again I do know quite a few Ukrainians, and they run the standard gamut in terms of appearance. Nice try girls.

 There is little doubt that public nudity grabs people's attention, but does it actually further a cause? Are you less likely to wear fur after seeing naked women at a PETA protest? I have my serious doubts, but as they say any press is good press.

In any case, The Cry Baby would like to come out and officially support FEMEN and wish them luck on what ever the hell they are protesting about.

The women of FEMEN

PETA protester

Related articles

• 'Femen' Stage Naked Protest Against Putin in Moscow [PHOTOS] (ibtimes.com)
• Three activists from feminist group claim they were arrested and left naked in forest after topless protest in Minsk (dailymail.co.uk)

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Video: Bungee jumper's cord snaps and plunges her into crocodile infested river

Something you will never, ever find The Cry Baby doing is bungee jumping. Not only do I not relish the thrill as some seem to, but the strong whiff of danger is enough to start me running. To me it has always seemed like danger without the reward.

Many will, and have disagreed with me, but after watching this chilling video of a bungee jumper's cord snapping in the heart of Africa, you might be more likely to agree with me. The jumper, 22-year- old Erin Langworthy, fell 111 meters into the crocodile infested waters of the Zambesi River on the Zimbabwe/Zambia border, suffering only minor injuries – a small miracle.

"It felt like I had been slapped all over,” Langworthy told Australia's Channel 9 News. “I landed with my legs tied and then had to swim to the Zimbabwe side [of the river] through the rapids. "


“It was quite scary because a couple of times the rope actually got caught on some rocks or debris. “I actually had to swim down and yank the bungee cord out of whatever it was caught on to make it to the surface.”  


“All the water I inhaled meant I couldn't breathe and I made them roll me on to my side and that's when I started coughing up water and blood.” 

Have a look at the video:

 

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Related articles

• Bungee jump rope snaps: Watch Aussie's miracle escape from fall into crocodile-infested waters (mirror.co.uk)

Video: One minute video "Move" -–11 countries in 44 days

Director Rick Meriki had a busy summer last year visiting 11 countries in 44 days. He compressed it all into this brilliant one minute video "Move" using his friend Andrew Lees as the lead, well I suppose only, actor. Lees strolls through a dizzying array of countries and cultures in this incredibly fast-paced video. It's part of a three part series commissioned by STA Travel Australia. If you haven't already seen this gem, have a gander now:

 

Related articles

• Move, Eat, Learn (e-clecticism.blogspot.com)

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