Dr. Who sonic screwdriver looks jusssst right

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We’ve seen sonic screwdrivers come and go over the years, but this is the first one sure to be exactly like the one the Doctor uses on the actual program (superpowers not included). It has the exact light and sound from the show, and extends the same way. It also has a UV light at one end and a pen nib at the other. The story goes like this: the prop made for the new series was small. Then this toy came out – it was bigger to accommodate the batteries – and the Dr. Who producers revamped the TV prop on a mold from this toy. So this Sonic Screwdriver is exactly the same size as the one Dr. Who uses on TV! $15. [GT]

Resitec Earthing Static, versus a thousand natural shocks

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Especially in the winter, but at risk for it all times of year, I get zapped by anything that can build up a static charge. It gets to the point where I’ll tap-tap-tap anything metal I have to touch, especially door handles, and run the risk of looking like I have OCD just to avoid getting shocked. So I’m very keen on the Resitec Earthing Static, a keychain which lights up when it detects static, and then disperses it. Finally, I can wear wool again! $14 from Brando. [GT]

Scientists to build robot society

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To learn more about human society, the University of Abertay is building a robot colony in Dundee. Sixty robots will live together under observation (which we scientifically know will change the results) to allow researchers to introduce controlled elements and gauge the effects. Professor John Crawford said, “One of our key challenges in this research will be to identify and interpret these patterns of behaviour as evidence for an emerging robot culture.” [GT]

qStart reminds you where you're driving, big-picture-wise

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It’s not impossible that you skip back and forth over the pond enough that you can’t remember if you’re in London or America, and if so, the qStart is for you. Just plug it into the lighter socket and it’ll give a cheery vocal reminder of which side of the road you’re to drive on. As a special bonus, every two hours it’ll nag you to take a break, and probably after you’ve gotten comfortable it’ll start asking why you don’t give it the good petrol or some new mudflaps. £10. [GT]

Kryptonite discovered in Serbia

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Bored one afternoon, Dr Chris Stanley, from the Natural History Museum, fed “sodium lithium boron silicate hydroxide” into Google and was bemused to discover he had a small cache of Kryptonite on his hands, according to the label on a lump of green K stolen by Lex Luthor during the latest Superman picture. Stanley’s Kryptonite is white, and Luthor’s has fluorine, which may account for it not being lethal to superheroes or glowing green. [GT]

Todd Goldman "mistakenly" traced Shmorky kitty, cease-and-desists others

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“I made a judgment error and did not research the background of this particular submission. My intention was not to copy Mr. Kelly,” said Todd Goldman, in reference to Dave “Shmorky” Kelly’s discover that Goldman had made a painting closely derived from Shmorky’s webcomic, Purple Pussy. Further claims of Goldman’s deriving commercial work from the webcomics of others are in progress with varying degrees of formality. Goldman has since retained a law firm to send cease and desist notices to bloggers commenting negatively on his intellectual property concerns. Since Goldman is worth a fair bit of money this should prove an interesting test of how much protection we creatives can expect for our hard-done work. [GT]

USB memo holder lights up after the fact

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Usually if I’m in full Selznick memo-writing mode I want extra light, so it’s a little puzzling that the USB memo holder lights up after you’ve put a memo in it. However, it does also have a USB port in the back, so at least it functions as an extension cable with a flirty little stand. And then, when want to just fire Craig by note, he’ll be more likely to notice the glowing glob in the middle of his soon-to-be-ex-desk. 9,90 €. [GT]