August 29th, 2:14 AM: Skynet Becomes Self-aware

xkcd

According to the 1991 movie Terminator 2: Judgement Day, August 29th is the day Skynet becomes self-aware. 

The quote: 

The Terminator: The Skynet Funding Bill is passed. The system goes on-line August 4th, 1997. Human decisions are removed from strategic defense. Skynet begins to learn at a geometric rate. It becomes self-aware at 2:14 a.m. Eastern time, August 29th. In a panic, they try to pull the plug. 

Sarah Connor: Skynet fights back.

Friday links

It's St. Bartholomew's Day - some history (including the massacre), a brief documentary, and Monty Python.

What Mathematics Has to Do With The Seven Bridges of Königsberg

U.S. Senate Monorail - A Private Subway System for Senators Under Washington D.C. Since 1909.

It's the anniversary of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius and destruction of Pompeii in A.D. 79.

In the 1960s, the U.S. Government Set Off a Pair of Nukes Under Mississippi.

What could go wrong? Crocodiles have learned to use tools.

ICYMI, Tuesday's links are here, and include why smartphone screens are three times dirtier than a toilet seat, Dorothy Parker's birthday (including the weird journey of her ashes), the etymology of 'orange', the history of U. S. dollar bill design changes, and an eye-searing set of awkward Russian glamour photos.

Supercut of Improbable Weapons

As cool as any of these were in the original movies, aggregating them is even better:



Weapon and film list (in order of appearance):

Ladder - First Strike
Melons - Transporter 2
Umbrella - Kingsman
Afro Picks - Undercover Brother
Ship - Pacific Rim
Shirt - Transporter
Tea Cup - Chronicles of Riddick
Guitar Case - Desperado
Trash Can - First Strike
Ballpoint Pen - The Bourne Identity
Gopher-Chuks - Kung Pow: Enter The Fist
Credit Card - The Glimmer Man
Guitar - Once Upon a Time in Mexico
Record - Shaun of the Dead
Limo Antenna - Crocodile Dundee
Banjo - Zombieland
Hairspray + Cigar - Live and Let Die
Guitar Case #2 - Once Upon a Time in Mexico
Bowler Hat - Goldfinger
Toothbrush - Oldboy
Calligraphy Brushes - The Magnificent Butcher
Forks - Mystery Men
Carrot - Shoot ‘Em Up
Belt - Pootie Tang
Magazine - The Bourne Supremacy
Chair - Thunderball
Bike Pedals - Transporter
Toilet Cover - Zombieland
Fire Hose - Transporter 2

Amazon item of the day: a Naked Lactating Incense Burner

For the person who has everything, a naked giant-breasted lactating ceramic incense burner:

There's also an upright variation:

Or. in case these aren't weird enough, you can get the mermaid version:

If you buy one of these for your wife, girlfriend, or mother (or anyone, really), please report back and share their reactions.

Tuesday links

Dorothy Parker's birthday: quotes, poems, a brief bio, and the weird journey of her ashes.

The etymology of 'orange': Which came first, the color or the fruit?

History of Money Design: How Did American Dollar Bills Change?

These awkward Russian glamour photos are a hoot.

How dinosaurs became birds.

Smartphone screens found to be more than three times dirtier than a toilet seat.

ICYMI, Friday's links are here, and include the histories of 1. macaroni and cheese, and 2. posthumous executions, the anniversary of the death of climate change hero Genghis Khan, Steve Jobs illegitimate daughter, and Davy Crockett's birthday.