Carl Sagan Autotuned

Star of David

Organizer #1: What about different food options for the luncheon, (thoughtful pause) what about kosher food?
Organizer #2: Good idea, but how will we be able to tell who wants to eat kosher?
University staff: We could just make black armbands with the Star of David on them. (collective gasps in the room) What?

–Columbia University

Bir Tawil, No Man’s Land

Bir Tawil, which lies between Egypt and Sudan, is a curiousity. It is claimed by neither Egypt nor Sudar, and in fact, each nation insists that the land belongs to the other. With nobody claiming the land, a sovereign nation could be formed there. You know, if you were thinking of creating your own principality or kingdom.

Bir Tawil – Wikipedia

Via Microsiervos.

Jay-Z ft. Alicia Keys – Empire State Of Mind

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T-Mobile Customers: Cancel Your Contract ETF-Free!

If you’re on T-Mobile USA, there’s something you should know. You’ve just hit the jackpot!

Well, kind of.

T-Mobile is upping their overage per-minute rate to 45¢ (on individual plans <$59.99 and family plans <$89.99), and 40¢ per minute for plans above those pricepoints. The rate increase is carrier-invoked and it constitutes a “materially adverse change of contract,” which means you can get out of your contract now, all without paying an early termination fee.

Who is this good news for:

a) People who wanted to jump ship to get an iPhone, but didn’t want to pay a hefty ETF.
b) EVERYONE!

The reason the change is good for all T-Mobile customers (even if you’re staying with Big Magenta) is that without a contract, you’re a free agent, and hence eligible for upgrade pricing. It’s like you’ve just been given $200 toward an expensive phone, or a free cheap phone (that you can promptly sell on Ebay).

If you’d like to take advantage of the free contract-out, click over to BGR for details:

T-Mobile raises overage rates; cancel your contract sans-ETF – Boy Genius Report