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Jessica Roy

By Jessica Roy 5/24 10:28am

Why

(Photo: Funmylife.com)

Jell-O’s Ad Agency Thinks It Can Change the Meaning of #FML to ‘Fun My Life’

One popular way ad agencies have learned to suck the lifeblood out of the web is to hijack popular hashtags and use them for their own evil branding purposes. Take the case of Jell-O, for example, whose marketers apparently convinced them they could tap into the millennial market by changing the meaning of “FML,” or “Fuck My Life,” a phrase deployed in times of great anguish, such as when your mom forgets to pack your lunch. Read More

By Jessica Roy 5/23 3:17pm

The Future of the Ebook

(Photo: Amazon)

Meet Luna Loupe, Author of Some of the Most Bizarre Erotica Amazon Has to Offer

Luna Loupe is a prolific writer. According to Amazon, the self-described “erotica author, geek and generally classy lady” has written 25 anthologies of completely bizarre, out-there paranormal sex novels.

Though she hasn’t updated her blog or tweeted since 2012, Laughing Squid picked up one of her stranger works out of the blue today. Called Someone to Cuttle, the erotic story revolves around a gay man who discovers and eventually has a sexual relationship with a trio of shapeshifting cuttlefish. “18+ only!” reads the warning. “Contains partial shifting, hot gay sex, and a cuttlefish shifter gangbang!” Read More

By Observer Staff 5/23 2:19pm

Sponsored by FedEx

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The Pitch Season 2, Finale: 3 Awesome Finalists, But Only 1 Winner

This season SoftBank Capital’s Nikhil Kalghatgi and Lerer Ventures’ Steve Schlafman heard from 10 startups elbowing to snag capital for their budding companies. The founders brought drive and passion to their pitches, but in the end only three could be finalists and only one the winner. Mr. Schlafman and Mr. Kalghatgi narrowed the pool by determining which of the startups had the biggest idea, the largest market to tap into and the most feasible plan. Read More

By Jessica Roy 5/23 1:05pm

Pony Up

(Photo: Hot Topic)

You Can Now Buy My Little Pony Hot Pants From Hot Topic, Every Goth Tween’s Favorite Store

Feeling like it’s time to spice up your lingerie stash? Hot Topic, that suburban mall store that peddles t-shirts with slogans like “People like you are why people like me need medication” and exists purely as a foil to Hollister, has come to your rescue.

Equestria Daily, the hub for all things My Little Pony, reports that the goth-kid hangout is now selling hot pants with Rainbow Dash, one of the most popular ponies, emblazoned on them. “Black and rainbow stripe hot pants with Rainbow Dash on the bum,” reads the description. Sexy! Read More

By Jessica Roy 5/22 4:07pm

Visiting Dignitaries

(Photo: Amazon)

Microsoft Cofounder Paul Allen Is Putting Out an Album of ‘Blues-Based Guitar Rock Nuggets’

Paul Allen may be the undersung Microsoft cofounder, but dude apparently knows how to shred on guitar. The philanthropist and Seattle Seahawks owner announced on Twitter today that he and his band the Underthinkers will be releasing a debut album, Everywhere At Once, on August 6th. According to Amazon, the album is an “all-star, 13-song program of blues-based guitar rock nuggets” and will feature guests from Heart and Los Lobos. Guess you know what you’re getting your dad for Father’s Day! Read More

By Helaina Hovitz 5/22 1:08pm

Internet Week 2013

He wore a hoodie. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for The Webby Awards)

Last Night at the Webby Awards, Patton Oswalt Tried to Give David Karp a Wedgie

Hundreds gathered for the 17th Annual Webby Awards at Cipriani Wall Street last night in a ceremony that honored excellence on the Internet–fart jokes, GIF pronunciation debates and all.

Patton Oswalt began by observing, “Look at all these people taping this. By all means, record this shaky iPhone version, because this will never be on the Internet.”

“This whole thing was Kickstarted, but we didn’t quite make our stretch goal, so instead of Louis C.K., you have me as your host,” he added. Read More

By Jessica Roy 5/22 10:52am

Go Home Science You're Drunk

(Screencap: YouTube)

Science Says You’re Ugly

Aside from the feminist issues with the fact that Dove’s “Real Beauty” videos assume physical attractiveness is the sole path to happiness, the basic premise broadcast in them–mainly, that people see themselves as less attractive than they really are-–is also just plain wrong. Scientific American reports that instead, people believe they’re far more beautiful than they are in reality. In fact, as SciAm writes, “Most of us think that we are better than we actually are — not just physically, but in every way.” Read More

By Observer Staff 5/21 1:59pm

Sponsored by FedEx

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The Pitch Season 2, Episode 10: Space Splitter – Making Your Roommate Less Passive Aggressive

For anyone who has ever had (or been) that roommate who can’t remember to pay rent on time or restock the cleaning supplies, Space Splitter was made for you. Founders Rob Caucci and Jeremy Pease met in the res life department at Pace University, where they were inspired to develop a solution to eradicate passive aggressiveness from the roommate experience. Space Splitter helps roommates determine who pays for what and comes equipped with the option to process payments for bills and supplies. Mr. Pease and Mr. Caucci are targeting res life departments across the country with the hopes of converting users early in their roommate career so they stay with Space Splitter until they live on their own. Read More