Clichés I Fall For Every Time

Sometimes when watching a movie, or reading a book, it dawns on us that we've seen this before. There are a lot of well-worn tropes that can make our entertainment run together in a hodge-podge of images and impressions that don't really stand up to hard scrutiny; which often leads us to demand more originality from our favorite authors or movie makers.

But sometimes, nothing satisfies like predictability.

I am susceptible to my own particular list of clichés. Maybe it's because I grew up watching cheesy 80's television-- I don't know. But the are some things I just always fall for. Here's my list of dirty little secrets-- maybe if I bare my soul, you'd be inspired to do the same.

Bickering Would-Be Lovers:

I could totally blame Moonlighting for this. I doesn't matter that I know my favorite TV couples have no hope of getting together until the final season, I still watch. "Castle" (with the incredibly likable Nathan Fillion) is my current weakness, though "Bones" gets points for making me tune in for six seasons. All the shows have the same formula-- verbal sparring that disguises sexual chemistry-- and I fall for it!


Woefully Outclassed and/or Young Heroes:

Harry Potter is the first one that comes to mind when I think of this category, but I think I first connected to this particular stereotype while reading The Belgariad by David Eddings. You gotta love the David vs. Goliath story though. It transcends genre and even though it now seems most heavily represented in corporate espionage films, I still think of Luke Skywalker and the vicarious thrill of seeing the little guy win one.

Spontaneous Acquisition of Super Powers:

I so wanted to be Samantha Stephens from Bewitched as a kid. I had dreams of waking up with witch powers and the ability to wiggle my nose and make anything I wanted magically appear. So it's no wonder that I would love the idea of a character like Spiderman. There are so many ways people in the superhero (and supervillain) pantheon can gain superpowers-- from mutants to falling into a vat of nuclear waste (hat tip to "Sky High")-- and I've imagined them all. And if the new show "No Ordinary Family" is any indication, I'm not the only one who wonders what their super power would be.


Stranger in a Strange Land:

I was never able to get into the book by Robert Heinlein, but I loved me some Buck Rogers in the 25th Century. This is one of those stories we can all relate to, but having gone to 11 different schools as a kid, I can really relate to this one. I never had the ability to seamlessly fit into a few environment, so I appreciate the stories in movies like "Dances With Wolves" and "Avatar" that illustrate the awkwardness of just trying not to stand out.

The Misanthropic Mentor:

Whether it's Yoda or the carelessly offensive Gregory House, there's no shortage of characters who have knowledge that is eagerly sought after-- and they're not going to give it up easily. Sometimes there will be variations, like the character of Walter Bishop in "Fringe"-- whose mental instability is the main barrier to a productive mentor/protégé relationship-- but there's something timeless about the idea of one generation passing on their knowledge to the next. I can't explain why I happen to like it better when the going is rough-- I guess I'm just complicated.


Unfortunately, I could probably do this all day. I guess there aren't really any new ideas-- just different interpretations. But this list represents the ones that pull me back again and again.

What sucks you in?

The wrist power by supersonic for blind people

The majority will have ever seen blind people hold the walking stick. But today, there is follow supersonic signal comes to apply be wrist smart-looking girdle for send and receive supersonic signal at have both of warning sound and shake, giving then warning to the user of oncoming danger through sounds and vibrations. Oh!! This project name "Supersonic Stick on the Wrist for Blind People"

The beauty in this project lies in the simplicity. Think first of being able to see everything around you. Then think about not being able to see anything. Then think about how wonderful it would be to have an object so simple it can fit in your hand give you another sense to replace the one you lost. Not quite as good as eyes, but it’s certainly something.

Designer: Minhye Kim

If you liked this product design, you would also be interested in:
www.yankodesign.com

Links Without Prejudice

Mind Meld Fantasy Books/Series' That Are Better Than "The Lord of the Rings" SF Signal

Anne Rice calls "Twilight" a Failure of the Imagination

Top Ten Amazing Real Life Superhero Technologies/Gadgets and Powers

"Snowblind"--Full Movie Magnolia Films

Snowblind is a post-apocalyptic Western in which a lone gunman must deliver a woman with mythical powers to an evil Governor. Unfurling against the backdrop of a frozen, inhospitable earth, Snowblind is Germany's first full-blown green-screen movie and a virtual visual feast that must be seen to be believed.

Washington Post has a live chat scheduled with Orson Scott Card on Wednesday, November 3rd at 1:00, click on this link to join the discussion.

New Steampunk Webseries at Syfy: Riese: Kingdom Falling

DraggonTV featured movie Without Hope

Zack Montgomery had a good life, but in an instant his life would change forever. Find out what it's like to be alone on a hostile planet, seemingly abandoned by his fellow soldiers. Zack Montgomery must learn that without hope, no one survives.

10 Insane Facts Comics Taught Us About American History

John Joseph Adams launches a new website for his Way of the Wizard Anthology

John Scalzi's short story "An Election" (presented by Subterranean Press)

A Dribble of Ink has a "Towers of Midnight" Review Round-up

World Fantasy Convention Epic Fantasy Panel ( David Drake, John Fultz, Blake Charlton, David B Coe, Freda Warrington) Part I, Part II, Part III and Part IV

Judgement of Swords and Souls by Saladin Ahmed

Interview: Brandon Sanderson Dribble of Ink

Sci-fi Short Story Magazine

A Men’s Iron Black

First time understand that be designing vehicle works battles, intend to look good already, Oh!! It is an iron just this. Yes already it is designing iron for a man. Common irons around are usually in round shape and white color, they only change the color into black to address male users. Designer tried to redesign our current iron into something more masculine.

This concept is an example of how a real men‘s iron could look like – powerful, edged, metal-cool and no reason to hide it but much more to be proud of. It even has a practical novel functionality; users can reduce the size of the iron surface to precisely flatten shirt-sleeves. Simply use the lever to lift up the biggest part of the surface a tiny bit. Clever isn’t it?

Designer: Nico Kläber

If you liked this product design, you would also be interested in:
www.tuvie.com

Premier Review: "The Walking Dead"

In an era where monsters have been co-opted by teenage girls, it seems that zombies are the one monster that remain incorruptible. Sure, you could write a teen angst novel set amid a zombie apocalypse, and no doubt it's already been done, but zombies lack the easy ability to be molded into a youthful, romantic leading character. Thankfully, this lack of teen appeal has really left the genre to flourish in the adult arena and in The Walking Dead director Frank Darabont ("Shawshank Redemption") brings the quiet intensity he's known for to an exceptionally good adaptation of the graphic novel by Robert Kirkman.

After small town sheriff's deputy Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) falls into a coma after being shot on duty, he wakes to a world that has him beating on the floor in an attempt to wake from his nightmare. Coming to consciousness, dehydrated and alone in his hospital bed, Grimes' struggles have only begun. As he staggers down the bloody, gunshot riddled corridors we can easily imagine ourselves in Grimes' place thanks to the close-up, intimate camera work and quiet focus on the sounds of the buzzing lights and Grimes' footsteps. And we can't help but wonder if, having stumbled upon the grisly remains that are Rick's first glimpse of the outside world since his injury, we'd have the courage to step into a dark stairwell with only a book of matches to light our way.

It's unclear how long Grimes has been asleep, but it has been long enough for the world to become a dystopian nightmare where bodies litter the streets and one has to be prepared for the likelihood that they won't stay put. Grimes discovers this horrible reality as he makes his way home and finds that his wife and son are gone.

Before long Grimes finds more survivors and begins to piece together what happened while he was unconscious and soon after heads to Atlanta in the belief that his family may have fled to the city in search of a safe haven. But once Grimes arrives in Atlanta it quickly becomes clear that the city has been overrun by zombies and he'll have to fight to get out of the city to continue the search for his family.

"The Walking Dead" sets a very high standard for itself right out of the gate. Darabont knows how to use a measured pace when telling a story and, despite some gruesome scenery, we're really given a chance to connect to the characters. There's nothing easy about "The Walking Dead;" we're shown that from the very first scene. It's the nature of a horror story to scare us, but "The Walking Dead" goes beyond creepy bogeymen that jump out of the shadows. Instead it focuses on the human story and asks us what would we do if someone we loved came back to terrorize us. The answers aren't as simple as a quick, impersonal bullet to the head. And, unexpectedly, we learn to feel pity for the monster.

There's not one thing I would criticize about "The Walking Dead." The acting is stellar, the scenery is believable and the script is a shining example of understated excellence. If the premier is any indication "The Walking Dead" is going to be the 'don't-miss' show of the season.

Finally. Something for the grown-ups.

"Nissan Torii" The City Car for the year 2030

The City Car for the year 2030. Visualizing the future of a family car, a car concept called the "Nissan Torii" that features wire driven technology to replace traditional mechanical control systems with electronic control systems, allowing extra space and better controls to the rider.

Inspired by the Japanese metaphor of the "temple gate" that purifies human souls, the Torii moves on four spheres, equipped with lithium-ion batteries and GPS, to ensure a safe and sustainable ride. The futuristic vehicle also includes air filters behind the screen lamps to purify the air

Designer: Jorge Andres, Pinilla Fonseca

If you liked this vehicle, you would also be interested in:
www.thedesignblog.org

"The Walking Dead" Premieres Tonight!

Set your DVR if you're going to be out trick-or-treating, because this one looks really good.