Giant Robot Store and GR2 News
Maotai is the drink Nixon and Mao once toasted to. It’s a liquor from China that’s now rising in value with age. A vintage bottle is no longer junk, it’s trading like wine with a future that’s looking bright. At thousands of dollars per bottle from only the 80s, it’s actually becoming a special drink, yet the kicker is that the drink from the 80s is the same as it is now. There’s no evident flavor difference! It’s another case of folks having too much money. (WSJ – Maotai)
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Bollywood is known for no touching or kissing as Richard Gere once got busted for giving a kiss on the cheek during a television awards show. (Learn your cultural customs! Right?) Now, a Canadian porn star is one of the most popular celebrities in India. She’s on a reality show called Big Boss, which puts stars in a home for three months with each other. There’s surely some controversy and this starlet born to Indian parents to migrated to Canada is making her way as a crossover star. It’s a feat that many US stars are making efforts to achieve and she’s closer than most. It could last 15 minutes, but you never know. (Asian Sentinel – Sunny Leone)
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Cool piece about Nendo Design in the NY Times. From high design to standard form and function, the “small” design group that began in 2002 always makes a splash at design and furniture fairs. Their early works were of a different scale and budget but their works are usually fun. The article is inspiring and it makes you wish you were doing this too – and maybe you can. (NY Times – Nendo) The early Bubble Wrap Calendar is one to remember. Imagining popping a bubble each time… Affordable and cool. That’s how a lot of design companies need to start. Today, it’s off to the races. With Porter they make bags. Furniture? Of course!
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It was known as Burma at one time for you old schoolers, but this is a land attached to Thailand on one border and might be your retirement home. Yes, for you sex tourists, this could be the next “untapped” market. The land prices are going up including rental office space. What was once a few thousand a year is now nearing regular pricing. Homes are going up as well. There’s one hitch. You need to be the right ethnicity to own land, namely a Myanmar native. From Reuters: “”The government has clearly stated they will not allow foreigners to own land,” said a real estate executive who gave his name as Myo, adding it could take several years for laws to be passed to allow the ownership of apartments.” (Reuters – Myanmar)
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From Engadget: “Live Park uses 3D video, holograms and augmented reality, interacting with RFID wrist bands and Kinect sensors to stitch together a continuous immersive story. You (and your avatar!) have 65 attractions, over seven themed zones, and the world’s biggest interactive 360 degree stereoscopic theater to wave, jump and shout your way through.” Engadget also put in the press release. At $13 million for a budget, it doesn’t seem as much as you’d think. It’s built for licensing and big business. It also makes mention that it’s like Avatar!
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