GeekMethod - We geek out so you dont have to

At the end of today's show we spend some time discussing a list we found of the '64 Manliest Movies'. I'm still offended by the exclusion of 'Rocky' from not just the easily deserved number one spot, but from the list entire. No 'Great Escape'? What about 'Saving Private Ryan', or jeezusmaryandjoseph 'BRYANS SONG'? I DEFY any man to watch that and not cry a single manly tear. Old Yeller? No, let's put 'American Psycho' at number 2. That's just wrong. Apparently the guys who wrote this list believe that a man's movie is one that no woman would watch. I think a manly movie is one that inspires you to be a better man. Call me crazy.

So I was playing GTA IV the other day - along with probably 99% of our listeners out there - and I shot a guy in the face. Nothing new there. But as he fell backwards, he was immediately dismantled by a speeding car - blood smearing under the tire tracks as the driver tried to brake. All while a passer-by shouted, �Aw damn! That was FUCKED up!� Screw growing plants in moon dust - why do I need to leave my living room? I can watch simulated TV on a video game thats playing on my TV. Ahh - too meta! Brain hurting. Need more senseless killing.

EA In the same breath that we invent a non-lethal weapon designed as a more humane means of crowd control, we invent a miracle water distiller that can supposedly eradicate fifty percent of the world's disease. Of course, we also spend an equal amount of time making toy guns that can fire 25 foam darts per minute and port modern rhythm games to 26 year old consoles. Ain't the future grand? They say human beings are unique compared to other species of animals on the planet in that we are able to innovate and adapt the environment around us to match our own small range of tolerable conditions. Right now, I'm watching a Discovery channel documentary about shark attacks. I can't help but be relieved that Sharks can't make nets, much less dart guns or non-lethal heat rays. Brr.

EA Interactive made public last week it's desire to purchase 2K Games, the publisher of such titles as BioShock, the MLB2K series, and Grand Theft Auto IV. There isn't much we have to say on the issue that isn't already addressed in the Ars link posted below, but we just want to show our support. Yet another acquisition for the hungry, roaring juggernaut that is EA is just plain bad for the industry. I also finally got a Wii, and there is much rejoicing in my happy home. Expect much more attention paid to Wii gaming news moving forward. We also have XBox news, weird news, and all your favorite DIY geeky goodness.

We actually recorded this over a week ago, but I am a horrible human being. We are not awful for laughing at people who kill themselves, or mothers who feed their children marijuana. No, we are terrible for not posting a podcast in a timely manner. Dear Lord Baby Jesus, I am wicked sorry I cannot get my shit together to post my podcast on time. I did not mean to get so far behind on my work, and Call of Duty 4 is so fun, I can’t help myself. Please cleanse me of my lackadaisical ways. And could you seriously put some more Wiis on the shelves, because DAMN.

It really does. Think about something wicked depressing. Like bulldozers razing a children’s park, or giant smokestacks belching industrial waste into the sky. Now imagine them painted bright pink with the ubiquitous kitty emblazoned prominently on their hulls. Hilarious! The US military should make an elite unit of soldiers dressed in bright pink Hello Kitty uniforms. The bad guys would be too busy laughing to ever return fire. How could the world fear a totalitarian regime if it were protected by pretty pink stormtroopers? Sorry, on a tangent there - OMG MACBOOK AIR. Is that what you came here expecting? We aim to please.

I have no idea why we are not recording a show at the Consumer Electronics Show in Vegas this year. It's a five hour drive from Phoenix, and a 45 minute plane ride, tops. I profusely apologize for our lack of ambition. In the meantime, you can listen to our commentary on some of the news out of Vegas, and cringe at how far crazy can take you in the kitchen.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, my geeky friends. I hope your holiday season is filled with magic and shiny things that make most excellent whirring noises. I'm off again to Chicago for the holidays, but don't worry - I'll be back in a few days. No super long hiatus, no writer's strike here. We'll be back again next week with more geeky goodness. In the meantime, there's some serious trailer goodness below. If you haven't seen the Force Unleashed trailer yet, I demand you set aside a few minutes. This game could either be one of the most amazing things I've ever played, or completely dash my hopes and dreams. Given Lucasarts's track record, I hate being optimistic - but the trailer is seriously that good. Check it out.

I can't leave you people alone for six weeks without everything going to hell. Sheesh. Japan was amazing. Give me a hostage, and I'll babble your ear off about it for hours - and in this show, I do. I'll have lots more pictures and stories to tell about my experiences in the coming weeks, as I ease back into the real world and get myself organized. So stay tuned for that. Today we also get reacquainted with that whole doing a podcast thing. Check it out.

Ya, Okay, I suck (sorry Marty). You in the back, shut up, I know! It took me forever to get the latest show up. Admittedly, I was a little discouraged by the defacing of our site. But fear not, I WILL get it back up soon along with some new shows. Anyway, Mike is off in Japan somewhere fighting off the craving for a real American breakfast. He seems to be having a great time, but far too busy to communicate with just about anyone - I think the Japanese have something seriously wrong with there work ethic. So I have Ryan "The Hoad" sitting in with me this show. We yack about all kinds of fun geeky stuff and Hoad does an excellent job of bringing some great random idiocy to the table. Until next time...

So Long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, good-bye. I am off to the Land of the Rising Sun for the next five and a half weeks. Fret not, Internet-land, you will still be able to catch your geeky fix while I’m gone - Ryan will hold down the fort with a varied assortment of fantastic guests. I’ll also send in some recordings of my experiences when I can. Wish me luck!

The New York Times published a book review of a non-fiction thought experiment describing what would happen to Manhattan Island if humans were, ahem, no longer present on its shores. The fact that we live in a world where that doesn’t seem like science fiction is disturbing. However, no need to check out like our intrepid barber friend, I feel like society is doing a pretty good of making ‘Green Living’ not only a sensible choice, but a profitable one for all parties concerned. Well, maybe ‘good’ is a little premature. We are taking steps, which I find encouraging. Do you have any personal tips for going green? Send them to us. Do share.

That’s right, read ‘em and weep, folks! Right in there next to ‘Best Vanity License Plate’ and ‘Best Place to Spot People Who’ve had Plastic Surgery’. Please, hold your applause. No autographs right now, thank you. No honestly, we’re really just pleased to be in the issue, and we thank the New Times for the award, it’s a lot of fun. Speaking of award-winning journalism, screw all you haters - several media outlets in Russia are still running the story about the boy who survived the trip in the wing of a Boeing for two hours. I suppose it sounds considerably less like bullshit when you learn he actually climbed into the wheel well and wasn’t just chilling ON the wing. Sorry if my piss poor synopsis of the story lead you to believe otherwise. My bad, as the kids say. Regardless, crazy story.

I think it’s a fantastic business strategy for Apple to slash prices for the 8GB iPhone nearly a month after release. I mean, who really wants customer loyalty, anyway? That’s the equivalent of us recording a show that is just me screeching into a microphone for thirty minutes, and then at the end I talk shit about your mom. What? I would never say anything about your momz, dogg - she’s way nice. Really nice.

I don’t know if Americans spend too much time on the internet - certainly not anyone who listens to this show. You are all fine, upstanding examples of online culture. Now go outside, and don’t forget your SPF 6 million sunblock. That evil ball of fire burrrrrrrrrrns usss.. Also, I just wanted to elaborate on the new language learning web-app, Mango, we mention briefly on the show - it’s fucking delicious. Seriously. I’ve used a lot of language learning stuff in preparation for going to Japan, and I’ve got to say this is some seriously excellent shit. Free shit is always good, but really well done free shit? I approve. If you’re looking to pick up some language skills, you should definitely check this out. ( .. OH GOD, IM NEVER IMAGE-GOOGLING FOR SAUSAGE AGAIN .. )