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Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check - Apr 29, 2014
April 29, 2014
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Human Nature:
The reason Twitter Selfies Matter: They may reveal our moods. Researchers who recently on won one of Twitter's first-ever DataGrants plan to analyze 1 million photos tweeted over a period of one year. LiveScience.com says the researchers are planning to measure the "moods" of some American cities. The team, includes researchers at the University of California, San Diego, and the City University of New York. They will work together to correlate the Twitter image data with other sources of happiness data, such as the Gallup Poll results.
One of the project's highlights will be an analysis of selfies that people post on Twitter, to see whether, for instance, people who live in "happier" cities tend to post more selfies, and whether they smile more while taking self-portraits. The researchers will focus mostly on images --as opposed to the words-- in tweets. The reason: They believe that the selfies might "transcend the limitations of language." (Bartha)Lowering expectations:
An Austrian physician has created the first drive-through doctor's office --at a gas station.
While waiting for their visit, patients of Dr DIETER ZAKEL can fill up their cars or buy food at the convenience store. His medical services are what you'd expect from a gas station --quick and convenient. Patients don't have to make an appointment, and everyone gets seen within 15-minutes. But, Zakel is already causing controversy. A 'Chamber of Doctor' spokesman says, "As far as we're concerned he has only limited diagnostic possibilities and I don't believe a serious medical diagnosis can be made." (Still)
Editor's note: it also brings up questions about how the drive-thru patient will be able to give blood... or leave a urine sample. Ahem. (RB)Grace notes from Vinny Marino:
The music world is now part of the fallout from statements allegedly made by L.A. Clippers owner, DONALD STERLING. TMZ says TANK was supposed to sing the national anthem at tonight's home game. But, he said yesterday (quote), "Although I appreciate the opportunity to sing the national anthem at the game, I cannot associate my brand with an owner or event where African-Americans and other minorities are not welcome."
And, the VILLAGE PEOPLE do not want their anthem to be played at Clippers games. VICTOR "The Cop" WILLIS Tweeted, "Sterling, you're banned from playing "Y.M.C.A." or any of my music @LAClippers games. And I mean it! #Clippers #BoycottClippers." Many other musicians have made statements about this, but these are the first two actions taken by performers against the Clippers' owner. (Marino)Overheard on Sunset Blvd:
How about a movie about the woman who created the Tupperware craze?
The Hollywood Reporter says SANDRA BULLOCK is in talks to star as BROWNIE WISE in a new movie based on the best-selling non-fiction book, "Tupperware Unsealed," written by BOB KEALING.
Tupperware was actually created by a guy named --wait for it-- EARL TUPPER, but it never really took off until Brownie came up with the idea of having Tupperware parties. In 1954, thanks to the success of the product, she also became the first woman to appear on the cover of Business Week magazine.
But in the late 1950s, she was pushed out of the company by Earl, who apparently didn't get along with her.Idle gossip & unconfirmed rumors:
CLINT EASTWOOD is getting a little cranky in his golden years. The National Enquirer reports the living legend is fed up with the construction going on near his Bel-Air, California home and wasn't too happy when a cement truck parked right outside. The "Dirty Harry" stud demanded the vehicle be removed, questioned if the crew was building the Taj Mahal and the workers quickly moved out of his way. (Lee)
Engaged:
Sorry, girls --model HANNA BETH slapped the "sold" sign on CHRIS ZYLKA. Us Weeklyreports the stud from "The Amazing Spider-Man 2" proposed to his leading lady last Saturday with a fabulous ring and a (wait for it...) puppy! The bride-to-be Tweeted that her life "feels like a dream" and is "way too perfect." (Lee)
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