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So as I mentioned previously, there’s an ongoing discussion among some political bloggers about the ideological affiliation of the Jedi. Are they libertarian, socialist, or centrist? The discussion has continued with further suggestions. Adam Serwer of The American Prospect seems to think (if I understand him correctly) that the Jedi had a problem with effective government. Jonathan Bernstein thinks that the struggles of the Jedi relate to decentralized governance. But Seth Masket offers this inflammatory view:
There are no great analogues for the Jedi in modern American society. They are a secretive, powerful religious sect contracted by the Republic to do vital governing tasks that include policing and diplomacy. Perhaps the Knights Templar were similar in some ways, although I don’t think the Knights had any real authority within European society. Their jurisdiction was the Holy Land. In some ways, the Jedi sound more like the Taliban than anything we’ve got going in the U.S.
Link via reddit | Image: Lucasfilm
Paul Bussiere built a replica of R2D2 and took him to a children’s hospital in Bangor, Maine, to amuse the patients:
Bussiere says ever since R2D2 made his debut last Thanksgiving, the star of “Star Wars” has become quite the legend on the pediatric floor of Eastern Maine Medical Center — and not just with the kids.
“The kids you understand how they’re going to respond. It’s the adults that are my favorite. I’ve had people break down into tears. It’s like watching someone meet a movie star for the first time,” Bussiere said.
“It brings a smile. They’re already bummed out because they’re going to be stuck in the hospital for the day. And so when they came in and said R2 was going to be here, Zack was pretty excited to see him,” said one patient’s mother.
Link via Topless Robot
Oh, this is just funny! In reference to the Wikileaks release of thousands of US military documents, many Twitter users are releasing Star Wars secrets and tagging them as #Wookieleaks.
Link via io9 | Image: Chris Hunt
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Etsy seller YOUgNeek makes clocks that denote the hours with different ships from Star Wars:
This beautiful clear and chrome Sterling and Noble clock boasts 12 vintage classic Action Fleet Micro Machine battleships and vessels. They are hand finished in a black and silver pewter-like color. Each Star Wars Starships and Fighters clock is YOU gNeek and one-of-a-kind. If you have some favorite ships or vehicles in mind, let me know so I can include them if I have them in stock. Time to do battle! Requires one AA battery (not included – I use to include them but it made shipping more expensive a couple times).
She has a similar clock that shows vessels from Star Trek.
That is Qui-Gon Jinn, right? After enough therapy, I was able to forget about Episodes I-III, so I’m not sure.
Anyway, we can’t say that we weren’t warned.
via Awesomesauce
The specific details in this painting by deviantART user gamefan84 were actually commissioned. Which is awesome!
Link via Popped Culture
Max Fisher of The Atlantic rounded up three perspectives identifying Jedi as generally libertarian, socialist, or centrist. Here’s the latter position from Daniel Drenzer:
Are the Jedi big government advocates? That’s unclear. I think it would be more accurate to describe them as cartelistic — they refuse to permit a free market in learning the ways of the Force. After all, the Jedi Council’s initial inclination is not to train Anakin Skywalker despite his obvious talents, using some BS about fear as a cover. Only when Qui-Gon threatens to go rogue do they relent. The Council does not inform the Senate that their ability to detect the force has been compromised. They’re reluctant to expand their assigned tasks — they’re keepers of the peace, not soldiers. Just as clearly, their anti-competitive policies weakened their own productivity, given the fact that they were unable to detect a Sith Lord walking around right under their noses for over a decade.
So, were the Jedi perfect agents of liberty? No, probably not. But neither were they handmaidens to the greatest concentration of state power in galactic history.
What do you think? Do the Jedi display a general political ideology? If so, what is it?
Link via Digg | Image: Lucasfilm
San Bernadino-based artist das chupa made two images mashing up Star Wars and the Pixar film Up. Is that a good movie? I haven’t seen it yet.
Link via Popped Culture | Artist’s Blog
Rebel Scum user The Madman made a set of airbrushed miniblinds that show Darth Vader. They’re 38 inches wide and 5 feet long when fully extended.
Link via GearFuse | Previously: Spock Window Blinds
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Humorist Matthew Latkiewicz has devised an entire yoga exercise routine from Star Wars. He photographs a couple positions in each blog post, so just click on the link and keep scrolling to see the full program.
Link via reddit | Photo: Matthew Latkiewicz
I’ve always thought that Princess Leia’s hairbuns in Episode IV were adorable. But Jen Myers of Skepchick argues that this style and several others that Leia wears are physically impossible to duplicate:
There’s no visible means of support and considering this hairstyle lasts through being captured by Imperial forces, imprisoned, ineptly rescued (sorry, it’s the truth) and almost being crushed by a garbage compactor, we’re forced to conclude she could have only kept it in place with super glue. Which I hear is not all that great for hair.
Link via blastr | Image: Lucasfilm
It’s about time that someone took some legal action. Vader was taken into custody by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. They always get their man.
Yes, this is real, not a photoshop.
Over at Neatorama, we’ve previously mentioned the great Star Wars-themed artwork of Jacksonville-based artist James Hance. This Saturday, he’s exhibiting his newest works, such as the above Cookie Monster. My advice: let the Wookie eat the cookie. He’s been known to rip the arms off of people who take his cookies.
Link (Facebook) via Popped Culture
The 501st Legion TK Project is an ongoing project that invites artists to take a life-sized stormtrooper helmet and modify it in creative ways. deviantART user Melita Curphy turned her helmet into a demon:
The horns/teeth, etc are hand sculpted from epoxy clay. The helmet was painted with acrylic with several layers of wet/dry applications…no airbrushing. The forehead eye has been painted with flourescent orange and will glow in certain light. The mohawk is made from high quality National Fiber Technology hair that i hand dyed.
Link | 501st Legion TK Project | Previously: Avatar Stormtrooper Helmet
Travis, a friend of Urlesque author Cole Stryker, make an excellent guitar body that looks like the Millennium Falcon. Urlesque has many pictures as well as an interview with the artist:
I used a vintage Millenium Falcon toy / playset for the body. As it’s an electric guitar, the body material is relatively unimportant (in comparison to acoustic instruments) so i just had to concern myself with building the necessary structural elements of the instrument into the toy.
Since the aging plastic wouldn’t be able to withstand the tension of the strings, I pieced together a maple block running from end to end inside the ship. The bridge, neck, and strap pins connect to this piece; while attached firmly with some powerful glues the toy itself is almost entirely cosmetic.
The top of the toy has been routed out for the electronics, including some switch activated LEDs. Those required separate battery packs, which I made accessible using the structure of the toy; one pack is hidden in the original battery compartment while the other is attached to the ramp door that was designed to open.
Previously:
Millennium Falcon Bed
Make-a-Wish Foundation Builds Millennium Falcon Playhouse for Sick Child | Photo: Travis S.
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Chuck & Beans = perfection.
From the comments:
What happens is Red Shirts charge the Troopers, Dodging INTO the trooper fire until they finally get into Melee and start trashing the troopers with their TV Kung Fu. The Red Shirts finally win, but they take horrific losses
Link via Awesomesauce
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Lucasfilm is giving away 400 Star Wars-themed cereal boxes in 16 different flavors, including Hutt and Vlix, at the upcoming Star Wars Celebration convention:
There are sixteen mini cereal boxes to collect (they are about four inches tall), one for each panel, and they are exclusive to Celebration V! Only 400 of each will be made available. Box illustrations are by artists Jeff Correll, Mattias Rendahl, Grant Gould, Bill Cable, Chris Reiff, Jeff Carlisle, Scott D.M. Simmons, and Chris Trevas.
Link via Great White Snark | Photo: Lucasfilm
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Nerd Bastards has a copy of a large infographic filled with trivia about Star Wars. It’s a promotional feature for OnlineSchools.org designed by Ellie Koning.
A Muppet version of Star Wars would be intriguing. The Ewoks are fairly obvious. But who would play Emperor Palpatine?
Darth Vader Improv Everywhere was spotted in the subway recently, staging a our-of-this-world diversion for lucky riders.
For our latest mission, we staged a reenactment of the first Princess Leia / Darth Vader scene from Star Wars on a New York City subway car. The white walls and sliding doors on the train reminded us of the rebel ship from the movie, and we thought it would be fun to see how people would react to a surprise appearance by the iconic characters. We spread out the actors along the train line, staging it so they would enter the right car at the right time.
How could they possibly have any doubts that the other riders would love it? Link -via The Daily What
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King Henry IV (1553-1610) of France was noteworthy for ending the religious wars of Reformation era France through both good generalship and effective diplomacy, as well as opening French commerce in India. An equestrian statue of him graces the Pont Neuf in Paris. In a temporary art installation, Jean-Charles de Castelbajac added neon lights and a lightsaber. At the link, you can view more photos and a video.
Link via technabob | Artist’s Website | Photo: Highsnobiety.com
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Illustrator, designer, and all-around creative person Mark Hofmann made this model of General Grievous (Revenge of the Sith) out of pieces of Warhammer 40K models. At the link, scroll down past the pictures for rules that Hofmann has improvised for playing Grievous in 40k.
Link via Geekosystem | Photo: Mark Hofmann | Previously: Excellent General Grievous Costume
Comments Off YouTube user Mr. Timpson owns Simon, a Cornish Rex cat. Simon has allied himself with the Empire in this mashup of Return of the Jedi.
via reddit
Geek Twins is reporting that David Prowse, who played the body (but not the voice) of Darth Vader, has been banned from a set of upcoming Star Wars conventions. Allegedly, he’s complained too much about not receiving residuals from the original trilogy and has gained the ire of George Lucas:
“It is with regret that I have been informed by my friends at C2 Ventures, Ben and Phillip, that I am not to be invited to C5 this year or any other Lucas Film associated events. After enquiring, the only thing I have been told is that I have ‘burnt too many bridges between Lucas Film and myself’ – no other reason given…I have also been advised by the promoter of Paris Manga in September that LFL (Lucas Film Limited) have requested no photo opportunities with the 501 Squadron, even though I am commander in chief of the 501″
Prowse was told by Lucas’ representatives that the Star Wars films never made a profit, so he isn’t owed a penny.
Link via reddit | Image: /Film
TomTom is a GPS navigation system for cars that verbalizes directions for drivers. The company now offers Yoda, Darth Vader, and C-3P0 voices. The above video shows Yoda in the recording studio, giving the sound engineers a hard time. At the link, you can listen to Vader doing likewise.
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Wow! We’ve had more than seventy responses to our first caption contest. Let’s see who won: link.
Comments Off Patrick Biovin’s “AT-AT Day Afternoon“, about an AT-AT that behaves like a dog, was a hit viral video. It even inspired someone to dress his real dog as an AT-AT and reenact the film.
The above video is a behind-the-scenes look at how Biovin did it. The opening scene is especially adorable: a toddler addresses the AT-AT as a dog and pets it.
via CrunchGrear
It’s our first caption contest! You could win a free t-shirt from the NeatoShop. Browse through the shirt selection and submit your choice along with your caption. Type in only one caption per comment, but you’re welcome to publish as many comments as you’d like.
AND THE WINNER IS: Augie
This controversial photo is thought to be the root cause of the Great Nerd War of Boise, which lasted 2 days, left 5 geeks dead, 7 others with permanent “atomic wedgies” and made a shambles of the Manga section of the local Boarders Books.
Congratulations, Augie. You win our Come to the Darkside — We Have Cookies t-shirt!
YouTube user sillof is remaking A New Hope using toys and impressive dioramas that he built. He took out the dialogue and left just John Williams’ score and the sound effects. So think of it as something like an old silent movie that would be accompanied by a piano. He writes:
This a movie that I made featuring my custom figures and dioramas. It basically uses some rudimentary stop motion and “puppeteering”.
It is meant to showcase my dioramas and custom figures. I basically shot it a little at a time after my family went to bed. I will be posting it over the coming weeks in small incriments.
I purposely left out the dialogue, it would have made the project too long. I felt by cutting the dialogue it allowed it to move at a quicker pace. I did use sound effects and music to capture the feeling.
via Geek Tyrant
This actually makes a lot of sense. Instead of using David Prowse as the body and James Earl Jones as the voice of Darth Vader, George Lucas could have saved a lot of money by using only one actor. And of course that actor must be Steve Buscemi.
Link via Great White Snark | Photo: Ugliest Tattoos
This animated .gif was allegedly made in MS Paint. It tells the entire story of “A New Hope” in about ninety seconds. At the link, you can watch a larger version.
