Are you getting sick of unsolicited phone calls by telemarketing morons? Unfortunately it’s a world-wide phenomenon, but why not browse through the assorted ways of fighting back at Solicitors Nightmare: www.solicitorsnightmare.com/ as well as Anti-Telemarketing: www.antitelemarketer.com/
You might be amazed at how many of the consumer goods for sale at this next site you actually either had or remember vaguely. For a large quantity of high-priced goodies from the 60s and 70s, go to the charmingly named Eat My Handbag, B*tch!: www.eatmyhandbagbitch.co.uk/
Notice how billboards block the view of the countryside nowadays? Well, give some thought to what a ladder, a couple of friends and some paint can do to completely alter (or ‘improve’) these ugly signs alongside many main highways. I wouldn’t suggest anything illegal, of course – but there’s food for thought at The Billboard Liberation Front: www.billboardliberation.com
Been watching the rise of local crypto-fascists on TV, moaning about ‘hate sites online’ and suggesting this is justification for censorship – looks like the ANC has woken up to the fact that the Internet is a weapon. Luckily we live in a democracy, where free speech is a right… for now. Local spin, take a look at the fairly mild rumblings and resources to be found at Boers!: www.boer.co.za
Then for heat of a different sort, and being a hot-food junkie myself , I couldn’t resist the cheerful joys of The Chilli Farm: www.chillifarm.com/
Something the government here would be too scared to do is put live webcams in a police station, so that citizens can watch their policemen in action. Luckily though, you can see how it’s done at Jail Cam!: www.crime.com/info/jailcam_redirect.html
Did you know that the American DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) helped suppress scientific studies showing that THC in marijuana reduced brain tumours? Me neither. This and other interesting news stories that got spiked can be found at Project Censored: www.projectcensored.org/intro.htm
Like everyone else you watched the recent Olympics and got suckered into the hype; so why not take a hard look at the reality behind all the glitz and glamour and tourism pitches, at Un-Olympic: unolympics.com/
You’ve seen the protests on TV, and heard that there’s some kind of general dissatisfaction with Third World Debt and the World Bank – now’s your chance to find out more, as well as make a decision as to whether the protesters have a point. Try Whirled Bank: www.whirledbank.org/
There’s a certain soft drink with a carefully cultivated image of being squeaky clean and certainly not backed by a large malevolent corporation ready to do whatever it takes to sell its product. However, there are opposing views which, thanks to the Net, you can read about at Coke Karma: www.guerrillanews.com/cocakarma as well as Coke Spotlight: cokespotlight.org/
And while you’re at it, for more online undercurrents not covered in mass media, browse up to Guerilla News: www.guerrillanews.com
A British man who cycled to work each day got irritated at a sign saying he couldn’t lock his bicycle to a fence; and so he began to test the fence owner’s patience, sense of humour, and willingness to call out a locksmith. The fence subsequently became home to – among other things – a stuffed tiger, frying pans, kettles and even a fridge door. Take a look at good-humoured social activism against someone’s petty rules at What Should I Put On The Fence?: www.whatshouldiputonthefence.com/
You’ve discovered that you have no taste, and minimal fashion sense – but you need solid answers to your questions on a variety of issues ranging from social through to sexual. Well, when in doubt Ask a Gay Guy: www.askagayguy.com/
Eric has a webcam, and he’s willing to display whatever kind of emotion you ask him to, and then put the picture up on his homepage for you. Why? I really don’t know. Perhaps its just because he CAN. Eric Displays an Emotion!: www.emotioneric.com/
Until the next time, if telemarketers and billboard advertisers don’t get me.
Ian Fraser is a playwright, author, comedian, conspiracy nut, old-time radio collector and self-confessed data-junkie. Winner of numerous Vita and Amstel Awards, he’s been an Internet addict and games-fanatic since around 1995, when the Internet began to make much more sense than theatre.