Category Archives: Blog

There’s something undeniably special in the way Meera Phillips looks at you when you speak. It’s as if your words are the only words that will ever matter, whether you’re talking about something silly or something serious. 

The 15-year-old knows the value of hearing what people say. That’s because she’s used to not being heard.

Meera is nonverbal, living with a rare condition called schizencephaly that impacts her ability to speak. But with the help of her iPad and text-to-speech technology, she can make her thoughts and opinions known — and she sure does. From her love of Katy Perry to her passion for soccer, Meera will let you know exactly what’s on her mind. All it takes is a few taps of her tablet, and with a specialized app stringing letters into words, and words into phrases, her thoughts are played out loud. Read more…

More about Apple, Iphone, Ipad, Social Good, and Accessibility

Yes, we’ve all been through those “Why I left BuzzFeed” videos.

They typically start off talking about their issues with BuzzFeed, why they decided to leave, and what they hope to do next. 

But this video by former content creator Michelle Khare is quite literally pretty kickass.

The video opens with a classic Marvel opening sequence, with Michelle’s voice playing dramatically in the background.

“I will always have respect for where I came from. But some battles, you have to face alone…” she says, before proceeding to bury a guy’s body.  Read more…

More about Youtube, Buzzfeed, Michelle Khare, and Watercooler

As if traveling with your baby wasn’t hard enough, an Australian budget airline has started charging parents to fly with their infant on their lap. 

Jetstar confirmed it would begin charging a $30 fee for a child under two years old for each domestic leg — that’s $60 for a return flight with your child in their worst state. It also noted it would begin charging an extra $10 on international travel, which brings the total fee to $50. 

In good news, you can take four extra items of carry on for that amount — such as prams, cots and highchairs — so at least you are getting something for your hard-earned money.  Read more…

More about Airlines, Plane, Baby, Jetstar, and Lifestyle

Winning a copyright infringement case is no joke.

The odds against proving allegations of joke-stealing are longer than a Judd Apatow film, but that hasn’t deterred one late-night comedy writer whose case against Conan O’Brien has won the rare privilege of its day in court. 

A federal judge in California ruled this week that the 2015 lawsuit by Alex Kaseberg will go before a jury, trial date TBD. Kaseberg — who’s never been staff but says he’s sold hundreds of jokes to Jay Leno over 20 years — cites five times between December 2, 2014 and June 9, 2015, when he posted a joke on his Twitter feed or blog that showed up later that night on the Late Night With Conan O’Brien monologue. Read more…

More about Television, Lawsuits, Late Night With Conan O Brien, Conan Obrien, and Entertainment

It’s often the thought that counts the most on Mother’s Day, but one little Australian boy gave his a family a shock with his daring attempt to buy a present.

Six-year-old Raith Barlow left his home in the Melbourne suburb of Geelong on Sunday morning without telling anyone, just so he could buy a television for his mum as a surprise on Mother’s Day.

Raith used a broom to unlock his home’s door latch while his mother was in the shower, then rode his pushbike 3.2 kilometres to a local supermarket to find the perfect gift for mum. Bless.  Read more…

More about Watercooler, Australia, Kids, Mother S Day, and Watercooler

Did Donald Trump really ask FBI Director James Comey to shut down his Russia investigation? 

Is this story real? Are you real? What is reality? 

Tucker Carlson of Fox News is asking these tough questions. 

If it seems like he’s avoiding the news that the president of the United States may be engaged of obstruction of justice, don’t be fooledTucker Carlson Tonight looks beyond Beltway politics to answer the big, existential questions.

More about Fox News, Donald Trump, James Comey, Tucker Carlson, and Watercooler

Ride-hailing service Juno promised a more worker-friendly alternative to the zero-sum labor practices of Uber and Lyft — it offered drivers a piece of the company itself.

But that dream died last month when Juno suddenly jettisoned drivers’ part-ownership agreements following a $200-million sale to rival Gett. 

Drivers were left justifiably irate, and now Uber’s fledging quasi-union is taking up their cause. 

The Independent Driver Guild (IDG) — the industry’s first labor group to receive employer recognition — filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission on Tuesday calling for an investigation into Juno’s alleged deception over the program. Read more…

More about Uber, Lyft, Juno, Gett, and Business

You may have seen some long cats in your time, but Omar might just eclipse them all.

The three-year-old Maine Coon from Melbourne, Australia weighs 14 kilograms (30 lbs) and at 120 centimetres (47 inches) long, could be the world’s longest domestic cat.

More about Watercooler, Australia, Animals, Cats, and Cat

Symphony, a workplace chat program for Wall Street traders, is setting its sights beyond Manhattan’s stock exchanges.

The company announced a $63-million funding round on Tuesday that will help fuel its expansion into new markets outside of the financial services industry.

The cash infusion, led by French banking group BNP Paribas, brings Symphony’s total worth to more than $1 billion, a source close to the company confirmed. A spokesperson declined to comment on the valuation.

All told, the company has now raised $233 million to date. Read more…

More about Symphony and Business

More about Animals, Reflecting Pool, Washington Dc, Capitol, and Duck