Do you want to live forever?

James Camerons' blockbuster hit Avatar, in which humans transfer their entity into an alien body, may soon be a thing of reality. A russian by the name of Dmitry Itskov has set out a multi-billion dollar plan called "The 2045 Initiative" that could enable people to lead lives as robotic 'Avatars' (again seems to closely resemble another movie called Surrogates [Bruce Willis flick]).

Basically by the year 2045 if all goes to plan (and a few billion dollars pumped in too) humans will have the opportunity to live their lives within a robotic essence, giving up their ailing, fragile bodies for a more plastic/metal(?) one.

The project consists of several phases. The first phase involves controlling the robotic humans remotely by 2020. By 2025, the human brain is to be transferred into the robot thereby beginning the immortality phase. By 2035, a synthetic brain would have been constructed, enabling your personality to be tailored into the "fake" brain when you want to cease to exist in a human frame. Finally, 2045 would be the year when humans would just be able to walk around in their avatars without the fear of death (unless of course a grand piano happens to land on you.)

Different phases involved in the project (Courtesy - 2045.com)

Itskov needs substantial amounts of cash and in return, has pledged to offer immortality to the successful financiers. So, are you willing to donate today and lead an immortal life?

Suicide Forest - Aokigahara (Warning: Gruesome Images)

So I'm back from a rather lengthy spell from the blog mainly due to moving about England and my dissertation.

Anyway, going through the daily rambles and shambles that is the internet, I came across this article at Sickchirpse. It's about this forest in Japan that has quite a few skeletons in the closet....literally. This 35Km2 patch of green forest is the 2nd most common place in the world in which the lonely or hopeless come to string themselves by the neck.

I'm sure he's seen better days. (Courtesy - Sickchirpse)

The forest is littered with rucksacks, bottles of water, candy bars and more morbid, colourful streamers. The streamers are meant for the would-be victims to turn back and go home, in case they decide not to take the easy way out. Follow the streamers to follow the victim. It either ends up with nothing at the end, or with a set of decaying bones lounging by the rocks.

At the end of one streamer, lies this screamer. (Courtesy - Sickchirpse)

I've put the link to the video below. It's a 20 min clip that does come with the uneasy feeling when you watch a B-list horror film. However, it does contain some disturbing imagery so i'll forewarn you before you click go. 'Tis gruesome.

The first iPad prototype pictures.

During the whole ruckus between Apple and Samsung, a few pictures of the first iPad prototype found its way into the courtroom and well, onto the internet of course! These pictures were taken back in early 2000 but I have no idea why the whole rustic, grainy filter has been added to the pictures. Talk about dramatics.

Have a look at the pictures below. Note how it resembles the old iPod's albeit in a gargantuan fashion.

-Images courtesy Venturebeat