The Latest from Boing Boing

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• Tiny pinfire guns
• Lightning fast robot hand
• Dramatic reading of a break-up letter
• Production notes from new Kids in the Hall series
• American copyright lobby attacks Canadian politicians for supporting balanced copyright

Tiny pinfire guns Posted: 29 Aug 2009 09:26 PM PDT These tiny Austrian 2mm pinfire guns look to be exquisitely engineered. From the video description: Originally made by Austrian watchmakers as decorative pocket watch chain fobs or as cufflinks, these miniature pinfire pistols are now prized collector's items. These are some from my own collection dating from 1904 to the 1970's. All of them fire 2mm blank pinfire cartridges. The revolvers are the world's smallest working double action blank firing pistols. They measure just 38mm in length and are smaller than the famous Swiss Mini Gun which measures 55mm. (via MAKE) Previously: Pistol ring and other unusual guns - Boing Boing Pepper spray ring and mobile phone stun gun - Boing Boing Pocket watch gun - Boing Boing

Lightning fast robot hand Posted: 29 Aug 2009 09:00 PM PDT Researchers from the Ishikawa Komuro Laboratory at the University of Tokyo presented this incredible video of a high-speed robotic hand at the 2009 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation. The laboratory's Web site has many more videos related to this project, called Sensor Fusion. Sensor Fusion: High Speed Robots

Dramatic reading of a break-up letter Posted: 29 Aug 2009 01:33 PM PDT "And now, a dramatic reading of a real break up letter from a real person." Dramatic reading of a break-up letter (via Sean Bonner)

Production notes from new Kids in the Hall series Posted: 29 Aug 2009 10:19 AM PDT Kids in the Hall superfan Tavie sez, The Kids in the Hall are shooting their new miniseries for CBC, Death Comes to Town, in North Bay, Ontario. As their official online presence cheerleader and resident of the US with no access to CBC, I thought it important that they get their asses online and use social media to its fullest. If the show has no buzz, how will a US network pick it up and let ME see it? It's all about me. After some poking and prodding by his most annoying fan, Mark McKinney has at last started posting production notes at their Facebook page. The page was originally set up by a fan, but has been handed over to the guys to post official photos, videos and hilarious status updates, Their willingness to let their fans drag them to the 21st century, kicking-and-screaming, makes me love them long time. I'm co-admin along with a fan named Jen. Any status updates by one of us will have our names in front - otherwise, it comes directly from the keyboard and fevered brain of Mark McKinney, the Chicken Lady herself. Check out the photo he posted of himself in full feathered regalia, it's fucking sweet. Kids in the Hall (Thanks, Tavie!) Previously: Official fan-run Kids in the Hall reunion tour MySpace - Boing Boing Boing Boing: Kids in the Hall staging reunion tour Kids in the Hall alumni - Boing Boing Kids back in the hall - Boing Boing

American copyright lobby attacks Canadian politicians for supporting balanced copyright Posted: 29 Aug 2009 02:20 PM PDT Canadian Member of Parliament for the New Democratic Party and former frontman for the awesome punk band L'Etranger Charlie Angus sez, I saw your comments on the Toronto town hall copyright forum [ed: in which the NDP was threatened with expulsion for handing out fliers calling for a moderate new copyright law that balanced public rights with the rights of copyright holders]. The fallout has been very bizarre. A copyright lobbyist with the American federation of Musicians is circulating an online e-mail demanding the NDP apologize for our "disgusting" position on balanced copyright. The attack was caused by Olivia Chow handing out an interview I did with EXCLAIM Magazine on how copyright changes could benefit independent Canadian bands. Exclaim did the interview with me because of my background with DIY bands. Seems to me the interview is consistent with what the NDP have always said on this file -- we want artists to be able to benefit from the massive stream of information being traded but we don't want average citizens turned into criminals. Here's Michael Geist's blog on the attack on us. I was elected to participate in discussions about public policy. I have never heard of a lobbyist group demand an apology for speaking out about a totally botched piece of legislation like Bill C-61. If they spent less time running e-mail attacks and more time speaking with the various players they might realize that the NDP position has been balanced and consistent from the beginning. As for a public recanting to satisfy the C-61 lobby ? Sorry, dude....it ain't happening. Previously: Canadian copyright consultation -- video explains why you should ... Canadian govt appears to be altering submissions to Copyright ... Canadian copyright collecting agency subverting open debate on ... Entertainment industry stacks the speaker-list at Canadian ... Copyright Town Hall security threatened MP, students with ejection ... Canada's DMCA: unnecessary, ill-starred and doomed - Boing Boing Canadian Parliament shoutfest over the Canadian DMCA - Boing Boing Net Neutrality bill in Canada - Boing Boing

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