“The state grants a 10-yuan subsidy for amino acids to each graduating senior that will participate in the gao kao (National College Entrance Exam). Any student that feels not well can go to the infirmary and take amino acids on the IV drip,” explained the Director of Office of Academic Affairs.

The IV drips became even more controversial when they were moved directly into the classroom to prevent any interruption in studying. School officials say they will continue to offer the injections, which are popular among students.

“I don’t think it’s inappropriate at all,” one student said. “Students preparing for the college entrance examination at our school began to take infusions of amino acids years ago and some of them took them more than twice.”

The exams are literally a matter of life and death for students. The National Higher Education Entrance Examination is a prerequisite for enrollment at the undergraduate level. The pressure to pass is contributing to China’s high rate of suicide, which is the leading cause of death among young adults.

China VS. USA

China is experiencing a meteoric rise in education, while U.S. test scores sink like a stone. The 2009 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) tested 15-year-old students from 34 Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries. Shanghai ranked 1st in reading, math, and science. The U.S. ranked 14th in reading, 17th in science, and 25th in math.

Singapore and Hong Kong recruit teachers from the top third of graduate schools. The U.S. recruits from the bottom third, according to the OECD.

“In the late 1990s we moved to all-graduate [teachers]. If we want to have high achievement, subject expertise is very important for secondary schools,” said Catherine K.K. Chan, deputy secretary for education in the Hong Kong government.

More than 80% of Shanghai secondary students attend after-school tutoring followed by three to four hours of homework each day.

Around 80% of Shanghai students (24% nationally) go on to college compared to 70% of U.S. students.

Chinese Students’ Studious Nature is in Their Blood is a post from: L7 World

Kraft Foods says the ad was created by the South Korean ad agency Cheil Worldwide for internal use. “Our understanding is that they created it for use at an isolated advertising awards forum in Korea,” said a spokesman for Kraft. “It was never intended for consumer advertising or public distribution.”

The cover-up

Critics think the nipple slip sexualizes the photo. Nearly every website and all news broadcasts censored the image with even more suggestive black bars. If they thought this was unsavory just wait until they get a load of the American version starring Peter Griffin from the Family Guy cartoon.

Exclusive photo:

Breast Milk and Cookies is a post from: L7 World

“Happiness is contagious. The Coca-Cola Hug Machine is a simple idea to spread some happiness,” explained Leonardo O’Grady, ASEAN IMC Director for Coca-Cola. “Our strategy is to deliver doses of happiness in an unexpected, innovative way to engage not only the people present, but the audience at large. Whether you were hugging the machine or experiencing the event online, our goal was the same – to put a smile on your face and share that emotional connection.”

The press release touts: “Online platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and even blogs were abuzz with videos and updates of the ‘Coca-Cola Hug Machine’ on the same day.”

In fact, the viral videos have been so successful that they plan to deploy the machine across Asia. Other countries aren’t being left out though. The “Open Happiness” campaign was launched in 2009 and has already been spotted in the United States, United Kingdom, India, Brazil, and the Philippines (videos below).

Hug Me Vending Machine is a post from: L7 World

Necomimi are cybernetic cat ears that move in sync with your brainwaves to convey emotion. However, the movements are more accurate to the fictional cat girls that populate anime rather than actual cats. “When cats are frightened or want to scare away an enemy, they flatten their ears,” explains Kana Nakano from Neurowear. “But with Necomimi, flat ears mean a relaxed state of mind. So we have changed the meaning to suit human perceptions. To humans, when cat ears flatten, it’s kind of cute.”

The headset is a standalone device, which requires 4 AAA batteries for 4 hours of continuous use. Sensors attach to the forehead and ear to monitor brain activity and respond accordingly by perking up, lying flat, flapping, or rotating. The ears come in white but can be customized with additional styles.

Necomimi will be initially offered for a discount price of 7,900 yen (US $97) at the NicoNico Choukaigi convention from April 28 to 29. The regular price will be 8,980 yen (US $110) and will be sold directly at NicoNico headquarters in Tokyo Harajuku, beginning April 30. They’ll also be available internationally through http://store.neurosky.com/.

If you can’t wait or you’re strapped for cash, you can always make your own cat ears on the cheap. Youtube user SaxophonePlayerLeah created hers with string that allows each ear to move independently (loli not included but neither are the conspicuous sensors).

Necomimi is the first product line for Neurowear but the company plans to release similar products in the future. A cybernetic cat tail would go great with your cat ears but I shudder to think where the sensor would go.

Follow Neurowear:
http://www.facebook.com/neurowear
http://necomimi.com/index_en.html
http://neurowear.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/neurowear

Cybernetic Cat Ears is a post from: L7 World

MVRDV initially feigned ignorance to any similarities between the buildings. “It was not our intention to create an image resembling the attacks nor did we see the resemblance during the design process,” MVRDV wrote on their website. “We sincerely apologize to anyone whose feelings we have hurt, it was not our intention.”

The company line was later contradicted by designer Jan Knikker in an interview with Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad. “I have to admit that we also thought of the 9/11 attacks,” Knikker conceded. “But the intention wasn’t to draw an association with the attacks.”

The connection isn’t just superficial though. The Cloud towers are part of a larger project called the Yongsan Dream Hub, which is being designed by Daniel Libeskind. The same designer whose plans for rebuilding the World Trade Center were rejected.

Despite the controversy, there are no plans to redesign the Cloud towers, which will be completed in Seoul by 2015. In fact, MVRDV freely admits that it likes to stir up controversy. In 2008, the firm designed bent houses for the victims of Hurricane Katerina. MVRDV head Winy Maas told Metropolis Magazine, “Provocation is good, because it pushes people. We need architectural Michael Moores.”

Perpetual 9/11 is a post from: L7 World

A few years after my Grandfather returned from the war he decided to start a greeting card company. Armed with one terrible idea and no artistic ability whatsoever, he turned to someone he had met during the war for help, a young Japanese solider he had shot in the face named Haruo. My grandfather spoke no Japanese, and Haruo spoke no English, so how they actually got together is beyond me or anyone else in my family. The idea involved creating American-style greeting cards for both the Japanese and the American markets. It also required Haruo to create all the artwork and handle all of the printing. My grandfather would simply mail Haruo photos of what he wanted, and Haruo would see to the rest.

The dubious story isn’t the only clue that someone’s been naughty. Not only does McGinty bear an uncanny resemblance to his grandfather so does his portfolio, which includes a very similar Japanese illustration of Alien anatomy. But just because it’s all an elaborate hoax, doesn’t make the cards any less cool. And while the story behind them may be fake, the cards themselves are very real. They can be ordered for about $1 each @ Paper Pusher

“Vintage” Japanese Christmas Card is a post from: L7 World

Creator Lee Baik-Chul programmed the robots to monitor inmates for abnormal behavior. “But the robots are not Terminators. Their job is not cracking down on violent prisoners. They are helpers. When an inmate is in a life-threatening situation or seriously ill, he or she can reach out for help quickly,” explains Baik-Chul.

The 3 prototypes cost $863,000 so don’t expect robot guards to replace their human counterparts, at least not until they become self-aware.

Real-Life Jailbot is a post from: L7 World

Too good to be true.

Aimi is actually a computer-generated composite of 6 of the group’s most attractive members. Glico released a video showing the face tracking software used to create Aimi, along with an online idol maker but the results are on par with that of a face flip book from your childhood, more kawai than kawaii.

False Idol is a post from: L7 World

The Prison reportedly made upwards of $900 a day, which was not shared with the prisoners, but when they missed their quota the prisoners would be physically punished. “They would make me stand with my hands raised in the air and after I returned to my dormitory they would beat me with plastic pipes,” Dali told the Guardian.

Virtual Chain Gang is a post from: L7 World

The General Bureau of Radio, Film and Television is banning all time travel stories, calling them “disrespectful to history.”

Chinahush.com translated the original story: “The time-travel drama is becoming a hot theme for TV and films. But its content and the exaggerated performance style are questionable. Many stories are totally made-up and are made to strain for an effect of novelty. The producers and writers are treating the serious history in a frivolous way, which should by no means be encouraged anymore.”

China Outlaws Time Travel is a post from: L7 World