Masha Gessen interview

New Science & Technology feature published today: An interview with Masha Gessen, author of 'Perfect Rigor: A Genius + the Mathematical Breakthrough of the Century' - a biography of Grigory Perelman, who in 2002 solved the Poincare Conjecture.

Ugly Christmas Sweater Party feature

Just posted a new feature about Ugly Christmas Sweater Parties on our home page. While we didn't feel it was appropriate to use the photo at right with the main article, we do hope you find it compelling enough to make you read the article.

New Jersey Nets tie NBA record

Last night the New Jersey Nets lost to the Los Angeles Lakers 106-87 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, tying the NBA record for most consecutive losses to begin a season.

'Significant' crack discovered in Bay Bridge

The bridge is likely to remain closed beyond its Tuesday morning scheduled re-opening.

At one NY hotel, it's the guests offering the spectacular views

Apparently, beautiful skyline views aren't the only visual attraction at New York's Standard Hotel.

St. Adolphe Bridge collapsing (close-up #2)

The St. Adolphe Bridge on Saturday, August 22. Photo courtesy of Tereina Neubauer.

St. Adolphe Bridge collapsing (close-up)

The St. Adolphe Bridge on Saturday, August 22. Photo courtesy of Tereina Neubauer.

St. Adolphe Bridge on the verge of collapse

The St. Adolphe Bridge. Photo courtesy of Christian Clavelle, Canadian First-Aid Training Ltd.

Truck's boom snares utility wires (photo #2)

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Photo by Failure magazine.

See another photo of the truck (from a different angle).

Truck's boom snares utility wires

This was the scene in Lenox, Massachusetts, on Friday morning when a concrete truck attempted to pass under utility lines without lowering the truck's boom. The boom became entangled in the lines and pulled them down, leaving them tangled and draped across the truck. The utility lines belong to National Grid, Verizon and Time Warner Cable. Miraculously, no one was hurt in the accident. Photo by Failure magazine.

See another photo of the truck from a different angle.

'The Teeth May Smile But The Heart Does Not Forget' in the New York Times book review

This weekend's New York Times book review features a review of The Teeth May Smile But The Heart Does Not Forget, by Andrew Rice. For additional insight into the book, read Failure magazine's interview with Rice.

'Fordlandia' in New York Times book review

Tomorrow's edition of the New York Times book review features a review of "Fordlandia: The Rise and Fall of Henry Ford's Forgotten Jungle City," by Greg Grandin. For additional insight into Ford's failed jungle city, read Failure magazine's interview with Grandin.

Meet Mr. Irrelevant 2009 - Ryan Succop

This year's Mr. Irrelevant (the last player selected in the NFL draft) is Ryan Succop (pronounced "suck-up"), the South Carolina Gamecocks placekicker who was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs with the 256th and final pick of the 2009 draft. Presumably he can expect to be celebrated (as the ultimate underdog) during Irrelevant Week, at which time he will be presented with The Lowsman Trophy (see photo at right).

Fail: KTLK radio host Chris Baker falls for April Fools joke

In the department of 'I can't believe he said that on national television' ... On the April 14 edition of CNN’s Lou Dobbs Tonight, Minneapolis radio host Chris Baker actually said the following: “The craziest expenditure [of economic stimulus funds] I’ve seen so far is [Governor] Ed Rendell … hiring comics, magicians, and mimes … to cheer up the people of Pennsylvania.” Baker apparently obtained his information from an April 1 editorial by The Patriot-News of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, which, in an April Fools’ joke, announced that Rendell was going to spend $15 million of federal stimulus funds to hire all manner of street performers to change the mood in the state.

Rush Limbaugh's 'failure' billboard debuts

A traveling billboard with the slogan "Americans didn't vote for a RUSH to failure" made its first appearance earlier today in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Dancing Woz

Last night I tuned in to ABC’s Dancing With the Stars for the very first time, solely for the purpose of watching Steve Wozniak dance. I’m not a Woz fan or anything (although we do have a soft spot in our hearts for him here at Failure as he did one of the first-ever Failure interviews ), but I kept hearing about Dancing Woz, and finally decided to tune in.

As it turns out, what I’d been hearing seems to be true; Woz is the ultimate underdog. And it’s quite brave of him — or perhaps masochistic — to keep going out there even when it’s clear that he can’t dance worth a lick. If it was up to the judges, he’d have been booted off the show long ago.



Last week, Woz and his dance partner (who is almost an afterthought, by the way) scored just 10 out of 30 points. And last night they did only marginally better, earning 12 out of 30, prompting the judges to refer to Woz’s routine as “long — there wasn’t much going on there,” and to say, “This is an improvement from last week … but last week was so terrible almost anything would be an improvement.”

As you may know, though, the judges aren’t the sole decision makers in regard to who “wins,” as viewers get to vote too. And thanks to the efforts of Vote Woz! and his army of geek fans, Wozniak (and dance partner, I don’t even know her name) are garnering enough votes to dance another day. While I’m not quite sure how the voting process works, I believe we learn whether Woz advances again on tonight’s episode. Stay tuned.

Destined for 'World's Worst Criminals'

We don't often comment on the personal failures of individuals - but how's this for a "bad day"? According to the Connecticut Post, on Jan. 29 of this year David Maksimik, 59, a convicted bank robber, woke up and went to a local bank (People's United in Darien, Connecticut), brandishing a gun and fake grenade. He proceeded to rob the bank and escaped with $3,745 in cash. So far, so good.

But while fleeing the scene in his '92 Toyota he rear-ended another car, forcing him to ditch the Tercel. After a bus ride, a trip in a taxi, and a ride from his sister, he finally made it home, where he found his fifty-something roomate unconscious on the floor. He called 911, but it was too late. His roomate had successfully committed suicide.

Meanwhile, Maksimik's behavior made the police suspicious, and while tending to his roomate found the stolen $3,745 in a bag on Maksimik's bed. The flustered bank robber then proceeded to waive his rights and confessed. Now he's charged with bank robbery by force, a federal charge that carries a 20-year prison sentence, along with a long list of other state charges, including reckless driving.

20th anniversary of Exxon Valdez disaster

Today is the 20th anniversary of the Exxon Valdez disaster. KTUU (NBC Channel 2 in Alaska) has comprehensive 20th anniversary coverage.

"Avoid wearing any AIG apparel"

Two days ago AIG issued a memo to its employees advising them to "avoid wearing any AIG apparel with the company insignia," and to "avoid public conversations concerning AIG" -- to name just two of the many security-oriented safety guidelines listed. The memo seems prudent. After all, A.I.G. employees have reportedly been receiving death threats. And Connecticut Working Families is planning a bus tour of A.I.G. executives' houses on Saturday March 21, a "field trip" designed to give passengers the chance to vent their anger.

Ironic AIG magazine ad

While researching an upcoming Failure magazine article, I stumbled upon a particularly ironic AIG magazine ad, one that presumably predates the recent "strength to be there" campaign. This particular ad states: "Opting not to buy our insurance is your right. But we'll be taking your money anyway." If nothing else, AIG proved to be prophetic.