Jonah Feldman, Author at The Mary Sue

Jonah Feldman

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What’s in a Name? The Wizard/Sorcerer Split In Dungeons & Dragons

The latest playtest for the upcoming fifth edition of Dungeons & Dragons, known as D&D Next, made a minor but significant change to the Wizard class: its name. It's now the Mage. Aside from the fact that it's gender-neutral and not alphabetically last, what does this say about the future of the D&D wizard and its marginalized sibling, the sorcerer?

Proposed Internet Error 451 Would Warn Users of Government Censorship

Government censorship of the Internet is becoming more and more common, and in many cases blocked sites are indistinguishable from those that are just not working. That's why the Open Rights Group is proposing a "451 unavailable" error message to appear on those sites to let us know if we're living in a Bradburian dystopia.

Slimy Biofilms Formed In Space Are Tougher, Thicker, And Display New Structures

We're not alone in space... because of the microorganisms we take with us. In space, bacteria builds up and forms biofilms that pose a threat to health and hygiene for spaceflight, so it's important we understand them. A study of biofilm growth showed that in space, biofilms combine in a unique 'column-and-canopy structure' and are more resilient.

Science Finally Proves That Lumberjacking Is More Manly Than Sports

It seems the popular association between testosterone, the hormone associated with masculinity, and competition, may be overstated. Scientists studying an isolated population in Bolivia found that men engaged in competitive sports got a measurably lower boost in testosterone than those who chopped down trees, a non-competitive activity.

Watch Thorested Development Work Out Some Asgardian Family Issues [VIDEO]

And now the story of the Internet doing another awesome and perfectly appropriate mashup. It's Thorested Development.

Faster Than A Speeding Bullet: Elon Musk Reveals the Hyperloop

Well, it's here. So here's what's going on with Elon Musk's Hyperloop scheme for building a high-speed maglev transit system, which he calls "a new mode of transport – a fifth mode after planes, trains, cars, and boats."

Catch the Leaked X-Men: Days of Future Past Trailer While It’s Still Leaked

A leaked trailer for X-Men: Days of Future Past from the Fantasia International Film Festival is floating around. We found a link that works (for now!) Take a look before it's taken down by the studio, which probably won't take very long at all.

Luigi Rides The Chicago “L” Train For Nintendo Promotional Event

Mario might have pioneered the platformer game genre, but today his brother Luigi's on a different platform: he's riding a special train on Chicago's Brown Line. Nintendo is promoting New Super Luigi U and the "Year of Luigi" with a specially decorated green train, a decked-out station, and appearances from the character himself.

Research Suggests No Link Between Cell Phone Use and Car Crashes

A new statistical study of cell phone use has come up with results that surprised the researchers: they found no correlation between a documented rise in cell phone usage and the number of car crashes. While their research might not tell the whole story, it could call into question some assumptions about the dangers of driving while on the phone.

We’re Anxiously Awaiting Elon Musk’s Hyperloop Announcement

PayPal, Tesla, and SpaceX founder Elon Musk is going to lay out his latest futurist idea today at 1:30 PDT (4:30 Eastern). It's called the Hyperloop, and it's a transit system that can go between San Francisco to Los Angeles in only 30 minutes using magnetic levitation and Futurama-esque vacuum tubes.