KEY POINTS:
Ingrid Hutton says the scientists at Auckland University must be cringing at the latest "litmus test" advertisement for their faculty. "The students are commanded to place science degrees 'in the litmus' to test how good the degrees are. There are even some good sloshing sound effects to tell you that some serious science experiment is going on. Unfortunately for Auckland Uni, even 13-year-olds at high school know that litmus is a paper, not a liquid. Doesn't say much about an Auckland science degree does it? And yes, I'm an Otago graduate!"
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A Missouri-based company is making what's billed as the world's first eco-friendly vodka. 360 Vodka is produced using locally grown grains, which reduces carbon emissions from transportation. The company also claims it uses a highly energy-efficient filtering and drying process and that nothing goes to waste. It's bottled in 85 per cent recycled glass, and labelled, packaged and shipped using recycled paper products. The company is also donating US$1 to environmental causes for every wire-bottle closure that's mailed back (for re-use on other bottles).
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Playwright Oscar Wilde, who on his death bed remarked "Either those curtains go or I do," was named Britain's greatest wit in a poll this week. He was followed by Spike Milligan, who had his tombstone engraved with the epitaph "I told you I was ill." Stephen Fry came third for witticisms such as: "It is a cliche that most cliches are true, but then like most cliches, that cliche is untrue". The less erudite Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson was placed fourth. "Speed has never killed anyone, suddenly becoming stationary that's what gets you," he once declared. Liam Gallagher who once said of Victoria Beckham, "She can't even chew gum and walk in a straight line, let alone write a book" came in tenth.
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The irony of the Bond & Bond ad claiming "fridges are better younger - just like women really" and the staunch Erin Brockovich fronting for Noel Leeming is that both retail brands are part of the Noel Leeming Group. A reader suggests it is a cynical ploy by the ad agency. "I can't [help the] feeling [that] the appearance of such a 'provocative' ad at the same time as the Brockovich ones for stablemate Noel Leeming is a cynical attempt to 'segment the market': cheeky, Bond & Bond for the tech-buying lads, and consumer-advocating Noel Leeming for the concerned mums. It's all too cynical for me. Maybe shoppers should try one of the independently owned stores like Retravision, Betta Electrical or 100 per cent Your Electric."
Today's Video Webpick: Lip balm prank in which the model must kiss male models to test the product, but she is blindfolded and the model is switched. Very funny. Watch it here. Scroll down. These are the very best online videos from Ana's online magazine Spare Room.
