Author: everhance

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Dog Owners Can’t Wait to Try a Robotic Pooper-Scooper

I remember when I was young, my dad had to walk around the yard every weekend scooping up all the dog poo before he could mow the lawn.

Sometimes I had to do it too, and you could always tell when the dog had gotten hold of some crayons…

Well now it seems like there’s a robot for every unpleasant task–vacuuming, mopping, even cutting the grass–so of course it was only a matter of time before someone invented a robot that scoops the poop for you.

You read that right.

The scrappy start-up Beetl Robotics, led by CEO Xiong Chang, has developed a prototype for a machine that will rove through your yard picking up all the little presents that your four legged friend left behind.

Their Facebook page, which explains that the robot will deposit the doo into a compost bin, shows the development of their design over time, from this early concept…

…to a finished product that debuted at the 2017 CES (consumer electronics) trade show, where Beetl placed 3rd for Best Tech:

The company follows the Agile method of product development, which allowed them to deviate from their original design to make the concept even better.

According to their website:

We iterated on our robotic poop-scooper idea to add lawn mowing functionality.

We opted for a sickle-bar grass shear mechanism to get the added benefit of releasing the clamshell jaws from long grass.

All navigation was processed via computer vision and advanced sensor fusion.

Consumers are very excited about this technology, but unfortunately it can take a long time to get from concept to market, so the Beetl isn’t available for sale yet.

Still, I love a good robot, so sign me up when it is. What do you think about this idea? Do you need one for outside, and another for inside, to pick up your kids’ toys before you run your Roomba? Tell us in the comments!

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The Department of Defense Is Evaluating UFO Data That Might Be Released to the General Public

Anyone who grew up on “The X-Files” can’t help but think that “the truth is out there” was more than just a catchphrase.

And as it turns out, we could finally begin to learn a little bit more of that truth very soon.

I’ve never seen a UFO, unless you count the cow-abduction road signs in New Mexico.

But I definitely think it’s a little bit silly and hugely egotistical to assume that in the whole vast cosmos, our planet is the only one to sustain intelligent life.

It turns out, the U.S. government has seen enough unexplained evidence that they think so too.

Who that’s heard the audio of Australian pilot Fred Valentich’s encounter and subsequent disappearance can deny that something has visited us?

The U.S. government doesn’t refer to them as UFO’s anymore.

Maybe that’s considered a little too hokey and little-green-manish now, so they instead describe them as UAP or Unidentified Aerial Phenomena, which can take in a broader range of encounters.

Just last year, after videos filmed by Navy pilots was leaked to the public, the Department of Defense established a new task force for investigating these phenomena, or UAPTF.

Not only that, but Popular Mechanics reports:

When Trump signed the coronavirus relief and government funding bill into law in December 2020, it contained the IAA for Fiscal Year 2021, which means the UAPTF must report its findings to Congress by June 25.

That’s June 25 of this year.

The Director of National Intelligence who served under President Trump at the time went on Fox News recently to talk about the project, and it sounds like he’s a believer too, stating that the reports will cover:

[UAP that make] “movements that are hard to replicate that we don’t have the technology for, or traveling at speeds that exceed the sound barrier without a sonic boom. In short, things that we are observing that are difficult to explain.”

The note about the sound barrier is particularly relevant.

Image credit: U.S. Navy, via Flickr

Here’s why, according to Popular Mechanics:

When an aircraft increases its speed, pressure waves build up on it and eventually coalesce into a single shockwave. When the plane outruns that shockwave and travels faster than the speed of sound in air, it causes a sudden change in pressure, which in turn creates the sonic boom. There’s no publicly available scientific data to suggest any aircraft can break the sound barrier without producing a sonic boom; while engineers can take steps to try to reduce sonic booms, physics says it’s impossible to outright eliminate it.

Which means that if the government has proof of aircraft that defy physics, then they have proof of civilizations more advanced than our own.

And so, although a watchdog group will be evaluating how the Pentagon handled UAP reports:

the Pentagon itself will be busy this month reviewing all the data they have been collecting under the UAPTF project ahead of that June deadline to release the information.

And it’s not all going to be blurry videos and darting shapes, either. There’s actual concrete data.

According to a source from The Debrief, a contributor to Popular Mechanics:

“Some of the best evidence acquired has come from measurement and signature intelligence (MASINT), rather than from videos or still images.”

Suddenly I’m on the edge of my seat waiting for summer!

What do you think? All an elaborate hoax, or FINALLY some transparency?

Let us know in the comments!

The post The Department of Defense Is Evaluating UFO Data That Might Be Released to the General Public appeared first on UberFacts.

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These Border Collies Replant a Burned Chilean Forest

Herding dogs are smart and high energy.

When we first met ours at a rescue shelter, she was so excited she raced around the yard in circles like a cartoon Tasmanian devil.

That combination of energy and intelligence makes Border Collies the perfect breed for a very special and unexpected environmental task.

Meet Das, Olivia, and Summer:

They live in Chile, where in 2017, fores fires decimated the landscape.

TreeHugger.com described the fires in El Maule in stark terms:

The worst wildfire season in Chile’s history ravaged more than 1.4 million acres early in 2017, destroying nearly 1,500 homes and killing at least 11 people. More than a dozen countries sent fire-fighting specialists to help battle the dozens of destructive blazes.

According to Green Matters, the damage was estimated at $333 million, but the loss of trees and their impact on the environment as a whole is likely immeasurable.

It will take decades to regrow the forest land–but first, new trees must be planted.

Enter sisters Francisca and Constanza Torres and their three Border Collies:

Together, they train the dogs to race across the forest floor wearing backpacks full of native seeds, which they purchase with their own money.

As the sheepdogs run, the seeds spill from holes in their special doggy bags, and spread out where they can begin to take root and regrow the once-lush environment.

It may seem like work to humans, but for the dogs, it’s just a raucous good time.

In an email exchange with Mother Nature Network, Francisca explained:

“They reeeeeally love [it]!! It’s a country trip, where they can run as fast as they can and have a great time.”

And when their bags are empty, the dogs return to their owners for treats and cuddles, and a refill on the seeds.

It’s quite the sight, to see the dogs bounding through the scrub.

And it’s a good thing they have so much energy. According to Green Matters:

This system is also more efficient than having people spread the seeds manually. These speedy canines can race through a forest and cover up to 18 miles a day. Humans, on the other hand, can only cover a few miles each day. These pups can scatter over 20 pounds of seeds, depending on the terrain.

Johnny Appleseed, watch out!

They may not be able to cover the entire forest, but the work these very good girls are doing is already paying off.

The BBC even did a story about them:

It seriously blows my mind to think that two women and their gorgeous pups are changing the world all by themselves and in such a big way.

This Earth Day it makes me wonder, what more could I be doing? What about you? Did your heart just grow three sizes like mine did? Let us know in the comments.

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Someone Summarized All the Self-Help Books into Steps We Can All Follow

Everyone is looking for that certain key to success, that one thing that will make life easier, better, and more fulfilling.

That’s why the self-help industry has boomed, not only in recent years, but honestly, for all of human history.

But all those books can basically be boiled down to a few timeless, solid pieces of advice.

Self-help books are published by the fistful, with a new one really seeming to take off every decade.

There was The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People of the 1980s to Who Moved My Cheese? in the late 90s, and on to the woo-woo mysticism of The Secret in 2006, and don’t forget Girl, Wash Your Face from just a few years ago.

To save you the time of reading widely, here are 11 important lessons from the self-help canon.

1. Do unto others…

Seems like obvious advice, but honestly, it’s true.

No one wants to work with a jerk.

Image credit: Ryunosuke Kikuno via Unsplash

2. Don’t rush to judgment

Like your mom always told you: Don’t judge the book by it’s cover and all the other sayings you can think of about behaving with a level head–especially where other people are concerned.

Image credit: Tingey Injury Law Firm via Unsplash

3. Embrace adversity

During one workplace motivational event we were told, “Embrace the suck,” and this philosophy is pretty solid.

Disappointment, challenge, and hardship will happen.
Prepare for them, expect them, and then–overcome them.

Instead of pretending everything is fine, admit that it’s not, and move on.

Image credit: Daniel Velasquez via Unsplash

4. Perfect isn’t possible

Perfectionists are constantly disappointed.

Or worse: They hold themselves back because they’re too afraid to try.

Image credit: Jonathan Hoxmark via Unsplash

5. Think positive

If you can dream it, you can do it.
If you can conceive, you can achieve it.
If you can see it, you can be it.

There is something to be said for these axioms. To find success, you need to focus on the desired result, and work backwards, and sometimes: rewire your brain to cut out negativity and just believe.

Image credit: Josh Reimer via Unsplash

6. One small step for man…

Many self-help books are about the power of forming healthy habits, because baby steps can add up to big things.

And repetition is the key.
(Maybe that’s why there are so many books on the subject.)

They say it takes something like 3 weeks to form a habit, and 3 months to turn a habit into a lifestyle.

Image credit: NASA via Rawpixel

7. Play can be powerful

Whether it’s recharging because we’re all burned out by working from home, or simply to spark creativity, the experts say that play can be a really important tool for becoming your best self.

Me, I’m rediscovering Lego.

Image credit: Kelly Sikkema via Unsplash

8. Take care of your body, take care of your soul

You can’t be your best self or do your best work, unless your most basic needs are met.

Humans require food, water, sleep, exercise, companionship, and security before they can devote much energy to self-actualization.

Image credit: Kaylee Garrett via Unsplash

9. Live like you’re going to die

It’s pretty simple. We have a limited number of days. Don’t squander them.

Remembering that your time is finite can give you an incredible sense of purpose.

Image credit: Danica Tanjutco via Unsplash

10. Make a list–check it twice

We have too much going on in the world to keep it all in our heads. So get organized.

Make a plan, write it down, and then remember the 3 D’s: Do it, Defer it (schedule it!), or Delegate it.

Image credit: Daria Nephriakhina via Unsplash

11. Most importantly: Do the things

You can make all the plans you want, but at the end of the day, you have to do the hard work.

There are no shortcuts.

Image credit: Brett Jordan via Unsplash

Many of these ideas weren’t new to me, but it’s always nice to have a refresher.

Personally, I’ve been trying to let go of perfection and embrace play. Which rules could you focus on?

Let us know in the comments.

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This Hand-Made Darth Vader Grill Will Ensure Your Next BBQ Is a Big Hit

Summer is almost here and as long as the cicadas don’t get you, that means grilling season!

Star Wars fans take notice, nerd culture is alive and well, and there is a grill or fire pit out there just for you.

Etsy is simply the best for shopping small and finding incredible hand-made crafts, and this grill is no exception.

Artist and entrepreneur Burned by Design from Barnsley in Yorkshire, England has designed a grill and fire pit in the shape of Darth Vader’s helmet.

The charcoal grill is completely unique!

As described by Delish.com:

The grill is about 17.3 by 17.3 by 30.7 inches, and comes with three chrome-plated swivel racks.

and because they are hand-made to order, they take about a month to deliver.

But just look at the Imperial glory that could set your next backyard cookout above the rest:

I mean come on:

And if The Betrayer isn’t really your Star Wars jam, there are other wood-burner options to choose from.

So whether you’re a fan of Boba Fett, R2D2, or the Mandalorian, there’s something here for you.

Prices range from in the $600s for a smaller-sized wood burner to the $700s for the Vader grill and all the way up to $1200+ for some of the larger spacecraft-inspired fire pits.

That’s right. You can hang with your friends and watch for meteors seated around your very own Death Star.

And just in case you are more Rebel-Alliance-minded, there is a Millennium Falcon fire pit, too.

I think I’ve been doing summer wrong for years. Time to hit up Etsy.

What do you think? Did these make you long for summer and nerding out with your BFFs? Tell us what you think in the comments.

The post This Hand-Made Darth Vader Grill Will Ensure Your Next BBQ Is a Big Hit appeared first on UberFacts.

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A Comedian’s Drive-Thru Revenge Story Went Viral, and People Say “I’d Do That!”

You know how there are certain urban legends that spread across the internet and they always feel vaguely familiar?

Sometimes that’s because they are all too real, and we can all relate.

And sometimes they’re just too good to be true.

Recently comedian Nelly Zenani went viral for posting an incredible story on Facebook.

At first it looked like he was doing a turn-the-other-cheek kind of thing, but stick around for the twist ending.

When I got to the last window to get my food, I showed the assistant both my receipts and took her food too!

I paid for it, it’s mine! Now she has to go around again and wait even longer.

She gonna learn today!

Many commenters were not amused by this little stunt. They felt Zenani should have been the bigger person.

But nope… he wasn’t. And that’s hilarious.

But personally, I gotta say, if I’m having an emergency, I’m not stopping at the drive-thru.

For the record, it almost always seems faster just to go inside.

Have you seen the lines at Starbucks and Chick-Fil-A?
Pandemic aside, if you don’t have time to wait, don’t get in line, is all I’m saying.

Whenever funny stories like this one come around, some people immediately want to do them.

And a lot of people doubted it was true, but still find it hilarious anyway.

Because yes… people actually ARE this petty.

Does that mean everybody believed him? Nope. But they didn’t get too deep into it…


.
Multiple users tagged their friends and agreed they should try it together sometime, which almost makes you wonder if the story keeps going around because different people are actually inspired to try it.

Real or not, the story obviously strikes a chord with people, and there’s usually a grain of truth in things, right?

I’d love to know the origin story of this one.

What do you think–worth a laugh or annoying remix? Let us know in the comments.

The post A Comedian’s Drive-Thru Revenge Story Went Viral, and People Say “I’d Do That!” appeared first on UberFacts.

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Tiny Clogs for Dogs Went Viral…and Got Mixed Reviews from the Dogs

I’ll be the first to admit that cute dogs in cute clothes slay me.

On a flight some years ago, my husband flipped through SkyMall until he found a beagle wearing Pugz, which he showed to me, and I absolutely lost it.

It still makes me laugh.

Now a new company has created new dog shoes for the Instagram and TikTok generations.

Dogs have long been interested in Crocs footwear.

Mine likes to chew them if they get in the way of her evening treat, so I had to start keeping them by the back door.

Now Crocs enthusiasts can buy a matching pair for their favorite pooch.

According to Mental Floss, the Croc-like shoes are made by an unaffiliated company called GEHARTY, and people are going bananas.

These shoes are only for little canines though.

Measuring 2.76 by 1.15 inches, the footwear is designed to fit tiny paws, so larger dogs will have to get their novelty shoes elsewhere.

And unlike real Crocs (and Pugz!), these sandals are not actually meant to be comfortable–or worn while walking.

But if you want to make your pet look cute and comfy while lounging around the house—or posing for pictures—these are the perfect shoes.

From the Instagram #dogcrocs, it looks like people are taking them at their word.

Olive, a Boston terrier from the account @oliveandgus, dressed up in her finest for Valentine’s Day.

Gus looks less amused.

But Olive seems to own a pair in every color.

Meanwhile, this Corgi put its foot down and refused to play along.

But Michael Anthony the Chihuahua doesn’t seem to mind.

They were selling on Amazon for $13 until recently.

After going viral, the shoes sold out in every color.

Now two colors are back in stock at the new price of $20.

What do you think? Cutest thing ever or a trend that should disappear? Let us know in the comments.

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An ER Doctor Went Viral for Pointing Out That Fast Food Is All Some People Can Afford

There’s no question that everything, including food, keeps getting more and more expensive.

Add in a food desert, and people are paying crazy prices for fresh food the rest of us take for granted.

So when a doctor tweeted about the relative costs of fast food compared to fresh food, her thread went viral, with lots of people weighing in on both sides.

Emily Porter is an ER doctor and cancer survivor living in Austin, Texas.

When she tweeted about the cost of food, she was urging empathy and asking people not to judge others, but she had to know it was going to be controversial:

A lot of Twitter users doubted that a medical doctor would eat McDonald’s for lunch, as though they don’t rack up thousands in debt from medical school, and as though they don’t crave fast food like other humans.

But Dr. Porter took the time to explain her background:

Not only did she grow up poor, but she worked on the front lines of poverty, watching others in her community purchase what they could afford at a fast food restaurant.

She even took the time to explain the food desert in her area, and the fact that people basically only shop at the dollar store.

The responses to her tweet ran the gamut. Some came with empathy and agreement, others did not.

Apparently some even suggested that the poor should invest in Blue Apron meals, which surprised me, because meal kits tend to be pricey. They definitely cost more than McDonald’s.

Here was Dr. Porter’s response:

But that is the point of such a tweet–starting a conversation that needs to be had.

Some people argued that fast food eaters were lazy:

To which others replied, it’s not just about the money. It’s about the cost of time and labor too.

Some people even argued that the poor should buy a rotisserie chicken at Sam’s Club or Costco.

Few pointed out that those are loaded with sodium, but some people did point out the absolute tone-deafness of such a suggestion.

Bored Panda said that a major argument, that cooking healthy food is cheaper, isn’t necessarily true.

And unlike Twitter users, they brought the receipts:

According to the results of a meta-analysis published in 2013 in BMJ Open, a healthier diet costs $1.48 more a day, which would add up to $540.20 a year, and for a family of four, the amount would equal to $2,160.80.

The article did note that a UK study disagrees with this assessment, so maybe it’s regional. The UK is very different from the US in a lot of ways, maybe it would generally be less expensive to eat healthier in the UK and not in the US.

A lot of people suggested eating beans.

Many users, however, completely agreed with Dr. Porter’s assessment of the cost of eating.

And they pointed out a lot of things that it’s easy to overlook from a privileged point-of-view.

Like the cost of time…

…the fact that just because something is possible, doesn’t mean everyone has the ability to make it work…

…and the simple fact that fast food is easier to chew than, say, a carrot.

It’s safe to say that there are no easy answers to this question, but one thing is for sure: it’s a frustrating situation that needs to improve.

What do you think? Does Dr. Porter have a point? Is this system set up to be broken? Let us know in the comments.

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Reasons Guys Lost Interest in Their Girlfriends

S**ual attraction is just the weirdest thing. For so many of us it can be one of the main driving forces of our lives, and also it can just go away in a heartbeat.

It’s strange the tricks our own biology pull on us. And our own psychology. And other ologies I’m probably not fit to speak on.

The point is, you’re gonna find yourself drawn to and drawn away from people a LOT within your life, and there’s no great way to know exactly how to handle that every time.

Here, for instance, are ten stories from men who for one reason or another just suddenly found themselves no longer sexually attracted to their girlfriends.

10. “She won’t take care of herself.”

Whoa, those are two very different categories for concern there.

Source: Whisper

9. “I get hookers.”

Bruh I don’t know what a “physical looking girl itch” is but I think you should go to a doctor.

Source: Whisper

8. “I don’t know.”

Is it you? Is it me?

Source: Whisper

7. “She refuses.”

All shallowness aside, that is an alarming amount of weight for a person to gain in a few years.

Source: Whisper

6. “Part of it is because…”

I mean yeah, that’ll do it.

Source: Whisper

5. “I can’t tell her the truth.”

How did the two of you end up together in the first place?

Source: Whisper

4. “She also wants braces.”

Well, brace yourself.

Source: Whisper

3. “Perfect in every way except…”

A disheartening number of entries here about this…

Source: Whisper

2. “Boobs.”

Well, this is about as caveman simple as it gets.

Source: Whisper

1. “Let herself go.”

But where, is the question.

Source: Whisper

I don’t even know how to respond to some of those. What are men?

Have you had an experience like this?

Tell us about it in the comments.

The post Reasons Guys Lost Interest in Their Girlfriends appeared first on UberFacts.

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Reasons Guys Lost Interest in Their Girlfriends

S**ual attraction is just the weirdest thing. For so many of us it can be one of the main driving forces of our lives, and also it can just go away in a heartbeat.

It’s strange the tricks our own biology pull on us. And our own psychology. And other ologies I’m probably not fit to speak on.

The point is, you’re gonna find yourself drawn to and drawn away from people a LOT within your life, and there’s no great way to know exactly how to handle that every time.

Here, for instance, are ten stories from men who for one reason or another just suddenly found themselves no longer sexually attracted to their girlfriends.

10. “She won’t take care of herself.”

Whoa, those are two very different categories for concern there.

Source: Whisper

9. “I get hookers.”

Bruh I don’t know what a “physical looking girl itch” is but I think you should go to a doctor.

Source: Whisper

8. “I don’t know.”

Is it you? Is it me?

Source: Whisper

7. “She refuses.”

All shallowness aside, that is an alarming amount of weight for a person to gain in a few years.

Source: Whisper

6. “Part of it is because…”

I mean yeah, that’ll do it.

Source: Whisper

5. “I can’t tell her the truth.”

How did the two of you end up together in the first place?

Source: Whisper

4. “She also wants braces.”

Well, brace yourself.

Source: Whisper

3. “Perfect in every way except…”

A disheartening number of entries here about this…

Source: Whisper

2. “Boobs.”

Well, this is about as caveman simple as it gets.

Source: Whisper

1. “Let herself go.”

But where, is the question.

Source: Whisper

I don’t even know how to respond to some of those. What are men?

Have you had an experience like this?

Tell us about it in the comments.

The post Reasons Guys Lost Interest in Their Girlfriends appeared first on UberFacts.