In The New York Times, Gina Kolata writes that a team of scientists has proven a method of identifying specific individuals from "anonymous" data sets.

Scientists at Imperial College London and Université Catholique de Louvain, in Belgium, reported in the journal Nature Communications that they had devised a computer algorithm that can identify 99.98 percent of Americans from almost any available data set with as few as 15 attributes, such as gender, ZIP code or marital status.

Even more surprising, the scientists posted their software code online for anyone to use. That decision was difficult, said Yves-Alexandre de Montjoye, a computer scientist at Imperial College London and lead author of the new paper.

They had to publish because to do the research is to realize that criminals and governments already did the research. Read the rest

GIF: John Keats, 1785-1921.

Enjoy this beautiful, creepy, ethereal short ambient ambient video loop by Bill Domonkos, a filmmaker, GIF maker and stereoscopist. Read the rest

Tested visits sculptor Andrew Freeman who made these wonderfully creepy and hyperreal Ren and Stimpy masks!

Read the rest

The AP reports that Jeremy Putnam, 31, was arrested in Winchester, Virginia, and charged with "wearing a mask in public," a felony in that state.

He was armed with a "sword" in public, which apparently alarmed residents. But they haven't charged him with that; they've charged him with this, a fascinatingly terrible law:

§ 18.2-422. Prohibition of wearing of masks in certain places; exceptions.

It shall be unlawful for any person over 16 years of age to, with the intent to conceal his identity, wear any mask, hood or other device whereby a substantial portion of the face is hidden or covered so as to conceal the identity of the wearer...

...with specific exceptions for "traditional holiday costumes," protective or medical masks, or ones for a "bona fide theatrical production or masquerade ball."

Putnam is being held at the Northwestern Regional Adult Detention Center.

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Do Crows hold funerals? Nah, not really, but they're up to something when one among the murder is murdered, and scientists are fascinated by their behavior around fallen comrades.

Calling to each other, gathering around, and paying special attention to a fallen comrade is common among the highly intelligent corvids, a group of birds that includes crows, jays, magpies, and ravens, says Kaeli Swift, a Ph.D student in environmental science at the University of Washington. (See "Are Crows Smarter Than Children?")

But it doesn't necessarily mean the birds are mourning for their lost buddy. Rather, they're likely trying to find out if there's a threat where the death occurred, so they can avoid it in the future.

One study involved using masks to see if crows would avoid humans who handled dead crows (and thereby implicated themselves in the investigation.) They did. On the other hand, if crows are smart enough to investigate murders, maybe they're smart enough to take one look at that mask and think: "OK, that is definitely a murderer." Read the rest

Candace Payne, your joy is infectious. Read the rest

"Sure to stand out at the next party," promises BigMouth Inc.'s advertising copy. "Fits most adult heads." Say hi to Patty The Poodle and her "remarkably detailed" faux fur and skin.

"Clean with soap and water," the product description helpfully adds.

And here's Buck the German Shepherd, so popular that orders are backed up for a week.

Barry the Boxer (right) is, to my eye, not so well-designed, but the unnamed mutt above from Kennel Klub has the look and the most enthusiastic marketing blurb, too.

Ever wanted to know what's running through your dogs mind? Ever wanted to be a dog for a day?

Well here is your chance!! Slip on this mask and for the first time ever you will think like a dog...or at least look like one.

Freak out a friend, chase a cat, sniff a behind, whatever your heart desires.

Made exclusively for Off the Wall Toys. Bagged with illustrated Off the Wall Toys tag.

To ensure it's the real deal please look for the Off the Wall Toys label.

Finally, here's Paddy the Pitbull, ready to terrify the good tabloid-reading denizens of middle America and England.

[Thanks, Heather!] Read the rest

This happy dog doesn't mind wearing a zebra mask, but its feline friend dislikes it so much that her head has become astonishingly flat.

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Björk has become known for rocking some stunning embroidered masks. Hint published a nice overview of her longtime collaboration with maskmaker James Merry. Read the rest

Florida's Ecologics makes a wide variety of skull-mask face-kerchiefs, some with metallic grills. Read the rest

Wintercroft's Etsy storefront is full of beautiful, downloadable plans for making geometrical animal- and horror-masks from recycled cardboard boxes. It's a great, simple way to make the perfect Hallowe'en costume. Read the rest

Matt Hawkins is a talented papercraft designer and illustrator who's work we've featured before. He's got a kickstarter up for his Kooky Creeps papercraft Hallowe'en masks ("You know, just in time for Xmas!" -M. Hawkins), which are absolutely terrific. $25 gets you all four masks in a coffin-portfolio. For $1,000 he'll make you a one-of-a-kind piece.

Kooky Creeps Read the rest

By far the most uncanny and arresting cosplayer I've seen at any Comic-Con was this young woman in an incredibly realistic latex Ron Jeremy mask, from Hyperflesh. I mean, wow.

Ron Jeremy Mask Read the rest

Bruce D. Mitchell is an amazing sculptor who works in the film industry; his "Conceptual Executioner" site showcases a series of gorgeous masks and helmets from 2010. He implies that they have been offered for sale at some point, though no prices are given, leading me to believe that it's one of those, "If you have you ask, you probably can't afford," deals. At least we get to look.

I Have been working in the FX industry since 1992. I have contributed to the creation of various creatures, costumes, miniatures, set pieces and props. I have met and worked with some awesome talent and learned something from each of them. I will be showing my own work on this page. These are the pieces I have been making and showing in Gallery's and special venues. The Masks and Helmets are all wearable and incorporate some function. All pieces were created in my home studio. One thing I would like to say to any producers. Please do not look at this as a menu but rather what I have conceptually achieved so far. . . Thanks for viewing.

Bruce D. Mitchell Conceptual Executioner Read the rest

Inb4 Cory! [Etsy via Khoi] Read the rest

On Retronaut, Viktor Bulla's "Pioneers defense drill, Leningrad." It dates from 1937, four years before the Siege of Leningrad, and that makes the weirdness vivid and poignant. So many of the children here would have died in the Siege, or lived through it in the civil defense force, eating wallpaper paste and digging trenches. How brave and ready they must have felt in 1937, though.

Pioneers defense drill, Leningrad Read the rest

"kongrorilla" created this nifty design for a Low-Poly Mask for Halloween 2012. Download it from Thingiverse and make your own. Read the rest