My Z News

Why do we hate the sound of our own voice?

Look, I can admit it: I love talking. But if someone records something I say and plays it back for me, I cringe in disgust. It’s never made much sense why someone as egomaniacal as myself can have so much trouble listening to my own voice. Luckily, this video came along to give some insight into this unique phenomenon. Read more: http://www.wimp.com/why-do-we-hate-the-sound-of-our-own-voice/

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A Car Without A Steering Wheel

Detroiters know their hometown as, “the city that moves the world.” It’s a car city, and most would say it is the only one. If you were to ever visit Motown, you’d be hard pressed to find a single soul who didn’t have a personal connection or tie into Ford, GM or Chrysler, better known as the Big Three, or one of their suppliers. Since the companies were founded, they have been dreaming up new models, incorporating all of the latest technological advancements into their cars. Sometimes things make it to production, like the Chevy Volt and sometimes things fall to the wayside, like Ford’s replacement to the steering wheel featured in this video. Either way, dream on Detroiters. Know that we too hope for better things and can’t wait to see you drive us into the future. Video Pro Tip: Look closely as she “backs” into the parking spot, and you’ll see a car driving in reverse. Read more: http://www.wimp.com/experimental-ford-car-wrist-twist-steering-system/

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Here’s The Reason Why Car Seat Safety Might Be The Most Important Thing To Learn As A Parent Or Guardian

In the nine months leading up to the birth of a child, parents spend a lot of time (and money!) finding all the best clothes, gear, and other necessities. There’s no shortage of items to put on the checklist, either: a crib, a swing, a play mat for that crucial tummy time … and the list goes on. But, a car seat might be the most important purchase for parents-to-be, since it’s legally required and crucial to baby’s safety.  Just buying the car seat isn’t the end of the process, though. All car seats undergo the same testing and pass the same safety requirements; unsafe usage lies in installation. Each car seat comes with a manual that gives a step by step guide to properly place your new safety seat in the car and your child in the seat. If these instructions aren’t followed exactly, there can be dire consequences. This is something that Holly learned the hard way. A few years ago, her young son Cameron was riding in this car. The driver, Holly’s now-ex-boyfriend, accidentally ran a stop sign and was involved in a collision with another car. Cameron was in his car seat, but buckled improperly; because of this, his car seat didn’t work as it should, and he was thrown from the car through the windshield. He was taken to the hospital, but didn’t survive. Sadly, he wasn’t even a year old. mommyofanangel51313 (deployads = window.deployads || []).push({}); Later, Holly came across this photo of her son that she had posted to Facebook not long before the tragic accident. Now, she sees all the mistakes she was making about car seat safety, but she says that no one ever corrected her. The harness straps holding Cameron in the seat are loose and twisted; more importantly, he is facing the wrong way! The American Association of Pediatrics and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration both recommend that children under the age of two are placed in rear-facing car seats. mommyofanangel51313 Now, Holly is committed to sharing her story with others, in the hopes that someone else learns from it. She explains that her goal is education, not humiliation. She said, “When I comment on your post of your children not buckled in properly, or stop you in the Walmart parking lot and try to give you advice, don’t take it as me calling you a bad guardian. Take it as a bereaved mother trying to help keep your children safe to save you and your child the pain and suffering. All children deserve to live a long, happy, and SAFE life!” mommyofanangel51313 Not sure exactly how to properly buckle your kid in? Take a look at this handy guide below to make sure you’re up-to-date on car seat safety. The Car Seat Lady Learn more about Cameron and Holly’s story in the video below. Don’t forget to SHARE this lifesaving warning with your friends and family! H/T: LittleThings Read more: http://www.wimp.com/heres-the-reason-why-car-seat-safety-might-be-the-most-important-thing-to-learn-as-a-parent-or-guardian/

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John Oliver shows us how little we know about geography

When was the last time you had a geography lesson? Middle school? High school? College? While we may not need to know about geography in our daily lives, it certainly comes in handy when talking about current events. In this montage from Last Week Tonight, John Oliver demonstrates how little the average person knows about geography. Read more: http://www.wimp.com/john-oliver-shows-us-how-little-we-know-about-geography/

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Drifting cars on a twisty mountain road

Losing control of a vehicle is the last thing most drivers want to experience, but for Japan’s most experienced drifters, it’s the goal. Drifting is a driving technique in which you oversteer on purpose, causing the car to glide, or “drift” through a turn.” Watch as these Japanese drifters test their skills on a twisty mountain road. Read more: http://www.wimp.com/drifting-cars-on-a-twisty-mountain-road/

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The frustrations of chip cards

If you use a debit card on a regular basis, chances are you’ve upgraded to a “chip card” within the last year. While certainly more secure than the older models, these new cards can be a major headache. If you’ve ever fought with your chip card at the checkout, this is for you. Read more: http://www.wimp.com/the-frustrations-of-chip-cards/

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How To Handle A Charging Elephant

What would you do if you were in a jungle and an elephant started to charge? According to biologists, you don’t want to run away or hide behind a bush. The best thing to do is stand completely still. That’s exactly what this tourist had to do when confronted with a potentially very dangerous situation in the jungles of Thailand. All it took was a simple wave of the hand for the charging elephant to back off. Standing still shows an elephant that you’re not a threat and removes the animal’s desire to pursue. If you ever find yourself face to face with an elephant, this could be a potentially life-saving technique. Read more: http://www.wimp.com/elephant-charges-man-and-he-does-not-back-down/

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11-Year-Old Twins Jam Out On Trumpets

People throw around the word “prodigy” a lot these days, but it’s rare that we see a child who actually lives up to the title. In the age of viral videos, any parent can upload footage of their child singing or dancing and call them a prodigy. Singing, dancing, or playing an instrument well is one thing, but entertaining a crowd full of people? That’s another challenge entirely. When Cajun soul band Pelican 212 went on Steve Harvey’s Little Big Shots last week, no one knew what to expect from the rag-tag group of adolescents. They promised to wow the crowd with their rendition of “When the Saints Go Marching In,” but their short stature and young age made a few people, including me, a little skeptical. What followed was a performance that proved age has nothing to do with talent. If you want something hard enough, there is nothing stopping you from becoming a legend, even if you’re only 11-years-old. What makes Pelican 212, the self-proclaimed “world’s shortest horn band,” so special is their two leaders, Max and Kolbe. At just 11 years old, these two identical twins capture soul better than some singers who have been at it for decades. While they steal the show in their matching blue suits, it’s important not to overlook the other members of the band. From Angelle, who rocks the drums and piano, to Marie who grooves on the trombone and bass, these kids have a bright future ahead of them in the world of music. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself humming this tune for the rest of the day. H/T: Little Big Shots Read more: http://www.wimp.com/twins-play-trumpets-max-kolbe/

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25,000 traffic stops without a single complaint

Would you ever be happy about getting a speeding ticket? While the answer is probably “no,” L.A. Sheriff’s Deputy Elton Simmons might make you rethink your answer. Read more: http://www.wimp.com/25000-traffic-stops-without-a-single-complaint/

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