Since spy robots are all the rage these days, Britain’s Ministry of Defence is holding their “Grand Challenge” in England this weekend. Several teams of engineers are taking part in the event, which is dedicated to developing new military technology. The winner of the challenge will receive lucrative government weapons contracts.

Devices being tested at the Grand Challenge must be autonomous and suited for reconnaissance missions. The event has been criticized because some of the teams designing the war machines have members as young as 12 years old.

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National Guardsmen who pilot Army Predator drones are suffering symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder. Predator pilots launch missile attacks remotely from bases in Texas, Arizona, Nevada, and Southern California. They work in front of video screens in air conditioned trailers and go home to their families every night, but the pilots and their commanders say they are experiencing PTSD just like soldiers on the battlefield.

Predators have recently been outfitted with new higher-resolution cameras. Army personnel say the improved optics force Predator pilots to see graphic images of the impact of their bombings. Missions often require Predators to remain in the air over their targets to observe the aftermath of their attacks. These findings are bad news because the military is increasingly planning to use remote controlled drones for combat operations.

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Surely if you’re any kind of real man, you grew up with NERF foam toys in the ’80s and ’90s. From Ballzooka to the infamous foam crossbow, the arsenal a kid could have at his disposable was unmatched by any other company save Super Soaker. Now it’s 2008 and NERF is still kicking ass with its latest creation, the N-Strike Recon CS-6.

Sure, it shoots darts but the CS-6 has the ability to deconstruct entirely so you can morph it into a whole new weapon. Add scopes, throw on a shoulder stock, add a laser. You’re the most badass kid on the block now. From the website:

Other features include a flip-up sight for aiming precision and a dual-mode light beam with red-dot accuracy that’s perfect for night missions! Use the shoulder stock to steady your shot and store an extra clip of ammo (sold separately). Get armed with the most exciting name in high-tech blasters: N-STRIKE power!

Stop the fucking press. Fucking stop it. You need to go and purchase one of these bitches from Amazon, stat. There’s simply no time to waste considering that it’s only $20 and your girlfriend left your months ago.

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When you and your friends fight over who’s going to be first player in Mario Kart,  Doom or whatever game you happen to be playing at the time, the most effective way to handle those sort of situations has always been a best out of three game of Rock, Paper, Scissors. What if we told you there was a way to choose paper every time and never lose?

If you can manage to create anything close to the Paper Wars reproductions of classic weapons, organized by PostlerFerguson, I’m pretty sure there would be little debate as to who the winner is, even if your opponent is clearly holding out two fingers in the scissor pose. You think you won? Well try cutting through my paper AK-47, motherfucker! Yeah! What now? (more…)