Apple's logo is considered 'blasphemo​us' in Russia as a sign of sinful behavior

Apple's logo is one of the most recognizable symbols in the world. Many Apple iPhone buyers have referred to the insignia on the back of the handset as a part of the overall design of the phone that attracted them to it in the first place. While most people around the world see the logo and think technology, Orthodox Christians in Russia see the symbol and think 'sin'. For this group, the bitten Apple logo reminds them of the story of Adam and Eve and the concept of original sin. This is based on the translation of a news report in Russia and some have gone on to cover up the Apple trademark with a cross whenever they see it in the country.

To the Russian Orthodox Church, this represents sin

Of course, those familiar with the story of Apple know that the apple portrayed on the back of the Apple iPhone and Apple iPad represents the famous fruit that allegedly fell and conked Sir Isaac Newton on the head leading to the discovery of gravity. The Soviet Church, though, is thought to be interested in passing anti-Blasphemy laws which could force Apple to change its logo in the country or refrain from selling its products there.

Apple might even have a defender in the country. Political party Yabloko is against what it sees as a "clerical police state" in the country. The party is railing against what it sees as a battle between the Russian Orthodox Church and "secular civil society". That would make the party an ally of Apple's if the Russian Orthodox Church ever makes an issue out of the Cupertino based firm's Apple logo.That, and one other thing. It seems that Yabloko, the name of the party, is also Russian for Apple.

Source: phonearena.com

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Astronomers discover giant planet chock-full of diamonds

55 Cancri e was first identified back in 2004, but at the time scientists thought that it was covered in water and rocks, much like the Earth. We now know that's probably not true and, what's more, the most interesting find regarding 55 Cancri e could be under the surface.

More accurate measurements have revealed a surface temperature of nearly 4,000 °F, and a density much higher than our planet, leading researchers to conclude that 55 Cancri e is actually composed almost entirely from high-density carbon, or, in other words, solid diamond.

With a diameter that's about double that of earth's, 55 Cancri e revolves around a star called 55 Cancri a. The star is part of the constellation Cancer and is visible from earth with the naked eye, although the much smaller planet is a tough catch. Both are approximately 40 light years from earth, so the chances of heading up there to grab some diamonds are pretty slim.

I guess that until we perfect warp speed travel, anyone looking for the ultimate bling had better headto Siberia.

Reuters, via The Nation (Pakistan)

Source: dvice.com

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Pictures that are Amazingly Not Photoshopped

I Can’t Believe These Photos Are Not Fakes!

We like the use of Photoshop as much as the next guy.   I can always appreciate the skill it takes to use the program and make photos that couldn’t have been made otherwise.   However, there’s the realist in me that can always appreciate a great photograph.  One that’s taken at the perfect angle, with the perfect light, and with such precision that you might not even think it is in fact real.

Well it just so happens these are the exact kind of photos we’ll be sharing with you right here.

You won’t believe these photos aren’t photoshopped……

Believe it or not, these photos are real, not fakes. That's what the authors say. Excluding cropping or tone adjustments,none of these images have been Photoshopped (as in composed from many images or morphed or painted over). I look at them and I can believe them.

Hmmmm. I mean. Kind of. What do you think?

Some of the photos are just well staged. Some others are good optical illusions. There are a couple that are supposed to be just (very) happy coincidences, like the golf ball above. Or is it?

Staged in the sea while they waited for a wave and the surfer to be in the right position (patience!) or two photos merged in one (effortless)?

Intentional fall about to happen (painful) or man pasted on top with fake shadow (no hip broken)?

Car painted over in real life (expensive and complicated) or painted later in Photoshop (so easy and cheap)?

Staged in a stadium (lots of hard coordination here) or composed and sightly morphed later in Photoshop (no headaches)?

Happy coincidence to get this surreal reflection (magic!) or some crazy layer work (more magic!)?

A woman posing over a real miniature model of a street (building that is hard) or pasted on a tilt-shifted city landscape (masking and composing is so easy)?

check out the other pictures:

"click on image for full size"

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Shrek is the true character?

Not bad you know someone with a physical profile Shrek movie Shrek-inspired looks really existed and created the appearance of the person ...

"Maverick tilt" was born in France in 1903 and died there in 1954, was a professional wrestler. He was a very intelligent and could speak 14 languages, while there is great interest in poetry and commerce. "Maverick" in the third decade of life was affected by rare disease acromegaly, which causes abnormal bone growth, and fills the whole shape and he brought a lot of suffering. He was the injustice, so that it is forced to leave her much loved, was.

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