UK-based readers, be aware of the giant secret UK firewall plans that are being made.

If you love the Big Bad Blog, you will dislike this. Because we occasionally say not-nice things about various technology companies and most political parties, we expect to be the first against the (fire)wall when the internet shackles come down.

Or, at least, we would expect such a thing if people actually read this blog.

Image was found at Me Looky Me Likey. Artist unknown.
Webcomic is Martin, Angry Owl by Amy Crosthwaite.

Individuals on phone calls at the New York Times Beijing bureau have had their calls cut short when the word “protest” is uttered, in both English and Chinese.

How very 1984.

We are also already cringing at the search terms that we will find reaching our blog upon the publishing of the below webcomic:

Photo of Darwin found here.
Webcomic is Cyanide and Happiness, by Kris Wilson.

So it’s a New Year, and plenty of people are now out there trying to get in shape. But if you’re running, should you run while wearing shoes, or go barefoot? While there is no evidence either way to tell us which is better, here at the Big Bad Blog, we suggest going barefoot while running outdoors in winter.

Because we’re cruel.

(If you do decide to run barefoot, these footstickers could be useful. Or not. We haven’t tried them.)

Prosthetic limbs are often made to resemble the real thing … but wouldn’t a tentacle be better?

Here in the UK there is a plot afoot to censor pornography on the Internet. As with most expensive, moronic, untenable propositions, it is being trotted out with the line “think of the children”. Here at the Big Bad Blog, we are capable of parenting without government censorship, thanks.

Also, isn’t this one of those socially conservative initiatives that a coalition with the Liberal Democrats were supposed to prevent?

A tip to those who like to smuggle their drugs using baubles from the holiday season: try to choose the right holiday. For instance, smuggling cocaine in Easter Eggs at Christmas will attract attention.

(a tattoo of ebola, on this guy.)

To us here at the Big Bad Blog, the weirdest thing about the whole Julian Assange thing is the mainstream media’s handling of it. Glenn Greenwald gives a good rundown of it here.

The Banker’s Trade Association has been trying to get Cambridge University to censor a Master’s thesis that highlights security flaws in the chip-and-PIN system used in debit and credit cards. The reply from the University is a beautiful thing.