BigShinyThing

Pro-censorship site removes its search engine after discovering it was promoting violent shows.

We love a bit of search subversion. In this latest story of When Search Goes Bad, the Parents Television Council (PTC) has removed its search function after discovering that it had been used to promote the very same TV shows that the PTC regularly condemn.

The search function at parentstv.org was showing up sponsored links to shows along with the site’s archived content criticising televised sex, violence and profanity during prime time. According to Broadcasting & Cable,

So a search for, say, Without a Trace — a CBS show that has been hit with a proposed multimillion-dollar FCC fine, thanks to PTC member complaints — would yield a list of critical articles topped by a prominent link pitching downloads of Trace episodes so you ‘don’t miss your favorite primetime TV shows on the CBS Network.’

Likewise, a search for FX’s Rescue Me would get you the headline “PTC Outraged Over Graphic Rape Scenes on FX’s Rescue Me” — and a helpful link advertising: “Low Prices on Rescue Me. Qualified Orders Over $25 Ship Free.”

Last week, however, the search feature disappeared. Because “the ads frequently listed things that were contradictory to our mission,” explains PTC spokeswoman Kelly Oliver, the “free search service” was removed from the site Nov. 6.

Story via Gawker.

Need to Know

Chrome, The Cloud, McCloud

Google explains its new browser, comic-book style

Our Big Shiny Lifestream Thing

Hello, world.

Cute Overlord

Cute Overload’s calendar sold out in a day. We ask, what’s their secret?

The New News

Pew’s latest research on news consumption in the US.

Listless

It’s that time of year again…

Product Displacement

UK culture minister says product placement “contaminates” TV programmes.

BBC Twitters Parliament

A bit more political transparency in the UK

Lessons from Tyra

From supermodel to media brand.

Genius as a Product

And how to make a business from it

IM bttr

Surprise! Using IM improves kids’ linguistic skills.

Twitter “Not Pointless” Shock

Microblogging officially tips over into the mainstream

Web 3.0 Starts Today

No, really.

RIP Albert Hofmann

Inventor of LSD dies aged 102.

Make3D (Does Exactly That)!

The latest contender for ‘coolest imaging/photography tool’ turns snapshots into 3D scenes. And it works!

Skirting the issue

Women in Johannesburg have been staging a miniskirted protest

Overheard on the tube

What did the twentysomething guy say to the other twentysomething guy?

Flickr Burns

More Flickr zeitgeist

How to advertise in social media

Stop the clock!! We saw another ad on the internet!

The Day the Music (Industry) Died

A choice quote from The Economist

Nice to Know

Urban Cookbook Party Reminder!

[Image relating to the story Urban Cookbook Party Reminder!]

Introducing Louise Golbey

The debut video of the singer-songwriter and friend of BST.

RIP Nagi Noda

[Image relating to the story RIP Nagi Noda]

Harvey Pics

[Image relating to the story Harvey Pics]

South Bank Takedown

[Image relating to the story South Bank Takedown]

Addictive TV at the National Theatre

[Image relating to the story Addictive TV at the National Theatre]

Milking It

[Image relating to the story Milking It]

Meet Emily…

Sales pitch for digital animation firm features fake actress.

Leigh Bowery on Advertising

The late great talks to Campaign.