bookofjoe

Orson Welles performs a magic trick

A clip from the 1995 documentary "Orson Welles: The One-Man Band."

[via Open Culture]

Dark Patterns

Dark patterns are tricks that make internet users click on things they don't want to.

Above and below, a typical dark pattern.

It starts (top) with something innocuous and confusing: that patterned white bar across the bottom blocking you from reading the article.

Note the tiny white square at the upper right of the white bar.

Clicking it brings up the same page, but this time without the tile pattern and with the addition of a small blue triangle in the upper right portion of the now plain white horizontal bar; the tiny white square at the upper right of it remains unchanged (below).

When you click the triangle, a tiny grey X appears in the little white square at the upper right of the horizontal white bar (below).

Click on the X and the obstructive white bar disappears (below)

and you can finally read the article.

But wait — there's more!

Below, 

two dark pattern exemplars

as experienced and described by me in real time.

These sorts of videos, shot with Meta Stories glasses, is where their hands-free feature trumps using a phone camera.

Kraft Mac & Cheese Gummies — Robb Kranz, this one's for you!

Giving a shout-out to my Crack Food Correspondent©™® Robb Kranz seems to me the least I can do after he went to the trouble of chasing down Kraft Mac & Cheese Ice Cream following its appearance here on December 15, 2023 and then reviewing it in a comment (below).

From the Kraft Mac & Cheese Gummies website:

Where Comfort Food Meets Candy Store

Gummy Mac & Cheese Candy — the revolutionary combo no one knew they needed, but now no one can live without! Crafted with the utmost respect for the iconic macaroni shapes, these squishy sugary morsels will have you second-guessing your senses!

Remember the days when you'd sprint home from school, hoping to dive into a bowl of creamy, cheesy delight? Well, we've taken that childhood memory and added a twist you never knew you wanted (or maybe you did, and you're a genius!). Iconic Kraft Macaroni & Cheese has now been transformed into an oh-so-chewy, fruit-flavored gummy candy!

Unleash your inner child and hoard these, don't share! And let's be real... they're so darn cute you might just keep the box on your kitchen counter as a conversation starter!

Whether you're looking to prank your friend, entertain your inner child, or looking for a fun gift, our Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Gummies are the answer.

One box of 5.62 oz of pure joy, where the past meets the present in the most delicious way possible!

$7.99.