AMC released an unusual trailer for the final episodes of Breaking Bad, as star Bryan Cranston read “Ozymandias” by the great poet, Percy Bysshe Shelley.

We’ve embedded the video above–what do you think? If you want to explore more Shelley poetry and essays before the final episodes begin this weekend, we’ve collected a long list of free books by the author. Open Culture has more about the poem:

It seems perfectly in character, then, that the show’s producers would tease the final season with the ominous and dusty clip above, with Cranston reading Percy Bysshe Shelley’s sonnet “Ozymandias,” a poem about the hubris of another desert tyrant—well-known for his megalomaniacal folly—Ramesses II (also known by a transliteration of his throne name, Ozymandias).

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Shenkar College of Engineering and Design student Shimi Cohen posted a video called “The Innovation of Loneliness,” illustrating how social networks have changed our social interaction.

The animated work (embedded above) was inspired by Sherry Turkle‘s book, Alone Together: Why We Expect More from Technology and Less from Each Other and it serves as a clever book trailer for her work. Here’s more about Turkle’s book:

In Alone Together, MIT technology and society professor Sherry Turkle explores the power of our new tools and toys to dramatically alter our social lives. It’s a nuanced exploration of what we are looking for—and sacrificing—in a world of electronic companions and social networking tools, and an argument that, despite the hand-waving of today’s self-described prophets of the future, it will be the next generation who will chart the path between isolation and connectivity.

(Link via UberMouse894)

In a surreal street stunt, magician Jarek 1:20 recently convinced a number of women to reproduce the romantic rain scene from Nicholas Sparks‘ The Notebook (and the famous film adaptation).

Jarek released a video (embedded above) about the stunt on his howtoDisturbReality YouTube channel. Here’s more about his social media magic:

His knowledge of social dynamics and fascination for self-improvement and entertainment has earned his spot amongst the top five magicians in social media. Jarek started producing videos for YouTube, teaching sleight of hand and the art of astonishment, at the age of 18 … [he now performs] magic and hypnosis at parties with friends, corporate events, holiday parties, and giving motivational speeches to junior high and high school students about the importance to Rise Above second-class behavior and pursue your ambitions, no matter how ridiculous they may seem.

Author and astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson will host Cosmos: A Personal Voyage, a sequel to Carl Sagan’s classic television series about space. We’ve embedded the trailer above–what do you think?

750 million people around the world have watched Sagan’s series since its 1980 launch. Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane will executive produce the show, written by Sagan’s original partners on the project, astronomer Steven Soter and writer and executive producer Ann Druyan.

FOX will release the show in 2014.

Brannon Braga (Star Trek and 24) and Bill Pope (Spider-Man and The Matrix) will direct the series.

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“The experts tell us we need to lean into our careers, but many of us are doing just that–we are leaning in so hard we are falling over,” explains author Katrina Alcorn in her new book trailer.

What do you think?  In Maxed Out: American Moms on the Brink, Alcorn questions the idea that women should “lean in,” like the title of Sheryl Sandberg‘s bestselling book. Here’s more about the book, coming at the end of August:

At 37, Katrina Alcorn had it all: a loving husband, healthy kids, and a dream job. Then one day, she lost her ability to manage the stress of competing demands. Just like that, her carefully built career shuddered to a halt, and a year-long recovery from depression and anxiety began. Over the months, Alcorn started talking to other working moms and was shocked to learn that many of them, too, were maxed out—sick with stress, and blaming themselves. Mothers are breadwinners in two-thirds of American families, yet as Alcorn explains, the American workplace is uniquely hostile to the needs of parents.

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Following a surreal interview on with Fox News religion correspondent Lauren Green, religious scholar and author Reza Aslan hit the No. 1 spot on Amazon with Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth.

We’ve embedded the complete interview below–what do you think? Aslan will also host a Ask Me Anything interview on Reddit later today.

Zealot currently has 141 five-star reviews and 100 one-star reviews, highlighting the extreme reactions provoked by the interview.

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Keanu Reeves made an Internet splash today in the trailer for 47 Ronin, an action movie very loosely based on a Japanese story.

Above, we’ve embedded the trailer. The movie comes out December 25, 2013. Here’s more about the film:

Keanu Reeves makes an explosive return to action-adventure in 47 Ronin. After a treacherous warlord kills their master and banishes their kind, 47 leaderless samurai vow to seek vengeance and restore honor to their people. Driven from their homes and dispersed across the land, this band of Ronin must seek the help of Kai (Reeves)—a half-breed they once rejected—as they fight their way across a savage world of mythic beasts, shape-shifting witchcraft and wondrous terrors.

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Lionsgate has released a new trailer for The Hunger Games: Catching Fire film adaptation. We’ve embedded the video above–what do you think?

The trailer offers fans glimpses of Panem’s rebellious uprisings and a first look at some of the new characters training for the 75th Quarter Quell event. It premiered during a Hunger Games film panel at this year’s San Diego Comic Con.

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Trying to budget for your self-published book? One formerly self-published author gave us a practical look at the financial and time challenges of taking the indie route.

In a new Media Beat interview (embedded above), author Tracey Garvis Graves shared advice about balancing your writing life and family life. Graves has since landed a traditional publishing deal, recently releasing the Uncharted novella. She offered this budgeting advice from her self-published bestseller, On the Island:

I knew there was a certain amount of money I wanted to put into the book, and it ended up being, by the time it was all said and done, about $1,500. I basically had no overhead, I hired everyone on a flat fee basis, and that price was negotiated up front. I knew what I was comfortable with. I knew editing would take my biggest chunk, and it did…

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Game of Thrones novelist George R.R. Martin smashed a guitar at w00tstock 5.0 in San Diego last night, interrupting musicians Paul & Storm as they sang “Write Like the Wind (George R. R. Martin).”

As Martin stomped on the wreckage of the guitar, author Neil Gaiman appeared, shouting his famous catchphrase: “George R.R. Martin is not your bitch.” Sword & Laser co-host Veronica Belmont tweeted the video last night.

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