RANDOMS 2026 #14

POLAROID REVIVALISTS

 

Bad Monkey is a really entertaining TV series from 2024 that I've recently been watching.

It's based on a book by Carl Hiaasen, also called Bad Monkey, and it's unusually well done.

That is not something I often say about TV programs, in fact I usually say they are utter crap. But I like Bad Monkey, both the book and the TV series.

In episode 7 there is a Polaroid camera featured. Although I've seen those before, I don't know much about them and have never used one myself. Maybe they were popular in America but not so much in New Zealand?

So I had questions! - When were they popular?, how much did they cost?, and are they now cool again and having a revival in the digital era?

I looked them up online…

Polaroid history from 1948 to modern retro cool

Some main points of interest to me were:

The first black & white Polaroid camera was sold way back in 1948. It was an instant hit.

 

The first colour Polaroid camera, The Land 100, was released in 1963 and it retailed in America for US$149. 

The new ones now are modeled on the ones from the late 70's.

At that point Polaroid cameras were pumping, and they were at peak popularity throughout the 70's & 80's. But their popularity started to decline in the 90's, and although Polaroid did develop an early digital camera, the digital revolution pretty much ended things for Polaroid.

 

"Polaroid Corporation filed for bankruptcy in 2001 its brand and assets were sold off. A successor Polaroid company formed, and the branded assets changed hands multiple times before being sold to Polish billionaire Wiaczesław Smołokowski in 2017" - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polaroid_Corporation

In the 60's and 70's Polaroid cameras were expensive in New Zealand, with our weak currency, and heavy import taxes, along with the already relatively expensive prices of the cameras to begin with. 

 

Adjusted for inflation, a Polaroid camera in New Zealand, back in the 70's would have cost the equivalent of around NZ$2000, and then there were the expensive film costs on top of that.

So it's no surprise that they were not very common here, even in the 80's & 90's. But I gather they were once huge in America and are now becoming trendy again.

It turns out that there is currently a POLAROID REVIVALIST movement, and the new retro Polaroid cameras are styled to look like the old 70's ones, but they have been updated to work with blue-tooth and phone apps.

They now sell in New Zealand at around NZ$400 for a high end one. 

 

The big drawback is the cost of the film. In NZ that works out at $2 a shot! For someone like me who regularly knocks off up to 200 photos in one session on my digital camera, in the hope of getting half a dozen good ones, that would be up to $400 a day. No thanks!

But apparently kids love them and drunken party goers think they are wondrous, and there are basic ones selling in NZ from as little as $98.

 

Which is pretty cheap, so I'm guessing the objective here is to get people locked into repeat buying the film.

But there are easy ways to get Polaroid photos without paying $2 a shot. In fact there are dozens of free ways to edit or take digital photos that look like Polaroids! Here are some recommendations for phone apps:

10 Best Apps That Make Pictures Look Like Polaroids

Personally I try my best to avoid using phones, so I want to do this on my Linux PC. Here is a post showing how to turn a digital photo into a Polaroid with GIMP

 Turn a digital photo into Polaroid with GIMP

 
 

THEY LIVE REVISITED

"They Live" was a classic 80's movie that exposes how we are all being programmed. It does not need to be "remade", the original just needs to be watched!

 

But the Jewish owned media corporations pull the same scams constantly. Predictive programing is the entire basis of platforms like Facebook & Youtube, as it is with all other forms of media.

Apparently a darker remake of the movie "They Live" is planned. It is built around a world where the aliens have already won. The original was exposing them, but a remake would just be yet more predictive programing... 

 

They have already won, and you are the defeated goyim...

HOLIDAY IN BIKINI ATOLL

Bikini Atoll is now a popular tourist destination, but clueless "scientists" are still pretending to be baffled as to why marine life is thriving there... 

The realisation that "nuclear bombs" are entirely fictional is not an area they ever want to get into.

The photos of the "nuclear testing" are all spectacularly fake. And there were supposedly 23 bombs tested, LOL, why is it always 23?. 

 Scientists report corals as big as cars and say it is teeming with fish such as snapper, sharks and tuna.

Steve Palumbi, professor of marine sciences at Stanford University and his team have been studying the effects of radiation poisoning on marine life. He declared the flora and fauna “remarkably resilient” at the Micronesian island, located halfway between Hawaii and Australia.

The scientist reports plentiful schools of fish inhabiting the lagoon, using the living coral as a place to spawn. Profesor Palumbi says fish populations are thriving because they have been left alone - “in a strange way they are protected by the history of this place”.

The abundant coral seem unharmed by high radiation levels. A research team is investigating how the coral colonies are able to survive – and even thrive - by sequencing their DNA as well as calculating mutation rates and patterns.

Things to do on Bikini Atoll:

Bikini Atoll, Namu Marshall Islands is a breathtakingly beautiful destination with a rich cultural history and plenty of activities for visitors to enjoy. Located in the westernmost part of the Marshall Islands, Bikini Atoll is known for its stunning turquoise waters, lush green vegetation, and diverse marine life. 

Whether you’re looking for a relaxing beach holiday, an exciting adventure, or a chance to explore the area’s unique culture, Bikini Atoll has something for everyone. Here are 10 things to do in Bikini Atoll, Namu Marshall Islands.

1. Dive or Snorkel in the Lagoon: Bikini Atoll has a stunning lagoon that is perfect for diving and snorkeling. The lagoon is filled with vibrant and colorful coral, as well as a wide variety of tropical fish. You can also explore the many shipwrecks that are scattered throughout the area.

2. Visit the Bikini Atoll Nuclear Test Site: During the 1940s and 1950s, the United States conducted a number of nuclear tests at Bikini Atoll. Today, the area is a popular destination for those interested in the history of the nuclear tests. You can take a tour of the area and learn more about the tests and their effects on the environment.

3. Take a Boat Tour: Bikini Atoll is surrounded by a number of small islands, and a boat tour is the perfect way to explore them. You can take a tour of the area and explore the many shipwrecks that are scattered throughout the area.

4. Visit the Local Villages: Bikini Atoll is home to a number of small villages. Take a tour of the villages to learn more about the area’s culture and history. You can also purchase local handicrafts from the villagers.

5. Go Fishing: Bikini Atoll is known for its excellent fishing. You can rent a boat and explore the area’s many reefs and shipwrecks in search of the perfect catch.

6. Explore the Local Wildlife: Bikini Atoll is home to a variety of unique wildlife, including tropical birds, sea turtles, and dolphins. Take a tour of the area to spot some of the wildlife.

7. Take a Hike: Bikini Atoll is home to a number of hiking trails. Take a hike through the lush green foliage and enjoy the stunning views of the islands.

8. Visit the Local Museum: The Bikini Atoll Museum is a great place to learn more about the history of the area. The museum has a variety of artifacts and exhibits that tell the story of Bikini Atoll.

9. Enjoy the Beach: Bikini Atoll is home to some of the most stunning beaches in the Marshall Islands. Spend the day soaking up the sun and relaxing on the beach.

10. Go Kayaking: Bikini Atoll is surrounded by a number of small islands and coves, making it the perfect place for kayaking. Take a tour of the area and explore the many shipwrecks and reefs.

No matter what type of activity you’re looking for, Bikini Atoll, Namu Marshall Islands has something for everyone. From relaxing on the beach to exploring the area’s unique culture and wildlife, Bikini Atoll is a must-visit destination.

DONALD IS GOAT

 Donald is a living legend and his quotes are legendary.

It cracks me up that every time I mock the orange clown a bunch of Americans spit the dummy and think that because I'm not into Captain Chump I must be a "Demorat"... 

No, it doesn't work like that, I think they are all a bunch of clowns doing a stage show designed to distract us.

Here are some great quotes by "The Don" to distract us:

“People don’t realize how smart I am. Really smart.”

 “I don’t like critics. Critics are people that haven’t achieved as much as I have.”

“To be blunt, people would vote for me. They just would. Why? Maybe because I’m so good looking.”

 “I could stand in the middle of 5th Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn’t lose voters.”

“Our country is in serious trouble. We don’t have victories any more. We used to have victories but [now] we don’t have them. When was the last time anybody saw us beating, let’s say, China, in a trade deal? They kill us. I beat China all the time. All the time.”

 “I have very good words. I’ve got the best words.”

 “I know a lot of people that go to Tesco, and they’re dangerous.”

 “Nobody has better respect for intelligence than Donald Trump.”

 “While Bette Midler is an extremely unattractive woman, I refuse to say that because I always insist on being politically correct.”

 “In life you have to rely on the past, and that’s called history.”

 “She does have a very nice figure… If Ivanka weren’t my daughter, perhaps I’d be dating her.”

 “Why would Kim Jong-un insult me by calling me ‘old,’ when I would NEVER call him ‘short and fat?’ Oh well, I try so hard to be his friend – and maybe someday that will happen!”

 “I could talk for hours. Everyone loves to listen to me.”

 “People love me in Ireland. The Irish love me. They love me for my name, Trump. Because when they see my name they think excellence.”

“These deals were so bad, only I could’ve fixed them.” 

“If you look at the statistics, the statistics show… I mean, I’m just stating facts, I’m very factual. The statistics are there.” 

 “I know a lot of tough people that are stupid.”

“Well, I’m not saying yes. I’m saying no. But maybe.”

 “There was nobody tougher on Russia than me, nobody.” 

“Ice cream, I always get two scoops.”