At SummerCon I was talking about how you can sometimes buy $1 coins from the U.S. Mint's web site, get free shipping, rack up the miles/points/rebates/etc on your credit card and repeat.

Well, that program is back. The web site is a little confusing. The shopping card will say "$4.95" ESTIMATED shipping, but the page for these coins says "The United States Mint pays for standard shipping and handling of domestic orders."

Supposedly this is a program to help get the coins in circulation because people generally don't like them.

Anyway, they come pre-rolled and ready for deposit at your bank (or to pay your credit card bill).

In the past there was a limit per order, but I don't see one listed anywhere. The shopping card will let you buy $25,000 worth. The transaction is processed as a "Purchase" not a "Cash Advance."

Order now and you might get them by Dragon*Con. The shotgun shell shaped, hard metal tubes are very dense and pretty much require your carry-on to be opened and that they will have to dig through all of the creative stuff you put on top of it, because, you know, you want to use lots of packing popcorn so it doesn't get damaged.

US Mint - "Buy money with your credit card" is BACK!

Photos from ToorCamp (variably being referred to as "FailCamp," "DustCamp," and "EntoormentCamp" are starting to appear on Flickr.

I'm glad I went, but a variety of issues will probably lead to poor reviews from a lot of campers. More details later. I'm late getting cleaned up and checked out of my hotel - but also enjoy the Titan I Missile Silo Photos.

ToorCamp - a set on Flickr

Here's an article/interview from Tim Ferris that does a much better than I do at explaining the shoes I was wearing at SummerCon today.

Tim Ferriss: The Barefoot Alternative: Vibram Five Fingers Shoes

The Independent is carrying a great article about another mail hacker who sends strangely addressed envelopes. Here’s my favorite quote:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/return-to-sender-artist-puts-royal-mail-to-the-test-955499.html

She has a book coming out soon as well, already listed on Amazon: Envelopes: A Puzzling Journey Through the Royal Mail .

Always Use Zipcode » Another Mail Hacker

Cookie Monster Slayer from Dragon*Con

Oh, this rocks... These guys are making metal stencils to serve as messages to airport x-ray operators...

MAKE: Blog: Metal plates send messages to airport x-ray screeners

As I watched a Super Target being built near my office, I wondered why they were laying bricks by hand. Surely this repetitive job could be automated by some sort of giant robot scaffold?

This brick laying robot takes the idea a step further.

MAKE: Blog: Robotic brick laying system ensures light and airflow to plants

“Street Corner Science,” a radical-yet-simple concept in which a film crew and a renowned scientist are plunked down on a busy city street corner, and an impromptu Q&A session with the public ensues. This video is the first of two “Street Corner Science” segments featuring Dr. Lederman - a Nobel Laurette.

Street Corner Science with Leon Lederman Pt.1 | ScienCentral | Science Videos | Science News

With our economy in crisis, the US Government is scrambling to rescue our banks by purchasing their "distressed assets", i.e., assets that no one else wants to buy from them. We figured that instead of protesting this plan, we'd give regular Americans the same opportunity to sell their bad assets to the government. We need your help and you need the Government's help!

Use the form below to submit bad assets you'd like the government to take off your hands. And remember, when estimating the value of your 1997 limited edition Hanson single CD "MMMbop", it's not what you can sell these items for that matters, it's what you think they are worth. The fact that you think they are worth more than anyone will buy them for is what makes them bad assets.

- From BoingBoing.net

BuyMyShitPile.com: Hey Washington, can you buy my bad investments too?

YouTube - Sesame Street - How Crayons Are Made