Web Hype: How photographic trends start on the Internet. Also on the show: Retirees to the rescue -- Why the older generation isn't over the hill yet. Brain cells in jeopardy -- a researcher warns of the undesirable side-effects of the Internet. And on Shift-Exit: a video of a paper Pac-Man.
Many people like to post silly pictures of themselves on the Net. This has inspired photographic trends: first there was planking and owling, then came batmanning. While many of these Internet photos are simply funny, some also highlight world events -- both big and small.
Planking is one of the best-known Web photo trends. People lie face down, with both hands at their sides -- as if they were a plank of wood. They're photographed doing this in unusual locations and post the results on social media.
Many people's lives are being strongly influenced by social media. Smartphones and tablet PCs can widen people's horizons, but are potentially addictive. Some experts are warning that Internet usage can have unwanted side effects, but others disagree.
These days many people are online constantly. German brain researcher Manfred Spitzer warns that young people, in particular, risk contracting "digital dementia". He believes that, in the Internet is addictive and, in the long term, makes people dumb.
The number of pensioners in Europe is rising steadily. Now an Internet portal is ensuring that their valuable professional experience doesn't go to waste.
More and more retirees are looking for a way to earn a little extra cash or to pass on their knowledge. Over the German portal "rentarentner.de" seniors can meet people who want to learn from them. The services offered range from dog walking and English lessons to financial advice. Payment is usually negotiable and the platform finances itself through advertising revenue.
As a kid, American filmmaker Zach King was a huge fan of video games. Now he spends his free time doing homage to his favorite 1980s heroes. He creates them in paper, then films them in action. His video "Mario - Post It Life" has already racked up over 800-thousand hits.
The filmmaker used some 7-thousand sticky notes in the making of his short film. While some might view that as a waste of good office supplies, the result is a fabulous stop-motion video about Pac-Man and Super Mario.
