Essentially, AWE is a programmable wall with varied displays that can switch between six configurations just by activating a proximity sensor. For example, when the wall is hanging overhead like a ceiling, the act of standing up triggers the sensor and instructs the wall to move out of the way. The project is in it's infancy, but it is easy to see how future applications could lead to a whole range of dynamic, multi-functional furniture that automatically reacts to its environment. [AWE Project via IEEE Spectrum via BotJunkie]

I'm told that a fellow was led into this retro cubicle the day he started work at a new company. No ideas about which company it was and whether they ever brought him back into this decade. [Imgur —Thanks, Matt!]

The casual office employee stalks his coworker with the intensity of a lion hunting a wildebeest on the African savanna. Never rushed, always contemplated, the average office prank is executed with all the precision found in a well-pressed shirt.

In part one of our examination of the office prank, we study the first of many techniques office workers use to triumph over co-adversaries. To those with soft stomachs, the gruesome techniques used to humiliate one's peers with cardboard might be better left unseen.

For thousands of years, the office prankster has had to make due with his limited available resources. One such plentiful resource is cardboard. Don't see any around? Look closer. Cardboard can be found in anything from packaging materials from shipments to old cereal boxes from the office kitchen. Just be careful of the fabled "cardboard paper cut." Legend has it the that the victim could lose an entire finger.
Notice the attention to detail here, the Windows error messages and the "My Crappy Award for Something."

Notice that there's a good chance someone else has already pulled the exact same cardboard cubicle prank you once considered so original. Bonus points, however, for the cardboard headset.

Here it's about not just the excellent craftsmanship but the ever-underestimated synchronized gloating.

This engineering firm did some work on the Extreme Home Makeover. We hoped it worked out better for the less privileged.

A vicious cardboard blow, notice the incorporation of a plastic bucket...a maneuver of some aptitude.

Now, humble student, you have seen the various attacks in the cardboard master's arsenal. There are only two known defenses to this attack. Recycling and a pocket lighter. And one may get you fired.

Special thanks to Dustin Schirer, Brando, Ed Chaput, Chris Alleman and Randy Mumma.

After getting back to 1738, he recreated his cubicle the best he could out of parts available at that time. Jared then proceeded to live out the remainder of his life—all 10 days of it—sitting in that cube and suffering from malaria. [Nielsendata via Dvice]

See what I mean? Presumably it makes for a happy, fun-filled workforce. How they ever get time to do any work I don't know. Still, I work from my couch, so I could always put a slide in somewhere, and stick a bunch of beanbags about the place. It wouldn't quite have the same effect, though. [Swissmiss]

In addition to my duties as a writer for Giz, I am also a certified personal trainer. So I know what its like to work out hard and sit in front of a computer all day. While I always encourage clients to try and work in fitness whenever possible, I have to wonder how practical a device like this would be. Is it really possible to concentrate on your work while furiously stepping on the GZ PC-Sport? Can the stepper get the average person's heart rate elevated enough to really see results? Is using the device going to result in more than just trim calves? Hopefully a hands-on with the device will help to clear things up. [Product Page via Crave]

Product Page [Via nerdapproved]

This Push Pin Lamp comes in four different and equally cool colors. This may be the only push pin that doesn't end up stuck in your foot at some point.

The lamp stands about 15" high and turns on with a press to the head of the push pin. The base is also corkboard so normal-sized push pins can worship their giant god.

Push Pin Lamp [HotGadget]

Three Lazer units are included in each package, and it's going for $29.99 at ThinkGeek.

Lazer Trip Wire [ThinkGeek]