Advertising adds value to a product by changing our perception, rather than the product itself. Rory Sutherland makes the daring assertion that a change in perceived value can be just as satisfying as what we consider “real” value — and his conclusion has interesting consequences for how we look at life.

In future an immigrant arriving in Germany and wishing to stay may have to sign an "integration contract". That is the idea of the Integration Minister, Maria Boehmer.

The contract would set out basic German "values," including "freedom of speech" and "equal rights for women". The idea behind this is the club: if you join you have to accept the rules. "Anyone who wants to live here for a long time," says the minister, "and who wants to work has to say 'yes' to our country".
Initially one of the basic tenets of multiculturalism was that newcomers brought with them their own culture, which was respected. Increasingly, however, the mood is changing - migrants are expected to integrate and embrace a country's basic values.

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"As part of Hard Rock Las Vegas’ resort-wide remodel, Las Vegas design firm Chemical Spaces was commissioned to design several one-of-a-kind pool suites intended to accommodate VIP guests of the resort. Local designer Mark Tracy, Chemical Spaces’ owner and principal design consultant, designed and oversaw installation of the individual suites.

The suites were designed with the intent to cater to Hard Rock’s young, hip, and music-oriented guests. With each suite boasting a unique theme/motif, the suites each walk out to the newly-designed Hard Rock pool and bring a new element to the Hard Rock resort."

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Coast, a multi-disciplinary branding practice based in Brussels, Belgium, have sent us photos of the retail concept that they and As-Built Architects have designed for Okinaha.

"Okinaha is Europe’s first concept store on health and anti-aging. Our mission was to develop a retail concept that would reflect the values of the brand, which are health and longevity. All of our creative output are inspired by purity and oriental simplicity, allowing the customer to relax while shopping for health. Coast developed the whole concept including branding, identity and retail environment."

Boing Boing contributing editor Lisa Katayama reports on the marriage in Japan between a man known as "Sal9000" and Nene Anegasaki, a character in the Nintendo DS dating simulation game "Love Plus."

It's like a birthday card!

Pop Up, 2009, cardboard, tape, 94 x 275 x 200 cm, by Liddy Scheffknecht and Armin B. Wagner

The creator of The Simpsons Matt Groening based Moe on Louis "Red" Deutsch who was made famous when he was repeatedly prank called by two Jersey City residents. These prank calls were the inspiration for Bart Simpson's repeated prank calls to Moe, and Deutsch's often profane responses inspired Moe's violent temper.Moe was designed by animator Dan Haskett and his facial appearance was modeled after a gorilla.[

The Tube Bar prank calls are arguably the most famous series of prank calls ever recorded. Performed in the mid-1970s, John Elmo and Jim Davidson made a number of phone calls to the Tube Bar in Jersey City, asking the proprietor if they could speak to a named customer. The given names were homophones for other, often offensive phrases. Recordings of the calls circulated widely on bootleg tapes, and were the inspiration for a running gag in The Simpsons.