Nerdfighter Benedict? Or just failed Vulcan?
As far as I can tell, there are eight possibilities here. (I’ve spent a fair bit of time thinking about this.)
1. Benedict Cumberbatch is a hardcore nerdfighter and when Martin Freeman threw up a gang sign, Cumberbatch was like, “I have one of those.”
2. Cumberbatch, who obviously has a relationship with Star Trek, just naturally changed the Vulcan sign (pulling in the thumbs, turning the palms inward, crossing the arms) in precisely the same way that I happened to change the Vulcan sign when I first made the nerdfighter sign in the halcyon days of 2007.
3. One of the interns on set who has gained the trust of Benedict Cumberbatch was like, “If you do your hands like this, the Internet will get really excited.” And so he did.
4. BBC, in their infinite wisdom, staged the entire photo and Cumberbatch was taught the nerdfighter sign (I MEAN LOOK AT THE PERFECTION OF HIS NERDFIGHTER SIGN! He seems so comfortable and confident in it, almost as if it is muscle memory, almost as if he has flashed it to his laptop screen on hundreds of occasions in the past, but I digress) and this photograph was staged to get people psyched for Sherlock, although what tiny segment of nerdfighteria is not already psyched for Sherlock? Also, if this is the case, who is Martin Freeman trying to advertise to? Residents of the West Side?
5. Benedict Cumberbatch has a relative or a friend who is a nerdfighter and so he is passingly familiar with nerdfighteria and liked what he has seen and wanted to make us all very happy.
6. The nerdfighter sign also happens to be the hand sign of some obscure English gang with which I am unfamiliar called like The East London Wanderers or The Slightly Intimidating Liverpudlians or whatever.
7. Nerdfighteria actually figures in the plot of the new season of Sherlock. Perhaps a nerdfighter has been (wrongly no doubt!) accused of a murder.
8. Benedict Cumberbatch was playing some kind of British version of Rock Paper Scissors against two invisible opponents, and he went double scissors (as any smart person would).
The French Open on Instagram
See more photos of Roland Garros by browsing the Stade Roland Garros and Le Roland Garros location pages.
Today marks the start of Roland Garros (@rolandgarros), also known as the French Open, one of the most prestigious events in the world of professional tennis. The clay court tournament has been held in Paris since the late 1800s and is named after Roland Garros, a beloved French fighter pilot in World War II who frequented the tennis stadium where the Open is held.
Two hundred and fifty-six players—128 men and 128 women—will compete for the singles and doubles crowns over the next two weeks. Want to get a first-hand look at the tournament? Be sure to follow these Instagrammers:
- Men’s Doubles #1 Bob Bryan — @bryanbros.
- Women’s World #3 Victoria Azarenka — @vichka35.
- Men’s World #6 Tomáš Berdych — @tomasberdych.
- Women’s World #1 Serena Williams — @serenawilliams.
- ATP, the men’s professional tour — @atpworldtour.
- WTA, the women’s professional tour — @WTA.
Jimmy Connors Shouldn't Be Talking About Chris Evert's Abortion →
The retired tennis star contributes to the idea that women who’ve had abortions ought to be ashamed.
“It is Evert who will face the heat for Connors’s decision, especially the way that he told it. By saying that he was willing accept responsibility and that she excluded him from helping her make the decision, it implies that Evert was not responsible in her choice and that she is the only party that should face scrutiny for what happened. In the interviews since she released her statement condemning Connors’ decision to tell her story without her permission, he has modified the way he tells the story to make it more about them as a couple. But it is his words on the page that will be preserved for posterity and that will follow Evert around in the future.”
I feel like only in LA would they think it's appropiate for them to bring a dog to a hockey game. →
and the dog is not amused.
