Google's Tuesday launch of its new social network Google+ has had the Internet abuzz (not to be confused with the clunky Google Buzz communication platform that never really took off, was pretty much forgotten about, and apparently still exists).

Buzz didn't turn out to be the Twitter-killer some initially hailed it as, and its precursor Google Wave didn't really do much other than confuse people

Another week at the Phoenix, another issue crammed with information -- specifically, The Information (but not that The Information).Plus, Carly Carioli explains net neutrality in a way that you can totally steal and use to impress your friends at (deeply nerdy) parties.

By, hopefully your It's another lazy Sunday evening -- so feed your mind.

We always knew Sasha Frere-Jones would eventually produce something worthwhile; it was only a matter of time. This morning, the New Yorker's fancy-schmancy "Pop Critic" introduced the Twitterverse to the heretofore untapped musical potential of Google Translate: When using the program's voice function, sequences of strategically placed consonants result in a beatboxish effect.

Well, the same week that the Supreme Court heard a case about free speech in video games, we coincidentally selected a battle between two of the most violent, brutal, bloody action games of all time. Mortal Kombat was released amid a great deal of controversy over its portayal of beheadings and organ removals.

In an interview at the Brattle Theatre, acclaimed director and maestro of the mystical Guillermo del Toro discussed The Fall, the second installment of his The Strain trilogy. He also payed homage to the video games he's come to know and love (and even make), and put the smack-down on America's favorite movie critic Robert Ebert for claiming that "video games can never be art."

Photo: COURTESTY OF NASA

As things on earth keep going to shit, moving to the moon looks like an increasingly attractive option. Lucky for us, the Boston Society of Architects and SHIFTboston are sponsoring the MOON CAPITAL Competition, an international design challenge that calls on architects, artists, urban designers, engineers, and good old fashioned lay-folk to submit conceptual ideas for lunar habitats, culture, and lifestyle.

It's the last Monday of September, which means another Nerd Nite is upon us. This monthly casual, coffee-house-style dorkjam provides us all a much-needed the opportunity to come together and witness PowerPoint-wielding experts expound on the really important things in life: things like zombies, orcs, laser mind control, and cheese-making processes that involve maggot excrement and protective eyewear.

Super Smash Bros. Melee is also a good game, and it is also something you can vote for in the Laser Orgy 500.

VOTE NOW: The Laser Orgy 500 - the Phoenix's quest to crown the greatest video game of all time.

This week, we bring you a battle of '90s Nintendo classics (and, we add, two games that are currently doing well in our standings).