Maine penny
A Norse artifact? In my United States of America? It's more likely than you'd think...
Whenever it's exhibited, you could say it's the "Maine event" - *titter*
The Maine penny, also referred to as the Goddard coin, is a Norwegian silver penny dating to the reign of Olaf Kyrre (1067–1093 AD). The Maine State Museum describes it as "the only pre-Columbian Norse artifact generally regarded as genuine found within the United States". The American Numismatic Society has stated that "There is no reliable confirmation on the documentation of the Goddard coin, and much circumstantial evidence suggests that someone was deliberately trying to manipulate or obfuscate the situation. The Norse coin from Maine should probably be considered a hoax." An analysis by anthropologist Edmund Snow Carpenter, published by the Rock Foundation, concluded, "not proven". [...read more]
John Frum
Cults are great, cargo cults are even better because in most cases the cult leader either doesn't exist, or wasn't consulted in any way.
When worshipping an imaginary American serviceman, a flag raising is a must
John Frum (or Jon Frum, or John From) is a figure associated with cargo cults on the island of Tanna in Vanuatu. He is often depicted as an American World War II serviceman who will bring wealth and prosperity to the people if they follow him. He is sometimes portrayed as black, sometimes as white; from David Attenborough's report of an encounter: "'E look like you. 'E got white face. 'E tall man. 'E live 'long South America." [...read more]
It’s my birthday!
So no post today, as I'm already far too drunk. Have a good day, and we'll be back to normal service tomorrow.
Technological Singularity
Not everyone subscribes to this theory, but the potential for it to occur is enough to make me want to go and live in the woods and live off unidentified fungus and tree bark.
See also Moore's Law.
[...read more]Third Man factor
This is a bit spooky - too common to be anything but the mind's way of reassuring us during times of great stress.
Not pictured: Third Man
Battle of Los Angeles
They recently made a very shit film roughly based on this, but the real story is (as usual) much more interesting. Alien attack or mass panic?
Beats "Cat Stuck Up Tree" as a front page
Dyson’s Eternal Intelligence
Nothing to do with vacuum cleaners, sadly. Or Terminators. Well, maybe Terminators.
[...read more]Attempted Kidnapping of Princess Anne
In 1975, a chap called Ian Ball attempted to kidnap Princess Anne. He didn't manage it, and got banged up in chokey where he's currently doing porridge (translation for our overseas pals - he's in Broadmoor prison). So far, so dull.
It all gets a lot weirder when you read his website, in which he contends that the whole thing was a hoax, and never happened, despite witnesses to the contrary (one of whom was Princess Anne).
He's offering a £1 million reward for anyone who can prove it was a hoax, so why not see if you can help him out? (Don't actually help him out, he's a dangerous lunatic).
Automaton Harpist
Your challenge - to watch this video to the end without soiling yourself, crying or going into counselling.
The Beale Ciphers
I can't believe all you losers are sat there at work, when you could instantly make it rich by simply solving these three ciphers and finding the secret treasure. Alright, they're 126 years old and nobody's managed to completely decrypt all three yet, but you've got to be in it to win it.
Once upon a time there was some buried treasure...
What?
I post them here for your delight.
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