Topics

1

High Weirdness / Dracula May Have Wept Blood

« on: September 23, 2023, 07:24:59 pm »

"Dracula may have wept blood on tear-stained letters, chemical analysis reveals"

I bookmarked this article last month, but hadn't had time to read it until today. Anyway, as per the article:

"New research published this month in the journal Analytical Chemistry details how an innovative protein analysis technique has uncovered a rich bevvy of biochemical evidence about the life and health of the most famous (alleged) vampire in history — indeed, the inspiration for Count Dracula himself.

His sweating fist cantering across the surface of Romanian rag paper in swooping lines of 15th Century Latin as steadily as his armies swept through the Carpathian mountains, we know for certain that Vlad Drăculea — merciless defender of Wallachia, harbinger of an estimated 80,000 deaths — wept and bled into the very ink of his hand-written letters. But now it seems that Vlad the Impaler, namesake of Bram Stoker's 1897 epistolary horror, may have even wept literal tears of blood, as described in the oldest stories about him."

Here's the link:   https://www.salon.com/2023/08/24/dracula-may-have-wept-blood-on-tear-stained-letters-chemical-analysis-reveals/

2

Principia Discussion / 'Tis the Season of Bureaucracy - YOLD 3189

« on: August 08, 2023, 05:38:24 am »

As a further reminder, the Patron Apostle for this season is Zarathud the Incorrigible (Sometimes called the Staunch), Offender of the Faith. And, the Zaraday Holiday is just around the corner!

You may wish to begin your Zaraday celebrations with the reading of Our Most Sacred PENTABARF.

Hail Eris!

3

Principia Discussion / Eris Is In the News Today!

« on: August 07, 2023, 09:25:42 pm »

CDC says COVID variant EG.5 is now dominant, including strain some call "Eris"

As per the article:

"EG.5 includes a strain with a subgroup of variants designated as EG.5.1, which a biology professor, T. Ryan Gregory, nicknamed "Eris" — an unofficial name that began trending on social media."

And, just wait until the world finds out what else our Goddess Eris has been doing these days!

Here's the link to the article:      https://www.cbsnews.com/news/covid-variant-eg-5-now-eris/

Hail Eris!

4

High Weirdness / An Illuminati Structure Discovered in Antarctica?

« on: July 30, 2023, 08:06:48 am »

"Mysterious pyramid found under Antarctica ice - sparking conspiracy theories"

A two kilometer wide structure which was spotted by satellite images in Antarctica has sparked wild rumours it could have been created by the Illuminati

As per the article:

Social media users and conspiracy theorists are claiming a new pyramid has been discovered in Antarctica. Recently, satellite images have been realised and many have been left convinced a mysterious triangle structure in the snowy and icy continent is the newest wonder of the world.

It's left multiple people scratching their heads and questioning where a new pyramid would have come from. The huge pyramid-shaped mass was seen from images taken over the southern part of Antarctica's Ellsworth Mountain range. Some odd look [sic] peaks, which seem to be emerging from the ground, have emerged."

However, this article makes no mention of the ancient, intelligent cephalopods who once inhabited Antarctica. And, geologist Mitch Darcy is, obviously, trying to get out in front of this breaking news story, with his attempt to quell any theories concerning the involvement of the Illuminati in the construction of this newly discovered pyramid.   

Here's the link:   https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/mysterious-pyramid-found-under-antarctica-30583120

5

Aneristic Illusions / The Republicult™ On Parade

« on: June 30, 2023, 10:52:49 am »

"GOP Sen. Marsha Blackburn Floats Conspiracy Theory On Titanic Sub And Hunter Biden"

As per the article:

"Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) has appeared to suggest that an announcement about the fate of the missing Titan submersible was somehow planned to distract from accusations against the president’s son Hunter Biden.

“If the U.S. Navy suspected that the Titan Submersible imploded just hours after it began its voyage, why did the Coast Guard wait until Thursday—the same day the IRS whistleblowers testified before Congress—to make their announcement to the public?” asked the senator in a Friday night tweet."

The Titanic is a conspiracy theory magnet, and the Republicult™ loves them some conspiracy theories.

Here's the link:   https://www.huffpost.com/entry/gop-sen-marsha-blackburn-floats-conspiracy-theory-on-titanic-sub-and-hunter-biden_n_6496ff86e4b08f753c2c5720

6

High Weirdness / A Reminder that Moby-Dick Was Inspired by a Real Whale Attack

« on: June 27, 2023, 10:33:13 am »

"Killer whales wreck boat in latest attack off Spain"

As per the article:

"Killer whales severely damaged a sailing boat off the coast of southern Spain, the local maritime rescue service said on Thursday, adding to dozens of orca attacks on vessels recorded so far this year on Spanish and Portuguese coasts.

In the early hours of Thursday, a group of orcas broke the rudder and pierced the hull after ramming into the Mustique on its way to Gibraltar, prompting its crew of four to contact Spanish authorities for help, a spokesman for the maritime rescue service said."

Further:

"According to the research group GTOA, which tracks populations of the Iberian orca sub-species, the incident follows at least 20 interactions this month alone in the Strait of Gibraltar between small vessels and the highly social apex predators. In 2022, there were 207 reported interactions, GTOA data showed."

As most of you know, the sinking of the American whaling ship Essex in the South Pacific was one of the inspirations for Herman Melville's Moby-Dick. 

This time it's orcas, rather than an angry sperm whale, that are attacking small boats in the Strait of Gibraltar. So, it shouldn't be long before Orca: The Killer Whale, the 1977 movie starring Richard Harris, shows up once again on TV.

Here's the link:   https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/killer-whales-wreck-boat-latest-attack-off-spain-2023-05-25/

7

High Weirdness / Will NASA Diminish the UFO High Weirdness Factor?

« on: June 02, 2023, 02:03:37 pm »

"NASA panel studying UFO sightings says stigma and poor data pose challenges"

As per the article:

"A NASA panel tasked with studying reports of "unidentified aerial phenomena" said at a hearing that the stigma associated with reporting UFO sightings — as well as the harassment of people who work to investigate them — may be hindering efforts to determine their origins."

Further:

"Daniel Evans, the assistant deputy associate administrator for research in NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, said there has been no convincing evidence that reports of UFOs have anything to do with aliens. While extraterrestrial origins are not being ruled out, the independent group was convened to address broader national security concerns, he said."

Further still:

"We have a community of people who are completely convinced of the existence of UFOs, and we have a community of people who think addressing this question is ridiculous," Spergel said. "And I think as scientists, the way to approach questions is you start by saying, 'We don't know,' and then you collect data and you try to calibrate your data well."

Well, if it's flying, and you don't know what it is, then duh, it's an Unidentified Flying Object. And, I don't have a problem with investigating these phenomena. After all, maybe we'll finally get to see an authenticated photograph of the Flying Spaghetti Monster in action. Or, perhaps they'll find definitive proof our Mischievous Goddess Eris is behind some of these sightings.

Here's the link:   https://www.nbcnews.com/science/ufos-and-aerial-phenomena/nasa-ufo-unidentified-aerial-phenomena-panel-hearing-rcna87034

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High Weirdness / Food Inspector Drains Dam to Retrieve Sensitive Government Data

« on: May 31, 2023, 02:39:58 am »

"India official drains entire dam to retrieve phone"

As per the article:

"It took three days to pump millions of litres of water out of the dam, after Rajesh Vishwas dropped the device while taking a selfie."

Further:

"Mr Vishwas claimed it contained sensitive government data and needed retrieving ..."

I wonder if losing a phone containing "sensitive goverment data" will also lead to the Food Inspector losing the security clearance his job must require.

Here's the link:   https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-65726193

9

High Weirdness / Uber Might Have Been a Better Choice

« on: May 24, 2023, 07:37:40 pm »

"Maryland guardian arrives in stolen vehicle to take custody of teens arrested for auto theft, police say"

I can't help but wonder if this guardian had access to any vehicle that wasn't stolen. Irony and karma may be working overtime this week.

As per the article:

"Police said a female guardian was set to pick up the four juveniles, but the guardian and two other females arrived in what appeared to be another stolen vehicle, which left after the three women were dropped off at the police station.

Officers located the vehicle on a nearby street, which reportedly had a broken back window and steering column damage. When the officer ordered everyone out of the vehicle, the driver fled, nearly hitting one of the officers.

All the occupants got out of the vehicle after the driver drove a short distance, and it was determined the vehicle was stolen from another jurisdiction."

Here's the link:    https://www.foxnews.com/us/maryland-guardian-arrives-stolen-vehicle-take-custody-teens-arrested-auto-theft-police-say

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Techmology and Scientism / Advancements in Cyborg Techmology

« on: May 22, 2023, 02:30:37 pm »

Many will argue about what constitutes true cyborg techmology. However, I believe hardware connected directly to, and communicating directly with, the human brain meets the most stringent of requirements.

"Soft e-skin that communicates with the brain"

As per the article:

"This new e-skin is soft as, well, skin. The conversion elements are seamlessly incorporated within the skin, which measures a few tens of nanometers thick.

The development holds promise for more natural interaction between AI-based prosthetic limbs and the brain. It also is a step forward in efforts to construct robots that can "feel" human sensations such as pain, pressure and temperature. This would allow robots working with accident victims, for instance, to better relate to signs of comfort or distress."

Unfortunately, the papers this article is based upon are behind a paywall. However, those of you who are institutionalized may be able to access those papers through your respective institutions.

Here's the link:    https://techxplore.com/news/2023-05-soft-e-skin-communicates-brain.html

11

High Weirdness / Child Shoots Man Wanted for Murder

« on: May 21, 2023, 04:13:40 pm »

"3-year-old shoots 2 people in Indiana, leading to arrest of man wanted for murder"

I wonder if the kid will collect a reward for his/her actions leading up to the arrest of the wanted man.

As per the article:

"A shooting in Indiana that injured two people after a three-year-old accessed a gun led to the arrest of a man wanted for murder in Illinois, authorities said.

Trayshaun Smith, 23, was arrested on Thursday after he visited a hospital with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound, according to Lt. Justin Hartman of the Lafayette Police Department.

Investigators eventually determined that the shooting that sent Smith and another victim to the hospital occurred when a three-year-old was able to access a gun and fire a single round."

Here's the link:   https://abcnews.go.com/US/3-year-shoots-2-people-indiana-leading-arrest/story?id=99477705

12

Techmology and Scientism / A Dubious Technological Advancement

« on: May 18, 2023, 10:38:19 am »

This steam-powered motorcycle runs on beer

Upon reading this article's caption, I immediately began mentally composing a tirade about this contraption wasting perfectly good beer. But, while actually watching the video, I soon mellowed out.

Now, this bike design is intentionally silly. But, to me, the brand "beer" powering this thing really is appropriate. After all, it's little more than colored water. Seriously, I've drunk tap water that tasted better than that stuff. To me, it's "beer" for people who don't really like BEER.

Anyway, you drink whatever you like.

Here's the link:   https://www.bbc.com/news/av/technology-63077437

13

High Weirdness / A Weird Dream

« on: May 17, 2023, 10:16:09 pm »

Woman, 99, realises dream of facing circus knife thrower

As per the article, 'Annie Duplock, from Sharnford, Leicestershire, stepped into the ring to brave the blades before a cheering crowd in Coventry on Friday.

The former circus worker, who celebrates her centenary in three months, was part of the grand finale of the Zippo Circus show.

Afterwards she said she had "really enjoyed" the experience.'

People really do have weird dreams.

Here's the link:   https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-leicestershire-65583683

14

High Weirdness / Not Quite Instant Karma

« on: August 28, 2019, 01:02:10 am »

Thief's car stolen while he robbed store across the street

As per the article:

“A man in Washington who called police to report that his car had been stolen wound up behind bars himself when police discovered he had allegedly been robbing a store across the street when his vehicle was taken.”

Here's a link: https://abcnews.go.com/US/mans-car-stolen-robbed-store-street/story?id=65213007&cid=clicksource_4380645_null_card_hed

15

High Weirdness / NRA Chief Wanted Security of Gated Community after Parkland HS Mass Shooting

« on: August 13, 2019, 06:03:29 am »

Report: NRA Chief Wayne LaPierre Tried to Have the Nonprofit Buy Him a $6 Million Mansion After Parkland Shooting

As per the article:

“... LaPierre told the NRA that he needed to live in a more secure place after the shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida, that left 17 people dead. The house they landed on was a 10,000-square-foot estate with its own courtyard and a marble fireplace. LaPierre and his wife toured the property, and they later negotiated furnishings, asked to keep the previous owner’s golf cart, and even complained in an email about the size of one of the closets. LaPierre also tried to get the NRA to purchase two cars for him, according to the Post.”

Here's the link: https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/08/nra-chief-wayne-lapierre-mansion-deal.html

I thought Wayne LaPierre was the Grand Poobah of “Good Guys with a Gun.” Surely, he of all people, knows how to lock and load. Doesn't he own, at least, one AR-15, or AK-47, and a closet full of 9mms? Surely he owns, at least, one M1911 .45 caliber in good working order. And, doesn't he have Concealed Carry Permits from just about every jurisdiction in the country?

I'm sorry, but I just don't understand what is going on here. I mean, it can't possibly be true that Mr. Wayne LaPierre, the Chief Executive and Executive Vice President of the National Rifle Association, is really just another loudmouthed, fucking pussy who doesn't know how to protect himself, can it?