Weird Universe Archive
August 2012
August 23, 2012
Using your kid as a research subject
Scientists who use their own children as experimental subjects is a recurring theme in weird science. It doesn't happen so often that it's no longer weird. But it definitely does happen.I touched briefly on the subject in Electrified Sheep
, in which I discussed the case of English researcher Thomas Thorne Baker, who placed his five-year-old daughter in an electrified cage in order to investigate whether high-frequency electromagnetic fields would stimulate her growth. (They didn't.) I also wrote about the Australian physician Jack Barnes, who exposed himself and his nine-year-old son to jellyfish stings, in order to test what the reaction would be. (They both ended up in the hospital.)Now recently in the news we have Dr. Melvin Morse, a pediatrician and specialist in near-death experiences, who's been accused of waterboarding his 11-year-old stepdaughter in order to bring her to a "near-death state" so that he can study her. For the record, he's denying the charges. [CBS News]
Posted By: Alex - Thu Aug 23, 2012 -
Comments (6)
Category: Science, Children
August 22, 2012
Hamm’s Beer
Although Hamm's is still around, this goofy ad campaign is lamentably vanished. Learn more here.
Posted By: Paul - Wed Aug 22, 2012 -
Comments (6)
Category: Anthropomorphism, Business, Advertising, Products, 1950s, Alcohol
A solution to global warming
Spanish researcher Jiménez Aguilar has proposed that a substance that's cheap and readily available — urine — might be able to soak up excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. He says, "For every molecule of urea in urine, one mole of ammonium bicarbonate is produced along with one mole of ammonia, which could be used to absorb one mole of atmospheric CO2." His idea is to place urine-based filters in chimneys, forcing exhaust gases to pass through the urine, and so remove the CO2. He imagines urine filters for cars as well as domestic and industrial chimneys. [alphagalileo.org]
Posted By: Alex - Wed Aug 22, 2012 -
Comments (8)
Category: Science, Body Fluids
Machine Guns And Bacon
Great new way to cook up some yummy bacon! Fire me off a few rashers!
Posted By: Alex - Wed Aug 22, 2012 -
Comments (5)
Category:
Girl With The Anal Tattoo Part 2
Reading this interview she gave sort of explains why she makes bad decisions. Or at least that the tattoo was not a one time unfortunate thought process.
Posted By: Alex - Wed Aug 22, 2012 -
Comments (7)
Category:
August 21, 2012
Chocolate?
Chocolate made with fruit juice to replace half the fat content. Its supposed to taste the same, but I'm not so sure I buy it.
Posted By: Alex - Tue Aug 21, 2012 -
Comments (17)
Category:
Super Fly TNT
Everyone knows the classic blaxploitation film Super Fly. But how many are lucky enough to have seen the sequel, Super Fly TNT, with script by Alex Haley of Roots fame? It's currently out of print, and even VHS tapes go for $50.00 and up. (Follow the link below.)
Opening credits to the film are seen above, and this blog has the poster and some stills.
Plus a cut from the soundtrack!
And don't forget the special line of clothes!
Posted By: Paul - Tue Aug 21, 2012 -
Comments (5)
Category: Movies, Stereotypes and Cliches, 1970s
August 20, 2012
The Little Rooster
The vibrating alarm clock. The vibrations go from very gentle to what they call snorgasm. Hit snooze as many times as you wish ladies!
Posted By: Alex - Mon Aug 20, 2012 -
Comments (8)
Category:
Personalized Alarm Clock
[Click to enlarge for readability]
Upon a moment's reflection, the creepiness of this product becomes apparent, explaining why it never caught on. The notion of one's own voice pleasantly or angrily cajoling the sleeper to awake is straight out of some Philip K. Dick dystopia, in which the hero's brain has been split into two separate personalities. "Wake up, Paul, wake up! Today is the day you must assassinate the ambassador from Rigel Nine!"
Original ad here.
Posted By: Paul - Mon Aug 20, 2012 -
Comments (3)
Category: Domestic, Appliances, Psychology, 1970s
August 19, 2012
The Ultimate Do It Yourself Project
It is becoming a trend to write your own obituary. There are even classes on it and kits you can buy to do it. Not a project to be taken lightly. It would require some introspection, more introspection than many of us would be comfortable with, I imagine.
Posted By: Alex - Sun Aug 19, 2012 -
Comments (9)
Category:
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| Alex Boese Alex is the creator and curator of the Museum of Hoaxes. He's also the author of various weird, non-fiction books such as Elephants on Acid. Paul Di Filippo Paul has been paid to put weird ideas into fictional form for over thirty years, in his career as a noted science fiction writer. He has recently begun blogging on many curious topics with three fellow writers at The Inferior 4+1. Chuck Shepherd Chuck is the purveyor of News of the Weird, the syndicated column which for decades has set the gold-standard for reporting on oddities and the bizarre. Our banner was drawn by the legendary underground cartoonist Rick Altergott. Contact Us |
