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Anyone who’s ever picked up a bottle (or three) of “Two Buck Chuck” might appreciate this article on Fred Franzia, “The Scourge of Napa Vally.” Not to be confused with Franzia boxed wines, which aren’t classy but sure are good. (Thanks to Ellen from Birmingham for the link)
All I’m saying is, if we had been able to make explosions in science class such as this, maybe I would have been more interested. (Merci, Gail)
Flossy reader Jennifer took this amazing picture of a garter snake who seems to have something important to say. Anyone got a caption?
Here’s some trivia for you. The tenth-ranked phrase that brought people to mentalfloss.com from Google this week: “american gladiators nude”! (Number fifty: “space porn.”)
The other day, Stacy wrote a story on 6 Tyrannical Bosses Far Worse Than Yours. Let me give you a head start for the logical sequel on terrible employees.
Chuckle-worthy for moms, cringe-worthy for kids. A song of motherly reminders set to the Wiiliam Tell Overture. (Thanks Amy from the dual locales of Nashua, NH/Columbus, OH…how does that work?)
Is that your joystick, or are you just happy to see me? A giant Atari joystick. You know, for giant nerds. Wah-wahh. (Thanks to Amy in Greensboro, North Carolina)
My friends and I have a theory that Michael Cera (Arrested Development, Superbad) doesn’t act, he just shows up places as himself – a sweet, awkward kid. Check out this hilarious interview video and judge for yourself (Side note: Is there a better chat-show name than “Between Two Ferns”?). He also has an addictive internet TV show you can watch at clarkandmichael.com.
Know the saying “I’m so hungry I could eat my own arm”? Well … then there’s THIS guy. (Thanks to Jill for that one)
Simply put, the most literal garage sale ever (Thanks to Christine in West Lafayette, IN, whose relatives provided this wonder)
See the origins of carpel tunnel! Terrible keyboard designs that make you appreciate the evolution of the typing pad. (Gracias to Austin from Overland Park, KS)
Speaking of technological evolution, here’s a visual history of water in video games. Oddly soothing and nostalgic. (Thanks to my pal Kevin from Atlanta)
Mischief-making by the guys from Gizmodo, who used their TV-B-Gone remote power without much responsibility at the Consumer Electronics Show. A moral dilemma of the mean-but-funny variety.
See democracy in action with Flickr photos from the Iowa Caucus!
And here’s a clip of Harry Truman protesting John F. Kennedy’s nomination on the eve of the 1960 Democratic Convention, from Andrew Sullivan’s blog.
I’m usually a little wary of Wikipedia’s veracity on certain subjects (especially those missing citations) because I am often too trusting (i.e. gullible) a person. Melinda’s submission of a Wiki article on common misconceptions in various fields of study makes me wonder…can anyone disprove any of these or know them to be false? If they are all true, they’re pretty interesting.
If you’re one of the eight people who, like me, watch The Wire (and live/die by it), you’ll drool over this from the Freakonomics blog. Sudhir Venkatesh screened a few episodes with real-life gangsters. How many of you would like to sit down for a parlay with Stringer Bell? Prop Joe? Omar? Dare to dream.
I think it’s time one of you guys showed some love for Mangesh by creating an action figure (or several – collect all 7!). It’s not too far-fetched an idea for fans of PopCandy editor Whitney Matheson.
Jason offered readers a little incentive to send in links this week. Amy Hansen wins a free mental_floss t-shirt, and Janice Lambert wins a free calendar. We’ll be in touch on Monday.
A big thanks to everyone who sent in links this week! Please keep it up — flossylinks@gmail.com. Feel free to bribe or win me over in any way you see fit. If you don’t see your link this, never fear – I’m compiling a reserves vault, so definitely keep ‘em coming. And that includes your flossiest of photos.
On the man who cut off his own hand:
There is no reason to believe that the man is insane. He clearly believes in the Armageddon as Revelations speaks of it and interpreted a phenomena in this context. His actions, seen in the light of this, are completely logical.
Yes, you can argue that to put any belief in Revelations is a form of insanity. All I’m saying is that because his actions were completely logical given the man’s beliefs.
With that said, the man is clearly crazy.
posted by Nathan on 1-12-2008 at 4:41 am
Edit: All I’m saying is that because his actions were completely logical given his beliefs, it is had to label him insane.
I got distracted mid-sentence and kinda lost my way. I’ll take advantage of this by adding that the fact that the man tourniqueted himself is evidence that he understood the consequences of his actions. He just decided that he’d rather risk bleeding to death then burning in hell.
AND (I’m sorry I just kinda thought of this) Some will say that he’s insane because he saw something that was not there. I’d just like to point out that everyone sees things that aren’t there. Most of the time we interpret them as benign.
posted by Nathan on 1-12-2008 at 4:49 am
Caption for the garter snake…
“*#% papparazzi! Get outta my face!”
That’s seriously the first thing that came to mind! Sorry…just woke up!
posted by Ginger on 1-12-2008 at 7:08 am
Caption for snake picture:
“Mommmmm, he’s touching me!”
posted by Patz on 1-12-2008 at 7:15 am
Caption:
OW! Stop sqeezing me!
posted by kitsana_d on 1-12-2008 at 8:39 am
Captions for snake picture:
“Leave Britney alone!”
“Don’t trust Hillary!”
“Don’t tase me, bro!”
posted by Kimberly on 1-12-2008 at 8:39 am
“Heil to me!!!!Gees reincarnation SUCKS”
posted by Beth on 1-12-2008 at 8:40 am
Snake pic caption:
“Does this new skin make my tail look big?”
posted by Sheldon Siegel on 1-12-2008 at 8:51 am
“Invisible Maus”
posted by lolsnake on 1-12-2008 at 10:01 am
Snake caption:
“Thanks for the help getting to the microphone.
If elected I promise to….”
posted by Mike on 1-12-2008 at 10:06 am
Snake caption:
“Yes, I’m a garter snake. And no, you can NOT make a garter belt out of me.”
Yes, I work here, so I’m ineligible. Sorry, I couldn’t resist.
posted by Sandy on 1-12-2008 at 10:26 am
“Save yourselves, they’ve got hands!”
posted by Michael on 1-12-2008 at 10:50 am
Wow, reading that I won a tshirt made my weekend. Thank you so much!
And to explain the Nashua, NH/Columbus, OH thing. I lived in NH for 15 years before going to college in OH, but I still go home on breaks and for the summer. Plus, I think my dad sent that link to me so its only fair to give some credit to NH.
posted by Amy on 1-12-2008 at 11:18 am
Snake caption:
But Doc, snakes don’t have prostates.
posted by Nessuno on 1-12-2008 at 11:46 am
“Ahem, Is this thing on?”
posted by Nicole on 1-12-2008 at 12:17 pm
” I like big butts and I can not lie…”
posted by darren on 1-12-2008 at 12:45 pm
snake pic caption:
“I can save how much on car insurance by switching to Geico?!”
posted by the creature on 1-12-2008 at 3:59 pm
For the snake photo caption:
Gawd! I thought acupressure was supposed to be relaxing!
posted by Numina on 1-12-2008 at 4:13 pm
When Franzia boxes first came out, it was pretty good wine, then it went quickly downhill several years later. That must have been when Coca-Cola bought the name.
Fred Franzia is right - there’s no point in buying wines over $10. Just like all these beers that cost $10/6 pack aren’t worth it.
posted by Moon on 1-12-2008 at 7:28 pm
Caption:
“Look ma, no cavities!”
posted by Christine on 1-12-2008 at 7:45 pm
SPARTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
posted by Elric on 1-12-2008 at 10:42 pm
For the snake pic.
Oh great! Snap a pic when I’m not paying attention and don’t have my dentures in!
David
posted by David on 1-13-2008 at 9:40 am
Caption for garter snake:
“Don’t just stand there! I’m being strangled!”
Or:
“Abuse! Call my lawyer! Call 911! Call the ASPCA!”
posted by Amanda on 1-13-2008 at 6:47 pm
“More Cowbell!!!”
posted by Sophia on 1-13-2008 at 8:23 pm
“I can has Teef”
posted by Ryan on 1-14-2008 at 12:12 am
Kimberly: “Don’t taze me, bro!” ROFL!
posted by Lisa on 1-14-2008 at 6:48 am
Snake:
“What? It was a funny-shaped blue pill. Why do you ask?”
posted by Tom on 1-14-2008 at 8:03 am
“Hey, you kids! Get off my lawn!”
posted by Shelly on 1-14-2008 at 9:24 am
Snake:
“Trial by stone!”
posted by Diane on 1-14-2008 at 11:36 am
While I really like #21, my answer for the caption would be:
“FREEDOM!!!”
or
“I AM THE LAST DRAGON!!”
posted by ACute Angle on 1-14-2008 at 6:25 pm
It’s just an apple, damnit!
…sharing is caring M
posted by Will on 1-14-2008 at 10:14 pm