The Ten Most Interesting Jack The Ripper Suspects. It reads like a list of the most eccentric people of the era. (via Gorilla Mask)
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Scientists think they have found the birthplace of Zeus. Or, at least, the place where mythology says Zeus was born.
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The 5 Most Ridiculous Lies Ever Published as Nonfiction. Or at least, the ones that were eventually exposed.
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10 Things Science Fiction Got Wrong. Why let science get in the way of a good story?
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Why you never sign an arbitration agreement. At least if you read enough fine print to know what you are signing. (via Metafilter)
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Kostnice Ossuary: Chapel of Bone. This video takes you inside the church where the furniture and decor are made of human remains.
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A classic money scam. Watch closely and see if you can keep up.
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Animals that Only Bite Tourists. When you are traveling, be aware that there may be a bit of poking fun going on …especially if you’re told of a scary local animal to beware.
Comments (9)
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Gotta disagree with that arbitration article. It’s hardly a persuasive argument to just angrily repeat that the Supreme Court is “wrong” and arbitrators are “biased.” On top of that, I’ll bet Applebee’s has shelled out MILLIONS of dollars in attorney’s fees and defense costs on claims by former employees that had absolutely no merit whatsoever. Arbitration allows the company to minimize the cost of these claims, while employees are still allowed to challenge arbitration agreements (and arbitration awards, under limited circumstances) in court.
If you didn’t win a pile of cash after going through the entire machinery of the American justice system, which guarantees equal access and rights, let me make a modest proposal — YOU DIDN’T DESERVE THE MONEY!
Then again, I’m just an employment lawyer.
posted by Peter on 2-10-2009 at 10:10 am
The “10 Things Science Fiction Got Wrong” article could have used some fact checking.
In one point the author claims that no creature on Earth has the ability to control that of another animal. Apparently this author has never heard of Spinochordodes tellinii which is a parasite that can get in to the brain of grasshoppers and cause them to drown themselves.
posted by Nick on 2-10-2009 at 11:19 am
Thanks a bunch for the Ridiculous Lies link… loved it.
Although, they pictured but failed to mention that the “Angel at the Fence” was also a children’s book and that, even though the book was revealed to be fake, they are still going to make a movie based on it.
posted by Sarah in CA on 2-10-2009 at 11:32 am
The best part of the “10 Things Science Fiction Got Wrong†article is the geek boy debate in the comments…
posted by Lindsey on 2-10-2009 at 12:20 pm
Damn you, Gene Roddenberry, and your LIES upon LIES
posted by bedhead on 2-10-2009 at 3:36 pm
The arbitration article is fundamentally incorrect. It makes a number of insinuations that are misleading and some of the information provided is simply inaccurate.
For example, the article notes an “arbitrator awarded $11,000 to a debt collector against a woman who owed no money whatsoever, but who had the same name as a woman who did.†This simply isn’t possible. If the woman had the same last name, but was not the same person, she couldn’t legally be a party to the arbitration and the award would be unenforceable.
It also notes “arbitration is often pay to play,†which is a gross overgeneralization and, notably, is not supported by any factual documentation by the author.
The author also misleads the reader in insinuating that an average ordinary citizen could just walk into a federal courthouse, plunk down $350, and file a lawsuit, which isn’t accurate in the least. Furthermore, it is the plaintiff’s burden to prove their allegation and it is not as if doing so is without cost.
I could go on as nearly ever sentence in this blog is either misleading or false. Miss C should have done a slight bit more research before posting this as fact.
posted by Florida on 2-10-2009 at 3:49 pm
Lindsey…..i’m totally with you on the science fiction bit. The article was entertaining, but all the post article comments killed me. I’m still laughing.
posted by Steve-O on 2-10-2009 at 6:12 pm
Great news everyone… Time travel is possible. If all you lack is negative energy I know where to find some. It sits in th cubicle next to me.
posted by The Queen on 2-10-2009 at 7:04 pm
I suppose next you’ll be telling us why Wiley Coyote couldn’t really survive falling from a cliff and creating a coyote shaped crater when he hits the ground! ;)
“Why let science get in the way of a good story?” Yes, why should you spoil a good story with details?
From “Blink”, new Dr. Who series
The Doctor: People don’t understand time. It’s not what you think it is.
Sally: Then what is it?
The Doctor: Complicated.
Sally: Tell me.
The Doctor: Very complicated.
Sally: I’m clever, and I’m listening, and don’t patronise me because people have died and I’m not happy. Tell me.
The Doctor: People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect… but actually, from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint, it’s more like a big ball of wibbly-wobbly…. timey-wimey…. stuff.
Sally: That sentence started good
And from “Pyramids of Mars” – Tom Baker
“Something’s going on contrary to the laws of the universe. I must find out what!”
posted by Pam on 2-10-2009 at 8:05 pm