Allison Keene
The Weekend Links: Saturday Edition
by Allison Keene - February 27, 2010 - 11:42 AM
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Looks like the blind cross-country skier we profiled this week won’t be competing in the Olympics after all.
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How well did you sleep last night? Did you hear a large, inexplicable crash around 3 a.m.? Don’t worry, it may have just been your head exploding (but it’s not what you think – thanks Sarah for the link!)
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Speaking of exploding heads, or eardrums, can you hear as well as a teenager? This audio test of a high-pitched frequency used to deter teens from certain areas will tell you the truth. Let us know if you passed or failed (and if you mind betraying your age!). I heard it loud and clear and I’m 25 … I’d like to thank all those pairs of earplugs at concerts for their assistance in this triumph!
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… Or treat your eats to something nice. Tired with your regular tunes? Flossy reader Jessica as suggested this very cool site The History of Pop Music: “A series of playlists that constitute a 1200 artist, 1200 song history of recorded popular music, with commentary, celebration, and apologia as necessary.”
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I’m not sure I understand it, but do I need to? Intriguing art (thanks Rachel for the find!)
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Part one of interesting “What If’s?”: What if Tim Burton did a remake of Weekend at Bernie’s? This spoof is dead on! (Pun, er, intended)
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Part two: What if the Disney Princesses ended up unhappily-ever-after? “Fallen Princesses” gives consideration to what those stories might be!
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Perhaps the world’s least convenient port-a-potty. (But when you’ve gotta go…)
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I’ve never been skydiving, (nor do I have a particular desire to) but I can respect and stand in awe of these 10 Sensational Skydiving Feats!
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I try to keep it light with the Weekend Links, but sometimes a link comes in that may offer valuable, if sobering advice! This week it comes from Merinda, who found the story “From Whole Foods to Food Stamps,” a cautionary tale of how easy it can be to go from being considered middle class to poverty, with a sidebar of ways to hopefully avoid this from happening!
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And back to the lighter side – are you up to date on your understanding of the FAIL meme? Whether that’s a yes or a no, this explanatory video is full of laughs.
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Stay tuned – a fresh batch of Weekend Links are coming your way tomorrow!

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Comments (31)

  1. I’m 29 and I can hear that audio loud and clear. Ouch!

    posted by Christina on 2-27-2010 at 11:52 am

  2. I’ll be 28 in just over a week, and I heard that noise very very very well. I turned it off faster than I turned it on just to make it stop! EEK! Have to test it on my husband later (with earplugs in of course!) ;)

    posted by Michelle on 2-27-2010 at 11:52 am

  3. I’m 33 and can hear the anti-teenager sound. All the more shocking given the number of concerts I’ve been to without even considering ear plugs and the usual volume of my iPod.

    posted by todd on 2-27-2010 at 12:00 pm

  4. 25 and heard it for the first time. Sounds more like high-pitched interference than mosquitoes buzzing though. My local news station did a story on this a while back and they played the noise, but on the broadcast I could not hear it.

    posted by Mary on 2-27-2010 at 12:05 pm

  5. I’m 42 and I heard it loud and clear.

    posted by kmg on 2-27-2010 at 12:15 pm

  6. i couldn’t hear it at all, but my husband could pretty well, and he told me to turn it off coz it was very annoying.

    posted by raspy on 2-27-2010 at 12:25 pm

  7. Way to go, guys! Todd I know how you feel, there are way more concerts I’ve been to where my ears weren’t protected unfortunately. hmmm … hope the test is accurate! Either way it’s making us all feel better about ourselves, hah

    posted by Allison Keene on 2-27-2010 at 12:56 pm

  8. Oh is that annoying, and I’m 56.

    posted by Owen on 2-27-2010 at 1:48 pm

  9. I’m 32 and I heard it, as did my 6 year old son. However, my husband, who will be 40 in a few months, could not hear it at all!

    posted by Sadie on 2-27-2010 at 2:32 pm

  10. I heard an annoying high-pitched tone.

    I’m 42!

    posted by Leslie on 2-27-2010 at 3:17 pm

  11. Ugh, ouch, it was like a really loud version of a TV that’s turned on, but not connected to the cable. I’m 23 :O

    posted by Owie on 2-27-2010 at 3:23 pm

  12. Yup, heard it fine. I’m turning 70 in a few months. Don’t tell me wife I heard it. She thinks the reason I don’t answer her is because I can’t hear her.

    posted by Old Geezer on 2-27-2010 at 4:40 pm

  13. @ Old Geezer: hahahaha. that’s all I have to say to that!

    I turned it on and had to turn it off…I’m 22. My parents (both 52) didn’t seem to hear it though. They might have been wondering why I started laughing.

    posted by Meg on 2-27-2010 at 5:23 pm

  14. Aw geez, I’m 21 and I could hear it but barely. It sounded more like a constant tone than a “buzz,” for me. My family has a history of hearing loss, though.

    posted by Lynnie on 2-27-2010 at 5:25 pm

  15. I could hear it after the background noise of the furnace shut off, before that it was faint. I wonder how much speakers have to do with the results, as well. Oh yeah, and I’m 40.

    posted by Marty on 2-27-2010 at 7:28 pm

  16. Being shot in the head would have felt better than that sound! OUCH! 38

    posted by Abiola on 2-27-2010 at 7:51 pm

  17. I’m 25, and I could hear it well. That would certainly keep me away from any place playing it!

    Captcha: Visited enough – What are you trying to say Mental Floss?

    posted by Katherine on 2-27-2010 at 8:23 pm

  18. I heard the noise clearly… Which I suppose is a good thing since I’m still a teenager at 19.

    My parents, though, who are 47 and 50 couldn’t hear it at all. I actually had to convince them that it wasn’t a prank and there really was a noise.

    posted by Mikomi on 2-27-2010 at 8:36 pm

  19. I could hear it at the Oatmeal site, which surprised me, because the first time this went around a few years ago, I couldn’t hear it!

    posted by Miss Cellania on 2-27-2010 at 9:32 pm

  20. I’m 14, and yes, I can hear it.

    posted by Karl on 2-27-2010 at 9:57 pm

  21. Loved the blog about the history of pop music! I sent it on via my Facebook, and I can’t wait for more installations! It seems they post the next ones every 4 to 5 days; can’t wait!

    posted by Starla on 2-27-2010 at 10:05 pm

  22. That article ‘From Whole Foods to Foods Stamps’, while interesting, kind of irked me because the author talks about being considered homeless even though she lives in a RV. Um, that’s not homeless. There’s plumbing, electricity, heat and all the comforts a person could need or want besides space. I don’t know maybe its just me…thoughts anyone?

    posted by Jelly on 2-27-2010 at 11:48 pm

  23. Ack! Yes, I could hear it very well and turned it off as quickly as possible. Ouch! I’m 26.

    posted by draydrax on 2-28-2010 at 12:31 am

  24. That would definitely drive me insane..I’m almost 39. Amazing hearing runs in the family, though. My daughter (12) and I are always detecting these types of sounds when most others don’t..very annoying indeed.

    posted by H on 2-28-2010 at 1:39 am

  25. I’m 42 & I heard it – I wonder what areas this is going to be deployed in?

    posted by Barn on 2-28-2010 at 7:10 am

  26. I’m 26 and I heard absolutely nothing. Unlike you, Allison, I have been to hundreds of rock concerts and have never once used ear protection.

    posted by Steve on 2-28-2010 at 2:11 pm

  27. Ouch! I am 32 and I can hear it loud and clear.

    posted by Gizmo on 2-28-2010 at 10:15 pm

  28. 55 y/o and could just barely hear it. Would never have heard it over ordinary conversation or general mall noise.

    -”BB”-

    posted by Bicycle Bill on 3-1-2010 at 1:06 am

  29. I’m 25 and I couldn’t hear it but then again I have hearing problems. But on the other hand, my 17 year old brother couldn’t hear it either.

    posted by Ali on 3-1-2010 at 10:45 am

  30. Wow, that was annoying. I’m 26. Sent it to my dad (57) and he couldn’t hear it at all.

    posted by Erica on 3-1-2010 at 8:56 pm

  31. wow, that is annoying (i’m 24). kinda makes you wonder if the implication of this has been thoroughly thought out since it would apparently deter more than just teenagers.

    posted by m on 3-2-2010 at 1:25 pm

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