Weird Things » Bill Meeks

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Does Saturn’s Moon Hold the Answers to Extraterrestrial Life?

Friday, June 11th, 2010

NASA has cautiously released data from their Cassini spacecraft that suggests Saturn’s moon Titan could by the home to some form of alien life.

The data shows hydrogen funneling down through the atmosphere then mysteriously disappearing as it hits the surface, which is exactly what would happen if there was a life form on Titan that consumed hydrogen instead of oxygen. Regardless of whether there is life there or not we won’t be holding a block party any time soon.

As always scientists remain skeptical, but it’s possible we may finally MAKE CONTACT without having to venture out of The Milky Way.

[SPACE.COM]

Posted in Aliens | Comments Off on Does Saturn’s Moon Hold the Answers to Extraterrestrial Life?

Snakes Disappearing At Alarming Rate, M. Nigh Shmyamalan Prepares Boring Movie About It

Thursday, June 10th, 2010

We all remember a couple of years ago when all the bees started disappearing. Now it seems non-winged animals are also taking flight.

A new study has revealed that eight species of snakes have seen their number dwindle since the mid-90’s. Some populations have lost 90% of their members. Researchers are baffled as to why this is happening. Some blame El Nino, while others see it as a broader trend among animal populations as a response to pollution and global warming.

Unfortunately nobody has suggested the most obvious solution: Check the Plane.

[BBC News]

Posted in Jungle, Natural Anomaly, Nature | Comments Off on Snakes Disappearing At Alarming Rate, M. Nigh Shmyamalan Prepares Boring Movie About It

Evil Cats Linked To Dangerous Behavior

Wednesday, June 9th, 2010

Many suspect that cats are “up to something.” Turns out that something is serving as a transportation system for parasites that make humans do foolishly dangerous things.

Toxioplasma gondi is a parasite that generally moves through a cat’s digestive system that is passed on to mice through the cat’s feces. Once infected, the parasite burrows into the internal organs of the mouse causing cysts and eventually making the mouse abandon it’s natural instincts and do everything it can to get the cat to kill it. Once eaten, the parasite passes again through the cat and finds a new host.

Unfortunately, Toxioplasma gondi can also infect other mammals, such as humans. That’s right. These parasites are taking over our brains, driving us to dangerous behavior, and causing mental illness! And all because we keep them in our homes and clean up their waste.

In some populations over 60% of the population is infected. Pregnant women and people with immune diseases can have serious side effects to the parasite, but the rest of us only have to worry about randomly trying to kill ourselves.

Explains base jumping.

[The Economist]

Posted in Animals, Parasite, Zombie | 1 Comment »

North Korean “Super Drink” Claims To Slow Aging

Tuesday, June 8th, 2010

This past Friday North Korea announced a new “Super Drink” that purports to give consumers a longer and healthier life. The drink is made from 30 different plants and contains 60 different “micro-elements” to allegedly multiply brain cells, reduce geriatric diseases, protect skin, and reduce the effects of aging.

This is all according to the North Korean Government’s news agency so stay skeptical, but the product does claim no side-effects. Considering it’s basically a bunch of plants thrown in a blender that’s probably true, but don’t be surprised if you start glowing in the dark from either awesome new super powers or radiation poisioning.

Who wants to try it first?

[BBC]

Posted in Folk Remedies, Food, Medicine | 2 Comments »

A Real-Life Matrix Decides The World’s Fate

Monday, June 7th, 2010

Scientists at the Competence Center for Coping with Crises in Complex Socio-Economic Systems (CCSS) are using a supercomputer to simulate life on Earth with the aim of supplying the systems as virtual advisers to world leaders to consult in times of crisis.

The “Living Earth Simulator” project is using trends from social sites like Facebook and Second Life to teach the computer how the world works. Hopefully the leaders of the world will allow for a 25% chance of trolling.

[ScienceDaily]

Posted in Alternate Reality | Comments Off on A Real-Life Matrix Decides The World’s Fate

Werewolf Teenagers Grip West Texas

Thursday, June 3rd, 2010

Every generation of teenagers has their own “outsider” sub-culture. Goth, hippie, punk, raver… All pleasantly strange without being scary. But as yet another sign we live in the future, teenagers have finally found a way to freak out even the most die hard counter-culturist. At over a dozen high schools in San Antonio, TX teenagers are transforming into werewolves.

While there isn’t much supernatural about these teens (they put together outfits made of fake tales, novelty contacts, fangs, and dog leashes to approximate the real thing) there is plenty weird about it. The kids involved don’t find it terribly odd though. To them it’s not a gang or a cult or a sign they need therapy. They consider their pack a support system, which is a something they’ll desperately need to make it through High School dressed as werewolves.

Is this happening elsewhere, or is it just a Texas thing? If you’ve seen a pack of wolves in your town let us know in the comments!

Posted in Religion, Werewolf, Werewolves | 3 Comments »