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Curious Times No. 228
January 22, 2004HOW TO BEAT YOUR WIFE
A Muslim cleric has been sentenced to 15 months in jail by a Spanish court after writing a book which gave advice on how a man could beat his wife without leaving any incriminating marks. Mohamed Kamal Mustafa, author of Women in Islam, defended himself by saying that he was simply interpreting passages from the Koran, and not advising any man to beat his wife. The jury didn’t accept his excuses and found him guilty of inciting violence against women, thanks to passages such as this, in which Mustafa explained how to properly discipline a disobedient wife: "The blows should be concentrated on the hands and feet using a rod that is thin and light so that it does not leave scars or bruises on the body." How thoughtful. (BBC)STILL WAITING FOR A DREAM VCR
The slightly insane folks at Japanese toy manufacturer Takara have created another surreal gadget to while away the hours. After successfully marketing their dog translator (the Bowlingual), and following that up with a gadget which deciphers cat sounds (the Meowlingual), Tankara is now testing a prototype of a machine which will allow you to control your dreams. The "Yunemi Kobo," or "Dream Workshop," is designed to prod your subconscious mind to create the dreams of your choice while you sleep. Here’s how: before you call it a night, you stare at a photograph of something that you wish to dream about and record your voice describing the dream you would like to have. After you nod off the machine combines the voice recording with lights, aromas and music which are supposed to help stimulate your mind to create the dream. The company is still testing the device on its employees, but claims to have a pretty decent level of success. The Dream Workshop will go on the market next spring, and sell for about $150. I suppose the next step is a device to help your dogs and cats control their dreams. (The Guardian)I CAN CLEARLY SEE YOUR NUTS
According to Russia’s Pravda newspaper, doctors have been examining a 16-year-old girl who seems to have some kind of x-ray vision which allows her to see the internal organs inside the human body. Natalia Demkina claims that her unique ability allows her to see damaged organs and illnesses inside the body. "I see an entire human organism. It is difficult to explain how I determine specific illnesses. There are certain impulses that I feel from the damaged organs," she explained. Tests carried out at Saranks’s children’s hospital have been unable to disprove her claims, as the vivid and detailed accounts she gives seem to be accurate. For now, testing will continue. I’ll keep you updated. (Pravda)THIS IS FUCKING BOGUS
A few months ago we learned of a Federal Communications Commission ruling which judged that the word "fuck" could be used on television if it was used as an exclamation, but not as a description of "sexual or excretory activity or organs". The ruling was in response to complaints after U2’s Bono accepted an award at the Golden Globe Awards by saying "This is fucking great." But more complaints, this time in response to that ruling, have caused the FCC to review its decision. According to chairman Michael Powell, if he has his way the F-word will soon once again be banned from most radio and television broadcasts, regardless of its context. "I’ve been pushing for strong action against decency since I got here," warned Powell, adding that he will push to revoke the licenses of "truly filthy broadcasts." (Reuters)SOMEONE’S HEAD IS FILLED WITH POTATOES
In yet another tale from the "quit while you’re ahead" files, a dim-witted scam artist in Germany is being investigated for fraud after seemingly buying two seriously useless computers. His cunning plan went okay the first time, when he returned a recently purchased computer to the shop because the computer was packed with dozens of small potatoes instead of regular computer components. The store believed his bizarre tale and exchanged the computer, but when the man returned a short time later asking for refund because the second computer was also filled with potatoes, the shop called the police and had him arrested. (Reuters)NOT-SO-GREAT WALL
China’s 2,000-year-old Great Wall has been put on the World Monuments Fund list of 100 most endangered structures after a recent geological survey found that only about one third of the wall is still intact. The Beijing Daily reports that the ravages of time and destruction caused by humans has left the wall in various states of decay. While one third of the structure still resembles a wall, another third is nothing but piles of rocks and bricks, while the final third of the wall has disappeared completely. To add insult to injury, last October China’s first astronaut, Yang Liwei, admitted that he could not see the Great Wall from space, contrary to popular belief. (AFP)MAD COW BAD, CALM COW GOOD
If you’re still eating beef you might try getting your meat from the calmest cattle you can find. While most livestock scientists are trying to figure out how to solve more serious problems, at least one researcher is studying the correlation between the temperament of cows and the quality of the meat they provide. Jerry Baker, a livestock specialist from the University of Georgia, has finished a study which concludes that calmer, more docile cattle are easier to grow and provide more tender cuts of meat than cows which are more agitated and excitable. "Calmer cattle perform better, eat more, gain better," says Baker, who thinks the next step in cattle farming is to selectively breed cattle with more serene dispositions in order to provide better beef and save money for cattle owners. (Boston Globe)FOR DOUBLE THE PLEASURE, LIGHT UP A SPLIFF AND GO FOR A RUN
A new study suggests that it may not be endorphins that are responsible for what has been called "runner’s high," but actually a naturally-occurring cannabinoid chemical similar to those found in marijuana. These conclusions were reached after research found that high levels of anandaminde were found in test subjects who exercised moderately. Anandamide is a cannabinoid, and produces exactly the same type of high as THC, the psychoactive property of marijuana. Researchers concluded that the body released the chemical to deal with the prolonged stress and pain of exercise, thus creating the "buzz" which many people feel after exercising. (CNN)
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