March 15, 2001

IF I DIE BEFORE I WAKE, PUT MY BODY IN A MUSEUM

A 57-year-old German anatomist, Professor Günther von Hagens, is facing serious controversy with his art exhibit of 200 preserved human corpses and body parts on display in Berlin. He calls himself "Mr. Plastinator", after the method he developed by which bodily fluids could be replaced with silicone, epoxy or polyester polymers, in this way perfectly preserving the human body after death. The exhibition, entitled Bodyworlds, uses the bodies of people who donated their corpses to the professor in hopes that they could live on in just such an art exhibit. (The Guardian)

THE MASOCHIST MARATHON

Are you up for some serious self-abuse? Head out to Morocco the week of April 1-7 for the Marathon des Sables, a six-day, 145 mile run through the Sahara Desert. I'm constantly surprised by the sheer volume of stupid people on our planet. Last year, 683 men and women attempted this tortuous race, in which participants run between 12 and 37 miles per day in temperatures that hover around 125 degrees Fahrenheit. The fee to join this race is about US$2600, which doesn't include the "corpse repatriation fee." The rules also stipulate that "if you become severely dehydrated and require an IV more than once, you'll be disqualified." Ya big baby! (whatsgoingon.com)

A FOOT FETISHIST'S DREAM

Imelda Marcos, former first lady of the Philippines, and shoe collector extraordinaire, has opened a museum dedicated to footwear. The Marikina City Footwear Museum in Manila includes hundreds of pairs of shoes, including the pair she was wearing in 1986 when she and Ferdinand Marcos were forced to flee the country. (Fox News)

AND CAN YOU TAKE A BIT OFF MY BIG FAT BUNNY NOSE?

Surgeons in London have performed what I presume is the first ever tummy tuck on a rabbit. The animal, who was brought to a refuge because he was too overweight to move or clean itself, was given liposuction and is recovering nicely. (Times of London)

IS THERE ANYBODY OUT THERE?

Scientists making presentations at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, unveiled two studies that point to the possibility that the Universe could be teeming with Earth-like planets with the suitable conditions for life as we know it. A Canadian study found evidence that there could be billions of rocky planets the size of Earth just in our own galaxy. The second study found that the space around both young and old stars contains vast waves of water vapour and carbon molecules which are the key ingredients for life. (The Herald)

MORE DEPRESSING STATISTICS

A report from the United Nations Human Rights Commission estimates that 100 million people worldwide are homeless, and a further 600 million live in overcrowded and poor quality housing with inadequate water and sanitation. The report lays most of the blame on the rapid urbanisation of countries in Africa and southeast Asia, but also points out that there are 700,000 homeless people in the United States. The report also noted that between 30 and 70 million children are living on the streets, and that women make up 70 per cent of those living in absolute poverty. (BBC)

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Copyright 2001 by Andreas Ohrt (604) 608-6909
Email:aohrt@hotmail.com
Website:www.curioustimes.com