British Gas, in trying hard to honor Murphy’s Law, has run afoul of it. A basic law of nature, Murphy’s Law is known by various names. British Gas favors the possibly-ancient, and probably-honorable, and almost-certainly British “Sod’s Law.” The company issued a press release which begins: 7 October 2004 The formula that proves that ‘Sod’s […]
Month: October 2004
Friendly bacteria
A recent experiment in Germany shows that botox can make people’s armpits smell better. Botox – aka “botulinum toxin” – has had a curious reputation with the public. First it was feared: it can kill, after all. Then it was cheered: the fashionable were delighted to hear that something with a hint of danger could […]
The Persistence of Wallace
Ig Nobel Prize-winner Sanford Wallace is back in the news. In 1997, Wallace was awarded the Ig Nobel Prize in the field of Communications. The citation taciturnly identified Mr. Wallace and his early work: Sanford Wallace, president of Cyber Promotions of Philadelphia — neither rain nor sleet nor dark of night have stayed this self-appointed […]
Press Release: Caffeine Withdrawal is Real!
A press release issued by Johns Hopkins University on September 29, 2004, alerts the world that caffeine withdrawal is a genuine problem.