Certain persons’ opinions count more than others in the matter of George Bush and Donald Rumsfeld versus the neighbors. The October 20, 2004 court opinion is a matter of record. In summary, the judges’ opinion is stark and simple: "We conclude that the Cetaceans do not have statutory standing to sue." To put this in […]
Category: Improbable Investigators
People who do research that makes people LAUGH, then THINK.
Hidden sexuality of the yawn
Wolter Seuntjens recently (sucessfully!) defended his Ph.D. thesis. He has now published a specially edited version of it: "The Hidden Sexuality of the Human Yawn" in the special Yawning Issue of the Annals of Improbable Research.
The author’s heavy hand
According a Canadian press report: Margaret Atwood, author of futuristic fantasies The Handmaid’s Tale and Oryx and Crake, has invented a prototype remote autographing device that has the potential to revolutionize book signings. (Thanks to investigator Genevieve Reynolds for bringing this to our attention.)
Music experiments
Many experiments come to mind when one listens to the singing of experimental singers such as Florence Foster Jenkins.
William Cane, kissing expert
Today, Valentine’s Day, is as good a time as any to consider the merits of William Cane, the self-confessed kissing expert, and his multimedia presentation on ocsculation.
Big thinker
Martine Rothblatt has it all: a big, bold simple solution to a hitherto-intractable Middle East political situation; a pioneering track record in high tech; a bold, sure-handed vision for biotechnological ethics; and a more-than-compelling personal story. (Thanks to Mark Dionne for bringing this most unusual of entrepreneur/attorneys to our attention.)
Inclement weatherman
A student at Ohio University demonstrated that it’s hard to predict the weather.
April Trees
This week’s under-publicized researcher of the week is Assistant Professor April Trees of the Communication Department of the University of Colorado. Dr. Trees should not be mistaken for any of her namesakes.
Night Light Enthusiast
A hamster-powered night light enthusiast has created a hamster-powered night light with a custom low-RPM alternator. (Thanks to investigator Dan Fingerman for bringing this to our attention.)
Test a Parrot
The report "Testing a Language-Using Parrot for Telepathy," by Rupert Sheldrake and Aim?e Morgana, includes these provocatively calming words of confident caution: [T]hese experiments provide compelling evidence of interspecies telepathy. This phenomenon is currently unexplained within the dominant scientific model. (Thanks to investigator Audrey Devine-Eller for bringing this to our attention.)