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HalfMooner
Dingaling
Philippines
15831 Posts |
 Posted - 02/07/2011 : 01:57:28
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As is so typical of my disorderly research methodology, I habitually get wildly distracted when looking up information. I may start with a desire to know more about one subject, then find an almost irrelevant link to another, then do the same thing again, all but forgetting my original "swamp-draining" ambition while ultimately learning fascinating tidbits about alligator psychology. (But hey, maybe I'm not the only one?)
So while reading up on Omar Khayyam and his Rubaiyat today, I stumbled onto the mystery of "The Somerton Man."
The Somerton Man.
This mystery, were the facts publicly known, might turn out to be truly amazing, or it might be quite mundane. What is known is that the most important facts are unknown, at least to the public. This case suffers both from too many facts and from too few facts. And all these factors combine to be sufficient to make the "Taman Shud" Case a true mystery.
Was it a crime of illicit passion, or the result of a Cold War spy skirmish? Or something sad but ordinary?
Please read about the Taman Shud Case for yourself, and feel free to express your guesswork or opinions here.
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“Biology is just physics that has begun to smell bad.” —HalfMooner
Here's a link to Moonscape News, and one to its Archive. |
Edited by - HalfMooner on 02/07/2011 02:03:32
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Dr. Mabuse
Septic Fiend
Sweden
9688 Posts |
Posted - 02/07/2011 : 09:23:40 [Permalink]
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Originally posted by HalfMooner
As is so typical of my disorderly research methodology, I habitually get wildly distracted when looking up information. I may start with a desire to know more about one subject, then find an almost irrelevant link to another, then do the same thing again, all but forgetting my original "swamp-draining" ambition while ultimately learning fascinating tidbits about alligator psychology. (But hey, maybe I'm not the only one?)
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I know exactly what you're talking about.
I think this XKCD visualizes it perfectly...
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Dr. Mabuse - "When the going gets tough, the tough get Duct-tape..."
Dr. Mabuse whisper.mp3
"Equivocation is not just a job, for a creationist it's a way of life..." Dr. Mabuse
Support American Troops in Iraq:
Send them unarmed civilians for target practice..
Collateralmurder. |
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HalfMooner
Dingaling
Philippines
15831 Posts |
Posted - 02/07/2011 : 17:35:25 [Permalink]
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Originally posted by Dr. Mabuse
Originally posted by HalfMooner
As is so typical of my disorderly research methodology, I habitually get wildly distracted when looking up information. I may start with a desire to know more about one subject, then find an almost irrelevant link to another, then do the same thing again, all but forgetting my original "swamp-draining" ambition while ultimately learning fascinating tidbits about alligator psychology. (But hey, maybe I'm not the only one?)
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I know exactly what you're talking about.
I think this XKCD visualizes it perfectly...
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You and XKCD nailed it. The Second Law of Thermodynamics must apply to Wikipedia research. |
“Biology is just physics that has begun to smell bad.” —HalfMooner
Here's a link to Moonscape News, and one to its Archive. |
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Kil
Evil Skeptic
USA
13477 Posts |
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HalfMooner
Dingaling
Philippines
15831 Posts |
Posted - 02/07/2011 : 19:14:58 [Permalink]
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| This thread itself is demonstrating the Wikipedia Effect. |
“Biology is just physics that has begun to smell bad.” —HalfMooner
Here's a link to Moonscape News, and one to its Archive. |
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Kil
Evil Skeptic
USA
13477 Posts |
Posted - 02/07/2011 : 20:15:07 [Permalink]
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Originally posted by HalfMooner
This thread itself is demonstrating the Wikipedia Effect.
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Uncertainty may make you uncomfortable. Certainty makes you ridiculous.
Why not question something for a change?
Genetic Literacy Project |
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CRUX
BANNED
192 Posts |
Posted - 09/24/2011 : 12:55:11 [Permalink]
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| Is he Sting's dad ? |
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The "Taman Shud" Case: The Somerton Man
