Overnight Open Thread (17 May 2014)

Five of the Internet's eeriest, unsolved mysteries. C'mon now, the Obamacare website should be on the list.

Cicada 3301: For over two years, amateur cryptographers have struggled with Cicada 3301, a kind of Internet scavenger hunt that relies on advanced code-breaking — and a working knowledge of things like obscure medieval literature and Mayan numerology — to unlock progressive clues. Who’s behind the puzzle is unclear, although many enthusiasts believe it’s a large, well-funded and shadowy organization trying to recruit into its membership. At this rate, we may never know.

Dodgeball

Bring it back!! How Dodgeball became America's most demonized sport (for now).

Pubic Hair Documentary

Casting call for women to discuss their personal relationship with their pubic hair and discuss pubic trends. A "documentary"? Sure, sure. Sounds like it's just a ploy to film nekkid ladies. This sounds like it would've been right up Scott Tenorman's alley.

Math Trick

Skynet

Oh man. Skynet is making a move. A venture capital firm just named an algorithm to its board of directors. Won't be long until it totally takes over the board.

Polar Vortex and Coal

Yo. Somebody might want to rethink closing down coal plants after reading this report.

The “Polar Vortex” weather events of January and February 2014 demonstrated the contribution of the existing coal fleet, including those units currently scheduled for retirement over the next 2 to 3 years, to the reliability of the U.S. electricity grid. AEP reported that it deployed 89% of its coal units scheduled for closure, and Southern Company reported use of 75% of its coal units scheduled for closure. Use of these units enabled utilities to meet customer demand during a period when already limited natural gas resources were diverted from electricity production to meeting residential heating needs.
Nationwide, over 90% of the increase in power generation in January and February 2014 (versus January and February 2013) came from the existing coal fleet.

Ukulele Metal

A Headline You Won't See

Pool chemicals injure more than 5,000 yearly: more dangerous than e-cig juice.

Cat Video

Tonight's ONT brought to you by really old kitteh pictures:

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posted by CDR M at 10:02 PM

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