Comments on: Astounding Discovery

Astounding Discovery

RKB — Fri, 07 Mar 2003 05:56:21 -0800

Astounding Discovery. Anybody else been waiting with breathless anticipation for March 8th, 2003? It's too late to debate whether or not this is a hoax (although that particular horse was pretty well beaten here). Our mystery man is on the run again, but the photos are going up tomorrow. Stay tight. The government is closing in. Even with everything else going on in the world, if they can't prevent this information from going public, all I can say is "biblical proportions."

By: metaxa

metaxa — Fri, 07 Mar 2003 06:18:55 -0800

Looks to me like he's just another fruitloop.

By: freakystyley

freakystyley — Fri, 07 Mar 2003 06:20:02 -0800

I'm really curious to see what this thing is... perhaps they're pictures of a cloned baby :).

By: lampshade

lampshade — Fri, 07 Mar 2003 06:21:59 -0800

What exactly is this person looking to expose? The site is just a bit too much to wade through on a Friday morn. A quick cliff note description?

By: Pinwheel

Pinwheel — Fri, 07 Mar 2003 06:22:19 -0800

I used key words in the search engine - words that exactly described the images. That's when all hell broke loose. That may the lamest transition into "all hell broke loose" that I've ever read. On a side note, I think this would have been more fun to discuss if it were posted tomorrow.

By: Outlawyr

Outlawyr — Fri, 07 Mar 2003 06:29:53 -0800

I find myself once more confused. Am I losing my mind or are the posts lately less informative and more cryptic. I feel like I haven't been invited to the super secret Metafilter meeting.

By: CrazyJub

CrazyJub — Fri, 07 Mar 2003 06:29:59 -0800

Better not be another penis enlargement site.

By: Slithy_Tove

Slithy_Tove — Fri, 07 Mar 2003 06:30:58 -0800

We've discussed this before; the MeFi link in the post is broken for some reason, but here's its Google cache. Snopes, too, thinks it's hype for some sort of media, maybe a book.

By: CrazyJub

CrazyJub — Fri, 07 Mar 2003 06:31:38 -0800

Here's my prediction....this site will be number one by the end of today.

By: quonsar

quonsar — Fri, 07 Mar 2003 06:36:49 -0800

rule number one is: we do not talk about the super secret Metafilter meeting.

By: tomplus2

tomplus2 — Fri, 07 Mar 2003 06:39:37 -0800

...link should have been posted tomorrow.

By: planetkyoto

planetkyoto — Fri, 07 Mar 2003 06:43:38 -0800

A fat-free brownie that doesn't let you down in the taste department?

By: Witty

Witty — Fri, 07 Mar 2003 06:45:38 -0800

Who is this faction he keeps referring to? A faction? Please. I find it odd, after reading the front page introduction, that this guy is on the run, his phones were tapped, his bank accounts frozen, people in vans showing up at his house, etc... yet the website manages to live on with a problem. I'm as curious as anyone, but I think it's some kind of hoax or game.

By: lazaruslong

lazaruslong — Fri, 07 Mar 2003 06:47:44 -0800

Wow, what a great link. Almost as good as the "What do you think Colin will say tomorrow?" thread. Thanks for posting zero content.

By: Pretty_Generic

Pretty_Generic — Fri, 07 Mar 2003 06:47:57 -0800

It's going to be goatse.cx. I'm telling you.

By: Tarrama

Tarrama — Fri, 07 Mar 2003 06:50:48 -0800

Mefi's were curious last November too.

By: ook

ook — Fri, 07 Mar 2003 06:51:11 -0800

This site has been posted as a piece of writing with purposeful clues and discrepancies to indicate its fictitious nature It's not a hoax. It's fiction. Badly written fiction, at that.

By: moonbiter

moonbiter — Fri, 07 Mar 2003 06:51:37 -0800

My personal favorite from the second link above (received email): Subject: Truth of the Stargate and Your Involvement To: HM@8march2003.com Priority: Normal I'm am sure that you, and many others have seen either the movie, or the television show known as Stargate. I wish to inform you all that it is loosely based on truth, of course their is no Colonel O'neil, Teal'c, etc., but the stargate itself is in fact real. There was even an episode of the show with this premise. Priceless.

By: Hugh2d2

Hugh2d2 — Fri, 07 Mar 2003 06:53:12 -0800

My guess? It's a new color of M&M's. Or a picture of a tourist guy standing on top of the WTC towers as a plane comes in from behind him. Or maybe a picture of G.W. Bushes clone army.

By: chandy72

chandy72 — Fri, 07 Mar 2003 06:54:19 -0800

My vote is that it's hype for a video game. (This opinion coming from a distinct non-gamer). But thanks for reminding of this little adventure. Hey, maybe this is all tied in to hard evidence that will be presented to the UN...(Sorry, IraqFilter, I know). Waiting with bated breath.

By: angry modem

angry modem — Fri, 07 Mar 2003 07:00:19 -0800

It's a new flavor of gum.

By: y6y6y6

y6y6y6 — Fri, 07 Mar 2003 07:07:33 -0800

"but I think it's some kind of hoax" I just love watching people let this crap reel them in. People are actually waiting to find out if something they know is a dumb joke or a promo will turn out to be a dumb joke or a promo. What? "Who wants be a millionaire" no longer riveting? Jerry Springer in reruns? Already read the Enquirer cover to cover?

By: Tarrama

Tarrama — Fri, 07 Mar 2003 07:24:51 -0800

We need a mojo working for this one.

By: UncleFes

UncleFes — Fri, 07 Mar 2003 07:30:38 -0800

I got a buck that says it's a $5000 scooter.

By: TurkishGolds

TurkishGolds — Fri, 07 Mar 2003 07:34:11 -0800

Did anyone read the disclaimer? Couldn't be plainer: Dear reader, This site has been posted as a piece of writing with purposeful clues and discrepancies to indicate its fictitious nature leading up to the release of ........ Thank you for your overwhelming positive response. I have posted some of the emails that I've received during the last few months for your viewing. The purpose behind this site was to create intrigue, fascination and interest leading up to what this event is about.

By: Frank Grimes

Frank Grimes — Fri, 07 Mar 2003 07:36:19 -0800

I bet it's a declaration of war on Iraq.

By: RKB

RKB — Fri, 07 Mar 2003 07:47:48 -0800

The point isn't to debate whether or not it's a hoax. I think I already said that, and Turkish and others obviously point to the fact that it's a work of fiction (even though, surprisingly, a lot of people write in swearing up and down that it's the most really real conspiracy ever). Everybody knows Joe Millionaire wasn't "reality," but millions still turned in for the finale. What I'm waiting for, seriously, is the pictures. The finish. He's been good about keeping the story going, amidst a ton of early hype, and it deserves some closure. I know it should have been posted tomorrow, but I got ants in my pants, and, besides, who's to say they're actually gonna go up? This is just an early placeholder to be ready, right at 12:05, to click and be... umm... amazed. Or something.

By: troutfishing

troutfishing — Fri, 07 Mar 2003 07:51:54 -0800

(Cliff Notes Version) Aliens! Government conspiracy! (I'm on the run!... mystery vans follow me everywhere!) Mystery cults! Strange sects!....Sex! Death! This site will change your life! Stay Tuned! Give me more site hits! Propagate my memes throught cyberspace! Waah waah waa, waah, waa, waah!!!! [*Kaachiiing!.....$*] There you go. I've covered it all. No need to even muck about on fruity, cryptic web-vertising campaign sites. As the Buddha's followers said to the disciples of a miracle worker - "So....your master works miracles. Mmm. Interesting. So does our master. When he eats, he eats. When he sleeps, he sleeps. When he shits, he shits. When he talks, he talks!" - But it went right over their heads.

By: troutfishing

troutfishing — Fri, 07 Mar 2003 07:55:45 -0800

*Scratches head, dandruff flakes drift lazily to floor to land in bright patch of sunlight.......Writes down memo to self: "Tomorrow, 12:15 p.m. - check out weird cult website. Prepare to flee/worship/capitalize on situation. Eat healthy lunch."*

By: metaxa

metaxa — Fri, 07 Mar 2003 07:58:12 -0800

It'll be for a camera that *vibrates*

By: RobbieFal

RobbieFal — Fri, 07 Mar 2003 08:00:28 -0800

on the basis of 9 + 1 + 1 = 11, 11 = 33 = elitist. 3 + 8 = 11 therefore. If anything, it will be a terrorist attack or something with terrorists or nothing

By: troutfishing

troutfishing — Fri, 07 Mar 2003 08:02:34 -0800

OhmyGAWD - a new meme? "Yes sir. SIR! We are fully prepared to capitalize/worship/flee" "In other news tonight, Mr. Shadily Avaricious, of AvariceCo said of the new corporate takeover looming over his company: "We are fully prepared to exploit/worship/flee our new management structure." "Groooovvy Baby!....Capitalize/worship/flee.......Oh, behave!...." (apologies to Mr. Mike "bitchin' meme" Meyers)

By: srw12

srw12 — Fri, 07 Mar 2003 08:36:00 -0800

I can't wait for the pictu......uh oh, My computer just made a 'whirring' noise. dammit! now I must flee... While browsing the previous thread, I skimmed the TimeCube link... Wow! being delusional must be fun and exciting. I mean how else can you be the only one with absolute truth and the smartest person on the planet? No how, that's how!

By: Tarrama

Tarrama — Fri, 07 Mar 2003 08:36:32 -0800

But we are all going to check it anyway, aren't we?

By: sgt.serenity

sgt.serenity — Fri, 07 Mar 2003 08:38:02 -0800

whatever it is for (my guess is the matrix) i have taken a solemn oath not to buy whatever the heck it is in revenge for its annoyance.

By: essexjan

essexjan — Fri, 07 Mar 2003 08:51:13 -0800

8 March is International Women's Day. Maybe someone has cloned dozens of Maggie Thatchers to lead us into Armageddon against Saddam. Anyway, my curiosity is roused, but then I am easily suggestible and can scare myself witless looking at photos of ghosts on the net. Let's hope the site doesn't exceed its bandwidth before tomorrow.

By: thomcatspike

thomcatspike — Fri, 07 Mar 2003 09:06:33 -0800

on the basis of 9 + 1 + 1 = 11, 11 = 33 = elitist. My math does not add up for what is in bold, do I have to wait for tomorrow too to find out this arithmetic.

By: Perigee

Perigee — Fri, 07 Mar 2003 09:12:57 -0800

I am SO hoping this guy posts pictures of his schlong. It would be the greatest F.U. ever perpetrated on the net.

By: hoborg

hoborg — Fri, 07 Mar 2003 09:15:14 -0800

So all you people who are sure that it's a hoax or a joke or an ad AREN'T going to check it? And for some reason, those of us who are curious are, for the same reason, easily amused and "reeled in". Isn't the anticipation entertainment in and of itself? It's plain to see I have squared the sphere.

By: Guy Smiley

Guy Smiley — Fri, 07 Mar 2003 09:35:32 -0800

If it's photos of a rabbit with some pancakes on its head, I quit.

By: Kodel

Kodel — Fri, 07 Mar 2003 11:00:57 -0800

You guys, this is obviously real. Jeez...are we all so naive?

By: billder

billder — Fri, 07 Mar 2003 11:14:22 -0800

hey, does this March 8 blah blah page look 3D to anybody else? Those reds are really jumping forward and the blues receding backward. Maybe it's my new glasses. Seriously, it looks really freaky. I'm afraid a monster is going to burst through the screen!

By: mathis23

mathis23 — Fri, 07 Mar 2003 11:25:11 -0800

I got a buck that says it's a $5000 scooter. Classic.

By: password

password — Fri, 07 Mar 2003 11:45:48 -0800

Jesus, people. It's obviously this guy.

By: quonsar

quonsar — Fri, 07 Mar 2003 12:23:36 -0800

yawn. those of us in the know, know it's nothing less than the grand opening of livenudequonsar.com.

By: tgrundke

tgrundke — Fri, 07 Mar 2003 12:34:02 -0800

Time for everyone to break out their copies of "The Illuminatus!" Trilogy...

By: clevershark

clevershark — Fri, 07 Mar 2003 13:27:59 -0800

I feel sorry for the guy who wrote the page... there's someone I know who's, shall we say, seriously unwell, and he's reported exactly the same things as the 8march guy, and he's absolutely convinced that black vans used to follow him around, etc. It's called schizophrenia. My advice for this guy is to take some fscking Haldol and deal with it...

By: saltykmurks

saltykmurks — Fri, 07 Mar 2003 14:29:12 -0800

Yeah, totally, schizophrenics should just "deal with it."

By: davidmsc

davidmsc — Fri, 07 Mar 2003 18:37:43 -0800

So, this 8march2003.com thing...is it something that one would have to own a calendar in order to appreciate...?

By: sparky

sparky — Fri, 07 Mar 2003 21:24:13 -0800

Of course whoever it is didn't buy enough bandwidth... whoever hears first, will you post it here?

By: Trik

Trik — Fri, 07 Mar 2003 22:47:17 -0800

Its 03/08/03 now (well, where I live it is) and http://www.8march2003.com/ is a dead link.

The page cannot be displayed The page you are looking for is currently unavailable. The Web site might be experiencing technical difficulties, or you may need to adjust your browser settings.

Looks like they got to his host.

By: insomnia_lj

insomnia_lj — Fri, 07 Mar 2003 23:20:28 -0800

Had to check this site out... looks like it's back up again, but no pictures and all of the domains that they suggest for foriegn mirrors are pointing back at the main site. The main site, incidentally, is registered through a company that does anonymous domain name registrations, and traceroutes to somewhere around San Diego. 64.202.166.10 .

By: moonbird

moonbird — Fri, 07 Mar 2003 23:24:43 -0800

Oh. The world will fictionally end in a cataclysmic flood, that's all. From the site: "Why the hell has a secret faction built a SUPERSHIP on a man-made plateau in a mountain range high above sea level? This could only mean one thing! They are expecting an event to take place that will cause cataclysmic global flooding."

By: quin

quin — Fri, 07 Mar 2003 23:30:29 -0800

Ark II?

By: insomnia_lj

insomnia_lj — Sat, 08 Mar 2003 00:16:26 -0800

Ok... looks like mountainsub.com traceroutes to somewhere in Australia, probably around Sydney. 203.17.36.11 . The last hop is con7608-4.gw.connect.com.au The registrar for mountainsub.com is: Hartley, Roger hartleypublicity@hotmail.com Level 8 237 Collins Street Melbourne, Victoria 3000 AU +61.395139612 Not sure who this Roger Hartley is. There is no listing on the web for a Hartley Publicity, but conspiracy theorists will be glad to know there *IS* a Roger Hartley, who is South Australia's Deputy Chief Executive of the Department of Industry & Trade.

By: planetkyoto

planetkyoto — Sat, 08 Mar 2003 00:18:26 -0800

From the linked site: Tell us in one word what this publicity event is about, and you could be one of 100 winners of a free special gift that relates to this release. IS IT FOR A NEW: GAME BEVERAGE TOY NOVEL CELLPHONE SNACK MOVIE CRUISE CAMERA SHOW CD CAR BOAT VACATION OTHER SUGGESTIONS? WRITE YOUR ANSWER IN THE SUBJECT LINE AND EMAIL TO: competition@cia.com

By: Kodel

Kodel — Sat, 08 Mar 2003 00:39:21 -0800

This is really dumb - like I thought it was dumb before, but just a little. Now, it's just really really dumb. I mean really, a big Noah part II boat? A chopper in the air? Secrets? No. This is a classic case of boredom, and lonliness. If I am dreadfully wrong, than well...I guess I'll be the only moron without a wetsuit. Oh, where is Gilgamesh when you need him...

By: insomnia_lj

insomnia_lj — Sat, 08 Mar 2003 00:43:11 -0800

It is definitely a publicity stunt. There is a disclaimer link off of http://www.8march2003.com that says a lot more: -------------- Dear reader, This site has been posted as a piece of writing with purposeful clues and discrepancies to indicate its fictitious nature leading up to the release of ........ Thank you for your overwhelming positive response. I have posted some of the emails that I've received during the last few months for your viewing. The purpose behind this site was to create intrigue, fascination and interest leading up to what this event is about. -------------- So, that leaves three big questions... 1> What are the purposeful clues? 2> Where are the discrepencies? 3> Why should we give a rat's ass? Oh... wait. A hundred people will win a special free gift Count me in!

By: essexjan

essexjan — Sat, 08 Mar 2003 05:30:06 -0800

This reminds me of Alternative 3, which almost gave me nightmares in 1977 (well, I was only 18 you know, and I've already told you I'm highly suggestible/gullible). We are told that more will be revealed on 15 April. I know I won't be able to resist clicking on the site on that day to see how much of a sucker I've been taken for this time.

By: RKB

RKB — Sat, 08 Mar 2003 05:38:02 -0800

Mmm. Bummer. I still can't make out anything other than a big blurry blob. A photoshopped blob on a mountainside. I was hoping for something more dramatic, I suppose, like bondage photos, or Jesus in a police lineup, or some equally smoking gun. And the mountainsub website? The e-mail that planetkyoto quotes actually goes to cia.com.au, which looks like an Australian web hosting site. The guy unfortunately got sloppy, too, because the URL to the bogus competetition actually points to http://www.cia.com.au/wakeman2012/page2sub.htm. Well, at least if any of this turns out to be true, I don't have to worry about some massive American government coverup. Just looks like Australia is going to sink into the ocean.

By: LowDog

LowDog — Sat, 08 Mar 2003 07:19:10 -0800

Hello....... Can anyone hear me? Did anyone else survive? Am I the last man on Earth? [OVER]

By: Witty

Witty — Sat, 08 Mar 2003 09:53:01 -0800

Haha!

By: Witty

Witty — Sat, 08 Mar 2003 09:54:30 -0800

Sorry, I know a "haha" is such a lame post, but that was fuckin' funny... not just funny, but fuckin' funny. Especially the [OVER] part. Still laughing. [OUT]

By: Dunvegan

Dunvegan — Sat, 08 Mar 2003 10:56:13 -0800

Roger that, LowDog. Overlords here. Thanks for the welcome. [OUT]

By: clevershark

clevershark — Sat, 08 Mar 2003 11:09:48 -0800

they've taken the disclaimer offline, but it's easy enough to see that this is a publicity event. A little more sophisticated than your average web hoax, but not much. You're supposed to... -go to 8march2003.com -as per the instructions, go to "mountainsub.com". Note the server for the link at the bottom of the page (cia.com.au, an innocuous enough internet connectivity company in australia, probably chosen because of its ominous-sounding name). Click on said link. -The site uses a 0-pixel top frame in order to mask the domain name, which is supposed to make us think it's a big conspiracy. On that second page they're running a contest to see if people can determine what this is an ad for (my bet is, it's a movie). The funny thing is the feedback link. If you just look at the link it says it goes to a "cia.com" address (which BTW is just another internet company), but the link goes to "cia.com.au". It's pretty elaborate, but it shouldn't really fool anyone... I'm guessing it's trying to generate hype for some new aussie movie.

By: Witty

Witty — Sat, 08 Mar 2003 11:15:11 -0800

You're breaki -fffffffffffffff- ome in, come in. We're sending a squad over. What's your operating number? [krrrrrtch]

By: sgt.serenity

sgt.serenity — Sat, 08 Mar 2003 14:15:48 -0800

help ! help ! the waters coming up to my knees! AND I LIVE ON THE THIRTEENTH FLOOR !

By: grumblebee

grumblebee — Sat, 08 Mar 2003 17:15:25 -0800

Arc II exposed!

By: dgaicun

dgaicun — Sat, 08 Mar 2003 22:46:54 -0800

Yes, grumblebee, it was already funny when quin did it. Why are so many people thinking this is for a movie? Wouldn't a movie have, like, a budget or something. (for decent website/photoshop/coherent writing, etc.) . . .or do y'all mean for some lame student film.

By: Witty

Witty — Sun, 09 Mar 2003 00:11:47 -0800

I think a budget for a website that you suggest would detract from it's "authenticity".

By: grumblebee

grumblebee — Sun, 09 Mar 2003 09:11:34 -0800

Oops. Missed Quin's scoop. Sorry.

By: dgaicun

dgaicun — Sun, 09 Mar 2003 15:40:40 -0800

I think a budget for a website that you suggest would detract from it's "authenticity". I was thinking of Blair Witch, that was a low budget movie, with a clever high budget promotion campaign, with a cool web site. Blair Witch did a spectacular job of faking authenticity too. (looking back it feels we were all a little bit tricked into seeing it. replay value=0%) Ark II (*snicker*, at least you thought of it too gb!) could have done 1000 things to make its story more vague, mysterious and believable, and it could've started, not with a kick-ass flash website, but at least a coherent story or good photoshop.

By: uncanny hengeman

uncanny hengeman — Mon, 10 Mar 2003 19:23:09 -0800

I like to watch.