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Two black hawk helicopters down. 18 US soldiers killed.
No, not today.
October 3rd, 1993.
Mogadishu, Somalia.
posted by insomnia_lj at 10:53 PM PST - 21 comments

His name is Jean-Michel Cousteau! [dramatic chords] His father's name was Jack something, and like his father, Jean-Michel believes by working on things like Finding Nemo he, "can reach a far larger audience through entertainment in popular media than through innumerable press conferences, summits and reports. That is not to say that prestigious conferences and notable studies are irrelevant. They are critically necessary to validate the condition of the world’s oceans and bring opinion leaders together to share ideas and shape the collective political will." With this new sea-lebrity (haha! get it?), he hopes to help young people change the world. ...Well I just thought that was like totally rad and wanted to share with the virtual blue.
posted by ZachsMind at 10:53 PM PST - 7 comments

Iraq and Al-Queda Linked? The WeeklyStandard claims to have received a letter sent from Undersecretary of Defense for Policy to the chairmen of the Senate Intelligence Committee, outlining the connections between Iraq and Bin Laden. Shortly thereafter, the DOD criticizes the WeeklyStandard for mischaracterizing the memo. Story still developing...
posted by nads at 8:45 PM PST - 16 comments

I've been meaning to post this for the longest time.
posted by staggernation at 7:49 PM PST - 23 comments

Ascii Farts.
posted by holloway at 6:52 PM PST - 5 comments

Algorithmic Obscenity [maybe nsfw?] Who knew math could be this much fun? [via BoingBoing]
posted by srboisvert at 6:15 PM PST - 5 comments

Photos by Matt Stuart - the weird and wonderful around London.
posted by Orange Goblin at 5:24 PM PST - 9 comments

Republican Dolls, Dons, Dens And Dubyas: Come back Barbie and Ken - all is forgiven! (Via Bifurcated Rivets.)
posted by MiguelCardoso at 3:23 PM PST - 8 comments

Elves in Iceland. Many modern Icelanders either believe in or won't rule out the existence of supernatural beings like the álfar, or elves. In the town of Hafnarfjordur, they are respected citizens. If you want to learn more, consider attending the Álfaskólinn, the Icelandic Elf School. (Iceland also has trolls, but then don't we all.)
posted by homunculus at 1:36 PM PST - 20 comments

"DEAR MR PRESIDENT, WE WE THINK YOUR WAR IS STUPID, AND WE SAY NO WAY!" Thus the Radical Cheerleaders arrive on the protest scene, taking the outfits and chants usually found on the football field to protests and demonstrations all over the world. Some chants here, and more coverage here. hey, it beats giant puppets!
posted by amberglow at 11:37 AM PST - 51 comments

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World The Russell Crowe film adaptation of Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey-Maturin novels, opens this weekend (the film was previously part of this discussion). The critics love it (though some find it boring). Patrick O'Brian fans are legion, and often passionate. (Good fans sites include Dr. Maturin's Natural History and The Gunroom, The Patrick O'Brian Compendium, and the page of Patrick O'Brian Web Resources.) The upcoming Cold Mountain looks to be another promising film adaptation of quality historical fiction. What other historical novels have made a smooth transition to film? Which novels would you like to see make the transition? (Flashman?)
posted by jdroth at 11:00 AM PST - 44 comments

Time Tales : a collection of abandoned photographs, found at fleamarkets, thriftshops, or just lying on the street
posted by anastasiav at 10:41 AM PST - 7 comments

"Pending its review, the EPA says it is not now advising consumers to stop using Teflon products. The results of the agency's review of the safety of C-8 and of Teflon-related products that may release it are expected in coming months" Teflon may cause birth defects and illness. D'oh!
posted by mathowie at 10:13 AM PST - 36 comments

Nirvana to blame for industry's focus on image?
posted by boost ventilator at 9:49 AM PST - 33 comments

DNA profiling may be a complex issue, but whatever your take, go ahead and try your hand at genetic sleuthing with this spiffy flash interactive.
posted by moonbird at 8:10 AM PST - 2 comments

Garden Sheds. Why is it when men reach a certain age they get a hankering after a garden shed, somewhere they can escape to, to potter or mend things or just smoke and read? Well I'm glad it's not just me. And is this a particularly British thing?
posted by rolo at 7:22 AM PST - 21 comments

While you were sleeping: Alaska became part of Canada, and Vancouver Island sunk into the ocean. This according to the lobby floor of the CBC building. It may be time for those guys - and all of us - to reexamine our geographic literacy.
posted by PrinceValium at 7:19 AM PST - 19 comments

As Texas Sen. Gonzalo Barrientos said of his Republican colleagues: "They don't want to govern. They want to rule." An apt quote regarding the sea change in American politics found in an enlightening article about the current state of pork barrel politics. I'm going to pinpoint that change as being the 1994 election when the Republicans gained control of Congress. Ever since then, it seems like the welfare of the American people wasn't only low on the politician's priority list, but it plain dropped off...and the PORK found in this batch of legislation has done nothing to disabuse me of that notion.

As an aside, I think I've found my new favorite texan (HA, like there's many), Molly Ivins. little bit of FARKfilter for ya, sorry.
posted by taumeson at 6:34 AM PST - 15 comments

solar system [note: requires anark plugin]
posted by crunchland at 6:16 AM PST - 14 comments

Chinese cricket culture encompasses a 2000 year history of both singing insects and fighting crickets. The tradition continues today, with some crickets selling at market for $1200. A visitor to Shanghai explains the allure of crickets as pets while others see their value as fearsome fighters. Cricket boxes and cages make interesting collectibles.
posted by madamjujujive at 4:46 AM PST - 16 comments