Terrible Analogies

While wandering about the vast dank recesses and dusty tomes of the ‘net this past weekend I happened upon a quick mention of something called “callsign UBV-76″. The writer mentioned the unending signal of UBV-76 while waxing eloquently about the amateur radio scene of his youth. This casual, offhanded, throwaway reference piqued my interest. It seemed like a code or a secret handshake used only within the confines of a highly specialized and overlooked subset of society.

Damn it, I had to know more.

Curious, I did a bit of research and came up with the following:

UVB-76 is the callsign of a shortwave radio station that usually broadcasts on the frequency 4625 kHz (AM full carrier). It’s known among radio listeners by the nickname The Buzzer. It features a short, monotonous buzz tone, repeating at a rate of approximately 25 tones per minute, for 24 hours per day. The station has been observed since around 1982.In rare occasions, the buzzer signal is interrupted and a voice transmission in Russian takes place. Only three to four such events have been noted.

There is much speculation; however, the actual purpose of this station remains unknown.

This signal has been interrupted only three times since its discovery.  At each interruption a Russian voice could be heard reciting a series of letters, numbers, and names, the latter of which possibly being a phonetic alphabet.

Some people theorize that this station is used to direct the Russian military in times of crisis, while others believe that it serves as a sort of “dead man switch” for a doomsday weapon.

I love the mysterious, the alien, and the unexplained.  It’s stuff like that that makes my world go ’round (well, that and artichokes).  I hope you take a moment to read up on this topic.  Information can be found at the UVB-76 wiki page and a recording of the buzzer can be heard here.

Strange Facts Strange Facts

This weekend Karin took the kid out to dinner to show him off to some friends.  Feeling a bit lonely, I decided to google the word “alone”.  This is what I found:

1. Alone

What you’re not. Although it may seem like there is nobody there who cares about you, who is like you, or can be a friend to you, there is someone miles and miles away who would like to be there with you if they knew you were calling.

This is a message to all of the lonely and depressed people out there on their computers, reading definitions of words they’re feeling in hopes to find some comfort, if only for a short while. Regardless of whether you’re reading this in five weeks or in five years, and regardless of whether I’m still browsing this site regularly or dead in a car crash, just know that tonight, I was feeling very lonely, crying out for you.

You’re not alone. I’m not alone. We’re not alone

Thanks Urban Dictionary for making me feel a little less lonely.

Random, Strange Facts Random, Strange Facts

“Food blamed for teen obesity”?  Gee, thanks for that breaking news, CNN.  Would have never figured that one out all on my own…

Strange Facts, Television Strange Facts, Television

There’s a commercial that’s been airing recently touting the benefits of the Tempurpedic bed.  This magical space-age memory foam apparently “contours” to your body, negating the need for a spring mattress and, supposedly, providing a more comfortable night’s sleep.

Then they hit you with a shocking statistic.  From what I’m led to believe apparently Tempurpedic sells “one mattress every sixty seconds.”

Woah, hold on there partner.  One mattress every sixty seconds?  Is the woman included in the sales price?  Let me run some numbers here…

Breaking out the calculator and figuring that Tempurpedic sells 60 mattresses per hour, that comes out to 720 every twelve hours.  That’s 262,800 mattresses sold every year.  My God, that’s (*button mash* *calculate* *carry the two…*) 10,249,200 mattresses since 1970.

That means that over 3.5% of the U.S. population owns a Tempurpedic mattress.

To put this into perspective, 25% of the U.S. considers themselves Catholic, 15% of the population is Hispanic, 12% are living at the poverty level, and 12% are 65 years old or older.

Again, 3.5% of the population owns (or owned at one time) one of these mattresses?  Can this be right? Personally, I don’t know of anybody who owns a Tempurpedic product.  Now, I’m sure my numbers here aren’t bombproof, but if I’m even close to the ballpark, it’s a stunning figure.

Commercial Product, Strange Facts Commercial Product, Strange Facts

I’m a fan of the alt/indie/rock band the Eels.  I was first turned on to them in the 90′s with the release of their amazing album Beautiful Freak.  The Eels have a knack for making some of the most beautifully depressing music in the world.  In fact, one of my 100 favorite songs is “Agony” off of their album Shootenanny!.  With so much introspective sadness it’s a wonder it doesn’t wear off on the listeners.  

Before I continue, I must insist that you listen to “Agony”.  You can stream the song from here (press the next button until you get to track #6).  I’ll wait while you gather your noose, razor blades, and sleeping pills, settle down in the most acute corner of the nearest dark room, and let the blissful misery of this song soak deep into your bones.

Okay, you done?  Great.  Let’s continue…

So anyway, as I was wrapping up a bit of e-mail late one night last month I happened upon a show on KPBS where I swore I heard an Eels song playing in the background.  On the screen was a bearded guy smoking a cigar on a park bench.  He was talking about his father and how important it was to finally get to know him years after his death.  After a few minutes of trying to make sense of this show I flipped the channel, not knowing that what I was watching was Mark Oliver Everett, the lead singer of the Eels, talking about his late father, who just happened to mathematically conceive one of the most bizarre theories of quantum mechanics;  what he proposed was the “Many Worlds” theory, predicting that multiple parallel worlds existed beyond our own.

As I came to understand the importance of what I had missed when I so blithely turned the channel, that this show not only centered on the lead singer of a brilliant band, but also on the almost unbelievable fact that his father was such an iconic figure in science, I silently cursed myself and immediately began to scour the internet to purchase a copy of this NOVA production.

Parallel Worlds, Parallel Lives follows Mark Everett as he travels the country to discover the father that he never knew.  Along the way his father’s theories are explored and explained, life lessons long since hidden away in dark cupboards and discarded boxes are uncovered, revelations are made, and an unfortunately ignored genius is finally given the exposure and appreciation it deserves.

Call me odd, but I enjoy stories like these.  With a running time at just under an hour, it’s easy enough to absorb, and it’s fascinating enough that you’ll want to share it with others.

Movies, Music, Strange Facts Movies, Music, Strange Facts