The Week in WHAT?!: Is 2013 Already the Year of the Alien Planet?
The fiscal cliff, the new year, Downton Abbey and the Kimye baby. You’ve probably heard each of these mentioned this week, and with (mostly) good reason. However, these big ticket stories probably caused you to miss out on some big WTF moments. That’s why we’ve compiled “The Week in WHAT?!” to give you a second chance to catch up on some of the more offbeat items. So dust off that old C+C Music Factory cassette you’ve been hiding in the box under your bed and get ready to cue up some “Things That Make You Go Hmmm…!”
Who’s Ready For An Intergalactic Dance Party?
Even if you’re not a sci-fi enthusiast, chances are you’ve at least questioned the existence of extraterrestrial life forms or found yourself enthralled by the concept of outer space. And if you haven’t, then you’re probably about to. A new study suggests that there may be over 100 billion alien planets in our home galaxy. That’s right. Billion. Some of these planets could even exist in what scientists refer to as a “habitable zone,” which means there’s the potential for living organisms, or at the very least liquid water. As Ke$ha once posited, “Does anyone ever stop to think maybe we are the aliens?”
Is That a Big Brain in Your Head or Are You Just Happy to See Me?
Being brainy isn’t everything it’s cracked up to be, though it could still have its benefits. You know, if you’re into intelligence or that sort of thing. Swedish researchers now say they have proof that all that extra brainpower is quite the energy zapper. In fact, the excess energy required by a bigger brain may have a negative impact on other areas of the body. Then again, they monitored these cognitive differences in guppies rather than humans. So, your other organs would like to thank you in advance for not thinking too hard about this just yet.
Peanut Butter and Spam: A Modern Day Love Story?
Who says peanut butter and cured meat can’t be friends with benefits? Certainly not Hormel Foods. The makers of SPAM, the popular precooked-canned-gelatinous-salty pork product, have acquired the Skippy brand for a reported $700 billion. Having sold more than seven billion cans of SPAM worldwide, that price tag is absolutely peanuts. Get ready for some interesting household culinary infusions.
Teens Do the Darnedest Things… When Their Internet Is At Stake
If this isn’t a sign of Internet connectivity dependency, then what is? Two teens in Northern California allegedly concocted a magical sleeping potion (okay, so it was just a milkshake with crushed up pills) to lull their parents into a deep spell that only true love’s kiss (or an eight hour snoozefest) could break. It was all an elaborate attempt to avoid a 10 pm curfew the elders bestowed upon the teens restricting internet usage after that time. The plan was obviously foiled because parents can always sense when something is amiss. It’s one of their powers, right?
And there you have this week in “WHAT?!” Can’t wait to see what’s in store for humanity next!
