Buzz
This article is ideal for those seeking an exploration of diverse and contentious subjects. Our world is brimming with individuals, concepts, regulations, theories, and occurrences that are subtly interconnected, often revealing causal relationships or shared elements. For various reasons, certain topics remain undiscussed by global media, national governments, and corporate entities. Below, we present ten themes united by a common thread.
10. Super Hornio Brothers and Nintendo
Nintendo stands as one of the world's leading consumer electronics companies. In 1985, the launch of the NES console set a benchmark for the evolution of video games. Mario, Nintendo's most iconic character, has featured in over 200 games and is arguably the most renowned figure in gaming history. The Mario series has sold more than 210 million units, cementing its status as the top-selling franchise ever. Mario's influence extends to TV shows, movies, comics, and licensed merchandise. Yet, there are two Mario-based films that Nintendo prefers to keep under wraps.
In 1993, two adult parodies of the Super Mario series, titled Super Hornio Brothers and Super Hornio Brothers II, were produced. These films were created concurrently with the Super Mario Bros. movie. The cast included Buck Adams, T.T. Boy, Ron Jeremy, and Chelsea Lynx as the leads. The plot revolves around Squeegie Hornio (Ron Jeremy) and his brother Ornio Hornio (T.T. Boy), who are transported into a video game after a power surge and must confront King Pooper (Buck Adams), who has captured Princess Perlina (Chelsea Lynx).
Originally funded by Sin City Entertainment, the project was later abandoned, prompting Buck Adams to collaborate with Midnight Video. Before the films could be released, Nintendo intervened to block their distribution. Ron Jeremy’s website mentions that while he wishes to include these films in his extensive collection, Nintendo acquired the rights to prevent their release permanently. The existence of the Super Hornio Brothers films was only confirmed in 2008. Today, these movies remain inaccessible and are often regarded as the ultimate parody treasures.
9. Tara Calico and the Polaroid Photo
Tara Calico’s disappearance is one of the most puzzling cases of the 20th century. On September 20, 1988, Tara left her home in Belen, New Mexico, for a bike ride and vanished without a trace. During the search, her Sony Walkman and a Boston cassette tape were found along her usual biking path. Witnesses reported seeing Tara cycling, but no one observed her alleged abduction. Her case garnered significant media attention in the U.S., with features on Unsolved Mysteries, America’s Most Wanted, The Oprah Winfrey Show, and 48 Hours.
The investigation stalled until June 15, 1989, when a Polaroid image of an unidentified young girl and boy, both tied and gagged, was discovered in a Florida convenience store parking lot. Upon its release, speculation arose that the girl might be Tara. Her mother identified the girl as Tara, citing a scar on the leg that matched one Tara had from a car accident.
Scotland Yard confirmed the girl in the photo was Tara, but tests by the Los Alamos National Laboratory and the FBI were inconclusive. The photo featured a copy of V.C. Andrews' 1982 gothic novel “My Sweet Audrina” next to the girl. Investigators determined the photo was taken after May 1989, as the film used wasn’t available until then, placing it at least eight months after Tara’s disappearance.
Initially, the boy in the photo was believed to be Michael Henley, a New Mexico resident who vanished in April 1988. However, after Henley’s remains were found in the Zuni Mountains, this theory was discarded. Throughout the 1980s and ’90s, there were multiple alleged sightings of Tara, but her case remains unsolved. Two additional Polaroid photos potentially showing Tara have emerged, though they have not been made public by authorities.
8. Miasma Theory and Germs
Ignaz Semmelweis, a 19th-century Hungarian doctor, was a trailblazer in antiseptic practices. Known as the “savior of mothers,” he proposed in 1847 that using chlorinated lime solutions to wash hands in hospitals could drastically reduce the mortality rate of puerperal fever, a bacterial infection affecting women after childbirth or miscarriage. This infection could escalate to puerperal sepsis, often proving fatal. His findings led to a 90% decrease in deaths from childbed fever.
Although Semmelweis published evidence that handwashing could significantly lower puerperal fever rates, doctors continued to neglect this practice until Louis Pasteur validated the germ theory, which identified microorganisms as the root cause of many diseases. This concept faced strong opposition, as many believed in the miasma theory, which attributed diseases like cholera and the Black Death to harmful “bad air.” The term miasma translates to “pollution.”
Miasma was thought to be a toxic vapor transmitted through contaminated water, foul air, and unsanitary conditions. It was identified by its unpleasant odor but was not believed to spread between individuals. During the 1850s, miasma was used to explain cholera outbreaks in London and Paris. Authorities advised people to maintain personal hygiene to avoid the disease, unaware that cholera was actually waterborne. While the miasma theory highlighted the risks of poor sanitation, it overlooked the role of germs and microbiology.
7. Bob Lazar and Element 115
In 1982, Bob Lazar entered the public eye through a Los Alamos Monitor article detailing his project to build a jet car using a jet engine. The article identified him as “a physicist at the Los Alamos Meson Physics Facility.” Years later, in November 1989, Lazar gave an interview to investigative journalist George Knapp, aired on a Las Vegas TV station. During the interview, Lazar asserted that he had worked at a classified site called S-4, situated near Groom Lake, Nevada, within Area 51.
Lazar claimed that S-4 was a covert U.S. military base dedicated to reverse-engineering alien spacecraft. He stated that he observed nine distinct flying discs and received a briefing on human-extraterrestrial interactions spanning 100,000 years. According to Lazar, these beings, known as Zeta Reticulans or Greys, originated from the Zeta Reticuli 1 & 2 star system. He described S-4 as having nine hangars built into a mountainside, with doors angled to match the slope.
Lazar provided detailed descriptions of the alien spacecraft and their propulsion systems. He claimed that Element 115, or ununpentium, served as a nuclear fuel for the crafts. This element, he explained, generated an energy source that created anti-gravity effects when bombarded with protons. By amplifying the strong nuclear force field of Element 115’s nucleus, the gravitational distortion would warp space-time, reducing travel time to distant locations. His explanation was highly scientific and appeared plausible.
However, after the interview gained widespread attention, Lazar was labeled a fraud. Government officials denied the existence of Element 115 and dismissed his claims as false. His educational background was scrutinized, and colleagues claimed no recollection of him. On February 2, 2004, Russian and American scientists announced the successful synthesis of ununpentium (Element 115), a revelation that came 15 years after Lazar’s claims about its role in alien spacecraft propulsion.
6. Operation Endgame and U.S. Immigration
In 2003, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency launched Operation Endgame, a ten-year initiative aimed at detaining and deporting all removable aliens and “suspected terrorists” in the U.S. by 2012. To achieve this, a series of laws were enacted to curb immigration. In 2007, the Secure Communities program was introduced to identify, prioritize, and remove criminal aliens from the country.
The program utilizes advanced technology, particularly biometric identification systems, to detect illegal immigrants. The Obama administration strongly supported Secure Communities, which led to the arrest of 140,396 criminal aliens and the deportation of 72,445 between 2008 and 2011. By 2013, the program was expected to expand nationwide, with detention centers established in numerous cities.
On December 31, 2011, President Barack Obama signed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), allocating $662 billion for U.S. defense and international interests. The bill faced revisions, including the removal of a provision allowing the detention of U.S. citizens suspected of terrorism. However, it permitted the indefinite detention of illegal aliens and foreign travelers classified as terrorists.
On April 23, 2010, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed SB 1070, making it a state misdemeanor for illegal immigrants to be in Arizona without proper documentation. In 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down key provisions, including requirements for legal immigrants to carry registration documents, state police authority to arrest suspected illegal immigrants, and penalties for illegal immigrants seeking employment.
The Supreme Court unanimously upheld the provision allowing Arizona state police to investigate a person’s immigration status during a stop if justified. Had the law passed, states could have enacted vastly differing immigration policies. However, since it was ruled unconstitutional, states like Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Indiana, and Utah must revise their immigration laws to comply with federal standards.
5. Cloud 9 and Cannibalism
Methylenedioxypyrovalerone (Cloud 9), a psychoactive drug created in 1969, gained popularity in the U.S. in 2004 as a designer drug sold as bath salts. Easier to obtain than cigarettes or alcohol, it became a favored substance among teenagers. Little is known about its effects on the brain, but it has been linked to erratic behaviors, including violent episodes and cannibalism. Since 2011, reports have surfaced of individuals committing bizarre acts, suicides, and unexplained deaths after using Cloud 9.
The dangers of bath salts gained widespread attention on May 26, 2012, when Rudy Eugene, allegedly under the influence of Cloud 9, attacked Ronald Poppo on Miami’s MacArthur Causeway, consuming much of his face, including his left eye. The 18-minute assault ended when police fatally shot Eugene. Poppo survived but required extensive facial reconstruction. Initially, police suspected bath salts, but toxicology reports only found traces of marijuana in Eugene’s system.
On June 2, 2012, Brandon DeLeon, a homeless man in Miami, consumed Cloud 9 and started shouting profanities at two North Miami police officers. After his arrest, he attempted to bite off an officer’s hand. Days later, on June 6, 2012, Carl Jacquneaux, under the influence of Cloud 9, assaulted Todd Credeur at his home, biting his face until wasp spray was used to subdue him.
In late May 2012, Alexander Kinyua admitted to cannibalizing his roommate, Kujoe Bonsafo Agyei-Kodie. Around the same time, Wayne Carter stabbed himself multiple times and hurled his skin and intestines at police officers. Both men were reportedly high on Cloud 9. In July 2012, Karl Laventure, influenced by the drug, was arrested after threatening to eat officers on a Liburn, Georgia golf course. In June 2012, Michael Daniel, 22, allegedly smoked synthetic marijuana (spice) in Waco, Texas, then behaved erratically, barking like a dog and consuming his neighbor’s 40-pound dog.
The distribution of Cloud 9 and synthetic marijuana (spice) has been banned in numerous U.S. states and countries globally. By fall 2012, Canada’s drug policy will classify methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) as a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, grouping it with heroin and cocaine. Cloud 9 is a hazardous drug known to induce severe hallucinations and delusions.
4. Online Disinhibition Effect and Data Mining
The online disinhibition effect refers to the phenomenon where individuals abandon social norms and restraints while using the Internet. This behavior stems from the anonymity of online interactions, which lack face-to-face communication. As a result, people often act in ways that contradict their real-life personalities. Some users actively seek emotional reactions from others online, going to great lengths to provoke responses to their comments.
It’s important to recognize that people often assign imagined traits and characteristics to others online. These assumptions are frequently incorrect, disrupting traditional social hierarchies. Online, you might be interacting with an elderly person, a police officer, a child, or a young woman seeking a date without realizing it. The lack of fear of consequences encourages poor behavior on the Internet.
Data mining is an expanding area within computer science, widely used by organizations to predict behaviors. It involves analyzing large data sets statistically to identify trends and patterns. Internet companies utilize data mining to study user behavior, while governments employ it to monitor online activity and identify potential threats.
3. Abortion and Crime
Around two-thirds of the global female population resides in regions where abortion is legal. Laws vary by country, with China, North Korea, and Vietnam being the only nations enforcing mandatory abortions. This topic is highly contentious and has led to numerous legal battles. Abortion became legal across all U.S. states in 1973, and since then, millions of procedures have been performed annually.
The global abortion rate has risen since the introduction of Mifepristone, a non-surgical abortion method. In the U.S., abortion rates are significantly higher among minority women. In 2000, Black women were three times more likely to undergo an abortion than White women. Common reasons for abortion include postponing childbearing, financial constraints, relationship issues, young age, educational disruption, and not wanting additional children.
In 2001, Yale University’s John J. Donohue III published a study in the Quarterly Journal of Economics linking the 1990s U.S. crime decline to the 1973 legalization of abortion. During the 1990s, the U.S. saw a 40% drop in homicides and auto thefts, marking the most significant and sustained crime reduction since World War II.
Donohue III’s paper argues that legalized abortion significantly contributed to the crime drop, with declines beginning around 18 years post-legalization. States that allowed abortion earlier experienced earlier declines. The theory posits that unwanted children are more likely to engage in criminal behavior, and abortion is more prevalent among low-income groups. However, some economists dispute the theory, labeling it pseudoscientific and unverified.
Another notable concept is the Roe effect, which hypothesizes that abortion’s long-term impact will shift political balances. The theory suggests that pro-choice individuals are more likely to have abortions, leading to a gradual decline in their population. As children tend to adopt their parents’ political views, pro-life groups may eventually dominate, potentially leading to the outlawing of abortion. This cyclical process could repeat over generations.
2. Chilling Effect and Democracy
The chilling effect refers to a deterrent, often a federal law or regulation, designed to discourage the exercise of constitutional rights. It arises when governments enact laws that make individuals hesitant to act, typically suppressing free speech. While it doesn’t outright ban speech, it imposes undue burdens. Such laws can provoke public outrage, as they are often viewed as undemocratic.
In March 2012, Vladimir Putin won 63.64% of the presidential vote, securing a historic third term in Russia. This sparked widespread protests, as many believed it was unjust for Putin to run again. Critics were angered by his policies and leadership. The 2011 Democracy Index noted that Russia had regressed from a hybrid to an authoritarian regime under Putin. WikiLeaks’ leaked U.S. diplomatic cables further accused Russia of becoming a “virtual mafia state” due to his rule.
In response to the protests, Russia implemented laws creating a chilling effect. Putin imposed strict limits on protests and severe penalties for violations. He authorized government raids on protest organizers and introduced a law fining individuals $9,000 for participating in rallies that caused harm. This was particularly harsh, given Russia’s average annual salary of $8,500. Essentially, Putin’s message was clear: protest, and you risk losing everything.
1. Religion and Intelligence
Numerous studies have explored the link between intelligence and religious belief, aiming to determine if atheists have higher IQs than religious individuals. In 2008, intelligence researcher Helmuth Nyborg analyzed data from 137 countries and found that atheists scored an average of 6 IQ points higher. Only 23 countries (17%) had over 20% atheists, and these were predominantly higher-IQ nations. The study reported a significant correlation of 0.60 between atheism rates and intelligence.
Critics argue that Nyborg’s study overlooked complex social, economic, and historical factors. A key confounding variable is that poorer nations tend to have more religious and less educated populations. Conversely, in Australia, 23% of Christian church members hold university or postgraduate degrees, compared to 13% of the general population, suggesting a link between education and religious belief.
Gallup polls indicate that individuals with higher IQs are less likely to believe in God. A 2010 study in Social Psychology Quarterly found that atheism correlates with higher intelligence. Similarly, Harvard University research showed that reflective thinkers were less inclined to believe in God. However, determining a causal relationship between IQ and religious belief remains contentious. A 2004 study even found that highly religious individuals claimed to have above-average intelligence, highlighting the controversy.
