annals of improbable research

I don't know too many scientists who don't think that the Annals of Improbable Research are funny. I don't surf over to the magazine or blog (actually the online version of their Guardian column) very often these days, but I do get their monthly newsletter, mini-AIR. There's always a laugh-out-loud tidbit in there.

These are the folks that give us the annual Ig Noble Prize, honoring real research that is, let's just say, offbeat. The most recent mini-AIR announced the upcoming Ig Noble Prize ceremony, providing a short list of attendees. The last line cracked me up.

In addition to the new winners, several past winners will attend the ceremony:

• Deborah Anderson (effectiveness of Coca-Cola as a spermicide)
• Don Featherstone (creation of the plastic pink flamingo)
• Francis Fesmire (digital rectal massage cures intractable hiccups)
• Dan Meyer (swordswallowing and its side effects)
• Kees Moeliker (homosexual necrophilia in the mallard duck)

All of them, especially Dr. Francis Fesmire, will be happy to shake your hand.

Comments

[pohanginapete]

Wonderful :^D The last line did make me nervous, though ;^)

[Kimberlee]

Sounds like the perfect occasion for bringing gloves back in vogue!