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Urban Myths

13:42 / 04.01.06

This all stems from an office debate regarding Sweeny Todd. Now I'm pretty sure he's developed from London legend to an actual operatic character and has somehow got into the public psyche. Like Sherlock Holmes, I guess - alot of people are disappointed to find he wasn't real when they get to Baker street.

Anyway, the dispute developed into: TV detector vans - myth or reality?

I'm sure the money time and effort to maintain an effective, mid-range oscillating frequency, hyperflux capacitor, is, well, bollocks. Especially when you read the official website:

How do the detector vans work?

TAKEN FROM THE TV LICENCING WEBSITE: We have a range of detection tools at our disposal in our vans. Some aspects of the equipment have been developed in such secrecy that engineers working on specific detection methods work in isolation - so not even they know how the other detection methods work. This gives us the best chance of catching licence evaders.

Oh that's right - I wondered what went on in Roswell.

Anyway, if anyone can answer that better than the internet, I'd be grateful, but don't stop there - have you had your faith in society punctured or suspect they're all lying to you? Santa Claus doesn't count.

pointless & uncalled for

14:16 / 04.01.06

I'm never really that diappointed when I discover that something that I thought to be true turns out to be a variation of an urban legend. In fact the back history to the legend often turns out to be more fascinating.

These days incredible stories are often subjected to what I call The Snopes Test, although more frequently I cross reference other debunking sites for a fuller picture.

18:34 / 03.10.06

An interesting UM about people leeching off internet stuff:

There is a subculture of people that go around houses and leech off peoples wireless internet. Then they draw symbols on the sidewalk in front of the houses, letting other people know whether the network is secured or if its good to use. I didnt have internet for a long time and I used to drive halfway across town just to use someone's wireless.

Now go and check outside your house for any strange graffitti.

Kali, Queen of Kitteh

18:37 / 03.10.06

I'm going to look houses in my neighborhood with strange graffiti. I'm a cheap wench, me.

Cloned Christ on a HoverDonkey

19:40 / 03.10.06

"There is a subculture of people that go around houses and leech off peoples wireless internet. Then they draw symbols on the sidewalk in front of the houses, letting other people know whether the network is secured or if its good to use."

It even has a name - it's called warchalking, if I remember correctly.

The name has always smacked of hyperbole to me, like stealing juice off babies and calling it 'deathdrinking'.

21:58 / 03.10.06

Stealing juice off babies?

As in drinking their blood or just stealing juice from their bottles?

Ewww, baby slobber...

STOATIE LIEKS CHOCOLATE MILK

22:10 / 03.10.06

Warchalking Lab thread.