If an alien located on a planet 100 light years from here was to switch on a big, multi-frequency radio receiver, and record all the noises coming from outer space for the next hundred years, on all frequencies, how many soap operas, advertisements and new broadcasts would they pick up from Earth? Would a mass-market radio, similar to our Earthly equivalents, pick up anything? Over time, as the number of Earth transmissions increases exponentially, would the alien pick up a cacophony or a damp fizzle? [more inside]
posted by 0bvious on Feb 23, 2012 - 10 answers

[Philosophy/Language/HistoryFilter]: What's the name of this rhetorical or logical technique, where you explain a subject by making a lot of lists? [more inside]
posted by gallusgallus on May 27, 2011 - 6 answers

I'm writing a paper on (animated) GIFs and am trying to track down some of the most (in)famous. I suppose I am talking memes, but I'm more interested in the GIF as an archaeological reference point. I frequent sites like dump.fm, tumblr etc. so am quite tuned in to the glitchy/kitschy side of GIF culture. How theoretical have people got on these wonders of the web? How does one trace the history of an animated GIF? [more inside]
posted by 0bvious on May 16, 2011 - 11 answers

Did Paul Revere know what a polar bear was? [more inside]
posted by Mayor Curley on Nov 5, 2010 - 12 answers

Can you point me to any good writing (research-based, speculative, or heck, even fictional) about the potential historical permanence or impermanence of digital media? I'm interested in both professional (theatrical movies, book publishing, maps...) and personal (digital snapshots, Livejournal, email...) forms of digital information storage. [more inside]
posted by bubukaba on Aug 31, 2010 - 8 answers

I've been tasked (by myself and others) with compiling an extensive history of my extended family on one side. More than a family tree, we're compiling stories, photos, everything we can gather about my weirdo relatives. What tools should I use to compile it? [more inside]
posted by tmcw on Mar 27, 2009 - 7 answers

What happened to Calpurnia after Julius Caeser's death? [more inside]
posted by tellurian on Jun 28, 2008 - 10 answers

'The Flâneur': What fascinating titbits can you add to my knowledge about this concept? Art, history, philosophy and literary theory links all welcome. [more inside]
posted by 0bvious on Oct 25, 2006 - 22 answers

What are some facts, rumors, and speculation about secretive/mysterious organizations or events? [more inside]
posted by foraneagle2 on Jan 11, 2006 - 20 answers