Mecca Time

I am intrigued by a story in the BBC today that is suggesting that GMT should be dropped and Mecca Time used to replace it as the de-facto, central time that all clocks are co-ordinated from. The argument seems to be two fold: Firstly, GMT is a British Imperial imposition; secondly Scientists are arguing that Mecca is the center of the Earth thus should be the central time zone.

I am not going to explore the arguments on this (However, I totally disagree that the British “imposed” it because they were a big colonial power, they just had a concept of co-ordinated time that could be used regardless of where you were in the world thus helping with marine navigation, successfully argued to being adopted universally; plus GMT, especially in Scientific terms, has been replaced by UTC and is an astronomical concept of measuring time), but what I find interesting is that this is an example of Science backing a Theological argument. Normally you would find the two areas diametrically opposed to each other. I am sure that there are plenty of other examples. Very intriguing.

What would be even more interesting is if this was adopted by all Islamic states. Effectively you would have two time systems UTC and Mecca Time (but then why not others). How would this affect the world? I can’t see there being much of a problem; you could get into the argument of time being an abstract concept, but it could work. People have bad enough problem telling what time it is in other countries, using several methods of telling the time, as long as they are universally understood, can be done especially given technological help; Since the constants are known there would be no problems. Again, an interesting idea. Next I would like to see calendar months re-organised to by more equal in length, or at least February getting a few more days to round it up; who cares about leap years.

• BBC News
• GMT

Aliens can cure

This time Aliens are being attributed to the miraculous healing qualities of mud ponds near a small town, somewhere in Peru (in the middle of nowhere).

“Locals say that space ships come to harvest an unknown material from the [ocean] area off Chilca’s beach. The UFO’s supposedly leave behind substances that leach into the ponds and give them curative powers.”

• Neatorama

The truth is in Japan

clipped from news.bbc.co.uk UFOs exist, says Japan official Japan’s chief government spokesman has announced that unidentified flying objects (UFOs) exist. Earlier, in response to a question from an opposition lawmaker, the Japanese government issued a statement saying it could not confirm any cases of UFOs.

Attack of the giant spider

This is doing the rounds today. Looks like NASA and Florida is being plagued by giant spiders that have a passion for liquid oxygen centered space craft. At least this is what the video evidence suggests. (Click to see the full coverage)

…or Youtube it…

Strange Events

There must be something in the water, today seems to be strange events posting day. From a Fortean point of view these are fascinating stories:

• The strangest disaster of 20th century
• Urban legends that aren’t
• Fortean Times stories (just for the sake of having three links)

Maps that confound

One of the stories this week that certainly ranks high in the subject of world mysteries (or at least unanswered questions) must be the Waldseemuller map, not least the naming of America and why, plus the accurate mapping of a continent that had just been “discovered” by Europeans.

Created in 1507, it names America, maps accurately South America and also shows the Pacific. Its gone on display in the US.

• Waldseemuller map

There are many other maps that confound reason, which I guess only confounds if you accept traditional versions of history. Notably the Piri Reis map and the globes created by Johannes Schoner challenge conventional history which teaches us a version of history that seems to match the generally accept version of events, it doesn’t allow for alternatives that provide far too many questions that can’t be answered. An interesting read:

• The Piri Reis map
  
• Johannes Schoner
• Ancient World maps

Aliens did it

Don’t have a suitable explanation for when things go wrong, or simply can’t get experts to explain thing, then why not blame Aliens. “I was late to work because of Aliens”, “Its raining because of Aliens”, “Aliens made me take the bribe”, etc…

clipped from www.telegraph.co.uk Aliens were responsible for a series of unexplained fires in fridges, TV’s and mobile phones in an Italian village, according to an Italian government report. Canneto di Caronia, in northern Sicily, drew attention three years ago after residents reported everyday household objects bursting into flames. TV news footage at the time showed electrical appliances as well as cookers, a pile of wedding presents and furniture smouldering.

Demonic TV

Nothing more to be said, TV is nothing more than demonic - see the movie Poltergeist.

I am new to youtube playlists (and running water, electricity, etc). So it is with much joy that found a youtube playlist dedicated to forteana, I am sure there are more

Quick guide to Thai ghosts and spirits

10 most puzzling artefacts

I am not entirely convinced that these are the 10 most puzzling ancient artefacts, but the list is interesting…

• 10 Most Puzzling Artifacts [sic]

Meanwhile, Fortean Times has this video about interesting (and strange) cloud formations over Iowa