Top 10 UnexPlained Phenomena

Top 10 UnexPlained Phenomena

Google has created a great mystery this morning. If you go to Google's homepage (see below) and click on today's Google doodle, which is an image of a UFO, it takes you to to a general search for the term, "unexplained phenomenon." Moreover, as ofUnexplained Phenomenon: A Mystery Created by Google? this writing, two of the top Google search terms are the aforementioned "unexplained phenomenon" and "top 10 unexplained phenomena." What is baffling to many Web surfers about the Google unexplained phenomenon phenomenon is that typically, a Google doodle corresponds with a particular event such as a holiday or the birthday of a famous person. But that does not appear to be the case this morning.

Google has created a classic chicken or egg conundrum. Are "unexplained phenomenon" and "top 10 unexplained phenomena" top search terms because of the Google UFO doodle - which suggests that Google is purposely driving traffic to those topics - or did Google create the UFO logo in response to the popularity of the search terms "unexplained phenomenon" and "top 10 unexplained phenomena"? The Google unexplained phenomenon incident raises an interesting question: How much influence does Google have in terms of driving the news? It seems as though if Google chooses to, it can create a tremendous amount of buzz on any topic by simply creating a Google doodle that is representative of that particular topic.

It never occurred to me before today that the Google doodle has the potential to be a potent form of advertising. For instance, some are speculating that the Google UFO doodle is connected to the release of the film "District 9." If this is the case, it is rather subtle form of promotion. But imagine the possibilities that a Google doodle could provide to a studio interested in a more direct form of promotion. I can envision a situation where a studio, say Disney, would pay Google big money to create a doodle that would drive traffic to the website of a new film.

The Taos Hum

The Taos Hum

The Taos Hum Details, History: The Hum is a generic name for a series of phenomena involving a persistent and invasive low-frequency humming noise not audible to all people. Hums have been reported in various geographical locations. In some cases a source has been located. Hums have been reported all over the world. A Hum on the Big Island of Hawaii, typically related to volcanic action, is heard in locations dozens of miles apart. The local Hawaiians also say the Hum is most often heard by men. The Hum is most often described as sounding somewhat like a distant idling diesel engine. Typically the Hum is difficult to detect with microphones, and its source and nature are hard to localize.

The Hum is sometimes prefixed with the name of a locality where the problem has been particularly publicized: e.g., the “Bristol Hum”, the “Taos Hum” or the “Bondi Hum.” The essential element that defines the Hum is what is perceived as a persistent low-frequency sound, often described as being comparable to that of a distant diesel engine idling, or to some similar low-pitched sound for which obvious sources (e.g., household appliances, traffic noise, etc.) have been ruled out.

Other elements seem to be significantly associated with the Hum, being reported by an important proportion of hearers, but not by all of them. Many people hear the Hum only, or much more, inside buildings as compared with outdoors. Many also perceive vibrations that can be felt through the body. Earplugs are reported as not decreasing the Hum. The Hum is often perceived more intensely during the night. Some people perceive the Hum continuously, but others perceive it only during certain periods. For some people, the perceived Hum can represent a faint sound and a mild annoyance, while for others who perceive the Hum’s sound and/or vibrations more intensely it represents a nuisance that can seriously interfere with daily activities.

Big Ten Network

Big Ten Network

Expanding its base with the sports service, Cox has launched the Big Ten Network in the Omaha, Neb. market. The move is a boon for Iowa Hawkeye fans as the Omaha DMA spills into western Iowa, part of the conference's footprint. Cox, which already carries Big Ten Network in its Phoenix and Tuscon, Ariz., Topeka Kan, and Cleveland service areas, is positioning it as standard-definition channel 233 in Omaha and HD channel 750.The Iowa Hawkeyes, who open their season at 11 a.m. (CT) against Northern Iowa on Saturday, Sept.5, will be the primary feed in the Omaha market.

Big Ten Network football and men’s basketball broadcast will be available outside USA and Canada on www.BigTenTicket.com Big Ten Network has announced six new programs named “Football Four-Pack,” to be broadcast at 10 PM ET Tuesday through Friday. Following are the new programs added: hosted by Dave Revsine, Howard Griffith and Chris Martin. Breakdown show will use coaches’ film to review what happened during last week’s games and more.

Broadcast on Wednesdays with Rick Pizzo and Troy Vincent, former Wisconsin defensive back and one of the network’s new analysts. Broadcast on Thursday’s hosted by Revsine along with former Big Ten head coaches Gerry DiNardo and Glen Mason to discuss the X’s and O’s of the coming week’s games. Revsine will host Big Ten Football and Beyond along with DiNardo, Griffith, Chicago Tribune college football reporter Teddy Greenstein and Sports Illustrated’s Cory McCartney to get a look at the national games that might affect the Big Ten.