Mic
9 August 2019
Are
fluffers real? Porn actors weigh in on whether the job actually exists
Adult film is a breeding ground for
misinformation and half-truths. From audiences thinking that an average penis
length is ~12 inches, to the idea that every camera-friendly position should be
imitated in real life, there is no shortage of unrealistic ideas that people
manage to glean from porn. On the other side of the spectrum, there’s a whole
separate category of myths that even industry veterans and emerging actors
alike cannot seem to agree on. One of the most hotly contested? Whether the
occupation of the “fluffer" actually exists. […]
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National Geographic
9 August 2019
Pangolin
scales are not a party drug, say researchers
[…] Pangolin scales are made of nothing
more than keratin, a protein that makes up fingernails, hair, horns, claws, and
hooves. It has no scientifically proven medicinal value. [Wildlife forensic
scientist Rachel] Jacobs was doing related research when she first heard the
rumors about pangolin scales being smuggled into the U.S. for tramadol [an
opioid pain medication]. “It surprised us. We thought it was a bit bizarre,”
she says. “We hadn’t heard of it before.” The forensics team looked into it
further and found even more news reports about pangolins and tramadol. They
also started getting calls from law enforcement asking if there was any truth
to it. The scientists were already doing research on how to use scales to
differentiate among pangolin species, so they decided to do a chemical analysis
to look for the presence of tramadol. As they expected, they found none. […]
Rachel L. Jacobs, Pamela J. McClure, Barry
W. Baker, Edgard O. Espinoza, “Myth debunked: Keratinous pangolin scales do not
contain the analgesic tramadol.” Conservation
Science and Practice, 4 July 2019. [Open access.]
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The Sun [UK]
9 August 2019
TAKING THE PEA
BIRDS Eye launched a probe after a worker filmed himself
“urinating” on a production line full of peas. The disgruntled employee told
pals at the Hull plant it was a “f*** you goodbye” on his last shift. There
were fears the frozen food giant may have to bin the week’s entire stock — ten
million packets. The eight-second phone clip shows the man — on his final shift
— soaking the veg as they pass by on a conveyor belt. […]
The Mirror [UK]
10 August 2019
Video of Birds Eye worker
'urinating on peas as a f*** you' is hoax, firm says
Footage showing a Birds Eye worker "urinating"
on peas on a production line is a hoax, the frozen food giant says. The company
said the stream of liquid in the video is water from a hose "which is part
of the standard production process". […]
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Times of India
9 August 2019
Kidnap rumour turns deadly,
two women beaten in Gwalior
BHOPAL: Two days after Gwalior police rescued three
persons, including a eunuch, from being lynched on suspicion of being
child-lifters, two women were beaten brutally by a mob of 200 men over the same
rumour though one kept pleading it was her own child. ‘Baccha chor’ rumours
have triggered panic in large parts of the state, and led to attacks on over a
dozen people in the last fortnight – six of them in the last three days. […]
Hindustan Times
10 August 2019
Child lifting allegations:
Agra, Aligarh police step up vigilance to counter rumour mongering
Despite repeated warnings against rumour mongering,
incidents of innocent people -- mostly beggars, the disabled, and ageing women
-- being targeted with allegations of child lifting continue unabated, said
police. Cops said that in most cases, victims quickly get surrounded by mob and
thrashed mercilessly, with many in the crowd busy making videos of the act. […]
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Jeff Corriveau, DeFlocked, 10 August 2019. First of three panels. “Find a penny,
pick it up, all day long you’ll have good luck.
