Infocult: Uncanny Informatics

An AI to creep you out when you meet another AI

A new invention literally gives users the chills when they confront an AI.  Naturally it needs to use a cloud-based neural network to detect if a thing is an AI - i.e., using an AI to artificially creep us out about AIs.

(thanks to Jesse "really a human being" Walker)

When hitchhiking as a clown, be sure to wield a machete

California police arrested a 61-year-old man for hitchhiking.  In a clown outfit. Carrying a machete.

On Facebook, someone asked what the clown was doing. 

“Wish we knew,” the police department replied. “Right now, as far as we know, he was standing there looking at traffic.” ...

 

It's not a repeat of the Great Clown Panic of 2016 yet, but "police are also advising other clowns to stay away from the highway."

(thanks to Ed Webb on Twitter)

Earth opens campaign against Trump

The Earth opened a new front in her subterranean war against the human race by choosing to target Donald Trump.May 22, 2017

Sinkhole in front of Mar-a-Lago

A 4' x 4' sinkhole has formed on Southern Boulevard directly in front of Mar-a-Lago. It appears to be in the vicinity of the newly installed water main. West Palm Beach Utilities distribution crews have secured the area and will most likely need to do some exploratory excavation today. One lane is closed but the road remains open. Please pay attention to signs.

(thanks to Daughter of Infocult)

Mad clown crime in Colorado

A man dressed as a clown attacked another man in Denver, Colorado.  The story reads like a cross between superhero comics and Gothic horror:

Witnesses told police that the suspect, wearing white clown makeup accented with black streaks on the face, suddenly began threatening the victim with a glove with blades that were 2- to 3-inches long. 

Later,

Police spotted a man on a Denver Public School’s HALO camera riding a scooter matching the suspect’s appearance in the 900 block of Galapago Street...

The Great Clown Panic of 2016 may be gone, but fearful clowns, ah, they never die.

(thanks to Jesse "Honk Honk" Walker)