NewScientist examines “10 mysteries of you,” one of which, of course, is why you have pubic hair. (And I mean you specifically; I wax.) One possibility: “A thick bush not only protects the genitals during sex and at other times — reducing chaffing while walking, for example — it also helps keep our most sensitive regions warm and free of draughts.”

All of the obvious (and unhappy-making) candidates have sworn to John Koblin that they are not going to be the new New York Times restaurant critic. There should be an…

The Wall Street Journal has another “Oh no, people need to learn text/Internet acronyms” piece today, which opens with the following anecdote:

Kate Washburn didn’t know what to make of the email a friend sent to her office with…

You can listen to the new Radiohead single here. A tribute to recently deceased World War I veteran Harry Patch, the song is available for purchase, with all proceeds going to the British Foreign Legion. One early review of the song describes…

Now that they’re sometimes raping and occasionally castrating men-who, of course, matter so much more than women, which is the only conceivable reason there is very little international involvement in the affairs of “post-war” Congo, the rape capital…

Bonner and Associates, Bonner and Associates, Bonner and Associates, Bonner and Associates, Bonner and Associates. That was just to make sure we do our part to increase the Google record that…

Make your own Kenyan birth certificate! [Via]

You probably knew that Hedy Lamarr held patents for encrypting radio communications that were later instrumental in, among other things, Wifi-but did you know that she was the first woman in cinematic history to simulate orgasm? THE MORE YOU KNOW.

Holy moley. Times culture editor Sam Sifton is the new restaurant critic of the New York Times. Sifton, by the way, turned down the job last time around. Guess working with crazed TV critic Alessandra Stanley finally broke him! He’ll have to grow his hair, as a disguise… um, if he can.

A month after China’s Ministry of Health banned the use of electroshock treatments on patients suffering from “Internet addiction”, a sixteen-year-old boy sent to a rehab clinic in Southern China for treatment was beaten to death by staffers within hours of his arrival.

This is the new Mount Eerie music thingie. The inspiration for Wind’s Poem “comes from two strange, seemingly disparate places: David Lynch’s television series Twin Peaks and black metal.” It is very awesome to me!

What Should We Do This Weekend?

Help a tourist! “I know this is a semi-silly question with near infinite possibilities for answers, but…

Untraditional tourist activities for this coming weekend recommended by Awl readers include: The Brooklyn cyclones, the dance party on Governors Island and what is apparently a swinger’s party. (“Single men (or women) are NOT allowed but a couple may elect to bring an extra girl for an additional $30 on any night.”)

British military press officer John Salisbury-Baker is suing the Ministry of Defense on a disability claim contending that being forced to tell “government lies” resulted in post-traumatic stress syndrome. Do with that what you will.