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The 10 Most Popular Types of MacGuffin
What's This?
What? You don't know what a MacGuffin is? Why, a MacGuffin is a thing that everyone needs.
MacGuffin is a writerly term popularized by Alfred Hitchcock to refer to the thing that drives the plot of the story, does nothing else, and is is utterly interchangeable as an object. There are tons and tons of MacGuffins, in the geek world and elsewhere, and they tend to fall into categories, some of which are more popular than others. We've tried to determine the best of them and describe them herein.
This Power Grid was compiled with much help from the inestimable Zoe Chevat.
#5
Body Parts
A word of warning to potential protagonists; the objective driving the plot might already be attached to something. It might be attached to a body. Look down. Now look up. It might even be... Read on...
Need an all-seeing mystic, a brainwashed warrior loaded with alien secrets, or an internationally wanted criminal? Perhaps you’d settle for something simple, like ransoming a fairytale... Read on...
#3
Jewelery
It’s pretty. It’s shiny. It would look great with those earrings you have. And it just might herald the doom of all mankind. Many MacGuffins are masquerading as pieces of jewelry,... Read on...
#2
A Secret
Sometimes nobody knows what the MacGuffin is, they just know that they want it. The thieves don't get told what they're stealing, just that it's valuable. A man might know very little when other... Read on...
#1
A Place
A place , when used as a MacGuffin, is frequently just a location that everybody wants to get to. The good guys, the bad guys, and everybody in-between. It's possible that it has some strategic... Read on...
BACKThe Unintentional Hilarity of Twitter Spam Bots
Back Alley Internet is a recurring column in which we explore some of the weirder corners of the Internet and see what we can drudge up for your amusement and education. This week: We study the legions of Twitter bots that trawl the trending topics and spit out some unintentionally hilarious tweets.
Tweetosystem
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Eric Limer
You have to tew two tutus?! I have to tew two tutus too!
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Max
The Pizza and Pasta Foundation supports the federal SAUCE act. Ask your congressman to put some SAUCE on it!
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Eric Limer
I like how if you make a mistake typing a popular URL, invariably the site you find is all "YOU'RE WINNER!" It's uplifting for a second.
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Max
Spam for work involves a false teeth supplier and someone looking to buy magnetic plates.
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Eric Limer
So that improv show was definitely a good idea. Ben Schwartz, Zach Woods, Justin Long, AND Adam Scott. #EverythingWentBetterThanExpected
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Max
Got a lot crossed off my to-do list tonight, and I'm starting to feel significantly less freaked about about, well, life.
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Eric Limer
I need trephination like I need a hole in the head.
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Max
AIM CHAT: I like you, too. *belushis*
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Eric Limer
Listening to Call Me Maybe and cropping screengrabs of Twitter bots. It's times like this that I really love my job.
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James Plafke
Popular rapper Ladies Love Removed Eyes.
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Eric Limer
I am genuinely enjoying using So.cl to make weird picture mash-ups. I just made a collage of becks. http://t.co/ulGbDbwn
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Eric Limer
This Facebook IPO coverage needs to stop cuz I'm seriously sick of seeing Zuckerberg staring creepily at me from the top of every story.
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Max
Put on your poodle skirts and choose your favorite syrup because we're gonna have a sock-hop at the iHop.
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James Plafke
I just threatened my mom to email me something by telling her I'd discuss with her all the lady celebrities I'd have sex with.
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Max
New Hallmark Card: "I held an extended conversation with you without being able to remember your name" Inside: "I'm sorry."
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Eric Limer
To any of you bros who might like to ice me, I encourage you to act on that urge, bro.
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Eric Limer
If anyone is looking for some totally garbled, nigh-incomprehensible ad copy, I'm your man.
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Eric Limer
What? None of my Facebook friends are on So.cl? How can this be?!
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Eric Limer
"Does this mustache look creepy? Experts are blind; can't tell."
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Rollin Bishop
Lin Beifong is suddenly one of the best things about Legend of Korra.
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