geekosystem

Last month we reported that a film crew from Discovery Channel had captured footage of a giant squid at home in the inky blackness of the ocean's depths -- the place where all the most horrid nightmares are born -- for an episode of the cable network's Curiosity series. Since we're inclined to take a "pics or it didn't happen" view of the world over here, it's safe to say that we were all dubious of the claim, especially when past experience has shown that such overhyped discoveries are often run-of-the-mill colossal squid that don't even merit a second glance. Today, though, we're delighted to report that our cynicism was, for once, unfounded. The team of giant squid enthusiasts behind last month's bold claim has released this photo of the legendary aquatic beast that caused superstitious vikings and pirates to soil themselves at the mere mention of it -- we assume.

In order to celebrate Frozen Planet, a joint effort by the BBC and the Discovery Channel, the Discovery Channel and SeaWorld San Diego have teamed to stream SeaWorld's exhibit of socially awkward penguins: "Penguin Encounter". Well, it's technically an exhibit of "regular" penguins. But still, there's bound to be some awkwardness. The stream is going on 24 hours a day, 7 days a week until April 30th, so there's a lot of penguin to be watched. Several penguins have already attempted to hatch the camera, which looks a bit like a big black egg, so there are doubtlessly more hijinks in store. Be sure to check it out and check back every now and then, who knows what you might see.

We all already knew that President Barack Obama was a bit of a geek, what with his buying Star Wars memorabilia in public, joking about dilithium crystals, and telling reporters that he was actually born on Krypton, sent by his father Jor-El to save Earth. (Maybe that's what all those birth certificate rumors are actually about?) Now, he's about to add another feather to his cap o' geekiness by appearing on the Discovery Channel's Mythbusters. Obama will appear in an episode exploring the ancient Greek myth that scientist Archimedes was able to set invading Roman ships on fire using reflected, focused light.

Our sister site Mediaite brings to our attention a hostage situation unfolding at The Discovery Channel's Silver Springs, Maryland headquarters: A man equipped with a gun -- and possibly with explosives -- is preventing people in the building from leaving. NBC reports that the suspect is named James Jay Lee, and that the man had a history of protest against the Discovery Channel. Making matters more bizarre, the protester has apparently posted an online manifesto directed towards the Discovery Channel, in which he says that the human population must be decreased by "stopping the human race from breeding any more disgusting human babies," pinning the responsibility for this on the Discovery Channel, and writes that "Saving the environment and the remaning species diversity of the planet is now your mindset. Nothing is more important than saving them. The Lions, Tigers, Giraffes, Elephants, Froggies, Turtles, Apes, Raccoons, Beetles, Ants, Sharks, Bears, and, of course, the Squirrels." Scary situation, and we hope that it reaches a peaceful resolution and that nobody gets hurt. Full scoop at Mediaite. Update: MSNBC reports that the suspected gunman has been shot and killed.

Stephen Hawking: "If aliens visit us, the outcome would be much as when Columbus landed in America, which didn't turn out well for the Native Americans...

We only have to look at ourselves to see how intelligent life might develop into something we wouldn't want to meet."

In what I have to imagine will be one of the better headlines you are going to read today, scientist Stephen Hawking offers some sage advice on how to deal with an alien encounter.