Here at the Scout Project we like to laugh and think, often at the same time. As it turns out, so do the good folks at the Improbable Research organization. On this site, visitors can learn about research they've uncovered that spans everything from patents on a method for restaurant patrons to not calculate a tip to some truly bizarre anti-terrorism devices. Then visitors must not leave without also checking out their annual IgNobel Prizes, which are held every year at Harvard. Of course, those with flowing locks (and those without) should browse on over to their Luxuriant Flowing Hair Club for Scientists.

The world of roller-coasters can be fraught with dissension and debate. The Ultimate Rollercoaster website doesn't shy away from such matters, and visitors with a passion for such matters will find plenty to keep them entertained here. Visitors can read about the new Evel Knievel Roller Coaster at Six Flags, St. Louis and the fabled Kentucky Rumbler wooden roller coaster that reigns supreme over Beach Bend Park. Don't forget to look in on their book of records and their extensive online photo gallery. The coverage here is uniformly solid, though there's precious little on other aspects of the amusement park experience, and nary a word on carnies or the relative merits of differing methods of corn dog preparation.

Adam Liptak, the New York Times national legal correspondent, is the author of the Times' highly accessible legal column "Sidebar," which "covers and considers developments in the world of law, explaining the significance of legal developments, the stories of the underlying court cases, and the intersecting orbits of lawyers, clients, lawmakers, scholars and judges." Here, visitors will find an archive of that column and all of Liptak's writing for the Times since 1984. With the recent release of Supreme Court rulings from the last session, and debates over same-sex marriage, the rights of Guantanamo detainees, and capital punishment methods, it is clear that we should monitor these very important issues as they make their way through the court system. Liptak will help keep you informed and curious about the American legal environment.

Do you like the British version of "The Office", the TV show "Extras", or Ricky Gervais in general? If so, then his blog covering the activities surrounding the making of his new movie "This Side of the Truth" should not be missed. As one can imagine, the movie set is filled with silliness on screen and off screen and Mr. Gervais is kind enough to provide his readers with videos and photos along the way. If you are new to the blog it is suggested that you scroll down to the beginning as there are reoccurring characters and storylines throughout. Enjoy!

Have you ever found yourself wondering what sort of uniforms the flight attendants of Tyrolean Airways wear? Well, I haven't either, but once I started looking at the uniforms featured on this site I could not stop. Cliff Muskiet, flight attendant and aviation enthusiast, has been collecting uniforms from airlines around the world since 1980. His website contains hundreds of images of uniforms from his amazing collection. Styles vary greatly by region and decade, but they are all fun to look at!

Ever wondered who would emerge victorious between Hillary and Obama? Red Sox vs. Yankees? Well, now you can find out. Use googlefight.com to pit people or things against each other and watch the animated "battle." The winner is determined by comparing the quantity of Google search results between the parties. Googlefight keeps a record of previous fights and catalogs the funniest and the “classics” (Luke Skywalker vs. Darth Vader, McDonalds vs. Burger King, etc). This is an entertaining time waster, so satisfy your curiosity and check out googlefight.com.

As this free online offering proves, arcade-style video games don't have to be just frantic button mashing exercises. Music Catch offers a mesmerizing blend of music, art, and game, good for taking a break out of your day to while away a surprisingly relaxing few minutes. [Requires Flash]

“The Listening Project” is a full-length documentary that explores the impact of the US’s global influence – politically, economically, and socially. A crew of Americans traveled the globe, from Canada to South Africa to Pakistan, to find out what the international opinion of the US really is. This website provides a trailer, a synopsis, photos, and video clips from each of the fourteen countries visited. The people interviewed each offer their unique opinion of the existing globalization; there are teachers, musicians, young professionals, and a group of French middle-schoolers that classified Americans as “…rich, powerful and fat.”

“The Listening Project” is a full-length documentary that explores the impact of the US’s global influence – politically, economically, and socially. A crew of Americans traveled the globe, from Canada to South Africa to Pakistan, to find out what the international opinion of the US really is. This website provides a trailer, a synopsis, photos, and video clips from each of the fourteen countries visited. The people interviewed each offer their unique opinion of the existing globalization; there are teachers, musicians, young professionals, and a group of French middle-schoolers that classified Americans as “…rich, powerful and fat.”

I stumbled across this slick looking pure electric car that is both sporty and environmentally friendly. Furthermore, unlike other electric sport car concepts, this car is actually already in production with a luxury price of $98,000. Imagine driving something more fuel efficient the a Prius, and as sporty as a Porsche. This is the wave of the future, and the future looks bright!

We've all heard nutrition buzz-phrases on the Internet, TV, and in other media, but how worthwhile is it to actually use these as a guideline for healthy eating? In the linked video, author and journalist Michael Pollan talks to a room of Google employees about his thoughts on food, nutrition, and food culture in America. He openly admits that he doesn't have any hardline answers, but simply presents a few facts, speaks about his own analysis, which is very intriguing, and tries to instill a heuristic mindset in the viewers when it comes healthy, nutritious eating and its benefits.

As a nerd who occasionally dons a tinfoil hat, my literary interests naturally include dystopian fiction. A new fiction by Cory Doctorow is being released as a free ebook under a Creative Commons license. I admit I haven't yet read Little Brother, but the subject matter has me quite excited. In a nutshell, the novel details the dangers of trading liberties and privacy for (a sense of) security, and does so in a relevant, contemporary fashion. Hopefully it will find acceptance among its target audience, late teens, who tend to be wary of nontrivial entertainment. Click through for a description and download links.

IMing and Twitter aren't for everyone, and believe-it-or-not, it's not just about taking a curmudgeonly luddite stance — there actually are valid, practical reasons for always being marked AWAY (or, indeed, never installing an IM client at all). As Joe Kissell discusses in this thoughtful piece, some of those reasons may make enough sense that even the seriously IM-addicted might want to reconsider their habit.

You may have ironed a Kenneth Cole shirt on top of a marble table top in a jiffy, but have you ever tried to get a wrinkle out of a blazer whilst on top of the highest peak in Britain? Ian Ambrose has, and the BBC recently reported on the extreme ironing activities of this former soldier in this online article.

Well at least sometimes they do. This very interesting and fun collection provides hours of Optical Illusions & Visual Phenomena pleasure. One of the best parts of the site is that each one of the illusions is explained -- so you know (at least in part) why you are seeing what you think you're seeing. A really fun site and a great tool for understanding the tricks our eyes and brains play on us!