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U of I’s corpse plant (and rivers of animal feces) featured on Modern Marvels

The other night, my spouse, who is an academic in the field of plant biology, made me watch an episode of the show Modern Marvels about “Stink” on H2 (or history to the deuce as I like to call it).  She was excited to see the footage of the Titan Arum  (Corpse Plant) which bloomed in the University of Illinois’ Plant Biology Greenhouse last summer. Unfortunately for us, the Titan footage didn’t come until near the end of the show. In the meantime we got to learn about the putrid smells emited by cesspools, garbage dumps, rotting food and rivers of feces. Much to my delight, they chose to show shots of animals relieving themselves over and over again.

Luckily for you, the show is now available online and you can skip right to the Titan Arum part after you watch a couple of commercials: http://www.history.com/shows/modern-marvels/videos/modern-marvels-stink#modern-marvels-stink.

The U of I footage takes place at 31:40. It features several people smelling the flower, including a boy who describes the odor as a mix between “a corpse and fart.” Then there is a brief snippet with excellent U of I Professor David Seigler, who was probably interviewed for close to thirty minutes to get his two seconds of air time.

The rest of the show is all just shit (literally and figuratively).

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Mike Ingram avatar

Oh nice!  I’d totally vote for Matt Campbell!

Rob McColley avatar

“Smile Politely sports writer announces candidacy for city government.”

{username}

Snell and the little Hitlers of the neighborhood association need to chill out. Legitimate businesses should have the freedom to exist without having to endure the slings and arrows of ignorant and misguided opposition.

{username}

And without bloodshed. Sounds like the Savoy trustees aren’t as narrow-minded as some of their whiny pants constituents. Do you think quack Snell is already planning an asinine counterattack or is he still laying low after those “threats” against his person?

isaac arms avatar

Excellent.  I am glad sometimes American dreams are encouraged, rather than stifled.

{username}

Dollars to waffles says the study session will conclude that there is parking available in the Hill Street Parking Deck.

{username}

I can see requiring them to plug meters where they park, but the license fee thing sure sounds like some established business doesn’t like the competition and has an in with the city gummint staff.

Jason Brown avatar

This is pretty much ridiculous. However, I would hope that local businesses that aren’t opposed would step up and allow the Crave Truck in their private parking lots. That won’t solve the licensing issue though… (Insert not-so-subtle reference to Snell being behind the grand conspiracy to kill…

Rob McColley avatar

How convenient.

{username}

Sick Boy was pretty good with computers.

Most Recent Comments

Eric Bussell avatar

Local Yocal pretty much nails it here.  I suspect there will be merchants who oppose food trucks because they arguably don’t pay their fair share to locate their trucks in high traffic (high rent) areas.  The food trucks take away business from rent payers, park in city…

Mike Ingram avatar

Oh nice!  I’d totally vote for Matt Campbell!

Rob McColley avatar

“Smile Politely sports writer announces candidacy for city government.”

{username}

I also got to visit Big Grove Tavern during the soft open and definitely enjoyed the pork belly the most of all the dishes I sampled. The cheesy grits and the vinegary pickled vegetables were a perfect compliment to the rich pork belly.

Michael Feltes avatar

The Alan Partridge lookalike on the right in the first small photo has nothing to condescend to anyone about. AH HA!

{username}

Snell and the little Hitlers of the neighborhood association need to chill out. Legitimate businesses should have the freedom to exist without having to endure the slings and arrows of ignorant and misguided opposition.

isaac arms avatar

represent, Matt.

{username}

Yeah, I’d agree that Transporter Room 3 is the worst house venue I’ve ever seen.

{username}

Food trucks are the start-up, small businesses of the future for those unable to afford real estate. No surprise, that merchants who pay rent, utilities, and maintenance on a property would despise the traveling competition. Or developers who build more empty retail spaces would want to close…

{username}

Not so much far-right Tea Party as a balanced, moderate viewpoint between letting businesses succeed and protecting society with reasonable regulations. In spite of what the city reps are saying, the interpretation of policy on this issue certainly has changed. Letting a business start up under one…

Rob McColley avatar

I think it’s neat that SP has turned rightward, now espousing a Tea Party-style frustration with government regulations & taxes.

Annie Weisner avatar

This makes me so sad.  (Happy to live in Urbana, though!)  Crave Truck has been a GREAT addition to the food choices in C-U, and it’d be a travesty to chase them away.  This town should be supporting small businesses.  I’m glad to hear that they’ll still…

{username}

*slow. clap.* Still offering no threat of intelligence…. I know I said I thought you should just write this whole column yourself next year, Isaac, but now that you’ve gone and taken a “part deux” run at it, I’d like to modify my request: Best Music 2013,…

isaac arms avatar

Actually, it’s kind of nice, the quiet.  John Heoffleur’s engaging commentary/dialogue is sorely missed, however. In lieu of someone intelligent saying something, I’ve compiled a list of Honourable Mentions: BEST ROCK BAND: Take Care ::these gentlemen have four completely different sets at their disposal right now (which…

isaac arms avatar

What?  Echo! (Echo!) Where’s the dischord and dissent?

Mike Ingram avatar

This weekend will mark the first appearance of Kayla Brown’s Fire Doll Candle booth at the Market.  Check it:  http://www.facebook.com/firedollcandles

{username}

And without bloodshed. Sounds like the Savoy trustees aren’t as narrow-minded as some of their whiny pants constituents. Do you think quack Snell is already planning an asinine counterattack or is he still laying low after those “threats” against his person?

isaac arms avatar

hey, if hair ain’t gon’ be over your head, my jokes may as well be.

{username}

Okay, almost 24 hours later and I finally got Issac’s Summer joke. I’m an idiot.

isaac arms avatar

Excellent.  I am glad sometimes American dreams are encouraged, rather than stifled.

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