15 votes

Offbeat Fridays – The thread where offbeat headlines become front page news

Posted by mycketforvirrad
Tags: ask.discussion, recurring.weekly, offbeat fridays, offbeat

Tildes is a very serious site, where we discuss very serious matters like jimmy kimmel, captcha and balatro. Tags culled from the highest voted topics from the last seven days, if anyone was a superfan.

But one of my favourite tags happens to be offbeat! Taking its original inspiration from Sir Nils Olav III, this thread is looking for any far-fetched offbeat stories lurking in the newspapers. It may not deserve its own post, but it deserves a wider audience!

11 comments

  2. [2]
    mycketforvirrad
    Link
    One man in an Italian supercar atop an aircraft carrier has a record in his sights Associated Press – David Biller – 18th September 2025

    One man in an Italian supercar atop an aircraft carrier has a record in his sights

    Along Italy’s Mediterranean coast on Thursday, driver Fabio Barone raced across the flight deck of a navy ship while chasing a world record: the fastest car on a boat.

    As the “Top Gun” theme song rang out from speakers, the carrier’s portside elevator lifted Barone’s team to the deck where journalists, naval officers and VIPs waited. A group of children with Down syndrome, chosen to serve as honorary “mechanics for the day,” removed the red, satiny cover to reveal Barone’s steed: a red-and-black Ferrari SF90.

    Associated Press – David Biller – 18th September 2025

    7 votes
    1. jredd23
      Link Parent
      Fascinating the length that world record chasers will go to get it one record. Can't say I would do that but I am an admirer of people who do, congrats Mr. Barone.

      Fascinating the length that world record chasers will go to get it one record. Can't say I would do that but I am an admirer of people who do, congrats Mr. Barone.

      3 votes
  4. [6]
    brews_hairy_cats
    Link
    Can you be sued for defaming virtual K-pop stars? South Korea court says yes

    Can you be sued for defaming virtual K-pop stars? South Korea court says yes

    5 votes
    1. [4]
      chocobean
      Link Parent
      No a lawyer, but if I were a troll who repeatedly post comments like this real celebrity could be really ugly without makeup / hair stylists, is that defamation? I thought it'd have to be...

      In July 2024, the defendant targeted Plave in a series of posts - some containing profanity. Among them were comments that the people behind the avatars "could be ugly in real life" and gave off a "typical Korean man vibe", Korea Times reported.

      No a lawyer, but if I were a troll who repeatedly post comments like this real celebrity could be really ugly without makeup / hair stylists, is that defamation? I thought it'd have to be something like, I saw this person kick a puppy or this person had cosmetic surgery or something, not, I think Daft Punk is probably a pair of ugly people (I don't think this this is an example.

      I don't think it's very nice, maybe, but is it illegal? Women celebrities get called all kinds of things and recieve far worse comments and it's not a defamation suit is it?

      3 votes
      1. [3]
        DefinitelyNotAFae
        Link Parent
        In South Korea, yeah it's illegal There's a streamer currently in South Korea pending sentencing and facing prison time for his behavior. While it started with twerking at a memorial for "comfort...

        I don't think it's very nice, maybe, but is it illegal? Women celebrities get called all kinds of things and recieve far worse comments and it's not a defamation suit is it?

        In South Korea, yeah it's illegal

        There's a streamer currently in South Korea pending sentencing and facing prison time for his behavior. While it started with twerking at a memorial for "comfort women" (victims of sexual slavery) IIRC he also is now in trouble for making a sexual deep fake.

        The former wouldn't be a crime in the US even if it was disrespectful, the latter probably would be depending on the state, but yeah, different country, different laws.

        It looks like defamation in SK doesn't allow "truth" to be a defense

        5 votes
        1. [2]
          nukeman
          Link Parent
          I feel like the lack of a truth defense can be very easily weaponized.

          It looks like defamation in SK doesn't allow "truth" to be a defense

          I feel like the lack of a truth defense can be very easily weaponized.

          2 votes
          1. DefinitelyNotAFae
            Link Parent
            Maybe? I think I only have a very US-centric perspective on the matter, and certainly don't have a particularly well informed opinion on SK law in aggregate, safeguards in place, cultural values,...

            Maybe? I think I only have a very US-centric perspective on the matter, and certainly don't have a particularly well informed opinion on SK law in aggregate, safeguards in place, cultural values, etc.

            Most legal systems seem to be easily abusable by those with money or power based on history, so I'm not comfortable claiming a cultural high ground on that. Especially now.

            2 votes
    2. fefellama
      Link Parent
      Major cyberpunk vibes off this one. Like, I get it. It's just such a strange news story to hear about a lawsuit against digital avatars of 'famous' celebrities.

      Major cyberpunk vibes off this one.

      Advocates of virtual K-pop idols say the avatars can alleviate pressure from human idols, who face intense scrutiny over their personal lives.

      Like, I get it. It's just such a strange news story to hear about a lawsuit against digital avatars of 'famous' celebrities.

      2 votes