8 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 privacy, andrew mountbatten windsor and audiophiles. Tags culled from the highest voted topics from the last seven days, if anyone was out of the loop.

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!

5 comments

  1. [2]
    mycketforvirrad
    Link
    Gotta watch ‘em all? Pokémon-style app for birdwatching launches The Guardian – Chris Baraniuk – 17th February 2026

    Gotta watch ‘em all? Pokémon-style app for birdwatching launches

    A new app has launched that aims to gamify birdwatching by allowing people to collect digital cards of UK bird species whenever they record seeing one.

    Users of Birdex accumulate points for each bird they see, with less common and rare species yielding the greatest rewards. It is possible to add friends and compete over bird sightings. The app has got birdwatchers talking online – though it has raised hackles among some for its use of AI-generated artwork..

    The Guardian – Chris Baraniuk – 17th February 2026

    7 votes
    1. balooga
      Link Parent
      I’m not a birder, but I’ve known some birders and I’m shocked this wasn’t invented sooner. Seems like exactly the sort of thing that crowd would go nuts for.

      I’m not a birder, but I’ve known some birders and I’m shocked this wasn’t invented sooner. Seems like exactly the sort of thing that crowd would go nuts for.

      4 votes
  2. jredd23
    Link
    In the NYC metro area we have had a rather rough couple of days of winter, but in what is a happy odd story, a rescue of a Bald Eagle on the Hudson River - Apart from it being a national symbol, I...

    In the NYC metro area we have had a rather rough couple of days of winter, but in what is a happy odd story, a rescue of a Bald Eagle on the Hudson River - Apart from it being a national symbol, I am always happy to see any injured animal given a helping hand.

    5 votes
  3. [2]
    chocobean
    Link
    For folks who have been wondering how ordinary people would do in the Olympics, may I present, two Canadian friends try to try every Winter Olympic sport: CBC video, 3:36 Their message: I don't...

    For folks who have been wondering how ordinary people would do in the Olympics, may I present, two Canadian friends try to try every Winter Olympic sport:

    Anne Lefebvre and Jenn Wroe are attempting to try every Winter Olympic sport they can before the games finish, hoping to inspire other women in their 50s.

    CBC video, 3:36

    Their message:

    You belong there. You are good enough. It is never too late. It doesn't matter how you look. And it is always worth a try as long as you're having fun.

    I don't have/want tiktok but please let me know if there's a clone out there that lets me watch their shorts -- @anneandjenn

    4 votes
    1. DefinitelyNotAFae
      Link Parent
      I did check, it doesn't look like they're cross posting on YT or Instagram. They're fairly small creators

      I did check, it doesn't look like they're cross posting on YT or Instagram. They're fairly small creators

      5 votes