The World’s Weirdest Organizations
Jul. 15 2009, Published 5:08 a.m. ET
Sure, we all like to find other people with similar interests and tastes. No wonder there are so many clubs and organizations, bring people together under the umbrella of everything from politics to food. But not all organizations are so mundane. The researchers at RadarOnline.com did some digging to come up with this list of the world’s weirdest organizations. They’re all real and they’re all strange. Very strange! Here’s the countdown of the 10 weirdest:
1. 10. American Association of Electronic Voice Phenomena: A not-for-profit educational association that supports people interested in Electronic Voice Phenomena, which are electronically captured sounds that resemble speech, but are not the result of deliberate voice recordings. Sources are often static, random radio transmissions, and background noise. Some enthusiasts claim the sounds are paranormal.
10. American Association of Electronic Voice Phenomena: A not-for-profit educational association that supports people interested in Electronic Voice Phenomena, which are electronically captured sounds that resemble speech, but are not the result of deliberate voice recordings. Sources are often static, random radio transmissions, and background noise. Some enthusiasts claim the sounds are paranormal.
2. 9. Work Less Party: A Canadian federal political party formed in 2003 which advocates shortening the work week to 32 hours from 40, an increase in minimum wage, and decentralized government. (Hey, we might join this one!)
9. Work Less Party: A Canadian federal political party formed in 2003 which advocates shortening the work week to 32 hours from 40, an increase in minimum wage, and decentralized government. (Hey, we might join this one!)
3. 8. Barbershop Harmony Society: Originally called the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America, this group founded in 1938 promotes and preserves the art of four singers harmonizing with no instrumental accompaniment. It currently has close to 30,000 members.
8. Barbershop Harmony Society: Originally called the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America, this group founded in 1938 promotes and preserves the art of four singers harmonizing with no instrumental accompaniment. It currently has close to 30,000 members.
4. 7. Count Dracula Society: Dr. Donald A. Reed founded this group in 1962 to promote the serious study of gothic literature and horror movies. It also holds regular showings of vampire and horror films.
7. Count Dracula Society: Dr. Donald A. Reed founded this group in 1962 to promote the serious study of gothic literature and horror movies. It also holds regular showings of vampire and horror films.
5. 6. Mothers-in-Law Club International: Formed in 1971 "to provide aid to every family throughout the country and world and to dispel the hackneyed concept of the mother-in-law myth." (Oh, it’s a myth? Yeah, we knew that.)
6. Mothers-in-Law Club International: Formed in 1971 "to provide aid to every family throughout the country and world and to dispel the hackneyed concept of the mother-in-law myth." (Oh, it’s a myth? Yeah, we knew that.)
6. 5. Hungarian Double-Tailed Dog Party: A political party created in Hungary in 2004, which promises world peace, eternal life, one work day per week, two sunsets per day in different colors, low taxes, and free beer.
5. Hungarian Double-Tailed Dog Party: A political party created in Hungary in 2004, which promises world peace, eternal life, one work day per week, two sunsets per day in different colors, low taxes, and free beer.
7. 4. Procrastinators' Club: Was created in Philadelphia in 1956 after someone thought it would be amusing for a group called 'The Procrastinator's Club' to postpone its first gathering. The Bellevue-Stratford Hotel intrigued the press with an announcement, and a real meeting was scheduled. It's been around ever since, with 14,500 members worldwide. Their motto is "If procrastination was bad, they wouldn't have put the 'pro' before the 'crastination'".
4. Procrastinators' Club: Was created in Philadelphia in 1956 after someone thought it would be amusing for a group called 'The Procrastinator's Club' to postpone its first gathering. The Bellevue-Stratford Hotel intrigued the press with an announcement, and a real meeting was scheduled. It's been around ever since, with 14,500 members worldwide. Their motto is "If procrastination was bad, they wouldn't have put the 'pro' before the 'crastination'".
8. 3. World Association of Ugly People: Formed around 1879, this group fights for the acceptance of ugly people in a world that is obsessed with physical beauty. The club's emblem is a wild boar head, and its slogan is "Ugliness is a virtue, beauty is slavery." By 2003 the group had 20,000 members.
3. World Association of Ugly People: Formed around 1879, this group fights for the acceptance of ugly people in a world that is obsessed with physical beauty. The club's emblem is a wild boar head, and its slogan is "Ugliness is a virtue, beauty is slavery." By 2003 the group had 20,000 members.
9. 2. American Mustache Institute: An advocacy and not-for-profit organization founded in 1965 which promotes greater acceptance of mustaches in the workplace and society. Their fundraisers are called 'Stache Bashes.'
2. American Mustache Institute: An advocacy and not-for-profit organization founded in 1965 which promotes greater acceptance of mustaches in the workplace and society. Their fundraisers are called 'Stache Bashes.'
10. 1. Flat Earth Society: Believe it or not, this group was founded in 1956 to perpetuate the idea that the Earth is flat, instead of spherical. They also believed that the Apollo Moon landings were faked by Hollywood. They have pretty much been downsized to a few diehards these days.
1. Flat Earth Society: Believe it or not, this group was founded in 1956 to perpetuate the idea that the Earth is flat, instead of spherical. They also believed that the Apollo Moon landings were faked by Hollywood. They have pretty much been downsized to a few diehards these days.