Who would have thought there would be 15 paragraphs written about an “intentionally blank page,” yet here we are:

An intentionally blank page is a page that is devoid of content, and may be unexpected. Such pages may serve purposes ranging from place-holding to space-filling and content separation. Sometimes, these pages carry a notice such as, “This page is intentionally left blank.” The phrase is a self-refuting meta-reference, in that it falsifies itself by its very existence on the page in question.

Who would have though existentialism would manifest itself so curiously.

This is part of an ongoing quest to highlight the unusual, quirky but fact-based articles in Wikipedia. 

In the ongoing quest to highlight the unusual, quirky but fact-based articles in Wikipedia, consider the article [[The Smurfs and communism]], which provides an amazingly detailed and well constructed comparison between “Smurfism” and that other famous -ism.

Smurf Communism for the purposes of this article refers to an internet meme that sets forth theories about the economic and political system in The Smurfs, a popular comic book and animated series originally created by Belgian cartoonist Peyo. According to various observers there are many parallels between communist ideology and practices and the way of life depicted in The Smurfs, particularly within the American animated television series.

…

The theories usually begin by citing what seem to be uncanny aspects of Smurf characters’ appearances. Papa Smurf has a wide beard, which some feel looks like Karl Marx’s. He also wears red slacks and a red cap, displaying the stereotypical color of Communism throughout the world.

It’s worth a read if you’re not familiar with the type of intriguing just-the-facts humour speckled throughout in Wikipedia.

While writing my book about Wikipedia, I’m often asked to name some of the more interesting articles in the online encyclopedia. So here’s the first of a series of occasional posts highlighting the quirky and interesting.

First up: [[Let us trim our hair in accordance with the socialist lifestyle]]

The article says it:

“was part of a government campaign promulgating grooming and dress standards. North Korea broadcast it on state-run television in the capital of Pyongyang. The television program claimed that hair length can affect human intelligence in part because of the deprivation to the rest of the body of nutrients required for hair to grow.”

Needless to say, this has become an amusing meme in the Wikipedia community, even inspiring a page titled, “Let’s edit our Bad Jokes and Other Deleted Nonsense in accordance with the Wikipedian lifestyle .”