The wonderful Boobquake experiment officially started today, and it looks like it has already garnered one result. Earlier this morning, a major earthquake shook Taiwan and the Philippines, as thousands of woman around the world bared their cleavage to test one Islamic cleric's theory that scantily clad women cause earthquakes. Coincidence? Or proof of the supernatural power of cleavage?
Fortunately, no damage or casualties have yet been reported in the 6.9 magnitude quake that struck off the southeast coast of Taiwan, but the news might have some Boobquakers reaching for a shawl. One of the event's supporters on Facebook wrote, "I'm starting to think I should go cover up."
Boobquake was created by American blogger Jen McCreight to satirize the claim made by Islamic cleric and, apparently, amateur scientist Hojatoleslam Kazem Sedighi that immodest female clothing is to blame for earthquakes. On the event's Facebook group, which currently has over 45,000 members, McCreight encouraged women to "embrace the supposed supernatural power of their breasts" by donning plunging necklines today: "With the power of scandalous bodies combined, we should surely produce an earthquake."
Well, ladies, surely, the people of Taiwan and the Philippines appreciate your hard work.
As for all the other earthquake-prone nations around the world, don't think you're off the hook yet. The experiment is still on. In response to the early morning quake, McCreight wrote on her blog: "No, the Taiwan earthquake is not statistically significant — yet. If we get many of a similar magnitude in the next 24 hours, then we might start worshipping the power of immodesty."
It could be a long day.
