Jonathan Last

GIANT SQUID! GIANT SQUID! GIANT SQUID!
September 28th, 2005

For the first time we now have pictures of a live giant squid.

But wait, there’s more!

Watch the interactive CNN video linked to the story and you’ll see video of the squid and catch a revelation left out of the print version of the story: While struggling to free itself from the bait, the Architeuthis in question left behind a six-meter long tentacle. And when they pulled the line up, the tentacle and its suckers were still alive and functioning.

Go ahead, read that last part again.

David Grann: The world needs you.

Damian P. September 28, 2005 at 3:01 pm

Pshaw! We’ve had a giant squid here in Newfoundland for years now. Even lets you pose for pictures with it an’ everything:http://www.roadsideattractions.ca/squid.htm

Anonymous September 28, 2005 at 3:04 pm

I walked around the office all day trying to excite people or find someone excited about the giant squid. Thanks.Hugo

Anonymous September 28, 2005 at 3:17 pm

Me too. Check this out from the Post:”Four hours and 13 minutes after becoming snagged, the attached tentacle broke, as seen by sudden slackness in the line,” the authors wrote. Once on the surface “the recovered section of tentacle was still functioning,” they continued, “with the large suckers of the tentacle club repeatedly gripping the boat deck and any offered fingers.”Yikes.http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/27/AR2005092701573.html

Anonymous September 28, 2005 at 3:24 pm

Of course there is the obligatory Simpsons quote:Sea Captain: “Arr, squiddy, I got nothin’ against ya. I just heard there was gold in yer belly”I for one hail our new ant overlords

Anonymous September 28, 2005 at 9:28 pm

Did you really think you can get away with another shameless New Yorker plug? Really?I FOR ONE REMAIN OUTRAGED BY YOUR INTRANSIGENT LITERARY TASTE! GODDAMMIT LAST MY ANONYMOUS COMMENTS ARE THE ONLY THING KEEPING THIS BLOG FROM DEVOLVING INTO A FULL-FLEDGED SPIN ZONE!!!

Anonymous September 28, 2005 at 9:52 pm

I am watching you like a hawk, Last. If you continue your betrayal of modern conservatism, I will have a documented record of everything. THE WEEKLY STANDARD DESERVES BETTER! FREE HOT TUB TOM!!!

Anonymous September 29, 2005 at 3:26 am

MY SIX-METER TENTACLE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS WILL NEVER RELEASE ITS GRASP OF WHAT IS RIGHT!!!REINSTATE TRENT LOTT!!! REPUBLICANS ARE NEVER WRONG!!!

Jay D. Homnick September 29, 2005 at 3:50 am

Methinks that our friend Mr. Anonymous has forgotten the adage about “he who laughs Last…”.

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