Conference accepts randomly-generated paper

[CoasterMatt]

CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts (Reuters) -- In a victory for pranksters at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a bunch of computer-generated gibberish masquerading as an academic paper has been accepted at a scientific conference.

This (http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/science/04/14/mit.prank.reut/index.html) story just rocks.
:snap:

[Kevy Baby]

Freakin awesome story!

[MerryPrankster]

I love a good prankster story! :D

[Not Afraid]

That is absolutely beautiful!

[Ghoulish Delight]

I so hope they don't get uninvited and get to present their paper.

[Matterhorn Fan]

I imagine that after this story, a lot of people would want to be in the session where that paper would be presented. Too bad for the guys presenting real papers in a different room at the same time.

It's scary, but this could actually boost registration at this conference.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

My favorite part:
The idea of a fake submission was to counter "fake conferences...which exist only to make money," explained Stribling and his cohorts' website.Hell yeah! I love this. Reveal the crappy system for what it is. :snap:

[Matterhorn Fan]

I so hope they don't get uninvited and get to present their paper.Oh, they're uninvited, alright. My guess is that won't stop these guys.

From their site (http://pdos.csail.mit.edu/scigen/):
The inevitable has come to pass. WMSCI refunded our registration fee, and rescinded their invitation to speak at the conference. As you can imagine, we are heartbroken. And still determined to go the conference. So, here is our plea.

Anyone reading this who has had a paper accepted to WMSCI 2005, please contact us immediately. We would like the chance to give your talk at the conference, and we will pay your registration fee in return. Obviously, secrecy is essential. So, again, if you or anyone you know has a paper at WMSCI 2005, contact us immediately.

[Morrigoon]

You know, I would think that they could do a legit presentation on their prank, and that people would want to see it.

[Matterhorn Fan]

Yes, it would probably be good for their careers, too.