I had so much fun writing the first batch of Mystery Theme Trivia that I'm doing it again. Here are 5 questions whose answers connect via a hidden theme, and a 6th question that asks you to add another question to the set.

Mystery Theme Trivia #2

1. Who is the main antagonist in the Robin Hood fable? He is constantly attempting to capture the hero, when he’s not collecting taxes.
2. Bill Lee, all-star pitcher for the Red Sox, reportedly earned this unearthly nickname in 1971, after one of his bravura performances on the field coincided with another event happening hundreds of thousands of miles away.
3. What alt-rock band, led by J Mascis, originally had a one-word name, but added a suffix after their second album was released, due to a lawsuit brought by a psychedelic rock supergroup with almost the exact same name.
4. The name of one of the most popular multi-level marketing companies, founded in 1959 and still going strong today, sounds like someone has translated the name of an ’80s pop duo into what language?
5. What bacterial disease is also known as consumption, or the white plague, due to the paleness of its victims?
6. The answers to the above clue a seminal movie franchise that features an ensemble cast of characters. Respond with another question whose answer could fit the theme.

Signals Mystery Trivia - Airtable

Fill out the “Signals Mystery Trivia” form quickly and securely on Airtable.

Airtable

I'll post the answers, and the best Q6 submissions, next week. If you need a hint, don't hesitate to respond to this email, or DM me on Instagram or Twitter.

The Puzzle Society

Play Daily Online Puzzles on the Puzzle Society

Visit the Puzzle Society every day to play the world’s best online puzzles and puzzle games, including Sudoku, Jumble, Los Angeles Times Crossword, and USA TODAY Crossword!

The Puzzle Society

The Puzzle Society is a new destination on the puzzle-a-day scene, hosting standards like the USA Today crossword and KenKens, as well as some clever new forms like Up & Down Words, and 7 Little Words.

Australian Spy Coin

If you can crack the code on this 50c coin, a government agency wants to hear from you

This Australian Signals Directorate is marking its 75th anniversary with a challenge: four layers of encrypted messages on this coin.

ABC News

The Australian Signals* Directorate, which is Australia's foreign intelligence bureau, released a coin with some secret codes on it, to mark its 75th anniversary — and as a way to recruit skilled codebreakers into their organization. Their tagline, as engraved on the coin, is "Reveal and Protect", which strikes me as an odd promise for a spy organization.

*no relation 😉

A4 and after

Why A4? – The Mathematical Beauty of Paper Size

Unless you have skipped a lot of school, or work, or both – or you live in the USA – you have probably used an A4 sheet of paper before now. Have you ever wondered …

Heidelberg Laureate ForumBen Sparks

As an American, I don't encounter A4-sized paper that often. But I'm aware of it, in the same way I'm aware of constitutional monarchies and value-added taxes. I have never stopped to think why A4 (and other A#) sizes exist, much less actually learn the precise dimensions (210mm x 297mm). But it turns out the reason behind these numbers is actually really neat, and, once again, shows how non-American standards often make a lot more sense than what we do in the States. I won't spoil it for you, just go read the article.

Hollywood Positions update

Hollywood Positions

These critics’ first impressions are always so effusive. However, once they get to the film’s second half, their opinions tend to transform, and the rating loses a star.

SignalsSandy Weisz

So far we have 7 solves of Mystery #5. I've updated the page with the leaderboard, and a few more hints. If you'd like a more precise hint, please get in touch!

Til next time,
-Sandy