Dive into the hilariously bizarre world of extremely niche competitions and obsessions in "Lint, Socks and Rock Paper Scissors: Strange Competitions - Where Passion Meets Absurdity." From the meticulous science of competitive pencil sharpening to the philosophical implications of missing puzzle pieces, author Henri Penuer explores the delightfully weird subcultures that emerge when people take ordinary things far too seriously.Written in the style of academic research papers, this collection of quirky tales introduces you to unforgettable characters like Dr. Eleanor "The Sock Whisperer" Butterworth, who has spent seventy years studying the mysterious disappearance of socks, and Eugene "Quick Hands" Kowalski, the toll booth operator who revolutionized competitive bubble wrap popping.You'll discover: The secret world of professional pillow fighting leaguesThe intense rivalry between competitive sock folding schoolsThe metaphysical implications of belly button lintThe underground basement yodeling movementAnd many more absurdly serious pursuitsPerfect for fans of bizarre humor and mock academia, this book celebrates the extraordinary lengths people will go to master the utterly unnecessary. After all, isn't the ability to find profound meaning in life's most mundane aspects what makes us uniquely human?Warning: Reading this book may cause uncontrollable urges to start your own ridiculously specific research institute.