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Guy receives cryptic note on subway, posts it to Reddit, insanity ensues
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- Start date
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It seems plausible that the person who sent the thing about the rules changing was some dumb internet detective that wanted to fuck with Reddit. So presumably, the original date is still on.
Neuromancer
Member
As long as its revealed at the end viral marketing is successful just by getting attention.
I'm not saying this is viral marketing though, this could very well just be a prank.
Wuthering_Heights
Banned
Also funny how the (possibly imaginary) homeless guy just randomly gives the note to a Reddit user (and a Reddit user that would actually post about it, no less) named 'Delver of Secrets'.
Subtle, this is not.
Subtle, this is not.
Ghost_Protocol
Member
Jesus! Look at the size of that crowd! I think Hideo Kojima was on the scene too:
I would seriously consider showing up to that spot on July 19 because I have nothing better to do. But chance are that it would be a waste of time and train fare. This reminds me of the Times Square Forever Alone prank that several internet users showed up to and got ridiculed for last year.
That looks like fun.
triplestation
Member
hahahhahahahhaahah
Seems pretty clear that the second message was a prank... I guess.
Shit now I'm all interested in this. Subscribed.
Makes no sense to randomly give someone this kind of note, unless the guy is some kind of academic genius to begin with and was targeted from the beginning. Really giving it to a random dude has very little chance of going anywhere, most people would've just ditched it. You can't really expect that a random dude would either be able to solve it or have a audience to put it for others to solve.
Definitely a viral marketing attempt or something.
Definitely a viral marketing attempt or something.
He ruined it by posting on reddit. Should've just asked him mom.
Considering all the internet detective stuff that Reddit did on this guy, I'm guessing if he worked for a marketing company they would have been able to turn that up.
Deified Data
Banned
So the original poster of the pics is part of this, right? There's no old homeless guy?
Skiesofwonder
Walruses, camels, bears, rabbits, tigers and badgers.
Seriously.
But this is awesome nonetheless. I really hope it ends with a meeting at Times Square where everybody's hope are crushed when "make sure to drink more Ovaltine" scrolls by on the New's ticker.
No matter the cost, it would be well worth it to pull off the most epic troll ever.
Skiesofwonder
Walruses, camels, bears, rabbits, tigers and badgers.
Little Old Man
Member
I'm going to go for a long shot. 4chan set the whole thing up to troll Reddit.
That or viral marketing.
That or viral marketing.
It could be a test for a future viral campaign. Kind of a proof of concept thing.
Franklinator
Member
Interesting stuff, but yeah, like others have said most likely marketing or made up.
Or, it's an invite to join the New York Thieves Guild.
Agreed. I haven't really read anything on Reddit until just now, it's really hard to read.
Or, it's an invite to join the New York Thieves Guild.
Agreed. I haven't really read anything on Reddit until just now, it's really hard to read.
teruterubozu
Member
New Yorkers have a lot of time on their hands.
I think this calls for a mini GAF meet up. Are you in? I'm definitely intrigued by what's going to happen on the 19th even if it turns out to be nothing big. Besides, it'd be good entertainment for GAF alongside the Reddit stuff. Nothing better than a GAF x Reddit meet up.
Details?
Proven in what way?
HamPster PamPster
Member
Looking at the reddit thread the address the person was supposed to go to is a spy museum
http://www.baseentertainment.com/show/spy
aparisi2274
Member
This entire thing screams:
phosphor112
Banned
Calling it a clusterfuck is putting it lightly. I can't even stand looking at it.
This entire thing screams:
fixed
Didn't have time to read all the details but here are some links:
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/c...homeless_looking_man_handed_me_50_and/c5d0l9i
http://www.reddit.com/r/bestof/comments/wgbyk/pretty_sure_cweed14_has_the_honour_of_being_the/
More detail about where the BASE Entertainment office is: 6 1/2 and 56th - i.e. exactly where OP is supposed to meet today...
BASE Contact Info
Google Maps
EDIT: My opinion is the OP works for BASE Entertainment and he and his team there wrote the cipher and back story and posted it to reddit knowing they love being a part of possible conspiracies/mysteries and solving puzzles like this (remember the radiation thread? that kept me interested for hours). Its a little suspicious to me that the guy who handed him this note was also monitoring the web for the OP trying to crack this by crowd sourcing the solution.
Anyways, top stories on reddit often make it over to the press so this is a brilliant way to get some free viral marketing for the SPY museum. I'm reallllly curious about the OP's next update. He will either draw this on longer to try to throw us off the SPY museum trail, or it will be the grand reveal before this thread loses its momentum.
EDIT2: The advertising agency who does the work for BASE Entertainment for their SPY exhibit is AKA NYC. They would most likely be in charge of this viral marketing campaign:
AKA Website
I've been trying to find some connection between the OP and people who work there but haven't had much luck.
AKA Employees Click on NYC to get the list.
Maybe you redditors out there may have better luck than me? May be a promising lead?
EDIT 3: (Warning: PURE SPECULATION) So I've been looking more into this whole AKA NYC marketing theory- the company in charge of marketing the SPY exhibit for BASE Entertainment. Ok, so what we know about OP at this moment (I won't give out his full name) is that he's an undergrad at NJIT. It's the summer and he says he's working in the city- most likely just a summer internship. My theory is that he's doing his internship at AKA NYC and they are using him to be the "unsuspecting" recipient of the cipher.
Why do I say this though? Hang in there with me for a second.
OP said at 20:16 UTC that he was getting on the E train to head up to 6 1/2 Ave. and 56th St. and would be there in only 10 minutes, implying a short ride. OP Gets on Subway
At 20:43 UTC OP says he gets off the subway, most likely the 7th Ave. stop for the E train OP Getting Off Subway
The AKA NYC office is located at 630 9th Ave. Just so happens the closet subway station to this address is an E train at W. 42nd St. If you plug in this address going to the BASE Entertainment office at 6 1/2 and 57th: Directions + ETA and look at the total time on the subway, you get about 10 minutes, or exactly what the OP said would be his ETA.
So between waiting for the subway, getting on and getting off at 7th Ave. it took about 30 min- pretty reasonable with waiting for the train and actual travel, especially since the E train had delays today.
EDIT 4: Ok people, we've got someone who worked at AKA NYC, they didn't say much but it could be a promising lead if they deliver. Link
EDIT 5: According to OP's last update he does not work for BASE Entertainment. Luckily since I've watched many seasons of Mad Men, I know that BASE Entertainment would not be the ones doing the marketing, its contracted out to marketing firms like AKA NYC. According to their website they are "providing creative and interactive services for this new exhibition [SPY] at Discovery Times Square" and have "taken over the city with an expansive outdoor campaign."
EDIT 6: Looks like Mr. Input is an asshole- sucks the OP has to deal with that. It was fun while it lasted guys. Maybe one day we'll solve a real mystery
Damn! Who cares if it's viral marketing that shit sounds off the chain. I love spy shit.
HAL_Laboratory
Member
Fake as hell. No homeless person is so smart or writes so legibly.
HamPster PamPster
Member
Don't people use reddit apps like people use twitter apps? I don't know, I dislike it oo
Was there ever a time specified? I have work until 6.
Baconsaurus Rex
Member
Posted to subscribe.
I will read this lunacy later.
I will read this lunacy later.
Internet people acting awkward and hilariously "random" in real life? Well, I never.
Secret Fawful
Member
This entire story is so stupid.
Angry Grimace
Two cannibals are eating a clown. One turns to the other and says "does something taste funny to you?"
Let's be real: Everything on the internet is fake. The original post by the guy on reddit was fake and was viral marketing for something. This hasn't been proven yet, but everything on the internet is fake.
So, you're fake?
Pretty creepy shit, and if it is a fake, it's hard to tell which aspects of it are the fake ones. So many different pieces to the whole story, but it'll be fun to see what happens.
If it is viral marketing, that's some sick shit and shouldn't even be allowed. But what's more terrifying is if it isn't viral marketing at all....
If it is viral marketing, that's some sick shit and shouldn't even be allowed. But what's more terrifying is if it isn't viral marketing at all....
Angry Grimace
Two cannibals are eating a clown. One turns to the other and says "does something taste funny to you?"
If I told you something more interesting happened to me other than taking a larger than average dump, it's probably fake.
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