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Where does the candy you’ll give to trick-or-treaters rank among internet users? Science writers David Ng and Ben Cohen put together a candy hierarchy lastyear and received a lot of feedback. They took those opinions into account when publishing their 2011 Candy Hierarchy. Some of the findings:
(1) That despite various lobbying efforts, clear consensus within the peer review process was wholly absent. No agreement on any specific candy was represented higher than 5% of the total comments (although status of fresh versus stale versus fruit flavored Tootsie Rolls was especially hotly debated). Indeed, consensus was only noted in the following: that last year’s hierarchy, in a word, sucked. In fact, the word “travesty” and similar synonyms were uttered more than a few times (Koerth-Baker, 2010).
(2) That with current data, Candy Corn is impossible to rank. It is liken to the “String Theory” of candy: largely theoretical nature and difficult to pin down. In the hopes of moving forward on this strange phenomenon, we are currently exploring a grant proposal that would give us time on the LHC.
(3) That this study was a great portal to science culture in general. This was demonstrated by an example of scientific plagiarism (link), as well as the prevalence of scientist bias, because despite repeated commentary on the contrary, we stubbornly stand by our evaluation of Whoppers.
Of course, the new hierarchy, published at Boing Boing, has already sparked a debate over the merits of a certain American brand of chocolate. Link
This house better stock up on Halloween candy, because they’re guaranteed to have a flood of trick or treaters this year! The brilliant light show changes with the music, and animated pumpkin faces sing along. I wonder what these people are going to do to their house for Christmas?
–via Ology
The standard orange trick-or-treating bucket is going to clash with your clever steampunk Smurfette Captain America in a utilikilt costume. But no worries: Yami Guru has you covered with his steampunk buckets.
Link -via Walyou (warning: auto-sound)
YouTube user UtahAerials attached a ghost-like object to a remote controlled helicopter and used it to chase trick-or-treaters that came to his house. A camera mounted on the helicopter captured the scene.
via Geekologie
From the folks who brought us Growing Up Heroes comes another nostalgia blog, this one dedicated to Halloween. You are invited to submit photographs of your childhood Halloween costumes, and enjoy pictures of trick-or-treat long ago. Personally, I don’t see this adorable Ewok from 1985 as “long ago”, but there are pictures from different eras as well. Link
Candy is dandy, but some folks aren’t prepared for trick-or-treaters (or else they’re just mean). We all know the neighborhood dentist who gives out toothbrushes instead of candy. Here’s a selection of alternative “treats” people have been known to disappoint trick-or-treaters with on Halloween.
8. Condiments and Cutlery
Probably from bachelor types who forgot it was Halloween – answered the door because they thought it was the pizza guy – and then mined their condiment stash so as not to disappoint. Though little containers of peanut butter and jam are passable, plastic packs of soya sauce, ketchup, relish, mustard, and plastic fork and knife sets really don’t do the trick for a treat!
From the Upcoming 
ueue, submitted by 
