Just another reason to hate religious extremists and organized religion in general...

[Hammerskjold]

Sift them out (If you're using microwave popcorn, open the bag just a little bit and pour out the unpopped kernels), and pour them into a microwave-safe bowl. Cover the bowl with a microwave-safe plate and, guess what? Put it all in the microwave again.

I stopped buying microwave popcorn a while back. I usually like plain, non buttered, just so I can have the option to add my own. Besides that I personally don't like the taste of microwave butter. But even the advertised plain package ones, still contains trace amount of that artificial butter for some reason. Maybe it's just the store or my local supplier.

However when I did have some, I tried that method and other similar ones, with no good result. Either they come out charred, or unscathed and seemingly stronger. Much like many a superheroes origin story.

I'm now on a more traditional stove top with oil setup, and pre-warming the oil and salt with the corn, with slightly more success. I have an air popper, but it's a chintzy one that seems to spew out kernels like Pvt. Hudson shooting his pulse rifle in 'Aliens'.

but you will probably get a teaspoon full of true die-hards that refuse to pop no matter how many times you radiate them.

Yes, absolutely, the mutant X-Factor. I'm considering starting a home based corn genetics program, inspired by a posting about M&M candies I read once on the intarwebz.

Population Genetics

Whenever I get a package of M&Ms, I make it my duty to continue the strength and robustness of the candy as a species. To this end, I hold M&M duels.

Taking two candies between my thumb and forefinger, I apply pressure, squeezing them together until one of them cracks and splinters. That is the "loser" and I eat the inferior one immediately. The winner gets to go another round.

I have found that, in general, brown and red M&Ms are tougher, and the newer blue ones are genetically inferior. I have hypothesized that the blue M&Ms as a race cannot survive long in the intense theatre of competition that is the modern candy and snack food world.

Occasionally I will get a mutation, a candy that is misshapen, or pointier, or flatter than the rest. Almost invariably this proves to be a weakness, but on very rare occasions it gives the candy extra strength. In this way, the species continues to adapt to its environment.

When I reach the end of the pack, I am left with one M&M, the strongest of the herd. Since it would make no sense to eat this one as well, I pack it neatly in an envelope and send it to M&M Mars Inc., along with a 3 x 5 card reading "Please use this M&M for breeding purposes."

This week they wrote back to thank me, and sent me a coupon for a free ½ pound bag of plain M&Ms. I consider this "grant money." I have set aside the weekend for a grand tournament. From a field of hundreds, we will discover the True Champion. There can only be one.

Author Unknown, found in a U of T BIO150 Lab Manual