Aberration Spotted!

A large sidewalk aberration was spotted today on the waterfront of Governors island's northeast harbor.


Fortunately, a team of trackers were on sight to record the event and document reactions from available witnesses.


Trackers examined the aberration's structure and documented its features.


Particulate samples from the aberration were collected to be brought to the lab for testing.


Witnesses gathered to observe the aberration. We shared our theories with them and eagerly recorded their reactions, many of which are posted below. We invite you to share your reactions and theories as well.


Witness reactions to the aberration were mixed- from curious to amused, concerned to dismissive.


If you witnessed this or other aberrations today, we invite you to share your reactions and theories in the comments section.


Curiously, this child appeared unafraid of the aberration and bravely set about testing its structural integrity.

Trackers Theodore, Matt and Jessica pose with aberration.

Clearly, it was very exciting day for the ATS and more importantly a great day for the advancement of aberration studies.

We will share our findings soon and will continue to monitor the area for future aberrant activity. Please share your theories with us in the comments section and join us for our next field study.

Reactions and theories collected from available witnesses:

"I haven't seen anything like this before" - Doug

"What if one occurs where someone is standing?" - Jorge

"The city is trying to tell us something." - Sarah

"It's due to global warming." - Oscar

"Sign of the times." - Ben

"Maybe the concrete has anxiety." - David

"A lesson in biostratigraphy; a reminder that we are physical beings in a physical planet." - Rebecca

"[It's a response to] stress of government bureaucracy" - Maureen

"Infrastructure spending, [i.e.] the city needs extra sidewalks" - Greg

"A sprawling population is expressing itself."- Maria

"Too much pavement, too much development. It's all piling up." - Ed

"Someone was running because he was going to miss the ferry. He was a very fat man. He skidded along the sidewalk and it curled up the ground" - Nico

"The earth is trying to tell people to get on their skateboards..." - Jake

"Attention from the public is feeding it. Maybe it wants to be ignored."- Steve

"I have no idea. I thought it was part of the art festival." - Alice

"Was that a joke?" - Dan

"I can imagine the sidewalk rebelling. It has a certain violation [quality]." - Kate

"A really, really nice monster wants to give kids something to play on." - Riley

"It has to do with the folding of time..." - Ann

"Large moles are causing this." - Bill

"[It's caused by] built up levels of norepinephrine from the days when this [island] was a military base" - George

"An act of God." - Ted

"It makes you feel a little better." - Wayland

"Extraterrestrials are testing how tough earthly materials are." - Mario

"The earth threw it up."- Julie

"A leak in the sidewalk factory." - Betty

"It's a reaction to the people on the island; a mixing of hot and cold energies, anxiety build up and release."- Kyle

"Definitely the economy... and a shortage of anxiety meds." - Phil

"Harbor indigestion." - Carl

"Maybe someone dropped it here." - Vanessa

"Tides from river pollution seeping into soil."- Chris

"Dharma Initiative gone awry."- Lou

"It's from the weight of new condos in neighborhoods that aren't designed for them." - Mike

"It's trying to make it's way to the lower east side." - Alex

"It's a very pretty aberration. I'm glad to see it." - Chloe

Add your own comments or theories.