Author: Christopher Stephens

Alfred Hitchcock was right, in a way. Birds can be scary. But the nature of the threat can be a little different than expected. Today, we profile 10 bird species that are able to wreak havoc on the natural environment. Their ability to cause damage is generally caused by human introduction or assistance coupled with…

We know Adolf Hitler was one bad dude and many articles have been published outlining interesting facts about him and his dark regime. But there remain a few more facts about Hitler that are worth highlighting, for they are remarkable but little known. Here we discover the real Hitler — not only the despot, but…

The experiments were epic, the results often disastrous or fatal. They were invasive or dangerous human experiments, and completely unethical… had they not been tests performed on the researchers, by the researchers themselves. In this account of academic insight coupled with dubious judgment, we look at the most shocking and often ill-fated cases of researcher…

Dangers are often associated with far off places, while fatal mishaps are often written off as either blatant foolishness or freak accidents. Yet a variety of dangers are surprisingly common and lurk nearby from objects and activities seemingly mundane. Today, discover the deadliest hidden dangers in this startling review of everyday extreme hazards. 10. Vacuums…

Science encompasses a vast range of study fields. With scientific investigation comes responsibility. When ethics or caution are thrown to the wind, or the experiment simply doesn’t work out, disaster and failure can be dramatic. In this account, we discover 10 experiments with some pretty unsatisfactory social outcomes. 10. Willowbrook State School Hepatitis Tests At…

Hackers are a strange aspect of both the underworld and the professional world. For one, they seem slightly intangible and conceptual, operating in the cyber world, and are often stereotyped and simplified in fiction or seen as virtual folk heroes, akin perhaps to pirates. But the reality is stranger. In this account, we hack into…

Poland. A land of record holding attractions. A heavily wooded country in places, beautifully urbanized in others, Poland is a gem of European intrigue with a complex history scathed by the tragedies of armed conflict. In this account, we showcase a visitor’s 10 must see sites in surprising Poland, including the world’s largest castle and…

Canada is stereotyped as a free, wild country with inhabitants that are known for being “nice” and “polite.” But it is worth knowing that Canada is the home of some of the worst criminals in history, who have some truly heinous deeds behind their names that put this country on the world map of violent…

On a planet with finite resources, more human demand is placed on many species than supply exists. This contribution to the endangerment of species causes conservation laws to be passed to protect dwindling wildlife. Sadly, the rarest are often the most wanted. Thus, legal protection measures may be skirted by the insatiable traffickers of rare…

Praying mantises are incredible creatures. In this account, we learn about these insects on steroids that make an Alien versus Predator movie look tame. Discover what the master hunters can do and be prepared to be inspired by the greatness of an invertebrate. Whether pretending to be a flower, eating birds, or going on fishing…

Mental disorders are no reason to throw people away or write them off. Furthermore, mental health conditions also offer the scientific community a vast range of investigative opportunities. Today, let’s take a look at some of the least known, yet significant, facts about mental health that are sometimes most counterintuitive. 10. Lower Suicide Rates in…

This world is not always exactly what it seems. Things that are popular, touted, or just seem awesome or at least incredible may actually be, simply put, quite bad. Bad for you, your mental wellbeing and physical safety, or just not good for the planet. In this list, we profile 10 things we might think…

Volcanoes are notorious features on the landscape, but the mountains of Earth’s surface do not claim all of the volcanological action in the world. Concealed below the waves, underwater volcanoes mean that earth, fire and water can explode into a fury at any time in certain places, sometimes with fascinating results. Today, we’ll look at…

We all know the Egyptian Pyramids; structures like the Great Pyramid of Giza cannot be missed. But the ancient world as well as more recent times spawned many strange pyramids, and we discover them here today. Our world tour spans strange pyramid adorned landscapes from Rome to Iran, and all the way to Mexico and…

The eyes may be the windows of the soul, but for a fascinating array of species, the eyes just don’t have it. Today, we discover bizarre creatures that have jettisoned their eyes through means like atrophy in the course of evolution. A rule of nature: if it’s not useful, drop it! The eyes are either…

Many places around the world are eerily distinguished by the presence of dead bodies laid to rest, or sometimes, unrest for one reason or another. In this list, we profile the spots where the bodies are in abundance — sometimes in the strangest places, and sometimes for the strangest reasons. 10. El Conchalito Beach (Baja…

Georgia, the country at the point where Eastern Europe and Western Asia meet in the Caucasus Mountains, is a lesser known but remarkable country with spectacular medieval sites, modern interest points and striking geography and culture. The nation is also the birthplace of notorious Soviet kingpin and WWII Allied forces leader Joseph Stalin, who on…

Drugs don’t just get people high, they often progress straight from a high to death. As drug deaths rise, new, more dangerous drugs continue to emerge. This list will alter your mind by making you more aware of just how deadly or strange some of the increasingly abused and concocted substances are becoming. We profile…

Pets of all kinds — some familiar, some bizarre — are treasured companions and curiosities for animal aficionados. Yet living with other species poses risks. Pets can kill or maim in bizarre and unexpected ways. We’re not talking dog bites; we are talking lethal lizards, arthropod attacks, hamster hazards, freak fish tank infections, parasite rampages,…

On a planet with finite resources, more human demand is placed on many species than supply exists. This contribution to the endangerment of species causes conservation laws to be passed to protect dwindling wildlife. Sadly, the rarest are often the most wanted. Thus, legal protection measures may be skirted by the insatiable traffickers of rare…

World War II was a tragedy filled mass conflict with numerous strategic mistakes, violations of international law and general military weight-throwing. But amongst the fighting were many bizarre military actions, seemingly outlandish but well documented family connections and twists and turns that are sure to surprise the history buff. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FPgr3_bD6o This is an encore presentation…

Ireland, known as Éire in Irish Gaelic, is a remarkable island. We’ve previously written about some of the reasons you should take a trip to the Emerald Isle, and today we’re offering 10 more sites that are must see places for cultural, historical, and architectural reasons. We focus on the Republic of Ireland, which takes…

Jaws was scary, but also a little overrated. After all, the movie was only about an aggressive shark. Just one simple shark? Pfft. How about a gigantic fish that looks like a minnow, but is almost 30 feet long and can shear almost any living creature in two? Or an archaic piranha that makes modern…

The urban environment is powerful and evocative, reflective of the people, places and times that saw the construction of specific communities. Cities can be iconic, but they can also be overrated. They say you should never meet your heroes, but in this list, you might come to the conclusion that it’s equally unwise to visit…