Ten Famous People You Never Knew the FBI Kept Tabs On
The FBI keeps tabs on many more people than you realize. They aren’t just watching terrorists or criminals or keeping their infamous “Most Wanted List” of thugs and hooligans whom they desperately ask the public for help in catching. No, the FBI has its hands in all kinds of different pots—including tracking celebrities! Believe it […]

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10 Unbelievable Reasons for Why People Faked Their Own Deaths
In the United States, pseudocide, or faking one’s own death, is not a crime in itself, but the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) warns it almost certainly leads to numerous serious criminal offenses. James Quiggle, director of communications for the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud in Washington, D.C., explains it like this. Essentially, you are defrauding […]

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Ten Disturbing Stories About the Dark Side of Mindfulness
In this frenzied day and age, more and more of us are turning to mindfulness to lower our stress and center ourselves. Based on Buddhist meditation, mindfulness spans a range of techniques that ask people to be more aware of their thoughts and feelings. The benefits of mindfulness are well documented. But while some gurus […]

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10 Incredibly Dangerous Jobs That No Longer Exist
The dangerous jobs of the past often feel like works of fiction. Improved technology, better regulations, and widespread information have removed many of the greatest dangers from the average profession. Once upon a time, though, people would regularly risk dying just to make a living. And while some of those dangerous jobs were awful necessities […]

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10 Creative Technologies Taking on Climate Change
As climate change intensifies, the need for innovative solutions has never been more urgent. Scientists, entrepreneurs, and communities around the world are creating new technologies and implementing unique strategies to combat environmental issues from all angles. While some well-known initiatives like solar power and electric cars are common in the fight against climate change, many […]

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10 Classic American Songs That Started in Minstrelsy
In the early 1800s, Americans used to enjoy minstrel shows. Essentially, watching white men dance and sing their hearts out—while wearing blackface and mocking African Americans. This practice continued into the 19th century, even being seen in Hollywood films and on TV. Minstrel shows have been called the first truly American form of theater. While […]

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10 Fictional Drugs We’re Glad Aren’t Real
Drugs are a double-edged sword. On the one hand, they mitigate intense physiological problems, allowing sick, injured, or impaired individuals to function with the rest of society. On the other, some substances have adverse side effects. Extreme cases lead to addiction, constantly leaving you craving an unhealthy amount. Such overdoses then pave the way for […]

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10 War Relics with Fascinating Stories
War has always been unavoidable. Evidence of warfare stretches from ancient times to at least 10,000 years ago. Anyone who wants to learn about history or humans has to know about the series of wars that shaped our civilization. Most people generally avoid thinking, seeing, and reading about such things. But sometimes, we’re urged to […]

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10 Icons from History Who Actually Went by Fake Names
You might not know it, but far more famous people than you realize rocketed to celebrity status using fake names. We’re not talking about actors here, either. It’s commonplace for actors to take a stage name that sounds better, different, or more memorable than their real name. It’s happened countless times and doesn’t exactly warrant […]

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10 Child Actors Who Now Work Normal Jobs
Many popular celebrities today started as child actors and are still finding success in Hollywood, but other former child actors chose to step away from the spotlight. Some of those actors struggled to land roles after reaching popularity while others just wanted to step away to either take a break or live a normal life. […]

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10 Famous Movie Villains Inspired by Real People
The best movie villains affect more than just the film’s protagonist. They practically jump out of the screen and live in our nightmares. The only thing we call fall back on is that old comfort many of us learned when we were young, “It’s only a movie.” But time and time again, we’re reminded that […]

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10 Pilgrimages Around the World That Aren’t Religious
When we think of pilgrimages, we often imagine spiritual journeys to sacred sites, but the concept of a pilgrimage can extend far beyond religion. A pilgrimage, in its most profound sense, is a journey or quest to discover something meaningful—whether it’s self-discovery, adventure, culture, or history. All around the world, some paths draw people for […]

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10 Weird Stories Missing People Told When They Were Found
It is such a relief when a missing person is found alive, whether they have been gone a matter of hours, weeks, or even years. However, the explanations for why the person vanished to begin with or stories about experiences they had during their absence are sometimes very bizarre. From strange crimes to supernatural tales, […]

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10 Greatest Corporate Faceplants of All Time
Even the most powerful corporations can crumble overnight when bad decisions pile up. Some ignored innovation, others made catastrophic financial moves, and a few simply refused to believe their downfall was possible. In many cases, their mistakes were obvious in hindsight. Yet executives remained blind to the warning signs until it was too late. These […]

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10 Times Eclipses Marked History
Telling the time in the ancient world was tricky; trying to describe the past between different cultures was almost impossible. People used different calendars, and attempting to make them work together was tricky. Your year of the Consulship of Cornelius Rufus and Curius Dentatus might be the year of the Archon Charinus to your neighbor. […]

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10 Societies with Unconventional Concepts of Time
We like to think of time as an unshakable force, ticking away with military precision in measured increments. But here’s the thing—time, as we know it, is completely made up. Sure, the sun rises and sets and seasons change, but the rigid structure of seconds, minutes, and hours, really, is all a human invention, like […]

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10 Terrifying Ways to Take in the View
Everyone loves a good view, right? There are even entire TV shows dedicated to houses and buildings that provide the best views of the sea, mountains, or forests. Those not afraid of heights may enjoy their views of Earth’s most spectacular scenes from a viewing deck or observatory or while dangling from a harness between […]

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Top 10 Acts of the Aussie Pop Music Invasion
While it can’t really compare in size or impact to the 1960s British Invasion led by the Beatles, there was something that happened during an eclectic time in American pop music history in the late 1970s and early 1980s, which has come to be known as the Aussie Invasion. A diverse collection of Australian bands […]

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10 Incredible Scenes of Cosmic Violence
The universe is full of awe-inspiring sights like colorful nebulae, giant planets of swirling gas, and brilliant stars that shine like gems. The universe is also full of chaos and violence, with constant destruction (and rebirth) keeping the cosmos in an eternal flux. The following discoveries are awe-inspiring for their sheer power, destructive majesty, and […]

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10 Forgotten American Pastimes and Hobbies
As times change, so do the ways people spend their leisure time. The hobbies and pastimes that once defined American culture often fade into history, replaced by new forms of entertainment. From activities born out of necessity to quirky trends that captivated entire generations, these forgotten pastimes offer a fascinating glimpse into how Americans lived, […]

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10 Most Spectacular Objects Pulled from the Thames
The River Thames is the whole reason that London exists. Running through the city’s center, it has provided water and the opportunity to trade for millennia. But it turns out people have lived beside its banks for far longer than there has been a city there. Only now are we beginning to find out the […]

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10 Male-Female Duos Who Don’t Fall in Love
Of all the feelings you can experience, love is the most coveted. Screenwriters seem to think so, at least, as many insert romances into virtually every story. If circumstances pair a male and female character together, the odds are that they’ll end up in love. This journey can, admittedly, be sweet, but it’s also predictable […]

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10 Broadway Props That Stole The Show
Broadway is known for its dazzling performances, unforgettable characters, and, of course, incredible props that help bring the magic to life. While the actors’ talent is the star of the show, some props have a way of stealing the spotlight and becoming just as iconic as the performances themselves. From inanimate objects that take on […]

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10 Mind-Boggling Facts That You Won’t Believe Aren’t Made Up
With the internet the way it is nowadays, you might think that every little bit of trivia and every interesting fact on earth has been mined, blogged, tweeted, posted, and shared. But thankfully, there are still a seemingly endless amount of weird and crazy facts and absolutely bizarre (true) tales that will shock you. Heck, […]

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10 Unbelievable Advertising Fiascoes
For various reasons, product advertisements sometimes go awry in a big way. A case in point: Budweiser Light’s ad campaign featuring transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney resulted in a boycott that cost the company almost 1.5 billion dollars, as customers switched from Bud Light to competitors’ brands. As Harvard Business Review points out, companies learned that […]

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10 Times People Voluntarily Gave Up Their Freedom to Dictators
Let’s be honest: If history has taught us anything at all, it might just be that people love a strongman—until they don’t. Again and again, societies have handed over their rights with the enthusiasm of someone clicking “I agree” on terms and conditions they never even read. But instead of just annoying software updates, these […]

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10 Amazing Valentine’s Day-Themed Space Phenomena
Valentine’s Day is a day for celebrating love, but it doesn’t have to be the love between romantic partners. It can be the tenderness you feel for a beloved pet, commemorated with a piece of steak or cheese. It can also be the love of space and all the amazing things found in our universe. […]

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Ten Extraordinary Predictions for 2025 from Fiction
It’s 2025, and a new year is underway. Who knows what the coming months have in store? Well, if you struggle to imagine what 2025 might look like, you are in luck. Many great minds (and some not-so-great minds) from the world of fiction have dreamt up a gamut of outlandish predictions. Some paint 2025 […]

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10 Famous Musicals That Never Made It to Broadway
It’s the dream of every actor, playwright, librettist, director, and dramaturg to one day work on a Broadway show. As far as theater goes, there’s pretty much no better way to prove your work is the best of the best than to premiere on the Great White Way. But sometimes, it’s about more than just […]

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10 Things You Might Not Know About the Panama Canal
Building the Panama Canal was one of the greatest civil engineering projects of all time, but how much do you know about the history of this waterway that joins two oceans? The building caused thousands of deaths and cost an enormous amount of money, but it has bestowed priceless benefits to world trade and prosperity. […]

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10 Video Game Villains Who Foolishly Aided the Hero to Win
Video game villains come in various shapes and sizes. They possess different capacities, but there is only one end to everything they do: to ensure that the protagonist does not fulfill their mission in the long run. Video game villains employ different tricks and tactics to achieve this objective. Some disguise themselves as a friend […]

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Famous Historical Myths That Were Created for Political Purposes
History is full of myths that have shaped national identities, justified wars, and influenced public perception. Many of these stories were deliberately crafted or distorted for political purposes—turning leaders into legends, framing conflicts in black and white, or erasing inconvenient truths. In this list, we’ll uncover some of the most famous historical myths that were […]

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Top 10 Strangest Things Done with Hearts Throughout History
Hearts can be seen everywhere when Valentine’s Day rolls around—from romantic cards adorned with hearts to heart-shaped chocolates and candies filling stores. But throughout history, humans have also done some strange (and less saccharine!) things with actual hearts, such as in the organ, not the symbol. Below, you’ll find a few morbidly fascinating funerary practices, […]

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10 Bad Movies with Great Effects
As filmmaking progresses, the craft evolves. That pattern is evident in numerous aspects of a project, but the most noticeable are the special effects. Technology advances to new heights, and the artists use those breakthroughs to enhance the image onscreen. Their hope is to further immerse audiences in the film. That said, their efforts are […]

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10 Mysterious Beach Objects
The sea is a fascinating, largely unknown realm full of both potential perils and astounding mysteries. From time to time, the ocean reminds us of its secrets and its possible dangers as incoming tides and surf deliver to our beaches and shorelines strange objects or bizarre specimens of marine life for us to examine. Many […]

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10 Strange Yet True Historical Events
History is full of weird and wild things that most people go their entire lives without reading about. Stories about cat-related military operations or entire wars fought over pigs and emu. Here are 10 strange yet true historical events that are stranger than fiction. Related: 10 Bizarre Events in the Age of Reason That Defied […]

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10 Government Jobs You Never Knew Existed
Government jobs are known to offer several benefits for employees, but many of those positions are seen as mundane and boring. Not all public sector jobs require workers to park their butts in an office chair all day inside of a cubicle. As a matter of fact, there are some unique government jobs that most […]

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10 Dishes That Aren’t from the Place They’re Named After
We all tell little white lies sometimes. Whether it’s to spare someone’s feelings or make ourselves sound just a little bit cooler, these little fibs are generally gone in the blink of an eye. But sometimes lies stick around. Foods, in particular, have a way of being named after the places they’re from. Or are […]

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10 Films That Are Still Banned in the UK
Westerners live in an age of relative freedom when it comes to the films we can enjoy. U.S. and UK censors are more forgiving than they used to be, and horrific, graphic, and downright lewd films that would previously have been banned from even the roughest fleapit make it into mainstream cinemas. https://web.archive.org/web/20200924204745/https://www.bbfc.co.uk/education-resources/education-news/video-nasties The UK’s […]

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10 Historical Events That Shaped the English Language
Words, like people, have stories to tell. Languages, like nations, have their histories. They have their peculiarities and quirks that can be traced back to some circumstance in their journey from our ancestors to us. The English language is replete with these curiosities. Inconsistent spelling and pronunciation are just two weird things about English that […]

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Ten Horror Games That Were Banned for Being Even Darker
We’ve already covered the ten horror games banned for being too dark, but apparently, there’s no shortage of developers willing to take things even further. Whether it’s graphic violence, real-life tragedies turned into “entertainment,” or just concepts that should’ve been rejected immediately, these games didn’t just cross the line—they removed it. Due to commenters’ demands, […]

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10 Whistleblowers Who Were Outright Heroes
When you talk about whistleblowers, some popular names come to mind, but the concept of whistleblowing is not a modern one. The tradition has been in place since the days of the ancient world. It has been a critical tool that man has used to achieve justice and fairness in society. While we acknowledge that […]

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10 Misconceptions About Birds
Birds are some of the most fascinating creatures on Earth, but there’s a surprising number of myths and misconceptions about them that have persisted over time. From their intelligence to their behavior, many widely held beliefs about birds are far from accurate. These misunderstandings can shape how we view and interact with our feathered friends. […]

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10 Facts About the Life of Churchill’s Favorite WWII Spy
During World War II, Sir Winston Churchill declared that Polish countess Maria Skarbek—although later, she became plain Christine Granville—was his favorite spy. She earned this accolade because of her extraordinary courage and achievements as a secret agent in Nazi-occupied Poland and France. The penalty for spying was, of course, execution, usually preceded by torture. Still, […]

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Ten of the Most Outlandish Influencers on Social Media
As any social media user knows, influencers are everywhere. Usually, they pester us with adverts and monetized content. But some take a stranger approach. These bizarre influencers refuse to fit the usual mold. Instead, they have built a following from their unexpected, genuinely original ideas. They are the true originals of the social media world: […]

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10 Odd Jobs That You Can’t Get Today
We can confidently say from enough experience that job hunting in this economy is pretty hard for most. To make matters worse, some people are getting their jobs replaced by automation or new improvements in technology by the day. The funny thing about this, though, is that job replacement is a fairly old phenomenon that […]

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Ten Stomach-Turning Facts That We Wish Weren’t True
We’re going to go ahead and get this out there right now: You probably shouldn’t read on from here if you’ve got a queasy gut. Some of the stomach-turning facts we’re about to drop on this list are not for the faint of heart. (Or, uh, the faint of digestive tract.) But for those of […]

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10 Most Effective Surprise Attacks in Military History
The surprise attack has been a cornerstone of military strategy throughout most of human history. While true surprise attacks are a little more difficult to coordinate on a mass scale in the modern age of warfare, they remain reference points for how to conduct the most effective kind of military campaign: the kind that minimizes […]

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10 Forgotten Laws Still Technically on the Books
Laws are meant to provide order and structure to society, but over time, some statutes outlive their relevance. While many outdated laws are repealed or forgotten, others remain technically enforceable, lying dormant in legal archives. From quirky restrictions on behavior to hyper-specific regulations tied to bygone eras, these forgotten laws offer a fascinating glimpse into […]

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10 Hilarious Characters Who Never Shut Up
Writers tow a fine line with chatty characters. If handled poorly, these figures can be recipes for disaster. Their incessant talking can easily grate on audiences’ nerves. The effect is akin to being annoyed by a hyperactive kid. Because of that risk, it’s safe to veer away from such characters. However, they’re not impossible to […]

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