Nature
Snakes Have Friends and Can Be Choosy about Whom They Hangout with
New research study finds garter snakes are surprisingly social, forming strong friendships with their peers
History
The Proto-Indo-Europeans: The Lost Culture Connecting Europe to India
In Indian mythology, the god Indra rescues the world by killing an evil serpent with a thunderbolt. In Norse mythology, Thor famously slays the serpent Jörmungandr with thunder. This similarity is one tantalizing clue to the fact that the mythologies and languages of Europe and India share a common source—a lost culture about which we know little, but owe much.
Want
The Timeless Thirst for Cel Ray Soda: A 150-Year Love Affair
Once heralded as Dr. Brown’s Celery Tonic, a nerve-soothing healthy beverage, Cel Ray soda has evolved into a cultural mainstay, its distinct flavor now gracing the tables of New York’s quintessential delicatessens.
Culture
Whang-Od: The Matriarch of Filipino Tribal Tattoo Artistry
At 106, Whang-Od Oggay, the last living Mambabatok in a remote Philippine village, maintains the dying art of Kalinga—traditional tribal tattooing. Her lifetime dedicated to inking triumphant warriors teeters on extinction, posing a poignant threat to this unique cultural heritage.
Life
Shrouded in Mystery: The Secret Treasure Hunt of Byron Preiss
Byron Preiss’s novel, “The Secret,” ignited a three-decade-long quest for 12 elusive treasures across Canada and the U.S., yet only three have surfaced, leaving a tantalizing mystery that continues to bewitch treasure hunters.
Life
Antilia: A Tower of Extravagance Amidst Mumbai’s Slums
BY Anne Halton
Antilia, the world’s largest residential skyscraper in Mumbai, stands as a $2 billion emblem of wealth amid stark poverty, with 62% of the city’s inhabitants living in slums. Its grandeur incites global debate over the ethics of extreme wealth.
Life
When Giants Fall: The Forgotten Collapse of the Warsaw Radio Mast
On August 8, 1991, the Warsaw Radio Mast—then the world’s tallest man-made structure at over 2,120 feet—suddenly collapsed. An event seemingly forgotten by history, it held the record for height until the Burj Khalifa’s completion in 2009.
Nature
Meet the Usain Bolt of Foraging: The Star Nosed Mole
The Condylura cristata, or star-nosed mole, astounds with its foraging speed, capable of locating, evaluating, and devouring its food in a swift 230 milliseconds—remarkably, 1/6th the time an average human takes to react to a red light.
History
Dark Ages, Darker Hats: The Enigmatic History of the Plague Doctor Hat
The 17th-century plague doctor costume, recognizable by its eerie bird-like mask and wide-brimmed hat, offered critical protection during pandemics. A symbol of a bygone era, this peculiar attire served a sobering purpose—insulating doctors from rampant disease.
Nature
Meet the Only Sea-Faring Lizard: The Marine Iguana
BY Carly Day
Once criticized as “disgusting clumsy lizards” and “imps of darkness” by Charles Darwin, the Marine Iguana astounds as the sole ocean-going lizard on our planet, defying preconceived notions with its remarkable adaptation.
History
Mad Jack Churchill: The Bagpipe Playing, Sword-Wielding Nazi Hunter
“Mad Jack” Churchill, a singular figure of WWII, is renowned as the lone soldier to eliminate an adversary using a longbow. Famed for his adaptability, he was equally adept wielding a Scottish broadsword when his preferred weapon was unavailable.
Visit
La Casa del Arbol: Swinging on the Brink of the World
La Casa del Arbol, with its iconic treehouse, offers thrill-seekers an unrivaled experience: a thrilling swing ride overlooking the active Tungurahua volcano, where adrenaline and sublime natural beauty collide.
Visit
India’s Goliath: The Story Behind the Statue of Unity
The Statue of Unity, a monumental tribute to India’s first deputy prime minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, stands as the world’s tallest statue, symbolizing India’s unity and celebrating its independence struggle.
Culture
Sit Tight, Not Wide: The Anti-Manspreading Chair Revolution
BY Anne Halton
Laila Laurel, a British designer, ingeniously employs humor to address the social issue of manspreading. Her witty and thought-provoking anti-manspreading chair innovatively bridges the gap between social commentary and functional design.
Visit
Amsterdam Vegan Restaurant Offers Greenhouse Dining to Outfox COVID-19
People in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. It’s even more relevant if you plan on dining inside aforementioned glass house. Dutch restaurant Mediamatic Biotoop have thought of a cunning plan, involving long planks of wood and greenhouses, to further the cause of post corona dining.
Culture
Pop a Rainbow: The Spectacular Spectrum of Glass Gem Corn
With its dazzling rainbow hues, Glass Gem Corn captivated the internet, but the real narrative shines in Carl Barnes’ determined quest to cultivate this vibrant corn, reviving a lost fragment of cherished Cherokee heritage.
Visit
Where Romance Meets Rails: The Tale of Ukraine’s Tunnel of Love
In Ukraine’s Klevan, the enchanting Tunnel of Love, initially a Cold War camouflage for a military base, now draws love-struck tourists. Amidst romantic strolls and photos, this foliage-clad railway remains operational for a local plywood factory.
History
Ivar the Boneless: Separating the Real Man from Norse legend
Meet Ivar the Boneless, a legendary Norse saga figure, believed to be inspired by a Viking commander who, in 865 AD, ruthlessly led his army in an invasion of England. Unravel the enigmatic tale of this historical figure shrouded in myth and conquest.
