Mental Floss
The ‘Fire & Blood’ author isn’t part of any formal programming for Worldcon 2024 in August, and go figure, it’s all because he didn’t fill out the correct application form in time.
Mike Rampton|
Not everyone gives directions the way you do—in fact, the way people tell others how to get where they want to go can vary by city, town, and culture. Some of these directional systems might just change how you navigate the world.
Brett Reynolds|
Long before he was Calvin Coolidge’s vice president, Charles Dawes wrote an instrumental piece called “Melody in A Major” that later became a #1 hit.
Stacy Conradt|
These retro novelizations of classic movies like ‘Alien’ and ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ read like the best kind of blast from the past.
Marah Eakin|
Though the Games are meant to foster a sense of unity among nations, they’ve seen their fair share of scandal—and even tragedy.
Jane Alexander|
See if you know the history behind popular gadgets and inventions that made life easier.
Suggestions for what to call the period of time from 2000–2009 ranged from ‘the nillies’ and ‘the oh-ohs’ to ‘the double zeroes’ and ‘the noughties.’ So how’d we land on ‘the aughts’?
Mark Peters|
Next time you’re in the Hub, you can let your Masshole flag fly with these Boston slang terms that will have you sounding like a townie in no time.
Shayna Murphy|
Fazlur Khan and the idea that would turn architecture on its head.
Nick Greene|
From ‘Fallout’ to ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power,’ Amazon’s streaming service has something binge-worthy for every taste.
Jake Rossen, Scott Beggs|
The bagel’s success is undeniable, but its path to breakfast dominance wasn’t straightforward.
Michele Debczak|
Learn how Lake Maracaibo's electrifying climate makes it the number one hotspot for lightning storms.
CaLea Johnson|
Scientists are closer to understanding how Greenland sharks can survive for hundreds of years.
CaLea Johnson|
Don’t be deceived by this seemingly simple painting of a man and his instrument. Pablo Picasso’s The Old Guitarist has secrets in its past and in its paint.
Kristy Puchko|
The part about the old man bumping his head and not waking up in the morning could describe a dangerous head injury.
Lorna Wallace|
Melting polar ice is slowing Earth’s rotation speed, extending the length of each day by a few milliseconds per century.
Tim Brinkhof|
If you’re looking forward to polo and tug of war at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, we have bad news for you.
Ethan Trex|
Some dogs lift their leg to pee as a way of marking their territory. But they also do it as a way of letting other dogs know they're the baddest canine in town.
Ken Ossea, Jr.|
The nightmare scenario described in an influential 2008 study may end up being less destructive than scientists thought, but Angelenos still shouldn't get too comfortable.
Nick Keppler|
The 800-plus-year-old Parisian cathedral has centuries of French history built into its stone. Here are 13 things you might not know about it.
Allison C Meier|
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