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Incredible Photos of the World's Scariest Hike
The world's scariest hike is more than an internet meme—it's a 7,000-foot-high cliffside trail in China that will take your breath away.
The Secret that Helped an Untrained Runner Win an Ultramarathon
Cliff Young was not your typical marathon runner. A scrawny, 61-year-old Australian potato farmer who still lived with his mom, Young didn’t even own a pair of running shoes. So in 1983, when he signed up to compete in one of the world’s most grueling ult


Clementine Paddleford: The Badass Lady Pilot Who Revolutionized the Art of Food Writing
With a name like Clementine Paddleford, she should have been unforgettable. So why don’t you know who she is?

Secrets of the MIT Poker Course
Can a little calculus make a total novice into a gambling pro? Mental Floss did the homework and took a trip to Atlantic City to find out.
How Rainbow Rowell Went From Newspaper Reporter to Superstar Novelist
A friend asked me, “What are you writing for yourself?” I realized I’d never written anything just for myself.
30 Unusual Scholarships
If you have the right characteristic, last name, or niche interest, you could cash in.

Why Do We Carve Pumpkins?
When you think about it, scooping the innards out of a large squash, carving a scary face into it, and jamming a candle inside is a bit weird.
The Talented Mr. Ripley
Patricia Highsmith's most memorable supervillain was inspired by a chance encounter. But how fictional was he really?
Silence of the Newts
Three dead men. No clues. Just a newt. And he wasn’t spilling the beans.
How Amrit Singh Goes Beyond the Music
Taking a job as a news anchor for the brand-new music channel Revolt TV—and moving from his native New York City to Los Angeles—was a huge change for this blogger, filmmaker, and Bar-certified attorney. SIngh reveals what his new creative life is like, on
Your Dog Has Something to Tell You
Step away from the dog whisperer. Canine-cognition scientist Alexandra Horowitz knows what your dog is thinking.
The Perfect Time of Day to Do Everything
Want to make your days happier, healthier, and more lucrative? Just follow this schedule.
The Curious (and Possibly Murderous) Origins of Punxsutawney Phil's Name
Punxsutawney Phil's moniker might have something to do with the royal family, a pair of heinous groundhog murders, and some good old-fashioned small-town competition.
The Summer Homes of 5 Legendary Authors
What do great authors do at their summer homes? Compose our favorite beach reads.