Mental Floss

THE LIST SHOW

An aerial view of Australia's Heart Reef.

From an island infested with snakes to a vault holding a very special secret recipe, these dangerous, mysterious, or otherwise forbidden places are off-limits to the public.

Michele Debczak
Moussa81/iStock via Getty Images Plus

From how long a "hoax" like the Apollo 11 moon landing could actually stay a secret to the conspiracy theory involving Queen Elizabeth I, here are the actual facts you need to know about conspiracy theories.

Stacy Conradt
Flipping the pages of a book may trigger ASMR in some people.

Here's what you need to know about the brain-tingling phenomenon ASMR, or Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response.

Meredith Danko


Everybody farts.

From the fart jokes penned by famous writers to the horrifying consequences of holding in your flatus to why toots smell worse in the shower, here's what you need to know about farts.

Jennifer M Wood


A reconstruction of the skull of Peking man (Homo erectus pekinensis)

From natural wonders like Guairá Falls to literary works from Hemingway and Byron to paintings by Picasso and Renoir, here's a list of just a few priceless things that are gone forever.

Stacy Conradt




Nothing to see here—just a baby in a cage hanging out a window, taking in the air!

A lot has changed between the 19th century and today, but one thing that hasn't is the plethora of available parenting advice—though the following tips would likely make today's parents scratch their chins.

Ellen Gutoskey
Franz Reichelt is now remembered as the "flying tailor."

From psychological studies that would never pass ethical muster in the present day to disastrous new product launches, here are some experiments that went horrifically wrong.

Stacy Conradt


Holding a bingo game without the correct permit in North Carolina could get you in trouble.

Have you handled fish in "suspicious circumstances," or kept your prescription medication in something other than its prescription bottle? Depending on where you are, you might have broken one of many strange laws on the books.

Jason Serafino




Image by Jill White from Pixabay

From giant parrots and penguins to really old poop and The Bone Wars to the difference between body fossils and trace fossils, here are a few fascinating facts about fossils.

Meredith Danko


If you love to watch the clouds, consider joining the Cloud Appreciation Society.

Did you know there's a club for people who have been ejected out of a plane, and an organization for people who are just ... happy? Read on to find out about those clubs and more.

Stacy Conradt
Venesection on male patient by Cintio d'Amato, 1671

From curing rabies with raw veal to using a red-hot poker to prevent nosebleeds, these treatments of old will make you especially thankful for science and modern medicine.

Meredith Danko




Some of Disney's most beloved rides and attractions have gone the way of the Dodo.

Did you know that Jackie Chan, Whoopi Goldberg, and Cher were once featured in a Disney ride? It sounds fun, but Superstar Limo didn't last long—and neither did these other Disney rides and lands.

Meredith Danko




Franz Reichelt is now remembered as the "flying tailor."

In this episode of 'The List Show,' we take a look at experiments throughout history that definitely did not go according to plan.

Kristen Richard
George Rose/Getty Images Entertainment

From an actual copy of the Declaration of Independence to jewelry, some people made millions off the items they bought for a mere dollars at yard sales.

Meredith Danko
momnoi/iStock via Getty Images Plus

Did you know wolves aren't actually howling at the moon? Learn why they howl along with the truth about other common misconceptions about animals.

Meredith Danko
Alternate labels for Millennials include ‘Echo Boomers’ and ‘Gen Y.’

Millennials might just be the most studied generation in history—and also perhaps the most misunderstood. We’re here to help separate fact from fiction.

Stacy Conradt