As bad as the recent years might seem, it ain’t got nothing on the year 536. So, strap in, and let’s rewind the clock almost 1,500 years, to a truly hellish year where summer never came.

With a population of over 1.4 billion people, China certainly has a lot of hungry mouths to feed. But with such a drastic demand for food, the lax regulatory oversight and rampant profit-seeking of the country’s food industry has left Chinese consumers with some stomach-turning products. From imitation eggs to poisoned baby formula and ancient steak, let’s take a look at some of China’s food scandals!

You may think you’re in complete control of your life, but what if I told you your every move was being manipulated by the very organizations that claim to protect you? From the sneaky and subtle to the big and bold, here are some of the downright scariest ways that governments control your behavior.

Sometimes it’s what we don’t say that reveals the most, and that’s definitely the case when it comes to dating. From subtle hints to bodily reactions, here are some tell-tale signs to look out for if you want to know whether someone really likes you.

The world is unpredictable, and you never know when your life might come under threat. It pays to be prepared, but not everyone possesses inbuilt survival instincts. Can you defeat these ten riddles that you must solve to stay alive? Let’s find out.

Going through security checks at airports, concerts, and various other formal events can sometimes seem like a total chore, but the bottom line is that these precautions are only there to keep us safe. Still, that doesn’t mean security is always air-tight. From simple disguises to tightrope acts, let's discover the most unbelievable ways people managed to sneak past security!

It’s no surprise that giving millions of dollars to someone with minimal common sense doesn’t tend to work out too well. But that’s exactly what can happen every now and then, thanks to a little thing called the lottery. If you’re ready to learn about the myriad ways you can blow through millions fast, let’s take a look at the worst lottery winners who lost it all.

Near-extinction circumstances were a reality for our ancestors at one point in history. So, let’s rewind the clocks to that time 96.7% of humans died!

It’s always satisfying to see an awful person get punished by karma. But a rarer source of satisfaction is seeing chance occurrences reward amazingly generous and kind people for their efforts. From heroic race-car drivers to life-changing chihuahuas, let’s get right down to times when good karma came for good people.

We all have nightmares about being in sudden peril, but would you be equipped to survive if your worst fears became reality? There are loads of handy tips out there to keep you safe, and here are some facts that could literally save your life someday.

Throughout history, there have been a handful of occasions where the dumbest-sounding ideas turned out to be an absolute stroke of genius. Some of these seemingly stupid plans and strategies ultimately turned the tide in battles and even permanently changed the places in which they occurred. Let's explore some historic ideas so dumb and ridiculous, that they were actually smart.

Childhood is a period when life is simple and our minds are innocent. It’s not until we grow up and revisit some of our favorite sources of childhood entertainment that we discover that there are some pretty adult themes hiding there. In fact, applying adult logic to some classics makes them downright disturbing! Here are some theories that have taken the internet by storm and are sure to ruin your childhood memories.

Natural selection is Mother Nature’s way of making sure people get smarter, but even after 200,000 years of human evolution, some of us are still making really terrible choices. Let’s take a look at some of the most foolish examples that showcase some Darwin award winners.

Less than 100 miles above our heads lies an unending universe which is vaster than we could ever comprehend. But it’s far from empty; instead, it’s filled with incredible phenomena that our puny brains can barely grasp! Can you fathom the existence of things like stars within stars, planets made of diamonds, atom-sized black holes, or even white holes? Before you space out, let me bring you back to Earth with some intel about the great, starry expanse that’ll really blow your mind. 

You don’t have to be a genius to have a great idea. And, occasionally, some ideas that work amazingly are pretty dumb. Taking the phrase “if it works, it works” to the highest degree, let’s check out some dumb ideas that, against all odds, actually work.

Sometimes in life, success depends on having that slight edge over the competition. But few people realize gaining that edge is often a simple matter of knowing what to look for, and occasionally, tricking the human brain. From some surprisingly effective negotiation techniques to the secret behind winning rock, paper, scissors, here are some simple psychological tricks you can use to your advantage.

While the culture of the United States is exported all over the world in films and on TV, it also abides by some laws and practices that many consider unusual. Europeans in particular seem to have a hard time wrapping their heads around some of them. From child beauty pageants to gun laws, let’s explore some American things that Europeans can’t understand.

From military secrets to strange acts by relatives, here are some of the craziest things people were most definitely not supposed to see. 

Behind every marketing campaign is a team of execs, fact-checkers, art directors, and more. You’d think this would result in well-planned, well-executed strategies every single time. But, of course, marketing teams are only human; and humans can be really dumb. As these examples prove, sometimes even the biggest dogs in the game can have a swing and a great costly miss.

Patience is a virtue, as the old saying goes, and there are some people who demonstrate patience to an almost God-like level. Great works of art, multinational business, and world-beating athletic achievements: all of these require patience because feats like these can take many years to achieve, and it’s not always easy to know if you’re succeeding at any given moment. Some people, however, are patient for the wrong reasons. Let's take a tour of some of the most patient people the world has to offer.

Shoplifting, carjacking, and bank robbery are small-minded matters of casual thieves with no imagination. It takes a truly daring thief to go bigger. Let's investigate the people who went above and beyond, pushing the boundaries to the absolute maximum of just what exactly can be pilfered.

They may bring joy to millions, but behind some of the colourful characters we know and love are backstories that’ll haunt your dreams. From the Simpsons’ best-kept secrets to the true villain hidden at the heart of Star Wars, let’s explore the dark origins of famous characters.

When you purchase something, it’s nice to think you’re getting your money’s worth. But unfortunately, the truth is, many companies are short-changing you in some way. Often, they achieve this by using sneaky manipulation that you probably don’t even notice to squeeze extra cash out of you. But now you’ll know how to spot these sneaky tactics and avoid being swindled.

You don’t need to believe in fate to accept that some spooky happenings are so coincidental that they just can’t be explained. From impeccable timing to totally mind-blowing historic events, here are some one in a million coincidences you’ll have to hear to believe.

There are some events in life that really make you question whether fate itself is at work. Like the Canadian woman dodged a bullet – literally – after she was rushed to the ER only to discover that her life had been miraculously saved by her own breast implants. What about the guy whose life came full circle when he ended up flying the same aircraft he'd dreamed of 20 years later? Stay tuned for a whole host of jaw-dropping tales like these in this episode of one-in-a-million coincidences! 

Lots of start-up businesses have failed despite millions of dollars in investments. Let's take a look at some of the most hilariously tragic startup fails ever.

In the digital age, there’s a goldmine of talk-worthy trivia and mind-blowing knowledge just a few clicks away. Few people have the luxury of full-time internet surfing, but that’s where we come in. Buckle up for another installment of incredible facts you never knew you needed.

Since our Neolithic ancestors first struck two pieces of flint together and created sparks, mankind has sought to harness the power of nature. But our ancestors could never have imagined the wonders we’ve now achieved. From man-made glaciers to harnessing the power of lightning itself, let’s check out some incredible times humans controlled nature.

Sometimes, science gets weird. While it’s responsible for every incredible advancement we take for granted today, there have been (and still are) a few oddballs in the scientific community. From human-animal hybrids to the real-life Frankenstein’s pet dog, let’s explore some of the strangest scientific experiments ever conducted.

Sometimes it pays to be knowledgeable about the obscure things in life, after all, random trivia is the making of a dazzling conversationalist, right? There’s nothing more satisfying than artfully sharing your wisdom with friends and family, and I’ve collected some of the most amazing facts around so you can do just that!

Death Row is notorious for housing some of the most terrifying people on the planet. Having committed some of the worst crimes possible, these people are subject to prison waits spanning decades before being put to death. Surprisingly, their final words ranged from repenting, to downright sinister and bizarre. Let's explore some of the strangest last words ever said on death row.

Sometimes it seems like luck just isn’t on our side, but when the unthinkable happens you’d be amazed to discover just how fortunate some people can be. From nauseating freefalls to freak weather accidents, here are some of the luckiest people who survived the impossible.

Understanding ancient history is no easy feat, and although we might think we’ve got things all figured out one discovery can turn everything on its head. Let's investigate some incredible underground discoveries that have changed history.

Every country has one or two weird laws that seem to make absolutely no sense. But the USA has way more than its fair share. This is, in part, due to the US's federal system, which gives local governments more power to dictate their own legislation. The sad fact is that many archaic laws exist because of the personal views and experiences of lawyers and politicians.

Often, they were simply written to control the general public back when they relied heavily on laws to dictate their behavior. Some of these rules concern public safety and decency and probably made a lot of sense when they were written. But others probably never made sense. So here are some bizarre things you can't do in America.

Whether it’s the Swinging Sixties or the construction of the Pyramids, we can all think of a few moments in history we’d love to time-travel back to. But what about the times and places a wise time traveler should always avoid? At certain points in Earth’s past, there was danger and horror at every turn. So, as a guide for any aspiring chrononauts, let’s board the express train to the worst places to time travel in history.

Most people find it hard being locked indoors for a few weeks. Imagine what decades of incarceration can do to you. There are cases where people who were practically kids got released as elders into a world that was vastly different to the one they left when they were imprisoned. Let’s take a look at some people who have outlived the most insane prison sentences ever given.

The movies really dramatize prison escapes: explosives, helicopters, accomplices, and cool MacGyver-like gizmos! However, some real-life prison escapes utilized ingenious gadgets and contraptions that made movie jailbreaks look like child’s play. Here are some of the most ingenious devices used in some of these daring prison escapes.

We think and interact with each other like no other creature on our planet, but while we like to see ourselves as thoughtful and caring people, it’s not always the case. Let’s delve into some of the most influential social experiments that you’d think would have had different results.  

Everyone makes mistakes, but certain companies have done some pretty stupid, illogical, or just downright dangerous things to maximize profits. Sometimes, companies fail by letting innovation pass them by, while others are active participants in their humiliating collapse. Let’s explore the most embarrassingly stupid corporate decisions that bankrupted companies.

These inventors were pioneers of their time, developing inventions that are still in use today. Luck, however, wasn’t on their side. Either through their own unawareness and inaction or the ill will of outside parties, these unlucky inventors missed out on cashing in big time.

The biggest shark that ever existed never ceases to capture people's imagination, raising more questions than answers. What killed the megalodon? How big was the megalodon? Is the megalodon still alive? Let's investigate the existing evidence to learn about one of the largest predators to have ever lived.

Whether manmade or not, there are countless locations in our world that raise more questions than answers. From a crater that looks like it leads into the depths of hell, to the town that sends its residents to sleep, there’s no shortage of head-scratching places on Earth. Let's explore some places that shouldn’t exist on our planet, but somehow still do. 

Movies featuring Tony Stark may have dominated the box office for years, but will his Iron Man armor ever dominate the battlefield? As advancements in robotics progress at an ever-increasing rate, it seems like a possibility. So, how close are we to producing a real-life Iron Man suit? Is it scientifically possible? How practical would a power suit like Iron Man's be? Let’s investigate!

Technology is advancing so fast nowadays that it’s important to look back and remember how far we’ve come. From your smartphone to the TV in your living room, let’s take a look at some past and present technology then and now.

The Titanic disaster is the most famous maritime tragedy in history. Over 1,500 people died after the giant luxury liner hit an iceberg on its maiden voyage and sank to the ocean floor 108 years ago. But perplexing secrets and scandals about the steamer began to emerge long after the worst was over disaster. Let’s dive right in and take a look at some of the strangest facts about the Titanic. 

When Charles Darwin developed his Theory of Evolution he discovered animals bred selectively, so the strongest and fittest of the species were more likely to mate and pass on their DNA. Darwin called this Natural Selection. But every day people do stuff so stupid they actually die, and so no longer have the ability to pass their DNA to future generations. Long after he died, the Darwin Awards were created as a tongue-in-cheek way to remember those people who have removed themselves from humanity through their own stupidity. Here are some of the dumbest Darwin Award winners.

Everyone’s experienced it. You’re at a social occasion where someone’s telling a story that happened to some guy they know, and you can’t help but think – hold up, that can’t be true. Like how a buddy of theirs had a snake swim up through their bathroom toilet, or how they heard superglue is strong enough to stick furniture to the ceiling. Or even that the Dalai Lama worked for the CIA. But here’s the crazy part. All of those, and many more so-called myths, are actually factual! So, strap in, and let’s unpack some of the craziest stories and claims you probably always thought were nonsense, proven to be true.

It’s no secret that the world is full of lies. In fact, there are tonnes of so-called ‘facts’ that almost everyone still believes about anything from ancient history to the human body, Let's debunk some of the biggest fibs around!

It’s not uncommon for warring neighbors to erect fences or cut down trees just to get on each other’s nerves, but what happens when someone has enough time, money, and malice to use construction as revenge? Let's explore some of the pettiest homeowners who took vengeance to the next level!

Experts predict we’ll all be eating bugs in the future. They’re nutritious and extremely sustainable, as the amount of feed converted into edible food is much higher than in livestock farming. Packed with protein, edible insects are a perfect meat substitute, if only we could get over the taste. Are insects the food of the future? Could we all be swapping out our Kentucky Fried Chicken for Chinese Fried Cockroaches? Let's find out now!