curiosities

To Hell And Back: Ethiopia’s Jews In Israel

Tucked away in northwest Ethiopia, along a line roughly stretching from Lake Tana to the border of Eritrea, lies the land of Beta Israel. This ancient region was once home to over 150,000 observant Jews, though only around 4,000 remain in the area today, most residents having relocated to Israel...

By Richard Stockton • Aug 2, 2015

To Hell And Back: Ethiopia’s Jews In Israel

Tucked away in northwest Ethiopia, along a line roughly stretching from Lake Tana to the border of Eritrea, lies the land of Beta Israel. This ancient region was once home to over 150,000 observant Jews, though only around 4,000 remain in the area today, most residents having relocated to Israel...

By Richard Stockton • August 2, 2015

When Cleveland, Ohio Decided To Launch 1.5 Million Balloons At Once

Surely someone could have seen this one coming. In one helluva poorly conceived–if not momentarily pretty–publicity stunt, Los Angeles-based company Treb decided to promote its services by releasing nearly 1.5 million balloons into the skies of Cleveland, Ohio. In spite of wasting vast amounts of helium for a single, fleeting...

By Savannah Cox • Jul 30, 2015

When Cleveland, Ohio Decided To Launch 1.5 Million Balloons At Once

Surely someone could have seen this one coming. In one helluva poorly conceived–if not momentarily pretty–publicity stunt, Los Angeles-based company Treb decided to promote its services by releasing nearly 1.5 million balloons into the skies of Cleveland, Ohio. In spite of wasting vast amounts of helium for a single, fleeting...

By Savannah Cox • July 30, 2015

History’s 29 Scariest Contraceptive Devices

Modern birth control still has its flaws, but at least we no longer live in a world where women are encouraged to shove glass up their vaginas.

By Erin Kelly • Jul 22, 2015

History’s 29 Scariest Contraceptive Devices

Modern birth control still has its flaws, but at least we no longer live in a world where women are encouraged to shove glass up their vaginas.

By Erin Kelly • July 22, 2015

WTF? 20 X-Rays Of Things That Aren’t Supposed To Be In Humans

A spatula can go there?! The weirdest x-rays are often the most gruesome ones. Squeamish friends, you've been warned.

By Erin Kelly • Jul 9, 2015

WTF? 20 X-Rays Of Things That Aren’t Supposed To Be In Humans

A spatula can go there?! The weirdest x-rays are often the most gruesome ones. Squeamish friends, you've been warned.

By Erin Kelly • July 9, 2015

Better Know A Pope: Clement V

Tired of letting the Italians have all the fun, Pope Clement V ushered in an era of French papal corruption.

By Richard Stockton • Jul 2, 2015

Better Know A Pope: Clement V

Tired of letting the Italians have all the fun, Pope Clement V ushered in an era of French papal corruption.

By Richard Stockton • July 2, 2015

The Worst Cars Ever Sold

Owning a terrible car is a rite of passage for most of us. It’s a rare, and very lucky, Westerner who hasn’t at some point been roped into buying a rolling lemon that’s three-quarters replacement parts and one-quarter rust. This is usually because we were dumb enough to buy used...

By Richard Stockton • Jul 2, 2015

The Worst Cars Ever Sold

Owning a terrible car is a rite of passage for most of us. It’s a rare, and very lucky, Westerner who hasn’t at some point been roped into buying a rolling lemon that’s three-quarters replacement parts and one-quarter rust. This is usually because we were dumb enough to buy used...

By Richard Stockton • July 2, 2015

Off The Grid: Photos Of Life Inside A Modern-Day Commune

Take a wrong turn on Twitter, and the idea of parting ways with modern technology for good becomes all the more appealing. While living off the grid is a passing thought for many, it’s actually a reality for some living just outside of London, England. In some disused woodland 20...

By Erin Kelly • Jul 1, 2015

Off The Grid: Photos Of Life Inside A Modern-Day Commune

Take a wrong turn on Twitter, and the idea of parting ways with modern technology for good becomes all the more appealing. While living off the grid is a passing thought for many, it’s actually a reality for some living just outside of London, England. In some disused woodland 20...

By Erin Kelly • July 1, 2015

Better Know A Saint: Cyril Of Alexandria

Saint Cyril, Patriarch of Alexandria between 414 and 444, was a leg breaker for Jesus.

By Richard Stockton • Jun 30, 2015

Better Know A Saint: Cyril Of Alexandria

Saint Cyril, Patriarch of Alexandria between 414 and 444, was a leg breaker for Jesus.

By Richard Stockton • June 30, 2015

Las Médulas: Splitting Mountains In Search Of Spanish Gold

Millennia ago, the Romans split Spain's mountains in search of gold. Here's what the world heritage site known as Las Médulas looks like today.

By John Schellhase • Jun 29, 2015

Las Médulas: Splitting Mountains In Search Of Spanish Gold

Millennia ago, the Romans split Spain's mountains in search of gold. Here's what the world heritage site known as Las Médulas looks like today.

By John Schellhase • June 29, 2015

Inside The World’s Strangest Prisons

Depending on where you live and the crime you've committed, your prison experience will be vastly different from others. Here are some of the strangest.

By Richard Stockton • Jun 24, 2015

Inside The World’s Strangest Prisons

Depending on where you live and the crime you've committed, your prison experience will be vastly different from others. Here are some of the strangest.

By Richard Stockton • June 24, 2015

9 X-Files Episodes That Were Based On Real Events

Now that The X-Files revival has been confirmed (we’re getting six new episodes in January of 2016, which even made David Duchovny weep with joy), many have begun their requisite binge-watching of all nine seasons. What viewers might not have realized the first time around is that many episodes of...

By Abby Norman • Jun 23, 2015

9 X-Files Episodes That Were Based On Real Events

Now that The X-Files revival has been confirmed (we’re getting six new episodes in January of 2016, which even made David Duchovny weep with joy), many have begun their requisite binge-watching of all nine seasons. What viewers might not have realized the first time around is that many episodes of...

By Abby Norman • June 23, 2015