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Dating back to the 11th century, Colditz Castle in eastern Germany has had what can justifiably be described as a checkered history. After the outbreak of the Second World War, it took on a new role as a prisoner-of-war camp. The Nazis reckoned that its tall, immensely thick stone walls would rule out any possibility […]

You’ve likely heard of ghosts and demons, maybe even wish-granting djinns. But how about soul-cleaving dybbuks? These evil spirits are rooted in Jewish folklore and rank high among the most dangerous supernatural beings due to a monstrous propensity for human possession. Fear of the dybbuk reached an all-time high between the 16th and 18th centuries, […]

Self-deification is pretty much exactly what it sounds like: when somebody believes themselves to be a god (or, perhaps, God) and tries to convince other people of it, too. And as it turns out, self-deification is not just for the crazy guy down the street who rants and raves at clouds and passing cars! It’s […]

Star Trek, a beacon of imagination and ingenuity, has long been lauded for its visionary depiction of the future. Its array of technological marvels and concepts has inspired generations, blurring the lines between the realms of science fiction and tangible reality. However, amid the myriad inventions that have leaped from the screen into our lives, […]

Lightning is the electric superstar of the natural world. Violent storms often arrive with flashes of light, thunder, and sometimes a good downpour. However, such theatrics are not the sum of what can appear in the wake of a bolt. Lightning has bizarre after-effects on people, the ground, and even the atmosphere around it. From […]

When an artist and their record company select which songs from an album to release as singles, they usually choose the tunes that stand the best chance of becoming a hit. Often, an artist’s signature songs—the ones they are known for by the general public—are ones that were released as singles, while album tracks are […]

Despite the variety of culinary choices, sandwiches often serve as a symbol of both comfort and convenience. Aside from the typical peanut butter and jelly, ham, and tuna fish sandwiches that have remained a lunchtime staple, there is also a wide variety of breakfast sandwiches to choose from, making them the perfect meal on the […]

Human genetics is a complex tapestry woven with threads of both commonality and extraordinary rarity. While much attention is given to genetic anomalies that result in disease or disability, there exists a lesser-known realm of beneficial genetic quirks that can bestow unique advantages upon their carriers. These anomalies, though rare and often peculiar, offer a […]

We all know more or less what a feral child is, right? It’s a child who is isolated from society and human contact entirely or nearly entirely from a very young age. In turn, they don’t reach all the development markers that a normal human baby and child would. They don’t learn to speak, walk, […]

Chemistry: an unexplainable yet unmistakable connection. In films, the perfect melding of talent and temperament can make audiences laugh or cry or put them on the edge of their seats. These ten creative collaborations have each generated unique movie magic that is even greater than the sum of its impressive parts. Related: 10 Most Convincing […]