30 Really Creepy Facts About The World That Are A Reminder About How Weird Our Timeline Really Is
The world is far more complicated than some of us like to think. Morality isn’t black-or-white, historical facts are often hazier than we’d like them to be, and the interconnectivity of everything means that the deeper down the knowledge rabbit hole we go, the more lost we can sometimes feel.
There are some truly weird things about life on Planet Earth you can accidentally stumble upon while you’re down there. You might learn something about human biology or nature that really unnerves you. Or you might uncover something about your country’s past that puts into question pretty much everything else that you might know.
Today, we’re featuring some of the creepiest, most bizarre facts from these two viral r/AskReddit threads here and here. These internet users thought that others should know what they know, too. While you’re upvoting the most interesting facts of the bunch, have a think about the most peculiar things you have locked away in your database as well, Pandas. You can tell us all about them in the comment section.
Steven Wooding, a member of the Institute of Physics in the UK, part of the Omni Calculator Project, and the creator of the Weird Units Converter, shared his thoughts with Bored Panda about learning new facts and staying curious as well as less cynical as we age. You'll find our full interview with him below.
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The Roman Empire lasted over 1000 years, American society is only 243 years old, we could quite possibly collapse just like the Roman Empire did.
It's even longer than that, depending upon your definition of the "Roman Empire." Ancient Rome (from its founding, through the Roman Republic, to the establishment of the Roman Empire by Augustus, to its partition and collapse) existed for over 1,200 years. The Eastern Roman (or Byzantine) Empire, which considered itself Roman even though it was culturally Greek, lasted for another 985 years.
No. I'm ready for a change. Toss up between cutting bangs and descending into anarchy.
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With Fox network/GOP it's just a matter of time. Stupidity will make it collapse.
The US is slowly turning into a fascist religion based country. Democracy seems on its way out.
Tell me, do you really think you go to hell for having loved? / Tell me, enough of thinking everything that you've done is good / I really need to know, after soaking the body of Jesus Christ in blood / I'm so tired of America...
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It took 1000 years for an empire of that size to crumble, despite all rotting from within, because of how slow paced life were back then. Now these days...
And Sharks have been around since before Dinosaurs, and they're dwindling so fast they could become extinct.
Empires always fall. Empires always should. They are based on war, subjugation, and exploitation. Free societies last. Switzerland's been around a long time and shows no signs of going away.
It's a fact that all civilisations have a peak and then another takes the lead at some point. It's very likely that Asia (China) will have the next. However we cannot compare our world order of today with that of the Romans, the Egyptians or any other as back in those days it mostly meant total control of a territory. Nowadays power is more balanced because of cooperation on a political and economical level between nations. Some "leaders" however still have those grandeur illusions and try to "conquer" more territories instead of handling their country at best first. Putin is a good example of that right now, and maybe Chinese leaders would like to try that as they have already annexed territories that were outside their realm in the recent past. Let's hope they get some common sense as in the end the "greatest conquering nations" always had a backlash at some point as history shows. If you are forcing other nations under one flag it always crumbles.
I find that the older empires lasted longer than modern ones. Ancient Egypt, Rome, Greece, Indus and Yangtze had empires that spanned millennia. Then we had post AD empires that ran several centuries. Last of which was the British Empire (not just the kingdom, which ran much longer) that ran about 400 years (if you include the British East India years too). Since then, its been pretty much US dominated (not quite an empire in the traditional definition, but still using the same economic power to dominate) since about WW II. However, there are open challenges to its domination after about 60 or so years. Hopefully, it will regain it control, since the alternative ... let's not go there.
It’s all over everything is terrible! There has never been a worse time in American history! We’ve learned nothing and gained nothing. Run for your lives!!
See.. America does everything better. We're even destroying ourselves faster. 🙄😬
Leave it up to Capitalists to take something disastrous and make it faster
Historically ALL empires fall. Although technically a few simply disappeared...
Nope: b/c we have nukes! Srsly, the US DOD claims they're the only military that can point and hit any target on the globe w/ a WMD. The Romans had big armies, they didn't have that. Also, the US is complicatedly interconnected to so much of the economic power of the rest of the world now, (e.g. the 'sticky' USA-China relationship), such that it's hard to imagine us going down unless everything else goes down with us.
The Roman empire only lasted from 27 BCE to 476 CE. Before that it was a democracy then a republic
That is happening right now. What cave have you been hiding in for the past few years?
Lotta people wailing about the collapse of America. Listen, Rome went through political polarization, social unrest, economic downturn, plagues, and military setbacks at least once a century. We're a long way from done.
And the Great Pyramid of Giza was already 2300 years old when Julius Caesar was born.
What surprised me the most during my time in the US was that a lot of buildings which are barely 100 years old are put under monument protection? I'm from Germany originally, and it takes a few more centuries for a building to earn that.
Well sure, but if there AREN'T many older buildings, are you saying everyone should just shrug and say "not old enough yet"? Everything's relative.
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Because Nobody Learns From The Past--S.S.D.D.
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United States society possibly. The American continent has many countries that are sometimes similar and sometimes very different to the US.
This is such a colonial and eurocentric statement. It erases the Indigenous history entirely when in fact, they had their own set of traditions and cultures. Colonial America is 200 years old but Indigenous people have been here for centuries and are still here despite the genocide.
They built their power with slaves of their conquered foes, when they lost that advantage the illusion of their greatness was lost, on anyone with a level of intelligence above the common potato or not a descendant who still believes in "The War Of Northern Aggression" was about states rights to own human beings.
Bored Panda was interested to get Steven's take on how we can come to terms with the fact that when we gain new information, it might make us realize that we've been spouting nonsense in the past.
"Nobody likes to learn they were giving out incorrect information in the past. It hurts, but we have to push through it, accept new facts and work with them. After all, they could lead to the next big breakthrough," he explained that we all have to remain steadfast and learn to embrace the fact that we are wrong at times.
"This is constantly happening in science; as new discoveries are made, old discoveries have to be reevaluated," he said.
Drowning is quiet, and most kids drown right in front of the person that’s supposed to be watching them.
The last use of a guillotine in France was the same year the first Star Wars movie premiered. 1977
I guess France figured it was already ahead of ... nevermind, I'll show myself out before completing the joke...
According to Steven, from the Omni Calculator Project team, it's hard to stay on top of new knowledge, especially as you get older. We tend to think that we know everything and there's nothing new to learn.
"Try to view the world as a child does. Basically, keep asking 'why?' questions. As you learn the answer to one question, another will arise, and so on. It is a common situation in science that the more we know, the more questions there are. Keep questioning the world around you," he told us how we can start the chain towards living a more curious, and less cynical life.
Steven wanted to share an interesting fact with all of you dear Readers, too. "Crows are the Einsteins of the bird world. Expert at solving puzzles, and they can even recognize your face. They will actively avoid individuals who have been aggressive toward them in the past," he said. Hopefully, you'll see crows in a different light from now on, Pandas.
you aren’t scared of being alone. You’re scared of not being alone when you’re supposed to be.
Anglerfish, when Anglerfish mates the male Literally deforms its body and fuses with the female then they live together for the rest of their lives
If a fetus doesn't get enough calcium from their mother's diet they will take the calcium from their mother's bones.
Curiosity is a great quality to have. It shows that we’re full of energy, a desire to learn something new, and we’re constantly on an adventure to get closer to the truth. Sure, some knowledge might be dangerous or we’re just not ready to hear some creepy facts yet, but curiosity in and of itself is something that we believe drives humanity forward, as a whole. Without curiosity, there would be no progress. Only stagnation and dogma.
A while back, parenting blogger Samantha Scroggin, the founder of ‘Walking Outside in Slippers,’ told us what parents can do to nurture their kids’ interest in learning new things. She also revealed to us the best approach on how to deal with endless ‘whys.’
"Kids asking 'why?' is an important part of their natural curiosity. That said, the constant chatter and questions can grow tedious. I am very open with my kids, and answer just about any question they bring to me. But sometimes I tell them, not right now. I need quiet. And they rarely grant me that quiet. But still, I ask," she told Bored Panda that patience and good communication are essential in helping children’s curiosity thrive.
About 3 000 people disappear every year in the US and are never found again
In 1844, there was a case of hysteria in a French convent of nuns. One started meowing and after a week all the nuns were meowing harmoniously in the afternoons. It didn’t stop until neighbors called soldiers.
Only 9% of the ocean has been explored, and that there are creatures that we would think of as aliens living deep, deep down...
According to the parenting expert, the best thing that families can do is create a safe space for children to develop their own skills, talents, and interests. The vital thing is to never judge your kids. Parents should also “avoid the temptation to push them down a certain path just because it's familiar and more comfortable for us.”
Kids often mimic their parents’ interests, but that’s not always the case. Samantha opened up about what things are like in her own family.
"The genes are strong in my family. My husband and I are both writers, and my kids are both artsy types. My son, 10, is a little actor and singer who even appeared on Kids Say the Darndest Things this year. My 6-year-old daughter amazes me with her drawing ability," the mom told Bored Panda.
"Although my kids' talents are not identical to my husband and me, they are likewise little creative powerhouses. We as parents have made them feel safe and comfortable being themselves and expressing their skills. Then there are some abilities that clearly pass on directly from the parents. For example, my son and daughter are both math whizzes like my husband, while math has always been my nemesis."
It's estimated that there is around 25-50 active serial killers in the US
Somewhat recently (2012), scientists discovered over 1,400 new species of bacteria living in the belly button. Everyone’s belly button ecology is unique (add it to the fingerprints & snowflakes list). In that same study, 1 volunteers belly button harbored bacteria strands that had only ever been found in soil from Japan- where this man has never been.
Tarantulas can swim.
Meanwhile, child independence expert Lenore Skenazy explained to Bored Panda that it’s not learning that people fall in love with. Rather, we fall in love with the activities we love doing, whatever that might be. Passion for a subject leads to a natural curiosity about the thing, as we develop our skills and knowledge. In short, “the learning comes automatically” when you’re doing something you’re either interested in or an activity that’s essential.
“You fall in love with something that you love to do—drawing, kicking a ball, playing make-believe, walking in the woods, reading. All of those things involve learning. If they didn’t, you’d be bored and you’d stop doing them. Instead, as a kid AND as an adult, you get into something and do it because each time you get a little better, or try a slightly different technique,” she said.
“In a game, you’re ALWAYS thinking and learning because the ball never comes to you in exactly the same way twice. In the woods, there’s always something new to look at, climb or poke. In play, you have to react to the other person. And you pick up a book to fall into another world and learn all about it,” Lenore said.
You could drop dead instantly by a brain hemorrhage/aneurism and have no warning signs prior. One second you're perfectly fine, and the next you're dead
If you stare at the mirror in the dark long enough, your brain starts to make your eyes see things. Usually transforming you, or the room into something horrifying- more usually monsters. This is called ''peripheral fading" or the Troxler Effect.
When a person is electrocuted in the electric chair, they feel everything. They are fully aware of their bodies being fried as it happens in real time.
One inmate who survived the first round of electrocution said it tasted like cold peanut butter.
According to the expert, parents should embrace their kids learning about the world in a variety of formats. “Having books at home can help a child find new things to fall into—but so does YouTube. Remember: every new technology is distrusted at first,” she said, adding that Socrates himself hated the idea that people had started writing down ideas instead of memorizing them.
“So yes, books are great. But don’t ignore all the skills, hobbies, facts, and new things kids can learn online as well. If you’re worried about the bad stuff, install some filters. But learning from a podcast or DIY video is still LEARNING. Think of all the things you have learned since your formal schooling ended. Learning doesn’t only take place in a classroom or book!”
Dogs like squeaky toys because it sounds like a small animal being crushed.
There is a rare genetic disease called Fatal familial insomnia where over the course of months you literary can not go or be put to sleep no matter what you take or what you do. The symptoms get progressively worse until finally you stay awake watching yourself go insane until you [pass away] from exhaustion.
Postpartum psychosis can show up in a new mother virtually overnight. It can make them hallucinate, making them think their baby is a demon or the antichrist for example. New mothers murder their own children because of postpartum psychosis more often than you might like to think.
The more the mother knows it's a possibility the better she'll be able to combat it if it arrives.
Please be careful about this description - a mother suffering with PNP is much more likely to injure herself than her child. For more information and support please visit https://www.app-network.org
The children's story of the Pied Piper of Hamelin was based on a real event. "Hamelin town records start with this event. The earliest written record is from the town chronicles in an entry from 1384 which states: "It is 100 years since our children left." no one know what or who took the children, but there's records of the entire towns children being taken.
The bodies of the sailors who died on the Edmund Fitzgerald are still down there, almost perfectly preserved, due to the water at that depth being just barely above freezing. Divers who have explored the wreckage have seen their bodies frozen in place to parts of the ship, and have come back reporting that they feel as if they were being followed during their time underwater.
Photos were taken, but per the request of the crew's family, they have never been released to the public.
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0Lg9HygEJc)
This makes me think of all the dead bodies on Everest, which are also very well preserved for the same reason :-(
Cotard’s Delusion is a rare psychiatric condition, severe cases of which cause the sufferer to wholeheartedly believe they are dead, putrefying, or simply do not exist. Some Cotard’s patients refuse to eat, as they do not believe they need to, with one notable patient dying of starvation. Another woman once asked to be taken to a morgue, to be with the other dead people.
By the time you start realizing the symptoms of rabies, it’s already too late.
The first symptoms of rabies may be similar to the flu, including weakness or discomfort, fever, or headache. There also may be discomfort, prickling, or an itching sensation at the site of the bite. These symptoms may last for days. Symptoms then progress to cerebral dysfunction, anxiety, confusion, and agitation. As the disease progresses, the person may experience delirium, abnormal behavior, hallucinations, hydrophobia (fear of water), and insomnia. The acute period of disease typically ends after 2 to 10 days. Once clinical signs of rabies appear, the disease is nearly always fatal, and treatment is typically supportive. Less than 20 cases of human survival from clinical rabies have been documented. Only a few survivors had no history of pre- or postexposure prophylaxis. https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/symptoms/index.html#:~:text=The%20first%20symptoms%20of%20rabies,anxiety%2C%20confusion%2C%20and%20agitation.
You can fit 63 earth size objects in Uranus.
Oh...the jokes that will be made...getting the popcorn ready to read them later. Don't disappoint.
You have a bunch of microscopic parasites called Demodex on your eyelashes and in the pores on your face. They come out at night to lay eggs on and eat the oils on your face.
If given access to it, butterflies will happily drink blood
Adult teeth in toddlers are right under their eyes.
I have seen an X Ray of my then baby nieces head. It was horryfying
A "Rat King" is a phenomenon created when a large group of rats become fused together by their tails via ice, dirt, hair, blood, or even feces.
Encounters with this horrible phenomenon inspired some of humanity's greatest myths.
There is a island of the dolls in Mexico City that has thousands of creepy dolls to honor a little girl who drowned in the 1950s. The island is also one of the most haunted places.
Sooo...the last damn place I would ever go, for any reason, ever.
The island of Okunoshima in the Inland Sea of Japan is known for two reputable things:
1: It's named "Rabbit Island" because of the overabundance of wild rabbits and...
2: The island has WWII ruins of a chemical weapons factory, creating poison like mustard gas in its attacks on China. So vital was its secrecy to the Japanese government that they tried to wipe its location off maps.
Note: this post originally had 59 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.
Life and nature is essentially a horror story marketed with rainbows and unicorns to keep the audience engaged and from losing their minds.
"Life is pain. Anyone who says different is selling something." - Dread Pirate Roberts
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At this very moment the universe can end. Look up vacuum decay, it is very interesting. Also, a gamma ray burst can eradicate life on earth at this second. We may not see it coming before it’s too late
I’m going to just keep worrying about monkeypox, I can only worry about one disaster at a time!
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Do you have an Android? If so, no, you're not the only one.
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Hydraulic pressure can be scary. If you have a cut and a strong enough jet of liquid hits it, it can penetrate the cut and fill the skin up like a baloon. Mechanics have to be mindful of this, since they deal with hydraulic systems filled with oil, which can and do fail. It's known as hydraulic injection injury. Don't google it.
Yet another example of Bored Panda deliberately discriminating against Android users.
The organic compound produced by the putrefaction of animal tissue that causes the foul odour is called cadaverine
And there is another one together with that that causes the smell: putrescine. When I read about that, I needed days to get them out of my head! Now they are back! 😁
Load More Replies... Things like this make me feel so NORMAL! No matter what I do or think, I'm not that bad . . .
Life and nature is essentially a horror story marketed with rainbows and unicorns to keep the audience engaged and from losing their minds.
"Life is pain. Anyone who says different is selling something." - Dread Pirate Roberts
Load More Replies... At this very moment the universe can end. Look up vacuum decay, it is very interesting. Also, a gamma ray burst can eradicate life on earth at this second. We may not see it coming before it’s too late
I’m going to just keep worrying about monkeypox, I can only worry about one disaster at a time!
Load More Replies... Do you have an Android? If so, no, you're not the only one.
Load More Replies... Hydraulic pressure can be scary. If you have a cut and a strong enough jet of liquid hits it, it can penetrate the cut and fill the skin up like a baloon. Mechanics have to be mindful of this, since they deal with hydraulic systems filled with oil, which can and do fail. It's known as hydraulic injection injury. Don't google it.
Yet another example of Bored Panda deliberately discriminating against Android users.
The organic compound produced by the putrefaction of animal tissue that causes the foul odour is called cadaverine
And there is another one together with that that causes the smell: putrescine. When I read about that, I needed days to get them out of my head! Now they are back! 😁
Load More Replies... Things like this make me feel so NORMAL! No matter what I do or think, I'm not that bad . . .
