In 2016, research from the University of Michigan discovered that out of all foods, pizza was the most likely to create addictive behavior, with chocolate and potato chips coming in close behind. On the opposite end of the spectrum, cucumbers, carrots, and beans were found to be the least habit-forming foods, being even less addictive than water.
Five Fascinating Discoveries About Marilyn Monroe’s Life
Marilyn Monroe, the Hollywood icon whose life and death continue to captivate audiences around the world, is still shrouded in a myriad of fascinating facts and anecdotes. Unveiled here are five intriguing aspects of Monroe’s life that offer fresh insights into her remarkable journey.
1. Childhood and Early Marriage: A treasure trove of personal writings by Monroe—consisting of poems, letters, notes, recipes, and diary entries—provides a poignant look into her early life. Monroe’s childhood was spent moving between foster homes and orphanages. The writings reveal that at the tender age of 16, faced with the prospect of returning to an orphanage due to her guardian’s psychiatric hospitalization, she made the daunting choice to marry her 21-year-old neighbor. This marriage, she confessed, was more of an escape from the orphanage rather than a romantic pursuit.
2. Admiration for Abraham Lincoln: Monroe was known for her open admiration of Abraham Lincoln, who she considered a father figure. Having never known her biological father, Monroe sought someone to look up to and found that in the wise, kind, and good Lincoln. She once confided, “Most people can admire their fathers, but I never had one. I need someone to admire. My father is Abraham Lincoln… I love him.”
3. Priceless Wardrobe: Monroe’s fashion made headlines both in her lifetime and beyond. In 2016, Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum in Hollywood paid a staggering $4.8 million for the dress Monroe donned for her iconic “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” performance at JFK’s 45th birthday celebration. An even pricier garment was the white dress from the famous subway scene in The Seven Year Itch, which fetched $5.6 million at a 2011 auction.
4. Controversy Following Conversion: Monroe‘s personal life was as much in the spotlight as her career. After her conversion to Judaism upon marrying playwright Arthur Miller, Monroe faced an unusual backlash—Egypt banned all of her films. However, the ban was lifted after her divorce from Miller was finalized in 1961.
5. Advocate for Civil Rights: Monroe was known for her progressive views on race, fostered by her upbringing. She used her influence as a Hollywood star to fight for civil rights and against anti-Communist paranoia. She was elected as an alternate delegate to Connecticut’s state Democratic convention, and even attended rallies protesting the violation of civil liberties.
Monroe’s life was more than just glamour and fame; it was a testament to her strength, intelligence, and forward-thinking perspectives. These intriguing insights further underline the extraordinary depth of this immortalized star.
Titan of the Seas: The Impracticality of Tessarakonteres, Antiquity’s Largest Vessel
Spanning 130 meters in length and possessing the capacity to hold over 7000 individuals, with 4000 allocated as rowers, the Tessarakonteres represents the most sizable ship of ancient times. Commissioned by Ptolemy IV Philopator in the 3rd century BCE, its construction demanded the development of a rudimentary dry dock. However, its extraordinary dimensions ultimately rendered it inefficient for practical use.
Five Fascinating Facts About Haunted Houses, Paranormal Phenomena and Ghosts
When it comes to the paranormal, the truth can sometimes be stranger than fiction. Ghost stories and eerie encounters have always enthralled us, so here are five intriguing facts about haunted houses, ghosts, and the world of the supernatural.
1. The Scientific Explanation Behind Haunted Houses
A large number of purported haunted houses, when investigated, have been found to possess high levels of carbon monoxide or other poisonous substances. This can result in the inhabitants experiencing hallucinations, leading them to believe in the presence of otherworldly entities. This theory, often referred to as the carbon monoxide theory, also clarifies why such hauntings are more commonly reported in older houses. The older appliances, due to their age and resulting defects, are more prone to emitting harmful gases.
2. The Doorless Village Trusting in the Supernatural
In an intriguing display of faith in the supernatural, the Indian village of Shani Shingnapur lacks any doors or locks. The villagers believe in divine protection and the integrity of their community to deter criminal activities, relying on an age-old tradition of supernatural safeguarding.
3. The Legally Haunted House in New York
In a rather unusual legal condition, there’s a house in New York that is officially recognized as haunted. Consequently, the seller is legally obligated to disclose the house’s supernatural status to potential buyers, making it perhaps the most transparent ghostly real estate deal you’ll ever come across.
4. Increasing Belief in Ghosts and UFOs
According to a 2019 study, the belief in ghosts and UFOs among Americans has seen a considerable rise since 2007. What’s more fascinating is the gender difference in these beliefs. Men, interestingly, were found to be more inclined towards the existence of UFOs, while women demonstrated a stronger belief in ghosts and witchcraft.
5. The Theatre Ghost Tradition
A popular belief rooted in the world of theater asserts that every theater houses a ghost. For instance, the Palace Theatre in London maintains a unique tradition to honor this belief. Two seats in their balcony are perpetually reserved, serving as exclusive seating for their resident apparitions.
From the cold facts of science to the warm traditions of theater, the world of the haunted and the paranormal is full of surprising stories and facts. Hopefully, these five fascinating facts have given you a fresh glimpse into this mysterious world.
An Unexpected Bond: The Super Twelve and Saddam Hussein
In the twilight of Saddam Hussein’s life, a profound wave of grief and sadness swept over the American soldiers assigned to guard him. These soldiers, who would come to be known as the Super Twelve, found themselves forming an unexpected bond with the ousted leader of Iraq.
In his book, The Prisoner in His Palace, author Will Bardenwerper tells the story of these soldiers and their emotional journey. A good number of them felt a deep sense of loss over Saddam’s fate. Adam Rogerson, a Specialist in the Super Twelve, was quoted as saying, “I feel like I let him down…I almost feel like a murderer, like I killed a guy I was close to.”
Even though Saddam was considered an enemy of the United States, he was a complicated and highly cultured individual with a deep love for literature and writing. He had a special appreciation for authors such as Dostoevsky and Naguib Mahfouz and often asked for reading and writing materials during his time in confinement. He viewed the denial of pen and paper as a breach of his human rights.
As the days turned into weeks and months, a surprising connection grew between Saddam and the Super Twelve. One soldier went as far as to compare him to a caged lion. They shared stories and smoked cigars together. For these 13 men, their assignment to guard Saddam had morphed into something more than just a duty – it had become a friendship that broke through the barriers of politics and ideology.
Platonic Co-Parenting: A Rising Trend in Non-Traditional Family Structures
Some individuals opt for ‘platonic co-parenting‘, where they jointly raise children despite not having a romantic relationship with each other. The reasons for doing this can vary. Some people might be part of the LGBTQ+ community or are just close friends who want to have a child. There have been some criticisms of this approach, but more people are considering it, and the law is starting to recognize these arrangements.
The Marathon Boxing Fight of 1893: Bowen vs Burke
The record for the longest boxing match is held by Andy Bowen and Jack Burke, who battled it out on April 6, 1893. The grueling fight extended to 110 rounds and lasted for an exhausting 7 hours and 19 minutes, ultimately concluding when both boxers were incapable of leaving their corners. The aftermath left Burke with fractures in all the bones in his hands, confining him to bed for a period of six weeks.
Newfoundland in WWII: The American Influence and Desire for Statehood
In the time of World War II, Newfoundland was under British rule and not a part of Canada. In 1941, the United States established four military bases in Newfoundland, introducing wealth, leisure activities, and American goods to the region. Consequently, a survey conducted in 1947 revealed that a staggering 80% of Newfoundland’s population desired to become American citizens.
Wild Mice and the Joy of Running Wheels
Studies have discovered that when a running wheel is left in nature, wild mice will willingly use it to run, seemingly for their own pleasure.
A recent study reveals that wild mice voluntarily run on exercise wheels in their natural environment without any food reward, similar to how captive mice behave. This finding contradicts the belief that such activity is a result of captivity or an indicator of neurosis or repetitive behavior associated with confinement. Over a period of three years, the study recorded more than 200,000 visits by various free-living animal species to the exercise wheels, proving its popularity among wild creatures.
Chernobyl’s Radiation-Eating Fungi
It seems that fungi in Chernobyl are thriving by utilizing gamma radiation as a food source, and they are progressing towards the heart of the reactor core.
A variety of fungi have been found to harness the energy of strong radiation, such as gamma radiation, to promote their growth. This was initially discovered when these fungi were observed flourishing in the highly radioactive surroundings of the Chernobyl reactor disaster site. The fungi use a pigment known as melanin, which not only shields them from the harmful effects of radiation but also enables them to convert the energy from the radiation, much like how plants utilize sunlight for photosynthesis. Interestingly, these fungi appear to switch to this unique energy source when they find themselves in environments lacking in nutrients, like the inside of the Chernobyl reactor.
Insights into these fungi and their melanin could potentially lead to a range of applications, such as creating protection against radiation, aiding in the clean-up of radioactive waste, and possibly even offering new sources of renewable energy in harsh environments where typical plants can’t survive.