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Just because a band or artist doesn’t actually exist in real life doesn’t mean they can’t make great music. Films are full of fictional musicians whose songs are sometimes so catchy that they reach the actual charts. Really, this isn’t all that surprising, considering these songs are often penned by successful musicians. To qualify for

The Tour de France was first held in 1903. Since then, the long-distance bicycle race has become one of the most revered sporting events in the world. Of course, in recent years, the incredible and inspiring presence of American cyclist Lance Armstrong sure didn’t hurt the sport. Fans from all over the world tuned in

When people think about things that are smuggled, the first thing that comes to mind is usually drugs. Then, there are banned and controlled items, such as ivory and weapons. But the truth is that throughout history, all kinds of things have been smuggled. Basically, for as long as authorities have been taxing and controlling

Under the waterline lies a vast world of mystery and wonder, home to some of the most beguiling creatures on Earth. Marine life can be shocking, that’s for sure, and at times incredibly dangerous, but it never fails to be astounding. In this list, we will be delving into the underwater world, from the shallows

Human beings have thought about time from the very beginning of our existence. Since we first understood time, we’ve been trying to build accurate tools to measure it. In this list, we’ll focus on the most common tool that we use to measure time: the clock. Clocks come in many forms: physiological “clocks” within the

The Amazon rainforest covers more than 2.3 million square miles (5.96 square kilometers) and is home to several million species of birds, plants, insects, and other forms of life. The rainforest is also home to several indigenous communities that live off the land. However, the area is now in danger of being taken over by

Every song arises from a unique inspiration. Some are instant classics, while others find unexpected success or must overcome critics to reach an audience. Whether the song was written by someone else or the singer themselves, the inspiration is usually something personal. And many of us seek to learn what inspired the lyrics to some

Conventionally, spies are men; think of James Bond or Graeme Greene’s George Smiley. But in World War II’s desperate struggle with Nazi Germany, the Allies realized that women could bring particular qualities to dangerous undercover work in occupied territories. In her 2021 book about WWII women spies, Professor Juliette Pattinson points out that “several wartime

Lists of famous musical instruments often focus on who played the instrument. This list is different. Here, we’ll highlight ten musical instruments that have sold for the highest prices or that are considered to be the most valuable instruments in the world. The value of a musical instrument is always tied to the compelling story

Our bodies and brains are capable of some pretty amazing things, but the how of much of it has become obscured over the years due to folklore, superstition, and old-timey science. With modern medical science and especially more knowledge of the brain, we have started to delve much deeper into our understanding of how we

No one likes getting sick. Debilitating illnesses drain your energy and cause all kinds of nasty fluids to come out of your body. If allowed to spread, these diseases can decimate an entire population. As bad as that sounds, fiction is arguably worse. Writers have fashioned countless crazy plagues across the storytelling realm. Their insane

The last few years have seen a rapid improvement in various types of artificial intelligence, many of which are now widely used by both businesses and the general public. However, like most disruptive new technologies, the potential benefits of AI must be balanced with the risks it poses. Some are unsure whether this can be

From the tragedy of Alec Baldwin’s prop gun firing to O.J. Simpson’s entire trial, plenty of famous people have cost others their lives. Sometimes, this happens decades before fame hits. Sometimes, it’s because of fame. And sometimes, it ruins careers. But sometimes, it all sort of gets swept under the rug. Here are some famous

Nowadays, it seems you can find a drive-thru almost anywhere you go: banks, fast food restaurants, pharmacies, and even drive-thru wedding chapels! As the hustle and bustle of life becomes even more demanding, these drive-thru options offer the convenience of grabbing some much-needed cash, a bite to eat, or a prescription at a moment’s notice

Audiences like when a work of fiction is on the bleeding edge of a new cultural era. Put the premise, genre devices, and storytelling techniques far enough ahead of their time, however, and the result can be uncanny, if not downright bewildering. After all, without other authors to influence their work, these storytellers are, in

In a democracy, politicians are expected to serve with integrity, putting public welfare ahead of personal gain. Americans should be able to trust that their elected officials will uphold the law, but recent scandals have made that trust difficult to maintain. High-profile cases like New York U.S. Representative George Santos, who has been charged with

Human potential is boundless and often exceeds our wildest imaginations. Throughout history, certain individuals have exhibited extraordinary abilities that defy conventional understanding. These real-life marvels possess skills so unique and powerful that they leave scientists, scholars, and everyday observers in awe. From perfect musical pitch to unparalleled physical feats, these abilities showcase the astonishing diversity

Being a president of the United States is a difficult enough job while you’re in the middle of it. For four long years (or eight, if you are lucky), you are asked to weigh in on every single major issue impacting the country and the world. You can never sleep easily because you never know

It seems that when anything happens—good or bad—people are ready with their smartphones to immediately capture the moment. From wedding proposals to funny animal videos to people going wild, there isn’t much that people aren’t willing to film and share online. Even user-generated content is commonly used on television newscasts. However, even before the first

Expanding your horizons is a natural part of life. That even goes for actors. Although their job is to simply perform the lines, these thespians spend hours surrounded by the creative process. Some brave souls might want to steer that ship, telling their own stories and bringing their visions to life. As such, many actors