It’s fascinating to learn that the origins of one of the most widely recognized hand gestures stretch back over two millennia. Unlike the high five, which boasts a more modern beginning, the middle finger’s history is entrenched in both culture and human anatomy. The symbolism behind the middle finger is tied to the phallus,...
In the realms of aviation history and survival tales, there are a few incredible stories of individuals surviving free falls from great heights. Between 1940 and 2008, the Geneva Aircraft Crashes Record Office recorded 157 individuals who made it through plane crashes without a parachute. Remarkably, 42 of these incidents occurred from altitudes surpassing...
Sleep, a precious and vital aspect of our lives, is often taken for granted until it’s disrupted. While many struggle with occasional sleeplessness, some face a rare and devastating condition that robs them of the essence of rest: Fatal Familial Insomnia (FFI). This neurological affliction, a variant of the little-known prion diseases, unleashes a...
Most of us are blissfully unaware of the small moments throughout our day when our brain cloaks our vision. This phenomenon, known as saccadic masking, is our brain’s way of preventing us from viewing a world constantly in motion blur. Our eyes, when scanning any scene, don’t glide smoothly. Instead, they hop from point...
As men age, it’s a natural occurrence for testosterone levels to decrease. This decline can manifest earlier than most anticipate, leading to undesirable effects. Consequently, the quest for effective testosterone boosters becomes a priority for many. However, there are natural alternatives available for those who’d rather not rely on pharmaceutical aids. The Decline of...
The curious tale of La Mancha Negra, or “the black stain”, begins in 1986 on a highway stretching from Caracas to its airport. It started as a mere smudge seen by workers. Over time, this smudge grew to cover about 8 miles. By 1991, rumors suggested this perilous stretch was responsible for a staggering...
For millennia, the notion of a spherical Earth has held firm, tracing back to ancient philosophers like Pythagoras and Aristotle, whose observations of the stars and lunar eclipses solidified this understanding. The legacy of Eratosthenes, the revered librarian of the Library of Alexandria, added to this understanding with his remarkable calculations of the Earth’s...
Navigating mental health challenges can be daunting, especially in a country like South Africa where socio-economic disparities can limit access to quality care. If the price tag of therapy sessions – which can range between R400 and R1,200 – feels overwhelming, rest assured: there are resources available that prioritize your well-being without compromising on...
So, you’re in a pickle, and by pickle, we mean a life-and-death scenario where food is a concept as distant as a mirage in the Sahara. Before you consider turning into a self-cannibalizing version of a survivalist, let’s break down what would really happen in a no-food, “should I consider eating my limbs?” situation....