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Being Really, Really Good at Video Games Could Get You a Scholarship

A $1,000 scholarship beckons, if you can display your gaming prowess

In Denmark, Cinderella Wore Galoshes

Cinderella isn’t a Disney story, and earlier versions are, well, different

For Adults, TV Can Serve the Same Role as an Imaginary Friend

Scientist and explorer A. E. Nordenskiöld first navigated the Northeast Passage in 1878.

Gas Tanker to Cross Autumn Arctic Ocean Carrying Natural Gas to Japan

A tanker, carrying natural gas to Japan, has set out on a dangerous autumn trip through the Northeast Passage

The seal of the United Mexican States

Mexico Is Technically the ‘United Mexican States’ And Isn’t Too Happy About It

Mexico is sick of having to correct people on its name all the time

Happy Kids Are More Likely To Grow Into Rich Adults

A new study investigates the link between a blissful childhood or adolescence and a healthy bank account down the road, suggesting that the two are related

Some people find talking to new people more stressful than others.

Giving a Good First Impression: You’re Doing It Wrong

Trying to assert your dominance is not necessarily the best way to say “Hi”

How to Learn a Language in Less Than 24 Hours

A new company called Memrise says their app can teach you an entire language within hours

A predator drone hangs in the Smithsonian’s Air and Space Museum in Washington.

‘Dronestagram’ Shares Photos of Drone-Strike Targets Online

By sharing satellite photos and brief descriptions, writer hopes to make drone strikes seem less remote

Daniel Craig plays James Bond in Skyfall

Bond Villains’ Evil Plans Could Have Worked Out in the Real World

There have been a range of ridiculous evil plans throughout the years. But which are the least ridiculous?

Happy Birthday to the Father of the Modern Vampire

If Bram Stoker were alive today, he’d be 165—pretty young for a vampire

Five Places Outside America Where the U.S. Election Matters

American citizens aren’t the only ones concerned about the outcome of tomorrow’s election

How to Tell If Your Kid Will Become a Great Artist

Spotting artistic talent in your own kid is hard - but here are some ways to do it

In the Middle East, Female Scientists Face Different Challenges

Rana Danaji, a professor of molecular biology in Jordan, weighed in in the journal Nature on what it’s like to be a woman in science in an Arab world

A Tale of Two Screams: Which Stock Horror Scream is Better?

Often, screams in horror movies come from stock files. Chances are, they’re one of two stock screams: the Wilhelm or the Howie

Don’t you want to be like this guy?

Let ‘Weird’ Al Yankovic Teach You How to Make a Good Parody

Sit back and relax while the master teaches you how to do what he does best: parody.

Invasive nutria in the Southern U.S.

Guilt-Free Meat-Eating Strategy: Hunt Invasive Species

A new book describes how invasive species may provide vegetarians a welcome meat-eating freebie

Incredible Halloween Costumes Inspired by Famous Works of Art

Culture-hounds take heart: Halloween doesn’t have to be all Honey Boo Boos and internet memes

This man is ghost riding. Wikipedia says so.

In Honor of Wikipedia’s Near-Completion, Here Are Its Most Awesomely Weird Entries

How To Scrape at a Picasso Without Getting Arrested

The New York Times has an interactive feature showing Picasso’s “Woman Ironing” that you can scratch away at to uncover the original pairing - one of a man

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