The Roman Emperor Nero is enjoying a newfound respect these days. At this point, it’s almost common knowledge that the stories of him playing a fiddle while Rome burned are almost certainly untrue.

Still, there are stories about Nero’s excess and depravity that go beyond anything imagined in the most gruesome horror stories. Although there’s no way of knowing how many stories are true, you don’t earn a reputation like this one without doing something people didn’t like.

10 He Burned Christians For A Source Of Light

Nero never had progressive policies when it came to Christians, but he got really hard on them after the Great Fire of Rome. When the people began turning against Nero, he used Christians as a scapegoat to get the heat off himself.

Christians were blamed for the fire and slaughtered en masse. But the really terrifying part was how they were killed. Slaughtering Christians was a spectacle that people would attend and cheer.

During parties, Nero would nail Christians to crosses and burn them alive as a source of light when the Sun went down. While his victims screamed and suffered, Nero would walk about in a chariot rider’s uniform making small talk with his guests.

9 He Trapped People In Theaters To Listen To His Music

The story about Nero playing music while Rome burned doesn’t just come from nowhere. Nero loved the arts—from music to the theater—and performed every chance he got.

He even locked the gates of the theater when he performed. Then he put on incredibly long performances, requiring the audience to listen attentively and clap. People would leap over the walls or even fake their own deaths to get out of these performances. According to the Roman historian Suetonius, one performance went on so long that a woman gave birth while Nero played.

8 He Regularly Cheated To Win The Olympics

Nero was an athlete, too. In fact, he still holds the world record for most Olympic wins, staking claim to 1,808 Olympic wreaths—the era’s equivalent of gold medals.

So how did he do it? By cheating, of course. In one ridiculous story about a chariot race, Nero allegedly ordered his competitors to use four-horse chariots and then showed up with a team of 10 horses.

Despite his massive advantage, Nero still didn’t make it across the finish line. He fell off his chariot and had to give up the race. Even though he didn’t make it around the track, the judges still declared their emperor the winner of the race.

7 He Built An Orgy Palace With A Gigantic Statue Of Himself

One of Nero’s greatest accomplishments was building the Domus Aurea, a golden pleasure palace the likes of which the world had never seen. It was a massive building overlaid with gold, ivory, and mother-of-pearl. It was guarded by a 37-meter-tall (120 ft) statue of himself. It even had panels in the ceiling that would let a rain of flowers and perfume fall on his guests.

So what was it used for? Orgies, of course! Reportedly, people in the palace would eat until they vomited and then couple for massive sex parties while rose petals fell on them from above.

All the decadence might have been forgivable—except that Nero built his sex palace right after the Great Fire of Rome when people needed aid. The Domus Aurea was viewed as a symbol of his selfishness and, shortly after his death, was stripped of all its gold.

6 His Sex Life Was Insane

Stories about Nero’s sex life show up in every Roman history book because as weird as Roman emperors were in the bedroom, none of them compared to Nero.

Tacitus told a story about Nero throwing a massive orgy that went on for days. At the end, Nero threw a mock wedding ceremony in which he married a freedman named Pythagoras—one of two men whom Nero married throughout his life.

According to Suetonius, whenever Nero wanted to let off a little steam, he would tie naked boys and girls to stakes, dress up like an animal, jump on them, and pretend to eat them. This was most likely a recreation of how criminals were executed in that time, with Nero pretending to be a vicious animal devouring a sentenced man in front of an audience.

5 He Sentenced A Woman To Death By Giraffe

In Nero’s time, there was a famous assassin named Locusta who specialized in poisoning people. According to some accounts, Nero’s mother, Agrippina, hired Locusta to murder Agrippina’s husband, Claudius, and then her stepson, Britannicus.

Sometime after Nero came to power, Locusta was made to pay for her crimes in a horrible way. According to a popular story, Nero had her publicly raped by a “specially trained giraffe” before she was finally torn apart by wild animals.

4 He Crucified The Apostle Peter

Nero didn’t just kill nameless Christians—he executed Peter, one of Jesus’s disciples. In AD 64, about 30 years after Jesus’s death, Peter was trying to spread Christianity throughout Rome and that put him directly in Nero’s path. Nero captured and crucified Peter—and, according to the popular story, hung him upside down.

This was far from an isolated event. Peter was killed in a circus that Nero almost exclusively used to publicly execute Christians. Those live murders were such a popular sport that the streets alongside the circus’s racetrack were filled with tombs full of the bones of his victims.

3 He Murdered His Own Mother

Nero killed a lot of people, but he didn’t stop at strangers. He murdered his family, too—including his own mother, Agrippina the Younger. Every historian gives a different account of how Nero killed her, but they all seem to agree that he was behind it.

According to historian Cassius Dio, Nero sent his mother off on a custom-designed ship. While she out at sea, a secret door under the ship opened up and sent her falling into the depths of the water. Agrippina survived and desperately swam to shore. But when she reached it, Nero had an assassin waiting for her.

When Agrippina saw her killer, she just said, “Smite my womb,” ordering the assassin to destroy the part of her body that had created such an abominable son.

2 He Kicked His Wife And Unborn Baby To Death

Most people credit Nero’s decision to murder his mother to the influence of his second wife, Poppaea Sabina. Poppaea was a manipulative woman who charmed the emperor, convincing him to get rid of his first wife, Octavia, and his own mother so that Poppaea could take their places.

For a while, Nero and Poppaea enjoyed a period of marital bliss, but it didn’t last. In time, they started to argue.

During one fight, Nero beat his wife bloody. He threw her to the ground and repeatedly kicked her directly in the stomach, where his unborn child was growing. According to some versions of the story, he may even have jumped up and down on her womb until she died.

Apparently, he regretted it. A few years later, he found a young boy named Sporus who looked like her and did what any grieving husband would do: He forcibly castrated the boy, dressed him up like his dead wife, and married him in front of all of Rome.

1 He May Literally Be The Antichrist

Calling somebody “the Antichrist” is a pretty strong accusation. But in this case, it’s not just a judgment call. According to one theory, Nero may literally be the Antichrist described in the Bible.

Most people know that “666” is the number of the beast, but you might not have read it in context. The Book of Revelation treats the number more as a puzzle for the reader to solve than a prophecy. It says: “Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is six hundred threescore and six.”

The twist is that if you count the numbers that represent the Hebrew letters in “Nero Caesar,” you get 666. On top of that, Revelation says that the beast will rule for “forty and two months”—which happens to be about the length of time that Nero ruled after the Great Fire of Rome.

This means that John might not have been just predicting some vague future evil. He may have been trying to tell the people of his time that Nero would be coming back.

Mark Oliver is a regular contributor to . His writing also appears on a number of other sites, including The Onion’s StarWipe and Cracked.com. His website is regularly updated with everything he writes.

Sci-fi gives us the strangest, most memorable places in all of fiction. Whether it’s the sky-high city of The Empire Strikes Back, the gritty streets of Blade Runner, or the desert kingdoms of Dune, sci-fi always immerses its fans into incredibly unique worlds. It seems a shame that these places are just made-up—no matter how hard you wish, you’ll never end up on Gallifrey or aboard Serenity.

But if you know where to look, you’ll find plenty of real-life places that look like they were dreamed up by George Lucas or Philip K. Dick. There’s the apocalyptic Svalbard Global Seed Vault in the Arctic, the flying saucer–shaped Buzludzha Monument in Bulgaria, and the depressing dystopia of the Tower of David. And then there are the following places, some creepy, some gorgeous, some downright weird, and all looking ripped straight out of a sci-fi story.

10New York’s Floating Cities

From the Nautilus to Snowpiercer, sci-fi has long loved tricked-out vehicles. They’re moving cities, sustaining life wherever they go, and while they don’t exist (yet), a couple of ships off the coast of New York City are the next best thing.

More Silent Running than Waterworld, the Science Barge is operated by the NY Sun Works, a group dedicated to building sustainable greenhouses. Drifting in the Hudson River, the ship is a farm on the water. Totally self-sustaining, it relies on wind and solar energy for its power, vegetable oil for its heat, and rainwater for its crops. So when the apocalypse starts, this is the place you want to be, especially if you’re a salad fan.

A much scarier ship is floating near the Bronx in Long Island Sound. Resembling a fortress made of oversized Legos, the Vernon C. Bain Correctional Center is the world’s largest prison ship, housing 800 felons in medium to maximum security. Built to relieve overcrowding on Rikers Island, this $161 million vessel boasts 100 cells, a law library, and a basketball court on top of the ship.

9The Glow-In-The-Dark Highway

We’re always trying to build the car of the future. Strangely, none of us think about road on which this car will drive—none of us but Daan Roosegaarde. This Dutch artist figured it was time to advance highway technology. Inspired by bioluminescent jellyfish, Roosegaarde created the world’s first glow-in-the-dark road.

Working with the civic engineering firm Heijmans, Roosegaarde converted Highway N329 in Oss into a radiant roadway. The road’s paint is made from photo-luminizing powder, which captures sunlight during the day and lets off a light-green glow at night. When you drive in the dark, the stripes along the road take the place of streetlights. Roosegaarde hopes this 500-meter (1,600 ft) stretch of highway outside Amsterdam will save energy, and he wants other countries to follow his lead.

However, Roosegaarde isn’t anywhere near finished with his project. Next, he wants to use his glow-in-the-dark powder to create weather symbols that show up on the street. For example, he might paint a snowflake that lights up when the weather gets cold, warning drivers about snowfall or ice on the roads. Right now, these icons are still in the development phase, but if the paint on N329 can stand up to the daily onslaught of cars, perhaps Roosegaarde’s powder will revolutionize the way we drive at night.

8Gardens By The Bay

Judging by box office numbers and online movie reviews, it seems there are two kinds of people in the world: those who loved Avatar and those who hated it with every fiber of their being. But regardless of your opinion on the storytelling of James Cameron’s space epic, Pandora looks like a lovely place to visit—if you wipe out those rhino monsters and wolf creatures, anyway. Unfortunately, Pandora doesn’t actually exist, a sad reality that left some film fans with suicidal thoughts.

While those people probably need counseling, less hardcore fans can satisfy their Avatar obsession with a trip to the Gardens by the Bay. Located in central Singapore, this amazing park is the closest thing we have to a luminescent alien forest, thanks to the 18 supertrees that dominate the landscape. These artificial giants measure 25–50 meters (80–160 ft), and while they don’t sport any vegetation of their own, they’re covered in 200 different species of ferns and flowers. Eleven of these steel trees contain photovoltaic cells that convert sunlight into energy for the rest of the park. The trees also collect their own rainwater, are interconnected with bridges, and light up in the dark.

Elsewhere in the park are the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome, enormous biomes that house over 200,000 different plants, including olive groves, baobabs, and fynbos. These modern-day arks are climate-controlled and generate their own power by processing horticultural waste in steam turbines. Looking at pictures of Gardens by the Bay, you get not only an Avatar-vibe but a sense of technology and nature merging in the best possible way.

7The National Radio Quiet Zone

The Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope is truly a special piece of equipment. Located in the eastern half of West Virginia, this telescope is the size of the Washington Monument, weighs 8 million kilograms (17 million lb), and takes up 8,000 square meters (2 acres) of land. This observatory wasn’t made for stargazing. Instead, Green Bank tunes into the music of the universe. A radio telescope, this giant wiry dish listens to radio waves from faraway stars and galaxies.

By the time extraterrestrial energy reaches the Earth, it’s weaker than a snowflake tumbling to the ground. To pick up these faint frequencies, the telescope is extremely sensitive. Anything that generates radio waves is either banned from the Green Bank base or highly controlled. Even the cafeteria microwave is kept inside a special, shielded cage.

Scientists took extra steps to block outside electronic pollution. In 1958, the Federal Communications Commission declared the 34,000 square kilometers (13,000 sq mi) surrounding Green Bank to be a “National Radio Quiet Zone.” Roughly the size of Connecticut and Massachusetts combined, the Quiet Zone is a huge chunk of land almost completely free of cell phones and Wi-Fi. All power lines are buried 1.2 meters (4 ft) below the ground, people use dial-up telephones and ham radios, and every radio station but one (which broadcasts at a low frequency) is banned. There’s even a group of radio wave police who arm themselves with antennas and track down any rogue interference.

Blocking 21st-century technology from the region is getting harder and harder, but for now, the National Radio Quiet Zone is a throwback to a 1950s way of life—with a sci-fi space dish at the center.

6The Soviet Lightning Machine

Hidden away in the forests outside Moscow is a strange collection of tubes, coils, and wires. It looks abandoned now, but gigantic gadgets such as this were built to make lightning—a lot of lightning.

The Soviets built this Marx generator decades ago, and it’s said to have produced as much power as all other generators in Russia. That’s more power than every nuclear, thermoelectric, and hydroelectric plant combined, though Marx generators can only run for a small fraction of a second at a time.

The Russians used the crazy contraption to test materials’ resistance to lightning strikes. For example, they once reportedly shocked a Sukhoi Superjet.

5Rjukan, Norway

For over a century, the citizens of Rjukan lived in the dark. Founded in the early 1900s by Sam Eyde, the village was built for people working in his Norsk Hydro factories. Rjukan is totally surrounded by mountains, so from mid-September to early March, the town was completely covered by gloomy shadow.

The locals weren’t pleased with their situation, but there wasn’t much they could do about it. Sam Eyde tried to compensate by building a cable car to carry people to the top of the mountain. During those dismal months, it was the only way anyone could spend a few minutes basking in the sunlight. After all, you couldn’t actually bring sunlight into the valley—at least not until Martin Anderson showed up.

A traveling artist, Anderson built three solar-powered heliostats on top of the mountain. Sitting 450 meters (1,500 ft) above Rjukan, these computer-operated mirrors track the Sun as it travels across the sky and reflect the light down into the town square, creating 600 square meters (6,500 sq ft) of beautiful light for Rjukan’s sunlight-starved citizens.

Rjukan isn’t the only town that relies on mirrors for sunlight. Viganella, Italy uses a single steel mirror to warm its town, but while it captures more sunlight, it isn’t as strong as Rjukan’s sci-fi heliostats.

4Hong Kong’s AI Metro

With an on-time record of 99.9 percent, the Hong Kong subway is the best in the world. Its success is thanks to a computer program created by Hong Kong engineer Andy Chun. Using a special algorithm, his program quickly calculates the best way to keep the trains running, and it’s way more efficient than any feeble-minded human.

Each week, 10,000 workers keep the tracks in tip-top shape. Night after night, they descend into the tunnels after the trains stop running, and they only have a few hours to carry out 2,600 engineering jobs per week. Before the computer program came along, experts had to hurriedly plan who would go where and do what, and it took far too long. Then Chun’s program changed everything.

After interviewing numerous engineering experts, Chun transformed their wisdom into a series of rules for his AI. Before the repair teams get busy, the AI pores over a model of the subway system and identifies what needs to be done. Next, it compares solutions against one another until it finds the best way to accomplish everything neatly and quickly. It even knows to check its plans against city regulations to make sure everything is safe and legal.

Chun’s AI is so effective that it cuts out two days’ worth of planning a week and gives workers an extra 30 minutes each night to fix up the tracks, saving the metro $800,000 per week. With a program this efficient, it might not be long before computers are running the subway entirely—and as sci-fi fans know, that’s probably not going to end well.

3The Stanley R. Mickelsen Safeguard Complex

Take a road trip across North Dakota, and you’ll see whole stretches of vast, grassy nothing. But pass through the sleepy little town of Nekoma, and you’ll spot something incredibly bizarre and totally alien rising up out of the ground: a giant concrete pyramid.

While it’s missing the pointy top we associate with Egyptian pyramids, this obelisk makes up for its flat roof with four creepy eyes. There are two circles on each side of the pyramid, one inside the other, almost like a pupil inside an iris. And if you drive up closer, you’ll find the pyramid is surrounded with checkpoints and buildings such as an office, a church, and a gym. But chances are good that you won’t pay too much attention to this abandoned community. You’ll probably just stare at the pyramid. What is this thing, and what is it doing in the middle of nowhere?

The focal point of the Stanley R. Mickelsen Safeguard Complex, this misplaced monolith was constructed back in the 1970s. Costing a whopping $6 billion, this concrete pyramid was made for one purpose—to watch out for incoming Soviet missiles. Those creepy eyes on all four sides of the pyramid were radars watching the skies for sneak attacks. And if the Russians ever did launch a nuke, officials inside the pyramid would shoot it down with one of their Spartan anti-ballistic missiles.

In addition to silos all over the complex, a massive labyrinth of tunnels ran under the pyramid itself. And in true bureaucratic fashion, the Stanley R. Mickelsen Safeguard Complex was operational for less than a year. After it opened in April 1975, the government started worrying about safety issues, so in February 1976, they flooded the tunnels and shut the whole thing down. So, that was $6 billion down the drain.

The pyramid was later bought for $530,000 by the Spring Creek Hutterite Colony, an Amish-like community of pacifists.

2Americana, Sao Paulo

Alternative history is one of the biggest sci-fi subgenres. These stories deal with the big “what ifs” of history. Take for example Philip K. Dick’s novel The Man in High Castle, which asks, “What if the Nazis had won World War II?” Similarly, quite a few wonder, “What would’ve happened if the Confederacy had won the Civil War?” Well, if you’re curious, you can head on down to Americana, Sao Paulo and find out.

After Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant, sore losers in the South weren’t crazy about rejoining the US. Sensing their frustration, Emperor Dom Pedro II of Brazil invited irate Southerners to pack up their bags and move even further south. Ten thousand people accepted his offer, and while most eventually went back home, 40 percent stayed in Brazil and established the town of Americana.

Nicknamed the “Confederados,” these immigrants set up a surreal little world of good old Southern values. They built Baptist churches, flew the Stars and Bars, and ate biscuits and black-eyed peas. And when they weren’t using forced labor to work their new cotton plantations, they were throwing antebellum balls and singing old-fashioned Southern ballads.

While the town has toned down its Dixieland vibe, the Confederados’ descendants still speak fluent English and throw an annual festival where people dress up in Southern costumes, have grand parties, and unfurl the Confederate flag—all in the middle of Brazil.

1Monkey Island

From Doctor Moreau to King Kong to Jurassic Park, islands have always had a special place in science fiction. These little land masses are perfect for creating weird worlds and strange situations that wouldn’t happen on the mainland. But while you probably won’t find a real-world island populated with polar bears, magical wells, and time travel, quite a few in the ocean have their own mysterious stories.

Take Monkey Island for example. Deep in the jungles of Liberia, in the middle of the Farmington River, is an island populated with over 60 chimpanzees. Surrounded by water, these apes spend their days hidden in the trees but rush down to the beach whenever white-clad workers show up with food and medicine.

The story of Monkey Island (chimps aren’t monkeys, but it’s a local nickname) starts back in 1974, when the New York Blood Center opened a research facility in Liberia. Named “Vilab,” the facility was dedicated to curing deadly diseases. That meant infecting over 100 apes with viruses like hepatitis because chimps are the only non-human species susceptible to the illness.

The facility closed down in 2005 thanks to changing attitudes toward animal testing, raising the question of where the infected chimps were going to go. That’s where Monkey Island came in. The apes were placed on an island where they would spend the rest of their lives in relative comfort.

Today, the chimps are cared for by local teams working with the New York Blood Center. Most of the animals are completely healthy and show no signs of plotting a revolution.

If you want to keep up with Nolan’s writing, you can friend/follow him on Facebook or email him here.

Fictional TV series have long been a beloved medium for fantasy, allowing audiences to immerse themselves in enthral narratives filled with adventure, mystery, and interest. From terrifying futures to fantastical realms, these shows have redefined storytelling on the small screen. Here, we present the top 10 best fiction TV series that have left an ineradicable mark on audiences worldwide.

Top 10 Best Fiction TV Series Ever

Black Mirror:

Unnervingly credible and thought-provoking, Black Mirror explores the dark side of technology and its impact on society. Each standalone episode presents a chilling vision of the future, examining themes such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and social media obsession.

The Twilight Zone:

A timeless classic, The Twilight Zone continues to captivate audiences with its tales of the bizarre and supernatural. Created by the legendary Rod Serling, this anthology series delves into the realms of science fiction, fantasy, and horror, offering poignant commentary on the human condition.

Stranger Things:

Set in the 1980s, Stranger Things pays homage to the pop culture of the era while delivering a gripping supernatural thriller. With its blend of nostalgia, mystery, and supernatural elements, the series has garnered a dedicated fanbase and critical acclaim.

Star Trek:

A cultural phenomenon that has spanned generations. Star Trek follows the adventures of the starship Enterprise as it explores the vast reaches of space. With its optimistic vision of the future and exploration of complex moral dilemmas, the series has become a cornerstone of science fiction television.

Westworld:

Set in a futuristic theme park populated by lifelike androids, Westworld explores themes of consciousness, free will, and the nature of reality. With its stunning visuals, intricate storytelling, and philosophical undertones, the series challenges viewers to question the boundaries of humanity.

Doctor Who:

With its iconic time-traveling protagonist known simply as the Doctor, Doctor Who has been a beloved fixture of British television for decades. Spanning multiple regenerations and adventures across time and space, the series embodies the spirit of exploration and adventure.

Firefly:

Despite its short-lived run, Firefly has achieved cult status thanks to its unique blend of science fiction and western genres. Created by Joss Whedon, the series follows the motley crew of the spaceship Serenity as they navigate the lawless frontier of outer space.

Dark:

A mind-bending German series, Dark weaves a complex narrative of time travel, family secrets, and existential dread. With its intricate plot and multi-layered storytelling, the series keeps viewers guessing until the very end.

Altered Carbon:

Set in a future where consciousness can be transferred between bodies, Altered Carbon explores themes of identity, mortality, and power. With its stylish visuals and cyberpunk aesthetic, the series offers a thrilling and thought-provoking glimpse into a dystopian future.

See also: 10 Less Known Facts About Sherlock Holmes

Babylon 5:

A groundbreaking space opera, Babylon 5 follows the inhabitants of a space station as they navigate political interest, interstellar conflict, and cosmic mysteries. With its epic scope and richly developed universe, the series remains a beloved classic among science fiction fans.

See also: Most Popular TV Channels of The World

Game of Thrones: Best Fiction TV Series Ever

Based on George R.R. Martin’s epic fantasy novels, Game of Thrones has become a cultural phenomenon. Best known for its sprawling narrative, complicated political interest, and unforgettable characters.

Set in the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos. The series follows the power struggles among noble families vying for control of the Iron Throne. With its epic battles, shocking plot twists, and moral ambiguity, “Game of Thrones” define again the fantasy genre and captivated audiences worldwide.

See also: 10 Villainesses in Literary Works for Young-Adults

These are some of the best fiction TV series. Representing the height of storytelling in the medium, pushing the boundaries of imagination. And, also enthral audiences with their compelling narratives and unforgettable characters.

Related

People often talk about how cool a Lightsaber from Star Wars is or how convenient it would be to have a Phaser from the Star Trek universe. Imagine being able to paralyze, kill, or vaporize enemies in real life. However, only a few of us realize that humans already have some incredible real-life weapons that have been paired with technology that would make any sci-fi movie better.

Take a look at these cutting-edge weapons, some of which have seen combat. A few of these are game-changers.

Related: Top 10 Nonlethal Weapons That Are Actually Lethal

10 CornerShot

Wouldn’t it be incredible if you could point a gun at someone without revealing even a single hair on your head? CornerShot is the way to go!

CornerShot is a corner-firing module that can vastly improve the functionality of any weapon attached to it. Created by Corner Shot Holdings LLC, it allows the user to deploy a range of deadly and non-lethal attachments against targets while remaining concealed/in cover around a corner. The back section controls a swiveling front piece with a conventional weapon and camera, providing footage to a tiny screen. It also allows the trigger to be pulled without having to expose your fingers.

The CornerShot system, according to its official website, is meant to allow users to fire targets from the left and right, up and down. It can quickly switch to each of these firing positions without users removing hands from the weapon. In unexpected engagement scenarios, this reduces response time and improves accuracy.

You may think that CornerShot is more of an accessory than a weapon. But, its effectiveness has made it a vital asset to the military forces of several countries across the world, including India, Indonesia, and China.

9 Quantum Stealth

Do you ever wish that the Cloak of Invisibility from the Harry Potter series existed in real life? Quantum Stealth is as close as it gets, for now.

Quantum Stealth, often known as the “Invisibility Cloak,” is a material developed by Hyperstealth Biotechnology Corp that gives the illusion of invisibility to its users.

Hyperstealth Biotechnology Corp CEO Guy Cramer said that Quantum Stealth could eliminate the visual, anti-infrared (night vision), and shadow of the wearer. Quantum Stealth operates similar to fiber optic cable technology in that it bends light waves around it, so the wearer is hidden from view.

According to Cramer, this advanced material is ideal for soldiers who conduct daily operations to escape the enemy’s notice. Not only that, but users can theoretically use this cutting-edge technology to conceal planes, tanks, submarines, and even an entire building. Even more impressive is that the material does not need battery energy, projectors, or cameras.

Excellent! Now you can escape those recurring awkward situations where you meet someone you know whose name you forget. It won’t help you hide from your problems, though, so tough luck.

8 FN F2000

The FN F2000 may be a conventional firearm rather than a futuristic weapon, but it certainly looks like it belongs in the future.

Bullpup designs and steel materials give the gun an adequately sci-fi-looking appearance. For decades, the FN F2000 has been a popular choice for media like video games and movies, frequently requiring little to no modification to meet the criteria of an advanced-looking firearm.

The F2000 is a fully automatic, gas-operated, ambidextrous bullpup rifle created by F.N. Herstal in Belgium. The selector toggle is a revolving disc placed below the trigger taken from the P90 personal defense weapon’s safety system and trigger mechanism. The firearm can be set to fire in semiautomatic or automatic mode, keeping you ready for whatever situation you might be in.

7 The Active Denial System (ADS)

Tear gas and water cannons are old news; meet ADS for your crowd dispersion solution.

The Active Denial System (ADS)—aka heat ray—is a non-lethal weapon that causes immediate discomfort, dispersing crowds and allowing authorities to reestablish order quickly when deployed. ADS is the first non-lethal, directed-energy counter-personnel device with a range that exceeds any other non-lethal weapon now in use—seven football fields, to be exact.

The U.S. Department of Defense Non-Lethal Weapons Program claims that ADS offers more safety than kinetic-based systems, which have a higher chance of causing harm when used. In contrast, ADS only produces instant and extreme discomfort without lasting effects. ADS gives you the sensation of directly facing hot ovens or grills being opened up.

Despite its many benefits, ADS is not without criticism. According to experts, the weapon is “too frightening,” and victims can become confused and stay in the area. People also believe it is overly indiscriminate and vulnerable to exploitation.

6 XM-25

XM-25: a weapon made with a futuristic vision, but it fell short of expectations.

The XM-25 Counter Defilade Target Engagement System—the Punisher—is a programmed airburst grenade launcher designed to strike enemy forces hiding behind cover. The United States Army utilized the weapon in the Afghanistan war in 2010. It has also appeared in several video games, including Call of Duty and Battlefield.

To take out hidden enemies, the user can make the programmable grenades fly within a door or entryway and explode just inside, splattering devastating shrapnel on everyone within. It’s also capable of blowing apart windows and bunkers, as well as bursting over trenches and foxholes.

XM-25 was undoubtedly an ambitious project with its futuristic function. However, it failed to deliver on many of the promises made. It was heavy and only functional in limited situations. Not to mention that the weapon was removed from Afghanistan in 2013 after a soldier was hurt attempting to load two grenades simultaneously.

Despite redesign attempts, the army formally ended the XM-25 development program on July 24, 2018. Officials from the Army aim to produce a better Precision Grenadier System that would perform the same aggressive functions as the XM-25.

5 The Mosquito

Taking aside the questionable name, the Mosquito is an innovative machine that emits high-frequency sound to dissuade loitering, primarily by younger people. Howard Stapleton created the device in 2005 after his then-17-year-old daughter was harassed by a group of teenage boys while shopping for milk. He estimated the frequency of the “Mosquito” using his children as test subjects.

Some people support the Mosquito because it provides a haven for the community against severe anti-social conduct and youth annoyance. However, it’s hardly surprising that the machine has sparked debate about human rights and discrimination. Some even see it as a sonic weapon that only succeeds in dehumanizing youngsters and teenagers. A few groups are also concerned about the devices’ potential detrimental effects on persons with autism. Newborns and toddlers may also be a victim of prolonged exposure (since their parents cannot hear the sound).

4 PEP

This one is for the Star Trek fans. PEP is like to be hit by a Star Trek Phaser set to stun.

PEP stands for “pulsed energy projectile”; it’s an infrared laser capable of stopping someone in their tracks by inducing excruciating pain or paralysis similar to being hit with a taser.

The U.S. military designed the weapon for riot control, and it is believed to function across distances of up to 2 kilometers (1.24 miles). Due to its size, it has to be installed on a vehicle. Even though it was developed as a non-lethal weapon, it turns out that PEP can also kill people.

One critic points out that PEP can cause severe pain and cold burn sensations without leaving any physical trace on the subject. The public was concerned that the so-called non-lethal weapon would be utilized as a torture device. It’s the main reason why there are not many details published about it, and the army ended the program around the late 2000s. Anti-climatic, isn’t it?

3 Boeing Laser Avenger

Imagine how great it would be if a technology existed that allowed you to destroy aircraft without exposing your location. Well, don’t imagine it, because that technology is already here.

The Boeing Laser Avenger is an infrared laser system placed atop a Boeing Combat Systems AN/TWQ-1 Avenger combat vehicle. It was created to destroy unmanned aircraft efficiently.

The Laser Avenger is intended to overcome the issue with traditional technology, which frequently reveals the shooter’s location when attempting to shoot down a drone. With the Boeing Laser Avenger, you can destroy them while remaining undetectable to the human eye. The Laser Avenger relies on complicated tracking technology to detect drones traveling at low and medium altitudes.

Although the lasers used are very expensive and useless as weapons against humans, they are tremendously effective against electronics and aircraft equipment. Even yet, as long as drones transporting bombs or ammunition are a concern, the U.S. Army may use these laser weapons to neutralize them.

2 EF-88

If you’ve ever wondered what an ideal rifle looks like, the EF-88 could be worth a look.

EF-88 or enhanced F88 Austeyr rifle is a remarkable weapon with great accuracy, lethality, ergonomics, adaptability, and dependability. The gun has improved close combat and overall warfare performance over its predecessor, the F88, mainly due to its mounting possibilities for auxiliary equipment.

Enhanced day sights, image intensifiers, thermal imaging sights, front grips (with bipod), forward grips, weapon stabilizers, visual illumination devices, one-hour offset rails, and laser-aiming illumination and range systems are among the accessories available.

What do you think? Is it up to your exacting standards for a superb rifle?

1 Distributed Gain High Energy Laser Weapon System

We’ve arrived at the ultimate boss: one of the most powerful and sophisticated laser weapons ever created.

Distributed Gain High Energy Laser Weapon System is the newest prototype of General Atomics and Boeing capable of launching a solid-state laser that could knock missiles and planes out of the sky. No matter how fast the target is, it’s no match for an energy beam moving at the speed of light.

The U.S. Army is enthusiastic about the project and has given G.A. and Boeing a contract to develop a 300-kW version of G.A.’s laser with beam director, precision acquisition, tracking, and pointing software.

Science fiction author Ray Bradbury said, “Science fiction is the most important literature in the history of the world, because it’s the history of ideas[.]” He may have been biased, but he wasn’t incorrect. There are two genres of science fiction. Hard science fiction is usually scientifically rigorous, while soft science fiction uses elements of sociology, anthropology, and psychology. World building in science fiction is often creative, but  it doesn’t always reveal humankind’s future. Here are 10 inaccuracies found in science fiction.

10. Time for the Stars by Robert A. Heinlein