Everyone loves a killer panorama, right? From TV shows that obsess over the most Instagram‑worthy vistas to daring adventurers who chase horizons from dizzying decks, there’s a whole world of breathtaking sights. If you’re not the type to get queasy on the first rung of a ladder, the 10 terrifying ways listed below will satisfy your craving for height‑induced awe without making you look away.

10 terrifying ways to See the World From the Edge

10 The Flying Kiss

The Flying Kiss lives up to its oddball moniker, perched on the cliffs outside Chongqing where two colossal, semi‑naked statues—Prince Charming and his Fairy Woman—stand 170 feet tall (about 81.8 meters). The pair guard a drop that plunges nearly a kilometer (roughly two‑thirds of a mile) into the abyss below, making the whole setting feel like a scene from a surreal romance novel gone wild.

When the ride kicks into gear, the statues start horizontally side‑by‑side. They then spin outward in a graceful circular motion, rising until they stand upright. Each figure cradles a platform that carries daring riders. As the arms swing upward, the two statues appear to lean in for a kiss, their arms entwining while the platforms twist past one another, delivering both a pulse‑pounding thrill and a panoramic backdrop.

Since its debut in 2020, opinions have been split. Some visitors gush over the whimsical design, while others label it one of China’s ugliest structures. Regardless of the debate, the attraction gifts you an unforgettable sweep of the Wulong Baima mountains, ensuring the view is anything but boring.

9 The Strat

The Strat’s towering observation decks dominate the Las Vegas skyline, offering a bird’s‑eye view that can make you forget the losses at the casino tables. At a staggering 1,149 feet (350 meters) above the desert floor, the indoor and outdoor decks serve up a front‑row seat to the neon‑lit Strip, sprawling suburbs, and the stark beauty of the surrounding desert.

When the sun dips, the city erupts into a dazzling light show, turning the Strip into a glittering canyon of neon. Step onto the open‑air SkyPod and feel the wind ruffle your hair while the sheer height forces you to question every decision that led you there—an oddly therapeutic moment amid the chaos.

For those who crave an extra jolt, the Strat also offers thrill rides that dangle you over the edge, letting you scream at the top of your lungs while the world stretches out beneath you. It’s classic Vegas: never half‑hearted, even when it comes to jaw‑dropping vistas.

8 Ruyi Bridge

Suspended high above Zhejiang’s Shenxianju Scenic Area, the Ruyi Bridge looks like it was lifted straight out of a sci‑fi blockbuster. Its double‑arched, twisting design supports a glass‑bottom walkway that lets you peer straight down into the canyon, testing your bravery without the need to wrestle a panda.

Strolling across the transparent floor, you’ll either marvel at the engineering marvel or wonder why you skipped breakfast. The bridge’s shape mirrors a jade ruyi—a traditional Chinese symbol of good fortune—spanning 100 meters in length and perched 140 meters above the ground, built to brave gale‑force winds and torrential rain.

The surrounding scenery—cliffs, waterfalls, and lush greenery—adds a magical backdrop, making the experience feel like you’ve stepped onto a futuristic catwalk overlooking nature’s most dramatic stage.

7 Pedra da Gávea

Rising 2,770 feet (844 meters) above sea level, Rio de Janeiro’s Pedra da Gávea is a massive granite monolith that invites you to flirt with danger while feeling like a true explorer. The trek begins gently, winding through the Atlantic Forest where birds provide a lively soundtrack.

Soon, the path steepens dramatically, demanding you scramble up rugged inclines and cling to tree roots as if your life depends on it. The climax arrives at the Carrasqueira—a near‑vertical rock face that forces even seasoned hikers into full‑on rock‑climbing mode.

At the summit, you’re rewarded with sweeping vistas of Rio’s coastline, Sugarloaf Mountain, the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue, and the endless Atlantic. The sense of achievement is intoxicating, though you’ll quickly realize the descent is still ahead.

6 Pico do Areeiro

Perched at 5,964 feet (1,818 meters) above sea level on Madeira’s rugged landscape, Pico do Areeiro feels like stepping onto another planet. Swirling clouds cling to jagged peaks, and on clear days the Atlantic stretches infinitely into the horizon.

Venturing toward Pico Ruivo, you’ll navigate narrow ridges that plunge into nothingness on either side, surrounded by craggy formations that evoke an underworld vibe. On misty mornings, the summit often sits atop a sea of clouds, offering a rare cloud‑inversion spectacle that makes you feel like you’re walking above a fluffy blanket.

5 Xufu Cliffs

Strolling along the Xufu Cliffs on Xuedou Mountain feels like walking the edge of the world—minus a spaceship. The sheer drop reveals endless forests, dramatic valleys, and peaks that pierce the clouds, whispering, “Look how tiny you are.”

The cliffs plunge into oblivion, delivering a view unlike anything you’ve seen back home. That subtle tingle of fear you feel when you peer over the edge is part of the allure, turning a simple hike into an unforgettable experience.

Beyond the adrenaline, Xuedou Mountain offers a Zen‑like serenity. By the time you finish, you’ll have a flood of Instagram‑worthy shots and a newfound appreciation for solid ground.

4 Moab Rope Swing

Suspended from a massive sandstone arch in Utah’s stark desert, the world’s highest rope swing delivers a thrill that outmatches any childhood playground. This isn’t your neighborhood swing set—it boasts a 400‑foot (122‑meter) drop that requires signing a waiver before you even think about stepping off.

When you launch yourself into the void, the world blurs into a kaleidoscope of red‑rock cliffs. Opening your eyes reveals awe‑inspiring canyons and a sky so brilliantly blue it looks photoshopped.

Below, the Colorado River snakes through towering formations that stand like ancient guardians. Soaring through crisp desert air, surrounded by Moab’s rugged beauty, you’ll find it hard to want to return to solid ground.

3 Sky Ladder

High up in the emerald mountains of Chongqing, Mount Qixing’s via Ferrata—nicknamed the Sky Ladder—offers jaw‑dropping scenery paired with enough adrenaline to make you reconsider your life choices halfway up. The only way forward is to clip into steel cables that hug narrow ledges.

Rewarded for your bravery, you’re treated to sweeping panoramas of verdant valleys, mist‑cloaked peaks, and landscapes that seem to stretch forever. The real magic unfolds when you pause, let go of the fear, and soak in the view of Wulong’s evergreen forests bathed in sunrise or sunset light.

The experience balances heart‑pounding vertigo with moments of serene beauty, making the shaking legs fade into the background.

2 Jacob’s Ladder

The historic Jacob’s Ladder on St. Helena Island boasts a staggering 699 steps, enough to turn even the fittest legs into jelly. Originally built as an inclined plane for moving goods, today it serves as a tourist magnet.

Climbing each step reveals a living postcard: Jamestown’s vividly colored rooftops, rugged island cliffs, and the endless Atlantic stretching beyond the horizon. The view from the top transforms the town below into a toy‑like village, framed by dramatic cliffs against a boundless blue sea.

Sunrise and sunset paint the scene in warm golds, making every breathless step feel worth the effort for that perfect photo op.

1 Hanging Houses

Perched precariously on the sheer rock face of Wangxian Valley, the hanging houses cling to the cliffside like mountain goats with impeccable architectural taste. Their daring placement offers a view that feels straight out of a fairy‑tale.

From this lofty village, dazzling green valleys stretch into infinity, while mist lazily curls around peaks as if conjured by a smoke machine. The patchwork of forests and winding rivers framed by towering cliffs creates a quiet, almost otherworldly atmosphere.

Early mornings are especially magical; the sunrise paints the valley in soft golds and pinks, making the houses appear to hover above a sea of clouds. Fascinating? Absolutely. Slightly terrifying? Undeniably.

When you think of Thomas Edison, the image that pops up is usually a mustache‑twirling genius who single‑handedly lit up the world. Yet 10 facts will completely reshape that picture. While the man’s name is forever linked to the lightbulb, the phonograph, and a fierce rivalry with Nikola Tesla, the deeper story is far richer—and far less villainous—than the popular mythbook tells. Below we untangle the biggest misconceptions, celebrate the overlooked achievements, and highlight the humanity that often gets swept under the laboratory bench.

10 Facts Will: Surprising Edison Insights

1. He Had More Empathy Than You Might Think

Modern narratives sometimes paint Edison as a cold‑hearted businessman whose only compass pointed south. In reality, the inventor was a complex human being, capable of genuine compassion. He wasn’t a scheming villain lurking behind a laboratory door; rather, he was a competitive mind who nonetheless cared deeply for the well‑being of his collaborators. For example, during his X‑ray experiments, his assistant Clarence Dally suffered severe radiation burns that eventually led to his death. Edison was devastated by Dally’s suffering, publicly admitting his fear of X‑rays and vowing never to touch radioactive materials again. He even kept Dally on the payroll after the injuries, ensuring his family was supported despite the assistant’s inability to work. This act of loyalty, especially in an era when workers were often discarded, demonstrates that Edison’s heart beat beneath his relentless drive for invention.

2. Edison Lost Much of His Hearing in a Childhood Accident

Most people know Edison was hard of hearing, yet the story behind that disability is often glossed over. The inventor’s hearing loss likely began with a bout of scarlet fever in his youth, a disease that can damage the auditory nerves. Over time, a second incident on a train may have worsened his condition. Some accounts claim a railway employee boxed his ears; others suggest he was jostled while boarding, resulting in painful ear trauma. Edison himself gave differing versions over the years, never fully confirming which event was the culprit. Regardless of the exact cause, his perseverance despite this obstacle is remarkable—especially considering he went on to create the phonograph, an invention that captures and reproduces sound, a field he personally struggled to hear. His determination to push forward, even when his own senses were compromised, adds a layer of inspiration to his legacy.

3. He Wanted to Reform the Federal Reserve

Long before modern debates about monetary policy, Edison drafted a bold plan to overhaul America’s financial backbone. Dissatisfied with the gold standard’s volatility, he proposed a system backed not by precious metals but by the nation’s agricultural output. His vision called for interest‑free government loans to farmers, allowing them to grow essential crops without the crushing weight of debt. These staple commodities—think wheat, corn, and soy—would then serve as a stable collateral, effectively turning the nation’s food supply into a “relatively constant” monetary anchor. While the logistics of such a scheme were daunting, economists later echoed similar ideas; figures like John Maynard Keynes, Friedrich Hayek, and John Nash all explored commodity‑backed currency concepts. Edison’s forward‑thinking approach suggests he was not merely an inventor of gadgets but also a thinker of economic systems, aiming to tether money to something tangible and universally valuable.

4. Edison Took the Same Risks as His Hired Researchers

The tale of Edison’s X‑ray experiments is often used to cast him as a reckless profiteer, but the truth is far more nuanced. In the late 19th century, X‑ray technology was brand new, and Edison, ever the curiosity‑driven scientist, teamed up with his assistant Clarence Dally to explore its potential. Unaware of the lethal radiation doses involved, both men endured severe burns—Dally’s arms were scarred, and his body riddled with sores. After years of suffering, Dally succumbed to radiation poisoning, becoming the United States’ first documented victim of such exposure. Edison himself was not immune; he suffered permanent damage to his left eye and stomach, prompting him to halt the experiments and publicly declare his fear of X‑rays. Notably, he never attempted to patent the work, indicating that profit was not his motive. Instead, he stepped away once the dangers became clear, underscoring his willingness to share in the hazards faced by his team.

5. Thomas Edison’s Work for the USA in World War I

When the United States braced for involvement in the Great War, Edison’s fame earned him a seat at the table of national defense. Appointed head of the Naval Consulting Board, he was tasked with advising the Navy on both scientific and strategic matters. Though he contributed ideas for anti‑submarine detection and stealth technology, Edison was staunchly opposed to developing weapons of mass destruction. In a candid interview, he warned that science could make war “terrible”—so terrible that a single button might one day mow down millions. His prophetic words foreshadowed the atomic bomb three decades later. Rather than seeking to create deadlier arsenals, Edison focused on defensive innovations, reflecting a belief that technology should protect rather than annihilate.

6. The Phonograph Was Truly Revolutionary

While Edison’s name is forever linked to electricity, his invention of the phonograph arguably reshaped culture more profoundly than any light. In the late 1800s, recording sound seemed as fantastical as building a computer today. Yet Edison’s device captured vibrations on a tinfoil‑covered cylinder, allowing playback of voices and music for the first time. This breakthrough opened a new realm of entertainment, laying the groundwork for the modern music industry, radio, and even digital streaming. Moreover, the phonograph inspired Edison to dabble in early motion‑picture experiments, cementing his role as a pioneer of both audio and visual media. The world’s ability to hear and later see recorded moments can be traced back to this modest cylinder‑based contraption.

7. Ahead of His Time: Proponent of Electric Vehicles

At the dawn of the automobile era, electric cars briefly outpaced their gasoline‑powered rivals. Edison, ever the advocate for cleaner energy, threw his considerable intellect into improving the batteries that powered these early EVs. He championed the nickel‑iron battery, a rugged but heavy power source that, despite its shortcomings, proved more durable than the lead‑acid alternatives of the day. Though the market eventually swung toward Henry Ford’s affordable Model T, Edison’s battery technology survived, later evolving into the modern alkaline cell. In 2012, Stanford researchers revived his nickel‑iron design, creating a high‑performance, low‑cost version that could once again power electric vehicles—realizing Edison’s century‑old vision of a cleaner, battery‑driven future.

8. His Rivalry with Tesla Is Greatly Exaggerated

The Edison‑Tesla showdown is often dramatized as a classic hero‑vs‑villain saga, yet the reality was far messier. When Edison’s DC team recruited a young Nikola Tesla, the Serbian inventor proposed an alternating‑current system instead of the requested improvements. Tesla later alleged that Edison promised a sizable bonus, only to dismiss it as a joke when payment was demanded. Conversely, Edison’s secretary recounts that Tesla quit after a modest raise was denied by his direct supervisor, not Edison himself. While both men certainly experienced friction, the primary battlefield was actually between Edison and George Westinghouse, who backed AC technology. Historical records show that after Tesla sold his patents to Westinghouse, the “War of the Currents” shifted away from personal animosity to corporate competition. Even the two giants occasionally extended professional courtesies—Tesla praised Edison’s ingenuity, and Edison offered Tesla lab space after a fire destroyed one of his workshops—suggesting a rivalry that was competitive, not cataclysmic.

9. Direct Current Is Actually Extremely Useful and Could Make a Comeback

When most people think of electricity today, they picture the sprawling alternating‑current (AC) grid that powers cities. Yet direct current (DC) still thrives in everyday life, often unnoticed. Every smartphone, laptop, and tablet relies on DC power supplied by adapters that convert household AC into the steady flow required by electronics. Moreover, modern wind turbines and solar panels generate DC, which must be inverted to AC for grid compatibility—a process that wastes energy. Some forward‑thinking companies are now exploring DC micro‑grids for campuses, data centers, and electric‑vehicle charging stations, where short‑distance power transmission makes DC more efficient. As the world embraces renewable sources and electric mobility, the prospect of a DC resurgence grows, potentially reshaping the very backbone of our power infrastructure.

10. The Confusion Over His Credit for the Lightbulb

Most of us grew up hearing that Thomas Edison invented the lightbulb, only to later discover that the story is more tangled than a simple “Edison did it!” In 1875, inventors Woodward and Evans patented a rudimentary bulb, while British chemist Joseph Swan was independently developing a similar device. Edison recognized the potential, purchased the rights from Woodward and Evans, and then threw his considerable resources into perfecting the filament and vacuum technology. His team’s relentless experimentation finally produced a bulb that could glow for 1,200 hours—far longer than any predecessor, which sputtered out after mere minutes. While Edison didn’t create the first glowing glass, he was the first to turn it into a practical, marketable product, complete with the switches, sockets, and safety devices that made widespread adoption possible.

your view what matters to us as we roll out the brand‑new redesign for Version Five. This year we’re focused on three core pillars: speed, stability, and ease of use. Alongside a fresh visual style, we’re making a bold move by ditching Disqus and bringing back the classic comment system we used at the start. Yes, that means a few of you will need to create new accounts, but the payoff should be a smoother, more integrated experience.

your view what: Help Shape Version Five

With the new commenting platform comes a chance to sprinkle in some social goodies – think following fellow commenters or authors you admire, crafting a personal profile page, and maybe even a few badge‑style recognitions. Would you jump at the chance to use these features? Your input will guide whether we roll out these social tools or keep things simple.

We’re eager to hear what you’d like to see added. Do you crave a daily news roundup? Should we bring back competitions like we did in the past? How about more book reviews, more YouTube videos, or perhaps fewer? No idea is too out‑there – if you can dream it, let us know in the comments.

This is also the perfect moment to request new list categories or suggest entirely fresh ones. Want more unsolved mysteries? More animal‑focused lists? More crime or history deep‑dives? Or maybe you feel we’re flooding the site with too many lists in a certain niche – tell us which ones you’d like to see less of.

On the technical side, I’ve been quietly pulling adverts off the site and tidying up code in the background. Early data from our analytics shows a noticeable boost in page‑load times, though I’m still chasing that perfect speed. The cleanup should also squash some of the bugs you’ve reported. If you spot any lingering issues, shout them out here.

To make it easy, here are the key questions we’d love answers to:

1. What new feature would you most like us to add?
2. What list categories do you want more or less of?
3. What would make you share the lists with your social media friends?
4. Are three lists enough or do you want to see more?
5. Would you like to see more social functionality added to the site?

Your responses will be handed straight to the redesign team. If you see a comment you agree with, give it an up‑vote – that helps us gauge the community’s overall sentiment. So go ahead, fire away, and don’t hold back!

your view returns after a very long pause, reviving the kind of provocative, comment‑fueling prompts that get our community buzzing and growing.

your view Survey

Today we’re rolling out a fresh spin on the classic “Your View” format. Recent shifts in the online advertising landscape—and more changes looming on the horizon—are making it tougher than ever to keep high‑traffic sites afloat on ad revenue alone.

We’ve watched a wave of big‑name sites shut their doors as ad dollars dwindle. While our own platform isn’t in immediate danger, we’re keeping an eye on a future where advertising money may be scarce.

One strategy we’re exploring is a subscription model. Under this plan, we’d keep publishing two daily lists that remain free for everyone, while adding a third, premium list each day just for subscribers. We’re also mulling a pay‑per‑view option for those who prefer to tip their hat for a single extra list rather than commit to a recurring fee.

Here’s where you come in: please drop your answers to the following questions in the comments below.

1. Would you pay for a monthly subscription to receive one additional list each day?
2. How much would you be willing to pay for that subscription? $5? $10? $20? More? Less?
3. If a monthly plan isn’t your thing, would you consider a pay‑per‑view model where you pay a small fee for a single premium list?
4. For a pay‑per‑view option, what price feels right per list? $1? $3? $5?

A subscription would also strip away all advertising from the site, giving you a cleaner reading experience.

Beyond that, we’re thinking about a hefty monthly prize draw for all subscribers and are open to any other perks you might suggest.

When it comes to our view of the past, be it an entire era or one man’s lifetime, the details often come mainly from one source. Even today, we see attempts at rewriting history (such as Turkey’s repeated denials of the Armenian genocide), and that’s with all of the technological advances we have at our disposal. Though fragments are usually all we have left, a few men have stood out through history, shaping our opinions and beliefs about the outcomes of wars and millennia of cultural history. In this list we highlight the 10 people who have left an indelible mark on how we understand the past.

10 Movses Khorenatsi: All Of Armenian History (Up To That Point)

Movses Khorenatsi (sometimes Anglicized as Moses of Khoren) was born shortly after the start of the fifth century AD and is one of the largest and most important figures in Armenian historiography. His life’s work, Patmut’yun Hayots (The History of Armenia), was written thanks to the insistence of a prince in the Bagratuni dynasty. It was the first attempt to look at the country’s history before it converted to Christianity about two centuries prior.

In addition, he was the first to document the oral history of Hayk, the legendary patriarch of Armenia, and Bel, a Titanid of Babylon who followed him when he immigrated to Armenia’s current location near Mount Ararat. Hayk and Bel, as well as their massive armies, fought a violent battle, which ended in Bel’s death. (The Greeks have a similar story, with Zeus taking Hayk’s place.)

Khorenatsi also claimed to have gone to Babylon for his research, determined to use their ancient records to uncover the date on which his country was founded. Initially seen as simply another myth by many scholars, recent genetic work has found that his stated date, 2492 BC, is possibly quite accurate.

9 Manetho: 3,000 Years Of Egyptian History

Though details of Manetho’s life are scarce (as is often the case), approximations place his life sometime in the third century BC. He was an Egyptian priest as well as a prominent historian. He was so prominent, or at least well-respected, that the Macedonian king of Egypt, Ptolemy II Philadelphus, is said to have been the one who commissioned his life’s work, Aegyptiaca (The History of Egypt).

Unfortunately, none of Manetho’s original writing still exists. The only surviving pieces come from later historians or translations, some over 1,000 years after the fact. On top of that, his work was later used in polemics written by various Egyptian, Jewish, and Greek authors, each of whom had a different opinion on which was the oldest (and therefore the best) civilization. (The references were often heavily edited in order to conform to the author’s viewpoint.)

To Egyptologists, the most important part of his work, one which has survived mostly intact, is his king list, his most commonly cited list and the one that ordered Egyptian history into dynasties. However, the surviving citations often differ on the years, order, and names of various pharaohs, another unfortunate side effect of not having Manetho’s original text.

8 Snorri Sturluson: Northern European History And Mythology

One of the most important figures in the historiography of Iceland as well as one of the first to organize and document their national myths by compiling oral traditions, Snorri Sturluson was born at the tail end of the 12th century. In addition to being a prolific writer and historian, he was an accomplished politician, twice holding the office of law speaker at the Althing, an extremely respected position. However, politics would be his downfall, as Sturluson didn’t want to bring Iceland under Norwegian rule. When Norway eventually took control, he was branded a traitor (for his role in attempting to overthrow the king), and he was later killed by one of his sons-in-law.

As far as his literary and historical life go, the Prose Edda is perhaps his best-known work, forming the basis of our knowledge of Norse mythology. Almost entirely consisting of poetry, the Prose Edda is also one of the earliest examples of euhemerism in Northern Europe. Euhemerism derives its name from the Greek mythographer Euhemerus, who was one of the first to suggest that much of mythology could be rationalized as natural events which had undergone a supernatural transformation as their stories spread throughout the centuries.

Heimskringla is Sturluson’s other major work, and it contains sagas of all the Norse kings, from their mythological and prehistoric origins to his own time. However, its use as a historical document is up for debate.

7 Thucydides: The Peloponnesian War

Thucydides was one of the foremost Greek historians, though much of his life is obscured in the fog of antiquity. Ever the self-aggrandizing man, he once wrote that his “history is an everlasting possession, not a prize composition that is heard and forgotten.” He was exiled after a failure on his part to protect the city of Amphipolis from the Spartans. Thucydides then began to compile his great work, History of the Peloponnesian War, the only continuous contemporary account of the fight between Athens and Sparta.

Valuing firsthand accounts above all else, Thucydides included a number of speeches within his writing as well. Perhaps the best known is the funeral oration of Pericles, which some historians suggest may have been an inspiration for Abraham Lincoln’s famous Gettysburg Address, as they share a similar tone, theme, and structure. Though his place in the upper echelon of Western historians was in doubt for much of the time since his death, since the 19th century, his reputation as one of the greatest historiographers has been unassailable.

6 Titus Flavius Josephus: Jewish History (From Adam And Eve To AD 93)

Born into a priestly Jewish family in Jerusalem, Titus Flavius Josephus appeared to be predestined to do something religiously important. In AD 54, at the age of 16, he joined an ascetic Jewish sect and stayed with them for three years, before returning to Jerusalem and becoming a Pharisee. This was an important decision which influenced much of his later life, including his interactions with the Romans, though some sources say that he simply pretended to be a Pharisee, as he was born a Sadducee.

Nevertheless, he began his life as an ardent Jewish man, one who even fought against the Romans during the First Roman-Jewish War, heading up the Jewish forces in Galilee. However, he surrendered to Vespasian, the leader of the Roman forces. He told Vespasian that he felt the Judaic Messianic prophecy was about him and that he was to become emperor. Only a few years later, Vespasian did become emperor, and he rewarded Josephus with Roman citizenship as well as a new name. (He had been born as Joseph ben Matityahu.)

Eventually, an influential Roman named Epaphroditus became a patron of Josephus’ and commissioned him to write his most important works—The Jewish War, which was a collection of books detailing Jewish conflict from 164 BC to 68 AD, and Antiquities of the Jews, which was a 20-volume set of books following the Jewish people from the Garden of Eden straight to Roman rule in AD 93. Though much of the early Jewish history that Josephus wrote about was lifted from the Tanakh, the book has proven invaluable to historians for its description and information about Jewish history for the Second Temple period (580 to 70 BC).

5 Bartolome De Las Casas: Colonization Of The West Indies

Born toward the end of the 15th century, Bartolome de las Casas was a Spanish historian as well as a Dominican friar, a profession which had a great influence on his dealings with the native population of the Americas. At the age of 18, he sailed for Hispaniola, the second-largest island in the West Indies, and was given an encomienda, a land grant that included native slaves as a reward.

Though he witnessed the brutality of the Spanish settlers firsthand, it took nearly 12 years for de las Casas to have what scholars refer to as his “first conversion.” In 1514, he gave up his rights to his encomienda and began to preach against the system, going so far as to call it a mortal sin. De las Casas spent the next few years sailing back and forth between Spain and the West Indies, trying anything he could to stop the mistreatment of the native population. However, all of his efforts amounted to nothing. Distraught, he abandoned his plans and joined the Dominican Order in 1523 (his “second conversion”).

After serving as a prior for a few years, de las Casas began his writing career, starting with Historia Apologetica, a comparative book defending the native population and arguing that they were just as civilized as any of the great European and Egyptian civilizations. However, his Historia de las Indias was much more influential, and it was twofold: First, it was an account of all the mistreatment inflicted by the Spanish in their conquest and subjugation of the New World. Second, it was a prophecy of sorts, with de las Casas intending to show the Spanish people the punishment that God had in store for them.

Eventually, he reached his goal, and King Charles V of Spain called for the establishment of the New Laws, which required encomiendas to be disbanded after a generation. Afterward, de las Casas was named bishop of Chiapas in Guatemala and wrote a confesionario (or manual), in which he forbade the absolution of those involved with encomiendas.

4 Einhard: Charlemagne’s Real Life

Born in 770, Einhard was sent to a monastery to study at the age of nine. It was there that his intellect was first noticed, and he was eventually sent to Charlemagne’s Palace School at the age of 21. Quickly ascending through the ranks, Einhard became a trusted friend of the king. After Charlemagne’s death in 814, he became even more politically active, helping Louis I the Pious to the throne, an act for which he was rewarded with vast tracts of land and appointment as the abbot of several monasteries.

After Charlemagne’s death, Einhard wrote and compiled his greatest work, Vita Karoli Magni (Life of Charles the Great). Described as “one of the most precious literary bequests of the Middle Ages,” it forms the basis for much of our knowledge about the holy Roman emperor and the Carolingian Empire. Wishing to acknowledge a man whose deeds “can scarcely be imitated by the men of our age,” Einhard wrote what is commonly seen as the first biography of a European king. Created in the style of the great Roman biographer Suetonius, especially his biography of Emperor Augustus, Vita Karoli Magni is our source for “almost all our real vivifying knowledge of Charles the Great.” Although many medieval biographies shy away from any negative details about their subjects, Einhard’s book is believed to be a trustworthy document, for the most part.

3 Sima Qian: 2,500 Years Of Chinese History

Perhaps the first great Chinese historian, Sima Qian was born in 145 BC, during the Han dynasty. The son of a grand historian in the Han court, he succeeded his father upon his death in 108 BC. The duties of a grand historian (sometimes translated as “royal astronomer”) included observing astronomical events and documenting the daily happenings of the government. Three years later, Sima began to assemble what would become his masterpiece—Records of the Grand Historian, a book which covers Chinese history from 94 BC back to the legendary Yellow Emperor.

However, as it has been throughout human history, trouble was just around the corner. In 99 BC, two military officers failed spectacularly in a campaign in the north and were captured. Though all other government officials condemned one of them (Li Ling), Sima stood alone. Unfortunately, the emperor took offense to this and condemned him to death. At the time, one could pay to avoid execution, either by money or by genitalia. Lacking the necessary funds, Sima chose castration.

Rather than commit suicide, which was customary for those disgraced by castration, Sima Qian chose to finish his work, for which society owes him a great debt. As noted sinologist Jean Levi proclaimed about Sima Qian, “The history of China [ . . . ] is mixed to one degree or another with the history of one man.”

2 Polybius: The Battle Of Carthage (Circa 149 BC)

Although his largest collection of writings, The Histories, deals with the entirety of the rise of ancient Rome from 264 to 146 BC, the Greek historian Polybius’s most valuable contribution is his work on the battle of Carthage, an event for which he was a firsthand witness. Over 50 years old by the time Carthage’s demise, he had spent most of the last 19 years in Rome as a hostage. However, he grew to love the city and befriended a Roman commander named Scipio Aemilianus, a man who would play a large role in the battle of Carthage. So friendly was their relationship that Polybius boasted, “Our friendship and intimacy grew so close that it was well-known [ . . . ] in the countries beyond.”

In 150 BC, after the Third Punic War, all of the hostages were granted freedom and allowed to return to Greece, but Polybius decided to stay with Aemilianus, accompanying him during his siege of Carthage. Certain details of the battle, as well as the aftermath, were recorded only by Polybius, including an account of the Carthaginian general Hasdrubal’s wife committing suicide by jumping into a burning temple after her husband surrendered.

One of the most famous anecdotes in all of antiquity came from Polybius, whose account of Aemilianus after the looting of Carthage is as follows: “Scipio, beholding this spectacle, is said to have shed tears and publicly lamented the fortune of his enemy.” The image of Scipio weeping not only for the destruction of Carthage, but for the future destruction of Rome itself, became the central theme for Polybius’s Histories, namely the mutability of human affairs. As a side note, Polybius never said anywhere in his writing that the Romans salted the earth around Carthage.

1 Sik: Korean History

Though he had plenty of assistance from at least 10 others, Kim Bu-sik is widely recognized as the author of Samguk Sagi (History of the Three Kingdoms), the oldest extant book dealing with Korean history written by a native Korean. Inspired at a young age by China’s major history books, he spent much of his life hoping to write one for his homeland. It didn’t help that any mention of Korea in Chinese literature was brief or inaccurate, and it was impossible to separate fact from fiction.

Spending much of his early life involved with politics and the military, Bu-sik retired at the age of 67, hoping to complete his historical book before his death. Although he was personally responsible for the introductions to each of the 50 books which make up Samguk Sagi as well as personal flourishes throughout, he nevertheless had help, with the bulk of the writing being done by his assistants. Criticized for being too focused on the government, Bu-sik’s writing follows the lives of around 80 historical figures from the three kingdoms of Korea—Silla, Goguryeo, and Baekje. (However, being of Silla origin, Bu-sik was a little biased in his depiction.)

10 facts will change the way you think about the Black Death, a pandemic that ripped through Europe, Asia, and Africa, leaving a staggering death toll and reshaping societies for centuries.

10 The Catholic Church Has Been Blamed For The Black Death

The Catholic Church has long been a powerhouse, so it’s no surprise that conspiracy theories often target it as a scapegoat. In the context of the Black Death, no one accuses the Church of deliberately engineering the plague, but many argue that its alleged backward practices may have helped the disease spread more efficiently, increasing the death count. The narrative suggests the disease traveled primarily via fleas on rats, yet this theory unravels because fleas can hitch rides on many other animals, not just rats.

Some claim that Catholic superstitions blamed cats for the epidemic, prompting a mass culling of felines. This purported extermination supposedly allowed rat populations to explode, accelerating the spread of the plague. According to this popular myth, the Church’s influence indirectly fueled the pandemic.

The problem with this story—aside from many historians disputing the rats’ pivotal role—is the lack of concrete evidence for a widespread cat massacre driven by Catholic superstition. The tale often resurfaces among cat enthusiasts online, but it lacks solid sourcing.

9 Terrible Hygiene And Sanitation Practices Were A Huge Factor

Imagine medieval life without modern sanitation—no sewers, no regular trash collection, no refrigeration, and limited food safety knowledge. While people did bathe and try to stay clean, the infrastructure was horrendous by today’s standards. Open ditches ran with waste, outhouses were filthy, and meat and fish were left exposed to flies. Even well water and alcoholic drinks were often contaminated.

Take Bristol, the second‑largest British city when the plague struck. Overcrowding forced both the wealthy and the poor to endure open waste channels, unsanitary latrines, and exposed food. These deplorable conditions made it easy for a pandemic to spread rapidly.

8 The Role Of Rats Is Greatly Exaggerated

Many attribute the Black Death to a rat‑infested medieval world, but researchers have uncovered a different culprit. The bacterium Yersinia pestis, traditionally seen as the plague’s cause, actually originated in Asia, not Europe.

After the initial wave that decimated populations across three continents, the disease resurfaced intermittently. While some blamed fluctuations in rodent numbers, scientists now point to climate shifts in Asia that created ideal breeding conditions for fleas, the true vectors. Fleas can bite humans directly when their usual hosts are unavailable or when flea populations become overwhelming.

Rats still played a role, but they were not the primary drivers; the flea, spurred by climatic changes, was the main agent of transmission.

7 Some May Have Ended Up With HIV Resistance Genes

The Black Death’s repeated outbreaks may have spurred genetic adaptations in certain European populations. While many survived through luck or hygiene, some researchers propose that evolutionary pressure from the plague selected for a rare mutation that offers resistance to HIV.

This mutation, which hampers the entry of harmful cells into white blood cells, has been linked to individuals who appear almost immune to HIV. Scientists suspect the mutation’s origins lie in the relentless pressure of medieval epidemics, though definitive proof remains elusive.

The mutation appears predominantly in some Europeans, not in African or Asian populations that also suffered heavily from the plague, suggesting a complex interplay of genetics and historical exposure.

6 ‘Ring Around The Rosie’ Has Nothing To Do With The Black Death

Everyone knows the nursery rhyme “Ring Around the Rosie,” but a persistent myth claims it describes the Black Death. Proponents argue that “posies” refer to covering the dead’s smell, “ashes” to the dead, and “we all fall down” to the massive mortality.

However, the earliest documented versions of the rhyme appear in the 1800s—centuries after the plague was largely under control. No historical evidence ties the song to the pandemic.

Thus, the rhyme is likely a harmless children’s game with no connection to the Black Death.

5 It Completely Changed the Economy Of Europe And Hastened The Renaissance

The Black Death was a tragedy of unimaginable scale, but it also reshaped Europe’s economic landscape, laying groundwork for the Renaissance. Pre‑plague Europe was overpopulated, depressing labor value due to excess workers.

With millions dead, labor became scarce, dramatically increasing wages for peasants and artisans. Merchants also profited, and skilled craftsmen grew in importance as their services became rare.

While not the sole cause of the Renaissance, the post‑plague shift in wealth and social mobility accelerated cultural and artistic flourishing, demonstrating humanity’s ability to thrive after catastrophe.

4 The Plague Still Kills A Handful Of People Every Year

Many think the Black Death is a thing of the past, yet Yersinia pestis persists. The bacterium still surfaces sporadically, even in North America.

Historical accounts trace its arrival in the U.S. to a lax port in San Francisco, which allowed infected individuals to slip through unchecked. From there, the plague migrated to the Southwest, causing occasional outbreaks.

Modern cases remain rare but deadly; without prompt treatment, the disease can be fatal within days. Awareness gaps can delay care, underscoring that the plague, while largely controlled, still claims lives annually.

3 The Miasma Theory And Scientific Ignorance Greatly Helped Its Spread

Before germ theory, many believed disease stemmed from “bad air” or miasma. The foul odors from waste and decay were thought to poison the lungs, prompting attempts to cleanse the environment.

Authorities tried to curb the plague by removing filth, burying the dead far from cities, and improving ventilation—measures that had some merit but missed the true cause: microscopic pathogens.

These actions reflected a budding public‑health mindset, yet incomplete scientific understanding limited their effectiveness.

2 The Origin Of ‘Quarantine’ Is Rooted In The Plague Years

While isolating the sick is ancient, the word “quarantine” emerged during the Black Death. Cities began secluding the ill for about 30 days—a period termed “trentino.”

Later, the isolation period extended to 40 days, giving rise to the term “quarantino,” which evolved into today’s “quarantine.” This practice laid the groundwork for modern disease‑control strategies.

1 Some Researchers Argue That The Culprit Was Not Yersinia Pestis

Conventional wisdom pins the Black Death on the bacterium Yersinia pestis, responsible for bubonic plague. Yet a faction of scholars questions this attribution.

These researchers, after extensive exhumations, argue that the disease’s rapid spread doesn’t align with known modern strains. Some propose a viral agent akin to Ebola, while others suggest unknown strains of Yersinia pestis may have been at play.

The debate remains unsettled, highlighting the complexities of reconstructing ancient pandemics.

Welcome to a whirlwind tour of 10 alternative theories that could reshape how you see the past. Some label them conspiracies, others call them daring hypotheses, but each packs a punch of intrigue and a dash of evidence that begs a second look.

10 The Knights Templar And The Mandaeans

The Mandaeans are an ethno‑religious community rooted in southern Iraq and southwestern Iran, whose faith—Mandaeanism—bears a striking resemblance to the Gnostic currents of Manichaeism. Scholars argue that they may have emerged either just before or alongside early Christianity.

During the Crusader era, the Mandaeans earned a reputation as master goldsmiths, a trade that likely brought them into regular contact with the Knights Templar, the famed warrior‑monks who depended heavily on regional commerce. The Mandaeans revere John the Baptist as the true savior of humanity; the Gospels recount his beheading and the grisly presentation of his head to the ruthless Salome, Herod Antipas’ step‑daughter. Curiously, after King Philip IV of France moved against the Templars, they were accused of venerating a severed, embalmed head.

Could that macabre relic have been the head of St John the Baptist? Might the Templars have absorbed Gnostic elements during their long stay in the Levant? The overlap of symbolism leaves historians chewing on an intriguing mystery.

Why These 10 Alternative Theories Matter

Each of these ideas nudges the boundaries of accepted history, reminding us that the past is often more tangled than textbook chapters suggest.

9 The Ismailis And The ‘Islamic Golden Age’

While Sunni Islam dominates numerically, the Ismailis belong to the Shia branch yet diverge from the mainstream “Twelver” doctrine, rejecting the notion of twelve successive Imams. Their openness to external ideas—Christian ethics, Greek philosophy—has often made them targets of fundamentalist regimes.

Under the Fatimid Caliphate (909‑1171), Ismaili caliphs presided over a flourishing empire. Ismaili daʿīs (missionary scholars) produced a treasure trove of texts that blended Western and Eastern esotericism, Gnosticism, and classical learning. Some scholars argue that this intellectual openness helped spark Islam’s Golden Age, facilitating the translation of Jewish, Greek, and Roman works into Arabic and Persian. Yet the rising power of the Abbasid Caliphate and entrenched Sunni orthodoxy forced Ismailis into secrecy for centuries.

8 The Bear Cult Hypothesis

Historians propose that early Indo‑European societies shared two principal cults, venerating wolves and bears alike. The wolf embodied masculine vigor and tribal might, while the bear symbolized motherhood and fertility. By the time Sanskrit’s Rigveda emerged, the bear cult’s influence had noticeably waned.

Nevertheless, traces of the bear cult survive in later literature. The Anglo‑Saxon epic Beowulf echoes the Icelandic saga of Bodvar Bjarki—literally “Battle Bear.” Moreover, the fierce “berserker” warriors of the North are thought to channel the ancient reverence for the bear, underscoring a lingering cultural memory.

7 The Original Koreans Of Japan

Today, roughly one million “Zainichi Koreans” reside in Japan, many descending from labor migrants after World II, while others trace back to the Japanese conquest of Korea in 1910. Most speak Japanese as their first language.

Genetic research from Japan’s Graduate University for Advanced Studies suggests modern Japanese may actually descend from Korean ancestors. The theory posits that the Jōmon, the archipelago’s original inhabitants, intermarried with the Yayoi—immigrants who crossed the strait from what is now Korea—shaping both language and culture. Given the historically fraught Japan‑Korea relationship, the hypothesis remains controversial.

6 The Baltic Origins Of The Ancient Greeks

Some scholars argue that Homer’s epics preserve faint memories of a Baltic ancestry for the Greeks. They claim that the Iliad and Odyssey hint at migrations down the Danube and other rivers, leading to settlement in Greece. Proponents also argue that the geographical descriptions in the Odyssey fit the Baltic or North Sea rather than the Mediterranean.

The theory, reminiscent of early 20th‑century “Nordicism,” suggests a northern ethnic root for the Greeks—a view not widely accepted. Italian engineer‑historian Felice Vinci is a chief advocate, presenting linguistic and cultural parallels to bolster his case.

5 The Masonic Conspiracies Of France

Freemasonry has long attracted conspiracy theorists, thanks to its secretive rituals, eerie symbolism, and membership among the elite. In 19th‑century France, right‑wing nationalists and devout Catholics seized on Masonic myths to explain the nation’s post‑Franco‑Prussian decline. Hoaxer‑turned‑Catholic Leo Taxil famously claimed the Freemasons worshiped the devil.

This fervor exposed possible links between Masonic rites and Gnostic Christianity. French writers, among others, have speculated that Freemasonry may share an esoteric lineage with the Knights Templar or the Ismailis, suggesting a hidden continuity of secret knowledge.

4 The Lost Jews And Muslims Of The New World

Since the 1980s, many longtime residents of New Mexico have claimed descent from Spanish “Conversos”—Jews forced to convert during the Inquisition. While outwardly Catholic, these families are believed to have quietly preserved Jewish rites. Early‑2000s DNA studies confirmed that a significant portion of modern Latinos carry Sephardic Jewish ancestry.

But Jews weren’t the only hidden group. Spanish Muslims, called “moriscos,” likely intermarried with Indigenous peoples and Catholic settlers, meaning many Latinos may also carry North‑African genetic traces linking them to Morocco and Algeria.

3 Are Modern Lebanese The True Descendants Of Phoenicia?

In 2016, researchers from the University of Otago and the Lebanese American University sequenced the complete mitochondrial genome of a 2,500‑year‑old Phoenician—dubbed the “Young Man of Byrsa”—found near Carthage, Tunisia. The analysis revealed a European U5b2c1 haplogroup, suggesting Phoenicians blended with European hunter‑gatherers and may have introduced European DNA into North Africa.

This discovery sparked fresh debate about how much Phoenician DNA persists in modern Lebanon. Some scholars argue that both Christian and Muslim Lebanese retain notable Phoenician genetic markers, reinforcing a popular belief among many Lebanese that they are culturally distinct from the broader Arab world.

2 William Shakespeare, Spy

The notion that William Shakespeare acted as a royal spy intertwines with the broader “authorship question.” One theory credits William Stanley, the sixth Earl of Derby, with penning the Bard’s plays, a claim bolstered by Jesuit spy George Fenner’s 1599 letter naming Stanley as the true author.

Supporters of Shakespeare‑as‑spy argue he may have been a covert Catholic gathering intelligence on Protestant England, or perhaps a “gentleman‑agent” directly employed by London’s intelligence network. Proponents point to Shakespeare’s correspondence, which reads like surveillance reports on the gentry, as evidence of his double life.

1 Aleister Crowley, Spy And Occult Interrogator

Aleister Crowley, dubbed “the Wickedest Man in the World,” is celebrated as a leading Western occultist. His advocacy of sex magick appears scandalous, yet some historians argue it served as a smokescreen for espionage work on behalf of the British Empire. Richard B. Spence’s book “Secret Agent 666” highlights Crowley’s limitless travel without clear funding and his wartime contacts with pro‑German circles in the United States as hallmarks of a covert operative.

One popular tale claims that during World II, Naval intelligence officer Ian Fleming (future James Bond author) recruited Crowley to interrogate Rudolf Hess in Scotland. Supposedly, Crowley grilled the Nazi deputy for hours, even serving him a fiery curry. Decades later, Crowley would surface in Fleming’s inaugural Bond novel as the villain Le Chiffre.

Your View Tell: Share Your Wishes

First off, your view tell us I’m back after my father’s passing and want to let you know I’m returning. I’ve been noticeably away, yet I’ve been watching the site from behind the curtain—though not as closely as I’d hoped. Now I’m back full‑time and ready to dive in. I’m excited to be back fully engaged.

If you’ve skimmed the recent comment threads on our lists, you’ve probably seen plenty of readers urging tweaks and upgrades across the board. This post gives you a chance to tell us exactly which types of articles you’d love to see front‑page daily, and which ones you’d rather skip. Your thoughts will guide our next steps.

No holds barred—this is our moment to gauge what I must do to keep the site thriving and bring back the golden era that existed before my hiatus. We’ll work together to restore the vibe.

Feel free to click up‑votes when you agree with a suggestion so I can tally what the community truly wants. It’s also your opportunity to flag any site concerns—be it ad placement, sluggish page loads, or anything else that bugs you. Tell us about any bugs you encounter.

1 Your View What: The Worst Beloved Film

your view what sparks curiosity for longtime readers who have stuck with us since our launch nine years ago, when we introduced the recurring segment “Your View”. The idea was simple: pose a provocative question, give our own take, then invite you to weigh in with your perspective.

This week we’re reviving the tradition, hoping it will deepen our community bonds and, more importantly, become a conduit for sharing insights across our readership.

The prompt on the table this time reads: “What Is The Worst Movie That Everyone Loves?”

My contender is the 2004 drama Crash, helmed by Paul Haggis and featuring Sandra Bullock, Ryan Phillippe, and Matt Dillon. It proudly sports a 7.8 rating on IMDb and even snagged the Best Picture Oscar at the 78th Academy Awards.

I’ve re‑watched it countless times, hoping my opinion might shift, but the film’s attempt to dramatize the scourge of racism feels more like a clumsy caricature. It’s as if someone who’s never witnessed genuine prejudice tried to illustrate it, delivering scenes that feel exaggerated and far‑fetched.

The performances have their bright spots—Ryan Phillippe, for instance, shows flashes of brilliance—but the screenplay is so heavy‑handed in preaching its moral that the actual narrative gets lost in the noise.

Critics were split as well. Some praised the ensemble cast and the film’s ambition to intertwine multiple storylines, arguing that it sparked necessary conversations about prejudice in modern society. Others dismissed it as a pretentious patchwork, claiming the interwoven narratives felt forced and that the tonal shifts left viewers uneasy.

Regardless of the divided opinions, Crash continues to enjoy a loyal fan base that applauds its bold attempt to tackle uncomfortable topics, cementing its place as a cultural touchstone that, love it or loathe it, remains impossible to ignore.

Your View How: Share Your Pandemic Experience

your view how: The Chinese coronavirus (COVID‑19) is now touching almost every person on the planet, whether for medical reasons or for the economic shock it has unleashed. From hospital wards to home office desks, the ripple effect is unmistakable. In times past we ran occasional “Your View” posts where our awesome readers swapped opinions, and those exchanges have always left us richer in perspective. Our audience tends to be smarter than the average internet wanderer, offering a broad and fascinating outlook on life.

Now it’s your turn to tell us: how is the Wuhan flu reshaping your family’s daily routine, your work‑from‑home setup, or even the way you shop for groceries? What new habits have you adopted, and which old ones have vanished? From school closures to remote learning, from travel restrictions to empty streets, the pandemic has rewritten the script of everyday life. This is a time of great concern for all of us. No matter how well the governments we have chosen respond, the world is altered and will stay altered for good. The economic fallout is extraordinary—massive bailouts, soaring inflation, and currency gymnastics are still rippling through our lives.

What picture do you paint of the world once this storm passes? Will life slide back into the “norm” we once knew, or is this the turning point toward a brand‑new age of humanity? Are we on the brink of a new era for mankind? Will technology accelerate, will remote work become permanent, will global cooperation deepen? Share your thoughts, read what fellow readers are experiencing, and help us map the road ahead. For a quick primer, check out our Top 10 Essential Facts About the Coronavirus – the only article you’ll ever need about COVID‑19. Your voice could become the compass that guides us through this unprecedented chapter.