On Our Minds
Today's Mind-blower
10 Terrorist Plots That Failed
Since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, an estimated 54 other attacks on the U.S. have failed. And these are only the ones we know about. Some, like the underwear bomber and the shoe bomber, live on in infamy. Others are more obscure.
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people
10 Notable Copycat KillersThe media saturates us with stories of violence, but most people leave them on the page or screen. So what made these copycat killers act out?
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home
What are the dangers of mercury exposure?Mercury isn't an element to mess with. It can cause memory problems, lung damage, coordination problems and even death. But a poisonous as mercury poisoning is, it's also not that common. Who's at the highest risk?
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money
10 Worst Things to Donate After a DisasterNews about a hurricane or tornado far away impels us to want to help the survivors. But is there a right way and a wrong way to do this? Can a donation be worse than doing nothing at all?
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money
Seeing Red: Which countries owe the most?Since 2008, the global recession has threatened to topple the world's most developed and robust economies, and many wealthy nations are now saddled with burdensome debt loads. Test your knowledge of how the economic crisis has affected people from Reno to Reykjavik.
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science
What if I threw a penny off the Empire State Building?You may have heard the tale of a person who throws a penny from the Empire State Building and kills a pedestrian below. Does this story have any truth to it?
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entertainment
10 Games that Take Minutes to Learn and a Lifetime to MasterGames like chess and checkers have been around for centuries for a reason: They're very easy to learn, but difficult to master. What other games make the cut for this list?
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history
Quiz: Are you smarter than Barack Obama?The 44th U.S. president graduated from Harvard Law School and won the Nobel Peace Prize, but there's a chance you might know something he doesn't. A slight one. Take this quiz to find out.
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entertainment
Stack 'em Up: Lego Blocks QuizMany of us played with Legos when we were kids, but for some people, the fascination continues well into adulthood. So, what's up with those newfangled Lego robots? And what does Lego mean, anyway?
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history
How did Rasputin really die?He'd been shot in the back, had no pulse, and yet those piercing green eyes opened wide when his murderers shook his limp body. Why wouldn't the bearded mystic die?
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science
What is St. Elmo's Fire?Sometimes a lightning storm heralds sightings of St. Elmo's Fire. What causes the mysterious glow sailors interpreted as a sign of salvation?
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electronics
Top 10 'Star Trek' Technologies that Actually Came TrueThe characters in "Star Trek" get to wield all kinds of high-tech gadgetry. Some of these gizmos are purely science fiction. What technologies have actually come to pass?
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computer
How much do you know about Chrome?The Google Chrome Web browser is full of fun and useful features. How much do you know about Chrome? Surf through this quiz to find out!
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money
10 Ways to Make Extra Money from HomeWho couldn't use a little extra cash at some point? You may not have the time to go out and hit the pavement in search of a second job, but you could use the skills you have to get the dough you need.
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geography
Why don't we live underground?Potatoes. Moles. Time capsules. Some things just belong underground and thrive in that dark, airless environment. Humans have long preferred topsoil to the subterranean, but some designers are looking to change that.
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science
10 ‘Healthy’ Things That Aren'tYou want to eat right, but marketing and societal misconceptions can lead you away from the best choices, and some choices are good but get used in the wrong way or amounts. Get the scoop on 10 faux-healthy culprits.
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science
How does the military intercept missiles?North Korea has been threatening to strike missiles at U.S. military bases. The U.S. government says it is ready to intercept them. But what does that really mean?
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science
Are zebras black with white stripes or white with black stripes?Though some things aren't always black and white, zebras remain the exception. These animals are known for their classic colors, but are zebras black with white stripes or white with black?
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electronics
10 Myths About Video GamesVideo games have been the stuff of legend ever since they took the world by storm in the early 1980s. In fact, the video game world is so insular that you'd have to be a dedicated gamer to even hear some of these myths.
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science
Why is water vital to life?Do you ever play that game in which you select the items you'd bring if you got stuck on a desert island? Along with that treasured bootleg recording of your favorite band, we think that an endless supply of water should be at the top of your list. Here's why.
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history
Why did Lady Godiva take a naked horse ride?The name is synonymous with fine chocolates and a tawdry costume. But just who was Lady Godiva? And what inspired her to disrobe and ride through town?
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science
What existed before the big bang?So much of our cosmological history starts with the much-discussed big bang, but what led up to that cataclysmic moment? And did time even exist back then?
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auto
10 Problems Cars Can Diagnose By ThemselvesModern cars and trucks can keep track of their own health. The problem often comes when they try to communicate their information to the driver. How does your car talk to you?
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people
How Miranda Rights WorkAny viewer of a TV cop show knows the Miranda rights. They include the rights to remain silent, to have an attorney and so on. Why are they called the Miranda rights, and why must U.S. police recite them to arrestees?
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