Nature
December 22, 2016

391-Year-Old Bonsai Tree Survived Hiroshima Bombings and Keeps Growing

If trees could talk, this bonsai would certainly have a lot of to say. Planted in 1625, it's lived a lot of history in its nearly 400 years. Currently located at the U.S. National Arboretum in Washington, D.C., it was gifted to the United States by bonsai master Masaru Yamaki in 1976. Little did the Arboretum know that this diminutive plant held a special secret.

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Animals
December 21, 2016

Russian Deep Sea Fisherman Shares the Alien-Like Fish He Catches in the Ocean

Despite what The Little Mermaid tells us, “under the sea” can be utterly terrifying. Fisherman Roman Fedortsov knows this better than anyone. Working out of Murmansk, Russia, he regularly tweets pictures of the oddities that he catches while on the water. The deep sea fish, while fascinating, look like they’re from an ocean-themed horror film. Or, as The Moscow Times aptly described them, like monsters from Ridley Scott’s Alien.

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Animals
December 19, 2016

Determined Two-Legged Rescue Cat Learns to Walk, Run, and Jump

This special cat may only have two legs, but he doesn’t let that slow him down. Defiantly named Able, the tomcat has learned to walk, run, jump, and live a happy life with only his hind-legs. But, it hasn’t been an easy road. Four years ago, as a stray in Thailand, Able was involved in a nearly fatal accident. While chasing a bird, he fell off a roof and landed on an electrical transformer.

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Art
December 17, 2016

Street Artist Spray-Paints Colorful Optical Illusion Murals on Buildings

Shrouded in mystery, not much is known about street artist 1010. However, one thing is for certain: he knows how to turn heads. For over a decade now, the Hamburg-based artist has wowed us with his eye-catching public art and unique, portal-inspired paper creations. Now, he continues to showcase his mesmerizing murals on the sides of otherwise unassuming buildings. Like his past creations, his newer, large-scale wall pieces employ a trompe-l’oeil technique to suggest three-dimensionality.

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My Modern Met

Celebrating creativity and promoting a positive culture by spotlighting the best sides of humanity—from the lighthearted and fun to the thought-provoking and enlightening.