Design
January 28, 2020

Fascinating Map Reveals the Most Common Surnames in Every Country

Today, human society is more culturally diverse than ever, but our surnames can tell us a lot about our ancestral origins. While there are plenty of lesser known last names, this map created by online lending firm NetCredit reveals the most common surnames around the world, according to each country. Surnames generally fall into 1 of 5 categories: toponymic (location-based), occupational, personal descriptor, patronymic (from the name of a father or ancestor)

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Funny
January 28, 2020

Celebrities, Artists, and Museums Are All Doing the #DollyPartonChallenge

If you’ve been on social media over the past few days, you might’ve noticed the #DollyPartonChallenge taking over your feed. The format is simple: a square is divided into four equal parts that are each labeled LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and Tinder (or Grindr). To participate, you simply fill an image in each quadrant that highlights the distinct but often subtle difference in your profile picture based on which social media site it appears on.

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Animals
January 27, 2020

Hypnotic Video of Striped Eel Catfish Walking in Unison Across the Ocean Floor

In a stunning example of group defense, a huge mass of juvenile striped eel catfish move as one to fend off predators. A video taken by Marie-Laure Vergne, an instructor at the  Abyss Dive Center Bali, shows these youngsters as they move across the ocean floor. Undulating in a mass, their movements are mesmerizing. As adults, the striped eel catfish is highly venomous and can inflict real pain.

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Illusion
January 27, 2020

Watch a Mathematician Effortlessly Fit a Large Circular Disk Through a Smaller Square Hole

Can a large circular disk fit through a small square hole? When you first picture it, it seems impossible. But thanks to Stanford University mathematician Tadashi Tokieda, you'll see that it is possible and easier than you might think. In an enlightening video by Numberphile, he demonstrates this illusion by using a cork coaster and a sheet of paper with a square hole cut into the middle of it.

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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.