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Archive: 2015

Browse through our history of obscure stories.
Browse By Year 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 December Let's Drop the Ball Again Let's Drop the Ball Again December 31, 2015 Let's Drop the Ball Again The state of our tedium in 2016 is pretty freaking weird, and as it turns out, we're not producing most of the tedious stuff. Frozen Karma's Gonna Get You Frozen Karma's Gonna Get You December 29, 2015 Frozen Karma's Gonna Get You The Klondike bar's catchy slogan isn't just marketing talk. The ice cream novelty was subject to a legal saga that nearly went to the Supreme Court. Stocking Stinkers: A Tedium Gift Guide Stocking Stinkers: A Tedium Gift Guide December 21, 2015 Stocking Stinkers: A Tedium Gift Guide For the people at the end of your gift list, here's a gift guide with recommendations for things that you may not have considered. For good reason. The Shell Game The Shell Game December 17, 2015 The Shell Game If you're looking to start a shell company and don't want anyone to know, it's really easy. Hey, Sheldon Adelson did it. Lithium's on Fire Lithium's on Fire December 10, 2015 Lithium's on Fire Could lithium become the new gold, or even the new oil? The increasing need for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries may change the world's mineral appetite. Trippin' On A Hole In A Paper Heart Trippin' On A Hole In A Paper Heart December 8, 2015 Trippin' On A Hole In A Paper Heart If Stone Temple Pilots were to continue on in the wake of Scott Weiland's death, it wouldn't be an unheard-of phenomenon. Just ask The Doors and Sublime. What's Your Gimmick? What's Your Gimmick? December 3, 2015 What's Your Gimmick? The numerous ways, throughout television history, that networks have tried to convince us to keep watching. Often, they're big failures. Cruis'n USA Cruis'n USA December 2, 2015 Cruis'n USA From the road that is literally a straight line to the tiny town with its own freeway, here's the weirdest stuff about interstate highways we could find. November Everything Must Go Everything Must Go November 24, 2015 Everything Must Go When a retailer fails—whether at a single location or company-wide—their first instinct is often to discount the crap nobody wanted to buy. Here's why. Enuf is Enough Enuf is Enough November 19, 2015 Enuf is Enough Words and grammar don't just show up in the dictionary or style guide by accident. Quite often, they're lobbied for—sometimes by super-rich people. Throw Away Your Rake Throw Away Your Rake November 12, 2015 Throw Away Your Rake The National Wildlife Federation says you should give the leaf blower a rest this fall. Your constantly-annoyed neighbors think you should, too. Take a look at me. Now. Take a look at me. Now. November 10, 2015 Take a look at me. Now. Phil Collins doesn't deserve the scathing criticism he receives—he's one of the most creative minds in rock history, and he's an amazing drummer. Really. Contractually Obligated to Suck Contractually Obligated to Suck November 3, 2015 Contractually Obligated to Suck Actors, musicians, and companies sometimes make creative decisions for the worst possible reason: Because they legally have to. The result is usually awful. October Identifying a Real Fake Identifying a Real Fake October 29, 2015 Identifying a Real Fake Trying to pull a fast one on the cashier? Good luck with that. Fake IDs look closer to the real thing than ever, but (news flash) they're still fake. The Neighbors You Love to Hate The Neighbors You Love to Hate October 27, 2015 The Neighbors You Love to Hate The rise of homeowners associations is sort of like a microcosm of pettiness and slights, except way dumber. Generic Internet Article Generic Internet Article October 22, 2015 Generic Internet Article Private labels are a common strategy retailers use to keep profits in house, but fortunately for everyone, house brands are a lot less boring these days. An Escalating Danger An Escalating Danger October 20, 2015 An Escalating Danger Mitch Hedberg's famous joke about escalators turning into stairs when they break isn't as funny as it sounds. Why? Because escalators are dangerous. I'll Have Water, Please I'll Have Water, Please October 15, 2015 I'll Have Water, Please Americans expect a glass of water by default with their sit-down restaurant meal. Why is it such a big deal, and how much water are we wasting, anyway? Plug It In, Plug It In Plug It In, Plug It In October 13, 2015 Plug It In, Plug It In Want to charge your phone in a new country? Better bring an adapter with you. Why are power outlets so frustrating? Blame bad decisions made decades ago. September A Game Boy For Math A Game Boy For Math September 24, 2015 A Game Boy For Math Educators had a love-hate relationship with graphing calculators when they launched, but students loved them because they were great for games. Swiss Army Life Swiss Army Life September 22, 2015 Swiss Army Life Don't let the neutral status of Switzerland fool you: The Swiss know a thing or two about knives, and the Swiss Army Knife is the height of great design. Bottles and Cans and Just Clap Your Hands Bottles and Cans and Just Clap Your Hands September 17, 2015 Bottles and Cans and Just Clap Your Hands About ten states have bottle deposit laws—measures designed to get you to bring your bottles back for recycling. Why aren't they more common? Let's Get Profane Let's Get Profane September 15, 2015 Let's Get Profane Swearing is often seen as a societal taboo that defines class or social level. Let's be honest, though: Profanity has more bark than bite. Genuine Imitation Leather Genuine Imitation Leather September 8, 2015 Genuine Imitation Leather It looks like the real thing, but pleather is fake and plastic. Whether or not that bothers you is based on your opinion of leather, probably. Format War Footnotes Format War Footnotes September 4, 2015 Format War Footnotes Laserdisc, anyone? How about HitClips? And what's the deal with slotMusic? All these media formats were made for some reason. We're not sure why. The Stupidity of Making the Bed The Stupidity of Making the Bed September 1, 2015 The Stupidity of Making the Bed Making your bed every morning is the most dumb, useless waste of five minutes ever created. You should stop right now because you're wasting your time. August Deep Dish Deep Dish August 27, 2015 Deep Dish For a short period in the early 1980s, giant satellite dishes ruled the land. It was a rare moment when big telecom wasn't in control. That quickly changed. Live and Let Dye Live and Let Dye August 25, 2015 Live and Let Dye These days, artificial food coloring is seen as a major health risk—admittedly, for good reason in some cases. But, shockingly, things used to be way worse. Tape Deck Heart Tape Deck Heart August 20, 2015 Tape Deck Heart Vinyl records are getting all the buzz these days, but what about magnetic tapes? They're just as quirky—whether we're talking VCR or reel-to-reel. This'll Blow You Away This'll Blow You Away August 18, 2015 This'll Blow You Away The hand dryer, after a long period of stagnation, has become a hotbed of innovation in recent years. Who knew sanitation could be so forward-thinking? How The Fake Sausage Is Made How The Fake Sausage Is Made August 13, 2015 How The Fake Sausage Is Made Veggie burgers and similar products are downright common these days, but it took a long time for meat analogues to earn respect at the table. A Phone Book For Computers A Phone Book For Computers August 12, 2015 A Phone Book For Computers Before we used the internet to find computer parts, we used Computer Shopper, a magazine that commonly had over 800 pages in a single issue. Really. A Tale of Creative Destruction A Tale of Creative Destruction August 6, 2015 A Tale of Creative Destruction In the early '90s, a UK acid house duo called The KLF briefly became the country's biggest act. Then, they threw it all away and burned the money for art. Fake Metal Trees Fake Metal Trees August 4, 2015 Fake Metal Trees Despite the obvious advantages of cell towers for communication, they're a common source of tension for local communities. Here's why. July My Hands Are Burning My Hands Are Burning July 30, 2015 My Hands Are Burning If you're going to cut jalapenos, wear gloves. I didn't, and I had a pretty rough night. Here's my story. I Want to Live Like Common People I Want to Live Like Common People July 28, 2015 I Want to Live Like Common People Why rich people really love to pretend to be poor every once in a while, just like in Pulp's "Common People." We're Going Viral We're Going Viral July 23, 2015 We're Going Viral The computer virus has been around for more than 40 years now, and it's caused lots of panic (and occasionally some damage) over the years. But don't freak. I Got The Munchies I Got The Munchies July 21, 2015 I Got The Munchies When the bar closes or the house party is broken up by the cops, college food suddenly seems like the best thing ever. Check out these dorm-room favorites. Big in Brazil Big in Brazil July 16, 2015 Big in Brazil The Sega Master System was an also-ran in the United States, but in Brazil, it's still on the market—and still moving units. Here's how it happened. Outside-the-Bottle Thinking Outside-the-Bottle Thinking July 14, 2015 Outside-the-Bottle Thinking Dr. Bronner's recently redesigned their famously dense label. Here's how it came to be, and where modern bottle design stands. Bad Education Bad Education July 9, 2015 Bad Education Growing up as a child actor is a pretty tough life. Not even your education is guaranteed to be good. Burn After Reading Burn After Reading July 7, 2015 Burn After Reading Controversial literature that lives at the very edge of the First Amendment plays an important societal role: It tests exactly what we can say. June The Game Genie Generation The Game Genie Generation June 30, 2015 The Game Genie Generation For manchildren of a certain age, the Game Genie opened up a new world of opportunity for boring games—and had a profound effect on copyright law. A Cromulent Exercise A Cromulent Exercise June 26, 2015 A Cromulent Exercise Popular culture and life experiences have a crazy way of influencing the way that we talk and use words. Perfectly cromulent, if you ask us. A Machine That Gives You Stuff A Machine That Gives You Stuff June 25, 2015 A Machine That Gives You Stuff Vending machines have a long, storied history that dates back to … whaddya mean I can't get my candy bar out of this stupid thing?! Your Money Is Worthless Here Your Money Is Worthless Here June 23, 2015 Your Money Is Worthless Here From coupons to Zimbabwean dollars, sometimes currency turns out to be worth a lot less than it initially seems. When Pyramids Collapse When Pyramids Collapse June 18, 2015 When Pyramids Collapse Pyramid schemes, ponzi schemes, and other types of scams have taken in many suckers over the years. Are you one of those suckers? Get Off My Lawn Get Off My Lawn June 15, 2015 Get Off My Lawn Lawn mowers are a relatively new phenomenon that made grass-cutting something the average person could do. Before that, it was a game for the elites. The First 12 Cost A Penny, But … The First 12 Cost A Penny, But … June 11, 2015 The First 12 Cost A Penny, But … In the 1980s and 1990s, Columbia House could do no wrong—as a way to get music, the mail-order service was cheap and easy at first. Then, the bills came. Give Us Some Credit Give Us Some Credit June 9, 2015 Give Us Some Credit Credit cards were our first gateway to a cashless society—but magnetic stripes didn't always rule the day. Here's how credit cards have evolved. Who Keeps the Metric System Down? We Do Who Keeps the Metric System Down? We Do June 4, 2015 Who Keeps the Metric System Down? We Do The metric system may be popular nearly everywhere else in the world, but it's failed to win over the Americans. Here's why. In Front Of The Music In Front Of The Music June 2, 2015 In Front Of The Music Lists of the worst album covers ever have been around forever, but often it's the images that spread—not the stories behind the albums. Let's fix that. May Livin' on the Edge Livin' on the Edge May 28, 2015 Livin' on the Edge People will always push the edges of creativity when they can—that's why we have Marilyn Manson. Today's issue analyzes art and decency. Worst. Birthday. Ever. Worst. Birthday. Ever. May 26, 2015 Worst. Birthday. Ever. The traditional song "Happy Birthday" is definitive proof that just because a song is traditional doesn't mean it isn't copyrighted. The Invention Of News The Invention Of News May 21, 2015 The Invention Of News The field of public relations is still built on a single foundational tool—the press release. Why do we still use them? Well, for the companies, they work. This One's For The Wounded This One's For The Wounded May 19, 2015 This One's For The Wounded We haven't had Band-Aids forever—only for the last century or so. So what did we use for bandages before then? Well … Diaspora: Not Just A Forgotten Social Network Diaspora: Not Just A Forgotten Social Network May 14, 2015 Diaspora: Not Just A Forgotten Social Network When a culture permanently shifts to a new home, a diaspora spreads—and sometimes it creates a fascinating cultural pocket of its own. We're Literally Navel-Gazing We're Literally Navel-Gazing May 12, 2015 We're Literally Navel-Gazing A good sign that you're a human is the existence of a belly button. Everyone has one, and everyone participates in acts of navel gazing sometimes. Ted Turner's Satellite Of Love Ted Turner's Satellite Of Love May 7, 2015 Ted Turner's Satellite Of Love These days, Ted Turner's media mogul status is just a footnote, but when he turned TBS into a superstation in the '70s, he remade television forever. 1.) Learn About Lists 2.) See Item 1 1.) Learn About Lists 2.) See Item 1 May 5, 2015 1.) Learn About Lists 2.) See Item 1 Lists are one of the most important writing tools we have, and we love using them frequently. Here's where they came from, and why they work so well. House Of Product Cards House Of Product Cards May 5, 2015 House Of Product Cards We see product placement in TV shows and movies so often these days that we don't even think about it. That's partly because it's been around forever. April I Believe In Symmetry I Believe In Symmetry April 30, 2015 I Believe In Symmetry Why are we attracted to things that have perfect symmetry, that match up on either side? It might have something to do with the way our brains are wired. Searching For The Perfect Tones Searching For The Perfect Tones April 28, 2015 Searching For The Perfect Tones Guitars, bass, piano, and drums aren't the only way to make a tune. Check out the story of these unusual musical instruments—and the folks who played them. This Land Is My Land This Land Is My Land April 23, 2015 This Land Is My Land Not everyone recognizes many micronations, but that hasn't stopped people from creating them and keeping them going. Just ask the fine folks of Sealand. Tell It To The Judge Tell It To The Judge April 21, 2015 Tell It To The Judge Since the dawn of television, court shows—whether actually based on real life or heavily dramatized—have become a cheap, sustainable viewing staple. Walk on the Vinyl Side Walk on the Vinyl Side April 16, 2015 Walk on the Vinyl Side Before Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Lou Reed became an rock icon, he cut his teeth on producing soundalike recordings. People are still making 'em today. Forget Rand Paul, Let's Talk Paul Rand Forget Rand Paul, Let's Talk Paul Rand April 14, 2015 Forget Rand Paul, Let's Talk Paul Rand Paul Rand, the graphic designer, has a Rand Paul problem: The headline-chewing politician is hiding the famed designer's legacy on Google. Here's why. Don't Mess With The Michelin Man Don't Mess With The Michelin Man April 9, 2015 Don't Mess With The Michelin Man How did a tire manufacturer create an essential restaurant guide? And what other unusual side businesses do brand-name companies have? We investigate. I'm Older Than You'll Ever Be I'm Older Than You'll Ever Be April 7, 2015 I'm Older Than You'll Ever Be Becoming the world's oldest person is an immensely tough job, but someone's got to do it. Meet the people who have managed to pull it off. Take Me Out To The Riot Take Me Out To The Riot April 2, 2015 Take Me Out To The Riot From "Disco Sucks" to a jilted city turning on its own team, baseball riots are among the most entertaining you'll find. March An Unexpected Murder Ballad An Unexpected Murder Ballad March 26, 2015 An Unexpected Murder Ballad There's a chance that the song you're hearing on the radio isn't saying what you think it is. Today, we dig into pop music's oddest contradictions. Here’s A Bright Idea Here’s A Bright Idea March 24, 2015 Here’s A Bright Idea The electric light bulb was one of the greatest inventions ever created, and lighting has only gotten better from there. Enlighten yourself. You Can't Do That On The Internet You Can't Do That On The Internet March 21, 2015 You Can't Do That On The Internet The early Nickelodeon show "You Can't Do That on Television" was built for kids, by kids. Trying to re-create it today would only end in tears. The History of Internet Explorer Hatred The History of Internet Explorer Hatred March 19, 2015 The History of Internet Explorer Hatred Microsoft's Internet Explorer was one of the earliest things that made tech users really freaking mad. It gave those users something to fight against. You Probably Don't Understand Watches You Probably Don't Understand Watches March 12, 2015 You Probably Don't Understand Watches If you dislike the Apple Watch, sorry to hear that. Now, let us show you some other watches you definitely can't afford. Bootleg This Issue Bootleg This Issue March 10, 2015 Bootleg This Issue Bootlegged movies and music are fairly common online these days, but it was a guy who worked at an opera who got things going. Vulcan Creativity Vulcan Creativity March 3, 2015 Vulcan Creativity The late Leonard Nimoy may have been shoehorned by fame a bit, but he never let that get in the way of his creativity. Nor should you. February Despite All My Rage … Despite All My Rage … February 24, 2015 Despite All My Rage … Why does it seem like everyone's always angry about everything? We're not sure, but hopefully we can figure it out with some psychology. You're a Winner You're a Winner February 19, 2015 You're a Winner We don't know when the Oscars are, but we bet you might learn something from this post about award show trivia. Tales Of The Interwebs Tales Of The Interwebs February 17, 2015 Tales Of The Interwebs Protecting internet history is an important task, so we've taken it upon ourselves to save some of the best stories. Hay, Blinken! Hay, Blinken! February 12, 2015 Hay, Blinken! Abraham Lincoln may be the greatest president ever … in terms of the crazy cultural crap he inspires. Evolution, Televised Evolution, Televised February 10, 2015 Evolution, Televised Weird television has a way of sucking you in, remaining appealing despite its oddity. Grown Folks Dancing is only the latest example of a longtime trend. PC LOAD LETTER PC LOAD LETTER February 5, 2015 PC LOAD LETTER Office supply stores are places that nobody feels nostalgic about. Everyone should hate them. Here’s why. 8-Bit Archaeology 8-Bit Archaeology February 3, 2015 8-Bit Archaeology Retro gaming is a culture that holds a soft spot for any kid born in the '70s or '80s. Here's a deep dive into the world of retro gaming enthusiasts. January Quitting is OK Quitting is OK January 29, 2015 Quitting is OK Blogger Andrew Sullivan's decision to quit daily blogging is the kind of decision that everyone else eventually makes when they quit stuff. Brand bastardizations Brand bastardizations January 27, 2015 Brand bastardizations Sometimes, companies do things that go against our expectations of their brand. Often, the result can be awful. Check out these examples of brand weirdness. LOUD NOISES LOUD NOISES January 22, 2015 LOUD NOISES If you like loud noises, you're probably crazy, but you might really like this blog post as a result. State of the #SOTU State of the #SOTU January 20, 2015 State of the #SOTU The State of the Union address wasn't always a big deal. You can credit (or blame) Woodrow Wilson and evolving technology for changing that. Sodium Chloride? So Crazy. Sodium Chloride? So Crazy. January 15, 2015 Sodium Chloride? So Crazy. Salt is an immensely valuable resource, though if you sign us up for a Salt of the Month club, we'll have to stop being friends. Genealogy for Fanbois Genealogy for Fanbois January 13, 2015 Genealogy for Fanbois If there's a cartoon or TV show you really love, it probably has a surprisingly deep family tree. Just ask Scrooge McDuck. The Great Muppet Email The Great Muppet Email January 8, 2015 The Great Muppet Email How Jim Henson's life's work became the longest overnight success story in history—and how the Muppets went international. Meet The Internet's First Hater Meet The Internet's First Hater January 6, 2015 Meet The Internet's First Hater Before it became cool to dislike things online, a guy named David Mirsky was snarking heavily on Mirsky's Worst of the Web. Time To Drop The Ball. Time To Drop The Ball. January 1, 2015 Time To Drop The Ball. Just in time for New Year's, here's the first issue of Tedium, the dull side of the internet.