Ancient cultures had some really bizarre ways of handling wrongdoing, that even today we can admit are a bit too much. Some people were even punished without even receiving a fair trial – as is still seen today, despite the many technological advances! And they were often carried out in the public eye for two main reasons – to strike fear in the hearts of potential offenders and for pure amusement. Whether they were over-the-top or not is for you to decide. Here are five punishments that really didn’t fit the crime.

1. Poena Cullei – Sewn in a Bag

The Ancient Romans held family in high regard, and bringing harm to one’s parents or relatives brought on one of the worst possible punishments one could suffer. It was called the “Poena Cullei,” or “sewn in a bag” in the English language. Not only was the accused sewn shut in a leather sack, but they had to share that tight space with a monkey, rooster, snake and dog. But it didn’t end there, and the sack was often hurled into the sea for good measure. It was all sorts of cruel – if the animals didn’t take them out, the sea definitely did.

2. Boiling

Could you imagine being boiled, like you would a crab or lobster? In a large metal container filled with water, wax, oil or wine no less? That was Emperor Nero’s go-to execution method for early Christians who he considered rebellious because of their faith. King Henry VIII was also a fan of boiling people, especially those guilty of treason or harming their masters or husbands with poison. It was a really slow and unbelievably painful process that went on for at least two hours. And everyone was free to watch since it was a public event.

3. Scaphism

Scaphism, or “the boats” as it was known, was reserved especially for those who were accused of harming royalty – even without evidence. First, they were bound, then trapped between two boats or tree trunks and placed in a swamp. Next, they were force-fed a mixture of honey and milk that was also spread all over their body. The mixture gave them uncontrollable diarrhea and attracted lots of wild animals, rats and insects that gnawed at them. Awful, right? Dehydration, exposure to the elements or being eaten alive eventually got the best of them in the end.

4. Keelhauling

Disloyalty is a quick way to get on anyone’s bad side and for the Dutch army, keelhauling was the perfect way to teach traitors a valuable lesson. The offender would be tied with a rope to a ship, then dragged underwater from left to right as it sailed through a body of water. Doesn’t sound bad at first, but the real damage was that the ship’s bottom or keel tore them apart, or they would simply drown. It wasn’t always fatal, and those who did survive, were left disfigured with horrible scars that served as a reminder of their treachery.

5. Torture by Rats

This one is less of a punishment and more of a torture method. It was especially favored by governments as a way to extract information from prisoners or simply to teach them a lesson. Long story short, a bucket with a hungry or diseased rat underneath it, would be placed on a suspect’s bare chest or stomach. The bucket would be heated up and, in a frenzy to get out of the heat, the rat would create its own exit, even if it had to go through the prisoner.  Those who managed to survive, which were very few, were left with some grave wounds.

The legal system was put in place to ensure our safety and well-being. But nothing in life is perfect and there are plenty of loopholes in the laws that make it A-okay for sketchy people to get away with the messed up things they do. Unfortunately, it will most likely take a really long time before the government actually does something about it. Below are just five of those really terrible things that are entirely legal.

1. Caller ID Spoofing?

In case you didn’t know, caller ID spoofing is when someone deliberately disguises their identity by falsifying the information transmitted to your caller ID display. People do this for a number of reasons, the most common one being to extract sensitive information from you so they could steal your identity or hack your bank account. Other times it could be for revenge, such as the case where a woman pretended to be her mistress’ doctor and prescribed her the wrong medication, causing a miscarriage. And according to the law, faking your caller ID is completely fine.

2. Pyramid Schemes

Pyramid schemes are another nasty one where shady companies disguised as legit organizations lure in desperate people with the hope of accumulating wealth. Once you’re in, they encourage you to pay admission fees then recruit more members so you can get paid commissions. The new members unwittingly follow the same pattern and scheme continues. They are basically wolves in sheep’s clothing, never delivering on their so-called promises, only draining the bank accounts of unsuspecting citizens. The government has managed to shut down a few, but many of them still operate freely with zero regulations.

3. Colorado Felony Murder Crime

In Colorado, there’s an absurd law called felony murder, where a judge can sentence someone for life without any possibility for parole, simply because they were involved in a murder. And it doesn’t even matter if they weren’t the ones to do it. Like that time a Colorado woman was charged with felony murder after her male accomplice (who got away) killed a police officer while fleeing from a bank robbery. Some legislators are trying to get this law repealed, since there are many people serving unfair sentences for crimes they didn’t even commit.

4. Sketchy Supplements?

As mentioned earlier, there are many shady organizations out there, and a handful of them have found a way to cash in on people’s growing distrust of Big Pharma. They claim to provide natural cures for a variety of diseases, but may inadvertently be getting people sicker instead. You see, these supplements haven’t undergone any scientific research or testing, so there’s no telling what the side effects could be. And according to the law, they can’t be regulated by the FDA due to the “natural cure” tag. This means that you won’t be legally compensated if you suffer some adverse reaction.

5. Secret Recordings

So, it turns out that it is perfectly fine in some states for someone to record you, as long as they’re in a relationship with you or have invited you somehow. This is already off-putting, but the worst part of it all is that these recordings can be used as evidence against you in a court of law. What was supposed to be a private conversation could easily become the reason why you’re sitting in prison. Spouses aren’t exempt from this either, and recordings can and have been against them during divorce proceedings. Long story short, your consent doesn’t matter when it comes to being secretly recorded – and the law says it’s fine.

Humans have inhabited the planet for quite a few centuries and in that time, they’ve mostly figured out what’s healthy, what’s not and what you should stay away from. Many people got sick testing out new foods, but there are some of us who don’t seem to mind taking chances with the things we put in our mouths. Despite knowing that there are people who have died after trying such “delicacies”, that hasn’t stopped the rest of the world from staying away, if anything, it has made the foods more appealing. Here’s a list of some of the most dangerous foods that are available for consumption. 

1. Blood Clams 

There’s always a risk when filter feeders like clams, krill and some whales are eaten, but that danger increases exponentially when a person eats blood clams. Native to waters of Southeast Asia, blood clams are so named because of the large amounts of hemoglobin in their blood. The problem with eating these is that the clams filter at least 10 gallons of bacteria and virus-filled water every day. The bacteria and viruses are not always filtered out so any person who ingests them risks exposure to dysentery, typhoid, Hepatitis A and E and norovirus. The risk of infection with eating blood clams is 15% and they’re banned in some parts of the world.

2. Pufferfish 

Mainstream media like SpongeBob SquarePants and Finding Nemo has taught us that pufferfish are fun creatures that “blow up” from time to time. Food history on the other hand, tells a different story. Pufferfish contain tetrodotoxin, a very powerful and potent neurotoxin that when ingested causes numbness, headaches, and vomiting. In severe cases, it can cause muscle paralysis, cardiac arrhythmias, and death in as little as 20 minutes. The worst part is that the person remains conscious throughout the entire ordeal. The toxin is 200 times deadlier than cyanide and in places like Japan, a chef must have a license (that takes at least 3 years) to prepare it. 

3. Kaester Hákarl 

The thought or sound of eating fermented shark does not appeal to the masses but the delicacy is a staple in many Icelandic households. Kaester Hákarl or Hákarl for short, is made from the meat and skin of a Greenland shark which doesn’t sound that bad. The problem is that this species of shark does not have kidneys or a urinary tract, so its waste is filtered out through its skin, making it poisonous. In order to ensure that it is safe to ingest it has to be hang-dried and fermented for no less than six months. People who have tried it have described it as “the single worst terrible tasting thing” they’ve eaten. 

4. Ackee 

Ackee, the national fruit of Jamaica, is extremely difficult to find, not only because it has to be imported, but also because it contains a poison known as hypoglycin. Although the fruit can be eaten, ingesting it before it is ripe can cause a phenomenon known as Jamaican Vomiting Sickness – rapid onset vomiting that if becomes frequent, could lead to death. It could also cause convulsions, delirium, hepatitis, and shock. The seeds are extremely toxic, and it is advised that the fruit is only eaten after it has opened. In 2001, 50 people died from Ackee fruit intoxication. 

5. Live Octopus

Many people would decline the offer to have live octopus, but there are some people who would jump at the opportunity to try it. The dish, known as San-naki is a Korean delicacy, that is basically a baby octopus that was recently slayed. Despite being dead, the octopus’ tentacles continue to move and when sesame oil is added, it violently twitches, giving it the illusion of being alive. Although octopi can be eaten raw, the danger with eating these baby octopi is that the suction cups on their tentacles still work. When swallowed, the octopus feels like it is trying to work its way back up. There is also a danger that it will block the airways. It is estimated that six people die from attempting to eat them every year. 

Doomsday is defined as “the end of the world or a time when something truly catastrophic will happen.” Whether it be by a meteor collision, famine or Christ coming to earth, many people believe that the “world is going to end” and some have taken steps to ensure that they and their possessions are going to survive, along with the cockroaches. There are also organizations that have taken steps to ensure the survival of the species, our culture and even cookies. Here are some of the most amazing doomsday vaults to be constructed.  

1. Svalbard Global Seed Vault

Located on the frozen islands of Svalbard, Norway where the polar bears vastly outnumber its people, is the Svalbard Global Seed Fault (SGSV). The large rectangular doors which lead into a vault that was made to last 10,000 years is home to the largest collection of seeds ever created. Collected over a time period of 70 years, SGSV contains 1.5 billion seeds from around the world, just enough to reseed the planet were a catastrophic event to ever occur. The vault cost Norway $9 million to construct, while billionaire and environment advocate Bill Gates covered the cost of shipping the seeds to Norway. 

2. Frozen Zoo

The San Diego Zoo is one of the world’s top tier zoos as they not only taken steps to ensure the survival of the animals that are on earth now, but they’ve also taken steps to preserve those animals. In the early 1970s, they began collecting rare animal hides which, thanks to stem cell technology, can be transformed into cells capable of producing sperm and egg cells. Those cells can be combined to form an embryo which then allows for the recovery of endangered species. As of April 2021, the Zoo’s collection includes samples form 8,400 species ranging from pandas and whales to gorillas. 

3. Arctic World Archive

While other organizations plan to preserve plant, animal and human specimen, the Arctic World Archive (AWA) is home to a different kind of collection. In the event of an unforeseen disaster, the AWA contains 21 terabytes of source software of the world’s most prized artwork, literature, and religious documents. Housed in a decommissioned coalmine near the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, the software is preserved on high-solution photosensitive reels that were designed for longevity. Additionally, the creators provided instruction in five languages as to how to convert them to usable files. 

4. Global Microbiota Vault

The word microbe often conjures up an image of microscopic organisms that cause disease, and while it is true for some, there are microbes without which we would not be able to survive. The human microbiota, which includes fungi, bacteria, and viruses, perform vital roles in the body, especially in the immune and digestive system. Over the last several decades, scientists have noticed a significant decline in these beneficial microbes leading them to make plans for a biobank. The Global Microbiota Vault would need to be diversified, with specimen being collected from all corners of the world. It will also cost millions to staff and maintain, but if it ensures the survival of healthy humans, then it is a cost that must be paid. 

5. Global Oreo Vault

While most people think about storing artwork, history, and specimen for the future, one company set out to make sure that the people of tomorrow have their sweet tooths satisfied. In October 2020, the construction of the Global Oreo Vault was completed. The cookie company decided to create the fortress to ensure that their cookies and recipes had a chance against a potential catastrophe. Located just down the way from and based on the designs used by the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, Oreo’s vault contains mylar wrapped cookies to help withstand changes in moisture and temperature. They’ve also gone the extra mile by also storing powdered milk to have with the cookies.

Virtually any and every thing can be found on the internet and unfortunately, many of those things can be bought and sold on the world wide web. We’ve seen and heard of rare items being sold at online auctions, but we seldom hear about the bizarre things being marketed on the net. Here’s a list of the strangest things that people have tried to sell online. 

1. Sperm Whale Carcass

In 2014, a 40-foot-long dead sperm whale by the name of George, washed up on Cape St. George beach in Newfoundland. The locals were told that they were responsible for disposing of the animal which proved to be a challenge. They first rented a 50-foot-long boat to tow it to sea, but the boat was not strong enough. Within a week, the whale began to smell, and the desperate mayor turned to the internet for assistance. Believing that it was okay, Mayor Peter Fenwick put the animal carcass up for auction and by the time that it was discovered and pulled by eBay, the auction was at $2,000. Fortunately for him, a large swell returned the carcass to the sea.

2. Celebrity Air

Films like Spaceballs and The Lorax have explored the idea of selling air, but they probably didn’t realize that it would become a reality just a few years later. Countries with high levels of pollution like China and India sell “clean air” while there are some who bag and sell air, from different locations. There are others who have claimed to capture and sell celebrity air, which has become a big business. In 2015, a fan who went to a Yeezus concert placed his Ziploc bag of Kanye West air on eBay with an asking price of $5. 90 bids later, people were willing to pay $60,000 for each of the 20 bags of Kanye air. It became such a phenomenon that his then wife Kim Kardashian tweeted “wow, he can sell anything!”

3. A Human Soul 

Websites like eBay have very strict policies against selling human and animal parts, dead or alive. They also have policies against selling souls because “if the soul does not exist, eBay could not allow the auctioning because it would be selling nothing”, but these rules have not stopped people from trying. In 2008, a man tried to auction his soul for 25,000.50 pounds or $37,500. In his post, he would send updates on his soul and a percentage of his band’s earnings. Additionally, there was a clause where he was allowed to buy his soul back for 100,000,000 pounds or $150,000,000.  

4. Crypt Above Marilyn Monroe

Over the last few decades, obsessing over items owned by celebrities or being next to celebrities has grown to the point where people are willing to spend big bucks. In 1962, Marilyn Monroe was laid to rest in a mausoleum at the Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park. The crypt above belonged to ex Joe DiMaggio who then sold it to entrepreneur Richard Poncher shortly after their divorce. Poncher requested to be buried face down in the casket so that he could gaze upon her. Two decades later, his widow removed her husband’s remains and tried to auction off the crypt to help pay off her $1.6 million mortgage. Bidding reached $4.6 million, but when it was time to pay up, all 11 bidders backed out. 

5. Harambe-shaped Cheeto

Pareidolia is a general term for seeing patterns in random things, like in the clouds. For centuries, people have been seeing such a phenomenon in food and have been making lots of money from it. In 2008, a Texan man purchased a cornflake shaped like Illinois for $1,350. A few years later, a Cheeto shaped like Superman in flight went for $5,000. In 2017, a Flamin’ Hot Cheeto shaped like the world-famous gorilla Harambe, was sold for almost $100,000.

The English language can be pretty confusing at times. Maybe the peculiar spellings, grammar rules and borrowing from other languages have something to do with it. And then there’s the fact that we have phrases known as idioms that cannot be taken literally because they mean something else entirely. We use them on a daily basis in just about every conversation, but have you ever stopped to think about their origins? If so, have a look at the backstories of some of the most popular idioms you use every day.

1. Pardon my French

Where did we get the idea to say “pardon my French” after a couple of swear words slipped out of our mouths? Well, this one goes back all the way to the 1800s, where educated folks would throw in a couple of French phrases in their speech. After realizing that the other person did not pick up what was said, they would apologize by saying, “pardon my French.” Eventually, we started associating it with our colorful vocabulary rather than actual French.

2. To Hit the Hay

What does hitting hay have to do with going to sleep? For starters, mattresses used to be made of straw and not the soft, fluffy materials we’re used to today. Talk about uncomfortable… and itchy. So, it wouldn’t have been much of a stretch when someone mentioned they were going to “hit the hay” at bedtime. It must’ve been quite catchy, because the phrase stuck around even long after mattresses were no longer made of straw. 

3. Bury the Hatchet

You may not have known this, but “bury the hatchet” comes from an ancient Native American custom. During a peace treaty ceremony, the two chiefs of warring tribes would literally bury their axes to symbolize the end of their feud. There is even an old Iroquois tribe legend that recounts how five nations formed an alliance and buried their weapons under a tree to officiate the new peace. What was once an act of peace among the native people, is now a common saying today.

4. Take a Rain Check

This one has its origins in baseball, well 1870s baseball to be exact. If you’re a fan of the sport, you’d already know how bad weather ruins everything. So when it rained out during a baseball game, the relevant teams would reissue tickets for the delayed games. As time went by, these tickets were nicknamed “rain checks” by fans. It wasn’t until the 1890s that the phrase became associated with turning down an offer with the implication of accepting it at a later date.

5. Bite the Bullet

Like many of the above listed idioms, this one started off with a more literal meaning. And there are at least two origin stories. The first is that as part of an old practice in battlefield medicine, patients were given either a piece of leather or a bullet to bite down on during surgery. The other origin story is that soldiers bit down on bullets to prevent themselves from crying out during disciplinary punishment as it was a point of pride in some regiments to remain stoic throughout the whippings. Doesn’t really matter which came first because the phrase quickly became part of our everyday speech.

 

Back in the old days, fairytales weren’t just something created to lull children to sleep, but it was a way to teach them valuable lessons that would guide them throughout adulthood. Today, many of us seem to have forgotten the valuable gems that were hidden in those stories and that are still very much applicable to life today, despite our ultra-modern society. And it doesn’t matter if you’re young or old; the wisdom is timeless. Here are five fairytales whose morals we should still practice.

1. The Boy Who Cried Wolf

No one likes a liar. Not just because they managed to pull wool over your eyes but because it’s hard to discern when they’re actually telling the truth. That’s the lesson behind the story of the boy who cried wolf. No one believed him when the wolf actually did show up because of his constant lying. That’s something we can all relate to, even today. So, try your best not to go around telling tall tales because all you’re doing is creating a reputation for yourself as someone who can’t be trusted.

2. The Ugly Duckling

With cancel culture being so rampant nowadays, many people need to dial back, take a breather and re-read the story of The Ugly Duckling – the story that taught children about how it was wrong to mistreat someone because of their appearance and to accept what makes them unique. But the current wokeness and identity politics of our society led to an extreme case of tribalism that sadly excludes others solely for their race, gender, sexual orientation or even political affiliation. Don’t be one of those people.

3. The Emperor’s New Clothes

The Emperor’s New Clothes reminds us that we shouldn’t parrot what everyone else is saying out of fear or shame. Like the child who pointed out that the emperor was prancing around in his birthday suit, you shouldn’t be scared of stating a simple and obvious truth. The internet is rampant with so-called progressives who are constantly virtue-signaling on social media. Not only do they expect you to join them, but they will quickly turn on you if you don’t. Instead, stand your ground because it takes a lot of courage to go against the crowd.

4. Chicken Little

Many people are no different than Chicken Little in the sense that they blow things out of proportion and reel others into their frenzy. As the story goes, the fragment of the alleged falling sky turned out to be an acorn. Basically, the lesson here is to not be an alarmist, but to think things through rather than overreacting instantly. But with everyone being so dramatic on social media, it’s easy to see why so many people get caught up in the chaos. Sit back and wait for more information so you can come to an educated conclusion.

5. The Pied Piper

Every action has an equal but opposite reaction and if you don’t hold up your end of the bargain, be prepared to face the backlash. Much like how the Pied Piper lured the children away (possibly to their deaths) when the town’s greedy mayor shortchanged him after getting rid of the rats, trying to weasel your way out of fulfilling your end of a deal will only lead to some nasty but very much warranted repercussions. So please, treat others with respect, fairness and decency.