From the genesis of Slender Man on a forum to the moral panic of the Momo Challenge, discover how the internet, creepypasta, and collaborative storytelling have created a terrifyingly new breed of urban legend.
Sewer Alligators and Bodies in the Bed: The Shocking Urban Legends That Are Actually True
Think all urban legends are fake? Think again. We investigate the chilling cases, from sewer gators to hotel horrors, where unbelievable folklore has a basis in fact.
Urban Legends 2 | The Global Ghost: How One Urban Legend Changes Across the World
Travel the globe with the “Vanishing Hitchhiker” legend. Discover how this single story transforms into a Hawaiian goddess, a Latin American demon, and a Japanese ghost, reflecting each culture’s unique beliefs and fears.
The Babysitter is Calling from Inside the Patriarchy: A Feminist Guide to Urban Legends
Ever wonder why classic urban legends always star women in peril? We explore how tales like “The Hook” reflect deep societal anxieties about female independence.
Urban Legends 1 | The Lure of the Legend: Why Our Brains Believe Urban Legends
Explore the psychology behind urban legends. Learn how cognitive biases like confirmation bias and emotional narratives make us believe and share stories that aren’t true.
Anatomy of a Hoax: The Science of Why We Fall for Disinformation
Ever wonder why you fall for online hoaxes? Discover the cognitive biases and emotional triggers manipulators exploit and learn how to build your mental toolkit.
Understanding Cognitive Biases 5 | The Biases of Memory & Recall
What is your most vivid childhood memory? The story of your first love? The moment you achieved a great success? What if I told you that memory might be wrong? This week, in our series finale, we tackle the most personal biases of all—the ones that live inside our own heads. We’ll discover how easily false memories can be planted, why we only remember the best and worst moments of a vacation, and how you might be accidentally stealing ideas. Prepare to question everything you think you know about your past.
Beyond Logic: Why Understanding Your Biases Makes You a More Empathetic Person
The true goal of learning about cognitive biases isn’t to become a perfect robot. It’s to become a “Rational Empath.” This capstone article explores how understanding our own flawed thinking leads to greater compassion, forgiveness, and wisdom.
The Cognitive Cascade: How a Chain Reaction of Biases Leads to Disaster
Cognitive biases rarely act alone. Discover how biases interact and compound each other in a “cognitive cascade.” Using the legendary “New Coke” failure as a case study, we deconstruct how a chain reaction of flawed thinking leads to disastrous outcomes.
What’s Your Social IQ? A Quiz to Master Workplace and Social Biases
Can you avoid common social pitfalls like Groupthink or the Bystander Effect? Take this scenario-based quiz to learn actionable strategies for smarter social interaction.
Recent Posts
The Bittersweet Science of Nostalgia | Word Power
Why do we yearn for the past? In this Word Power episode, we explore the psychology of nostalgia while mastering advanced vocabulary like wistful, evocative, and rose-colored glasses.
The Year of the Open Door: A Manifesto for 2026
Happy New Year! Kick off 2026 with my biggest update yet. We’re introducing a new community-funded model, revealing an ambitious AI game project, and opening the vault on 15 years of unreleased music and stories. Plus, join our new creative challenges and Discord server. Let’s make this year unforgettable together!
Becoming the Luminary: Why Your New Year’s Resolution Should Be About Character, Not Weight
Tired of failed weight-loss resolutions? This New Year, try a “Character Resolution.” Learn how to become a “Luminary”—a source of light, warmth, and stability in your workplace and home.
Traditions of Light: How the World Fights the Winter Darkness
From the fireballs of Scotland to the candles of Scandinavia, join us on a global tour of light traditions. Discover the meaning behind St. Lucia, Diwali, Kwanzaa, and Hogmanay, and why we all crave light in the dark.
Starlight and Science: Why Winter is the Best Time to Look Up
Cold nights mean clear skies. Discover the science and philosophy of winter stargazing, from the “time travel” of looking at stars to the psychology of awe. Connect with the cosmos this season.
The Warmth of Forgiveness: Why You Should Drop the Grudge Before New Year’s Eve
Carrying a grudge is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to suffer. As the New Year approaches, learn why “unilateral forgiveness” is the ultimate act of self-care and how to let go of the heavy baggage from the past year.