From cursed video games like Polybius to haunted recordings, we explore the psychology behind our fear of haunted tech and our anxiety that our creations will turn on us.
Urban Legends 3 | Digital Nightmares: The Rise of the Online Legend
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.
Recent Posts
Beyond the Scramble: Overcoming Artificial Borders Through 21st-Century Cooperation
The “Scramble for Africa” & Sykes-Picot created borders that sparked conflict. This article pivots to the solutions: cross-border economic zones, the AU, and cultural festivals that are making those lines irrelevant.
Is Your English Really English? A Quiz on the Global Gift of Words
Does your vocabulary come from Hindi, Swahili, or Chinese? This fun quiz teaches you the global origins of ‘shampoo,’ ‘safari,’ ‘ketchup,’ and more!
Can We Fix This? A Quiz on the Real Language of Climate Solutions
Go beyond the scary headlines. This interactive quiz teaches you the constructive, forward-looking vocabulary for the path forward, like ‘climate justice,’ ‘sustainable development,’ and ‘indigenous-led conservation.’
Where Did Your Shirt Come From? A Quiz on the Global Origins of Fashion
This fun fashion quiz helps you trace the global origins of textiles. Match patterns like Paisley, Kente cloth, and Batik to their home countries and celebrate our shared textile heritage.
Why Are Africa’s Borders So Straight? A Quiz on the “Scramble for Africa”
Compare the maps of Africa from 1880 to 1914. This quiz explains the “Scramble for Africa,” the Berlin Conference, and the lasting legacy of the borders that shape the continent today.
Can We Build Bridges with Art? A Quiz on the New Language of Cultural Heritage
Move beyond the old debates. This engaging quiz teaches you the positive, forward-looking vocabulary of cultural heritage, including ‘repatriation,’ ‘provenance,’ and ‘digital preservation.’