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technology

Help Us Choose the Most Overlooked Invention

Introducing Mundane Madness, a bracket challenge to anoint the world's most quietly amazing gadgets, implements, and tools.
Jessica Leigh Hester March 7, 2018
A Himalayan Ski Trek competitor getting ready for a major descent in Muktinath, Mustang.
mountains

What Would It Take to Make Nepal the Next Great Ski Destination?

High hopes and high slopes, but few skiers.
Christina Ayele Djossa February 15, 2018
Vilhelmina, Sweden

Wilhelmina Ice Pole Sitting Contest

Locals perched on icy thrones brave frigid temperatures during this bizarre winter tradition.
A shrimpy shrimp cocktail.
Gastro Obscura

Small Foods Party

The competition that shrinks shrimp cocktail to the size of your pinky and fits bento into a matchbox.
<em>Colossal Cave Adventure</em>, a classic.
games

Welcome to Interactive Fiction: You're a Wizard-Sniffing Pig

How text-based games are changing way we tell stories.
Sarah Laskow December 1, 2017
The We Are Our Mountains monument.
Stepanakert, Azerbaijan

We Are Our Mountains

This striking icon of the disputed Republic of Artsakh caused a stir at a Eurovision Song Contest.
One of the successful couples, sitting in the ceremonial chair (with dog).
Gastro Obscura

Dunmow Flitch Trials

Only the happiest married couples can win this huge piece of bacon.
Turnip Prize entrants from 2013, including "Melancholy," "Pilot Light," and "Hair of the Dog"
art

Entries for the Turnip Prize Are Now Open

The annual contest celebrates very low-effort art.
Cara Giaimo November 1, 2017
Rose City Rollers
Portland, Oregon

Rose City Rollers

Inside a humble hangar is some of the best roller derby the world has to offer.
Lisa Levy, the contest's 2017 winner, said she was completely stunned by her win.
transportation

The Miss Subways Pageant Charted the Highs and Lows of 20th-Century Feminism in New York

From a 1940s beauty queen to a 2017 performance artist.
Natasha Frost October 4, 2017
The sculpture the team from Mongolia created in their first year.
Breckenridge, Colorado

Breckenridge Snow Sculptures

Each year, teams of the world's best snow sculptors have 65 hours to create frozen masterpieces.
The playing field for the 2016 Nascondino World Championships, held in Consonno, Italy.
games

The International Hide and Seek Championship Starts Today

Start counting backward from 100.
Cara Giaimo September 8, 2017
The competition has just started and the competitors are off!
Övertorneå N, Sweden

The Unofficial Mosquito-Catching World Championship

A Swedish town came up with an out-of-the-box way to eliminate the bloodthirsty insects.
Village sign detail, Witcham.
Witcham, England

World Pea Shooting Championship

The best place to acquire pea shooting fame.
Columbus, Ohio

Arnold Schwarzenegger Statue

A bronze of the man in all his sinewy glory celebrates his longtime connection to the Ohio city.
Molly Lewis: “It’s the weird and the wonderful, and that’s why I love it.”
obscura day

Listen to the Strange and Wonderful Sound of One of Earth's Best Whistlers

“You can’t really study or learn whistling, but it is kind of magical to see and hear.”
Sarah Laskow April 4, 2017
Open air chess board in Elista
Elista, Russia

Chess City

The largest Buddhist city in Europe is a haven for chess fanatics.
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Ferrari World

This enormous sports car themed amusement park is home to the world’s fastest roller coaster.