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Justin Andress - Lists at Ranker

Lists about real explorers and expeditions and fictional depictions of fast-paced, dangerous adventures in film, TV, anime, literature, and other media.

Choose Your Own Adventure

Lists of fascinating facts and lesser-known details about the lives of people whose names you learned in History class (or should have).

Down in History

People Trivia

Before space, the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/fram-ship-facts/justin-andress" target="_blank">Arctic</a> was mankind’s great frontier. Only the most intrepid men and women dared venture into the frozen North in search of fame and fortune, and the race to the Arctic created legends on a daily basis. From this era of bravery and innovation came Matthew Henson, the man who would one day detail his epic journey in his autobiography, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Negro-Explorer-North-Pole-Autobiography/dp/1931229015?&amp;tag=rankercom-20" target="_blank">A Negro Explorer at the North Pole</a>.You might have heard that the first man to reach the North Pole was Robert Peary. But that's only half right.&nbsp;For several years following the expedition of the white American explorer, the contribution of his right-hand man, explorer, photographer, and craftsman Matthew Alexander Henson, was downplayed in favor of building Peary’s myth. Sure, Peary was there (sitting on a dog sled), but it was Matthew Henson who crossed the finish line first. In so doing he helped create a legacy that inspired African-American explorers for years to come.Henson was not only the world’s first African-American Arctic explorer, today he is also widely credited as the first American to reach the geographic top of the world. At a time when even the most <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/facts-about-the-shackleton-expedition/philgibbons" target="_blank">well-funded expeditions</a> could end in total disaster, Henson made a life forging new paths in unknown lands. And after a career built over several decades and ranging across multiple continents, Henson stands as one of the most important and successful black explorers in history.

The Incredible Life and Times of Matthew Henson, the Most Underrated Explorer in History

General

The Life and Times of Matthew Henson, the Most Underrated Explorer in History

Justin Andress

Myths, lore, ghost stories, and urban legends from all around the United States.

American Legends

Pop Culture

There's something magical about the Pacific Northwest. Maybe it's the geography that inspires Pacific Northwest legends; those towering trees, mammoth mountains, and icy waters seem like the perfect place for a fantastical creature to hide.Stories about this region have been told for centuries. American Indian mythology connects the land with powerful beings, like the thunderbird. In more recent years, people swap tales of the sasquatch, the gentle (or not so gentle) giant that supposedly roams remote areas. Some of these Pacific Northwest myths were first told to explain the way the natural world worked; others seem to simply exist for entertainment. But they all offer a thoughtful new perspective on a corner of the United States that's often seen as remote and isolated.Straight from the tales of native peoples, here are some of the most fascinating myths and legends from the forests of the Northwest.

The Myths And Folklore From Pacific Northwest Contain Some Truly Terrifying Legends

Creepy Myths And Legends From The Pacific Northwest

Everything you didn't know about the so-called leaders of the free world, from their favorite foods to their pets' names.

U.S. Presidents

Weird History

It goes without saying that the President of the United States of America looms large in this nation's&nbsp;day-to-day life. In some cases, that was very much the case physically. Abraham Lincoln, <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/world-leaders-ranked-by-height/katia-kleyman?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">the tallest president</a>, towered over his contemporaries at 6’3&quot;. William Howard Taft, the heaviest president, was a physical force at 340 pounds. Beyond those standouts, though, how much do you really know about the physical lives of the presidents?These men have run the gamut in size and stature from Lincoln to little James Madison, who was just a pint-sized 5’4&quot;. How tall were the presidents? What were the presidential shoe sizes? How much did they weigh? The POTUS&nbsp;owes&nbsp;part of their character to their physical size, just like they owe&nbsp;a bit of themselves to the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/all-the-ailments-of-every-us-president/melissa-sartore" target="_blank">diseases they battled</a> or their <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/us-president-first-100-days/stephanroget" target="_blank">accomplishments in office in the first 100 days</a>. If you have ever wanted to know how big or small each of the Presidents were, your wait is over. Here’s a list with just those facts.&nbsp;

The Different (Physical) Sizes Of US Presidents

Person

Lists about advisors, employees, fans, friends, and family of President The Donald.

All the King's Men

History

Among the figures roaming around in the background while <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/crazy-early-trump-presidency-things/jacob-shelton" target="_blank">Donald Trump continues his crazy&nbsp;presidency</a>, Ivanka Trump's husband Jared Kushner is something of an oddity. Trump’s son-in-law and the heir to a dubious real estate legacy of his own, Kushner rode into Washington&nbsp;with the Trump team and was almost immediately imbued with unprecedented power as one of the president’s senior advisors, a top-ranking <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/weird-white-house-jobs/kellen-perry" target="_blank">job inside the White House</a>.But who is Jared Kushner? Certainly, the Jared Kushner biography seems innocuous enough. The quiet&nbsp;man with a Harvard education and a supposedly sterling business record was slowly working his way up the New York ladder when he got the call to help with his father-in-law’s campaign. But other than those cursory Jared Kushner facts,&nbsp;the public still knows very little about the man who gets a lot of credit for winning Trump the presidency. Who's the real person behind the khakis? What's&nbsp;the deal with Jared Kushner?

What's The Deal With Jared Kushner?

15 Things You Should Know About Jared Kushner

Mental Health & Illness

In 1989, at the age of 29, a woman known under the pseudonym Karen Overhill went to Chicago therapist Dr. Richard Baer in the hopes of finding the source of her lifelong memory lapses. After an examination and several visits, the diagnosis came back: Overhill had a <a href="http://https://www.ranker.com/list/weird-mental-disorders/mike-rothschild" target="_blank">rare mental condition</a> - multiple personality disorder, now called dissociative identity disorder (DID). Baer determined Overhill had <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/famous-cases-of-dissociative-identity-disorder/christopher-myers" target="_blank">17 distinct personalities</a>.&nbsp;In the decades since she began treatment, Overhill’s condition has become a well-known case study. Mental health professionals have maintained there’s a direct correlation between childhood abuse and adult mental illness, citing the example of Overhill. Baer concluded Overhill developed her 16 DID alters to cope with childhood trauma - specifically the sexual assault and torture she told Baer that she endured in the 1960s when male family members allegedly&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/active-cults/mike-rothschild" target="_blank">led a cult</a>. Baer employed hypnosis and visualization methods to help Overhill reintegrate her personalities, and in 2017, he released <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Switching-Time-Harrowing-Treating-Personalities/dp/0307382672/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1490820619&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=switching+time&amp;tag=rankercom-20" target="_blank">the biography</a> Switching Time: A Doctor’s Harrowing Story of Treating a Woman with 17 Personalities.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Meet Karen Overhill, The Woman Who Has 17 People Living Inside Her Head

Things Most People Have Never Heard About Karen Overhill And Her 17 Personalities

Did you read that article that linked so-and-so to that guy from the thing? Or see the video about how this is the same as that? Come on, let's weave some tangled webs!

It's a Conspiracy

Did dinosaurs have feathers? Scales? Deep voices or shrill, piercing squawks? Australian accents? Sarcastic lilts? Check out these lists about the many bird-like reptiles that roamed and ruled over Planet Earth between 66 and 230 million years ago.

Raaaarrr!!

Conspiracies

Apparently, we&rsquo;re not getting the real story when it comes to dinosaurs. While most people on planet Earth have been content since childhood to take the word of paleontologists, botanists, and <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/birds-are-just-dinosaurs/bruce-maisy" target="_blank">researchers from a wide&nbsp;variety of fields,</a> there are a few brave creative thinkers across the world who simply aren&rsquo;t buying in. According to them, dinosaurs are just a giant lie made up to turn <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/crazy-weird-real-dinosaurs/eric-vega" target="_blank">the La Brea Tar Pits</a> into a popular tourist attraction. We&rsquo;re all just cogs in the dino-industrial complex.

A simple glance through the Internet reveals dozens of examples of blogs, message boards, and even reputable news outlets that are willing to believe&nbsp;in dinosaur conspiracy theories with only <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/dinosaur-myths-that-arent-true/ranker-science" target="_blank">a tenuous ounce of &ldquo;proof.&rdquo;</a>&nbsp;In the absence of a walking, roaring, towering specimen to point to as definitive proof, scientists have been forced to go head-to-head with&nbsp;individuals of various intelligence levels who have some pretty unusual ideas about what happened millions of years ago.

Were dinosaurs real? That blissfully ignorant&nbsp;question is just the tip of the iceberg, as everyone from NBA stars to your local janitor have contributed their &ldquo;expertise&rdquo; to various conspiracy theories. Not every commonly accepted detail about dinosaurs is true - that&#39;s <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/how-did-dinosaurs-become-oil/zach-seemayer" target="_blank">not where we got oil</a>, for example - but such misconceptions are nothing for what the amateur sleuths of the internet have in mind.&nbsp;Here, for your consideration, are some of the craziest&nbsp;things people believe about dinosaurs.

13 Ridiculous Dinosaur Theories That People Somehow Believe Are True

13 Ridiculous Dinosaur Conspiracy Theories

Think you know your favorite animals? Study up on fun facts and fascinating trivia to drop at your next cocktail party.

Up Close with Awesome Animals

Weird Nature

Spending thousands of hours looking at the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/profile-of/cutest-animal-videos" target="_blank">adorable antics</a> of random dogs and high-spirited raccoons on the Internet is a perfectly viable use of time, but it turns out science has optimized our search efforts for us in the form of the cute raccoon dog. What is the raccoon dog? This creature - that looks like a raccoon but is a dog - hails from East Asia but has spread across Europe as well due to its to international adopting. No doubt due to its undeniably provocative cuteness. It is thus named because of - surprise, surprise - its resemblance to the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/cutest-raccoon-videos/cutest-animal-videos" target="_blank">common raccoon</a>, but it is in fact more closely related to dogs than raccoons.&nbsp;Here come&nbsp;raccoon dog facts for anyone well on their way to&nbsp;declaring&nbsp;this their new favorite animal.

13 Bizarre Things Most People Don't Know About The Raccoon Dog

13 Crazy Facts About The Raccoon Dog

Lists about customs, rituals, and daily life in Ancient Rome and the Roman Republic, which ruled the Mediterranean from 8th Century BC until its spectacular collapse in 476 AD.

Rome If You Want To

Rome

You likely know the name Commodus as the bad guy from Gladiator, the Best Picture winner from 2000. Played as a pervy psychotic by <a href="http://www.ranker.com/review/joaquin-phoenix/1294213?q=Joaquin%20Phoenix" target="_blank">Joaquin Phoenix</a>, Emperor Commodus is portrayed as a man with insecurities motivating his actions. And while that may be an accurate, historical understanding of the emperor's persona, there's a lot more to Commodus’ biography than the made-up bits starring <a href="http://www.ranker.com/review/russell-crowe/1951181" target="_blank">Russell Crowe</a>.&nbsp;Who was Commodus? Believe it or not, the movie version of the Roman emperor was actually white-washed to cover up his degenerative insanity. Born into a world that prepared him to be a ruler, Commodus grew up believing some pretty fantastic things about himself. Sure, Commodus fought in the arena with&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/ancient-roman-gladiator-facts/aaron-edwards">ancient Roman gladiators</a>, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the atrocities Commodus inflicted on the people around him. If you were fascinated by the profoundly creepy emperor in Gladiator, you haven’t seen anything yet - read on to discover insane tales about Commodus.&nbsp;

The Real Commodus Was An Even More Over-The-Top Emperor Than Gladiator's Version

True Stories of Commodus, The Inept Emperor Who Fought In The Colosseum

Animals

What&rsquo;s not to love about the capybara? The overgrown guinea pig may be the largest rodent in the world, but you should give more than a rat&#39;s a**&nbsp;about it. Cute capybaras and their super chill demeanor litter&nbsp;countless Pinterest&nbsp;boards, showing off their swimming skills for the world to fawn over. However, the capybara&#39;s cuteness is but only one reason why you should care about the water hog.&nbsp;Spread across the continent of South America,&nbsp;capybaras form large&nbsp;communities and socialize freely with other animals. As <a href="/list/cute-animal-parents-babies/bunny-brinkman" target="_blank">animal parents</a>, they&nbsp;help teach their young how to swim, and the whole group acts as their protectors. And when it comes to mating, let&#39;s just say the capybara isn&#39;t shy about its sexuality.

The following facts about capybaras might just change your opinion of this incredible creature.&nbsp;If you&nbsp;ever wondered what lies&nbsp;underneath the furry exterior of the cutest exotic animal on the Internet - yeah, suck it, baby bats -&nbsp;these amazing capybara facts will point you toward&nbsp;the answer.

Magical Facts About the Life of the Capybara

16 Magical Facts About the Life of the Capybara

From 1861 to 1865, The Union faced secessionists in 11 Southern states grouped together as the Confederacy and waged war against America. It was the bloodiest conflict in U.S. history.

North vs. South

In April of 1865, after four long years of bloodshed, the Civil War finally came to an end when General Robert E. Lee formally surrendered the Confederate Army to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House.The president of the newly-reunited United States, Abraham Lincoln, was allowed just a few short days to celebrate the victory and begin implementing <a href="http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/lincoln-issues-proclamation-of-amnesty-and-reconstruction">his two-year-old plan for the Reconstruction</a> of the country. Then, on April 15, 1865, Lincoln was gunned down in Ford’s Theater by John Wilkes Booth, a man sympathetic to the defeated Confederacy. In the years following the end of the Civil War and Lincoln’s assassination, his successor Andrew Johnson proved utterly incapable of unifying a fractured nation. Under Johnson, everyday life during the Reconstruction was a <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/racism-kept-alive-post-civil-war/setareh-janda">gauntlet of simmering hatred</a>, short supplies, and an <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/how-did-the-freeing-of-the-slaves-work/kellen-perry">onslaught of new means for oppressing African Americans</a>.When the Civil War ended, what should have been a moment of triumph, instead marked the beginning of nearly a decade of failed attempts to undo the damage caused by the war. The disastrous effects of the Reconstruction period that followed would <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/photos-of-racial-segregation-in-america/rylee_en">shape the future of the Southern United States</a> for the next century. Here’s a glimpse of how those policies and the inherent hatred they fed off impacted daily life during the Reconstruction period.

What Was Life Actually Like In The South During Reconstruction?

What Was Life In The South Like During Reconstruction?

Middle Ages

In a surprise to likely no one, stories from people who work at Renaissance Faires&nbsp;sound just as harrowing as the prospect of medieval survival itself.&nbsp;It takes a&nbsp;certain kind of eclectic to work a&nbsp;Renaissance Faire, the kind of confident, yet mysterious individual who catches&nbsp;a bus in homemade chain-mail without any sign of shame. Of course, when combined with a whole lot of&nbsp;weaponry,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/medieval-diets/kellen-perry" target="_blank">deep-fried turkey legs</a>, and ale, that confidence comes in handy. For every successful puppet show and catapult launch, there are Renaissance Faire stories of people stealing swords, taking jousting too seriously, and the old sex acts no one, even at a medieval far, wants to see. Hello, bestiality...Fortunately&nbsp;for those of you&nbsp;who haven't&nbsp;sauntered into a Renaissance Faire, <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/54im00/redditors_who_have_worked_at_renaissance/" target="_blank">Reddit users give it to you</a> straight from the wench's mouth. If you&nbsp;ever wanted to know the full range of wacky stuff going&nbsp;on in those tents, listen to these <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/2eigbx/i_worked_at_a_renaissance_faire_for_13_years_i/" target="_blank">Renaissance Faire workers tell their worst stories</a>. Despite what history tells you, the Dark Ages never passed.

Renaissance Faire Employees Share The Craziest Things They've Seen

Renaissance Fair Employees Share The Craziest Things They've Seen

Lists about terrible times in history during which man went to great lengths to dehumanize entire populations of people.

Dark History

US History

For years following the end of the Civil War, men throughout the United States - and the South in particular -&nbsp;were forced to pay their debt to society chained to a string of fellow prisoners and breaking their backs in the hot sun. The brutal realities about chain gangs mark some of the most shameful chapters in the history of the American correctional movement. The day-to-day life of chain gangs in the Southern states was exceptionally unforgiving.In 1912, <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=RTH31DgbTzgC&amp;pg=PA56&amp;lpg=PA56&amp;dq=early+20th+century+chain+gangs&amp;source=bl&amp;ots=1dwaHhTngh&amp;sig=EQpcCSmg4jztBsdeKsh92o_t5RI&amp;hl=en&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=0ahUKEwj5tM-hzvXTAhUN0WMKHVPmDWEQ6AEIWjAL#v=onepage&amp;q=early%2020th%20century%20chain%20gangs&amp;f=false" target="_blank">the National Committee on Prison Labor</a> decried chain gangs as &quot;the last vestige of the slave system,&quot; claiming that hundreds and possibly thousands of prisoners had lost their lives as a result of abuse and malnutrition. Southern chain gang facts chronicle one of the darkest moments in the often sordid timeline of the United States.What were chain gangs like for prisoners? How did chain gangs work? They were more than a means of <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/ways-people-kill-time-in-prison/mike-rothschild" target="_blank">passing the time</a> for prisoners and their jailors - simply put, they were <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/scariest-prisons-in-history/danielle-ownbey" target="_blank">terrifying</a>.

Chain Gangs Were The South's Answer To Freeing The Slaves

15 Brutal Facts About Southern Chain Gangs In America

Adorable animals playing, posing, helping, hiding, eating, and waiting for you to pet them.

All Creatures, Great and Small

If you want proof that stunning transformations occur not only to nerds&nbsp;after <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/tags/high-school?ref=internalCrossLinking_tag">high school</a>, then consider certain species of animals as babies. Across the animal kingdom, there exist&nbsp;several animals who look different as babies than they do as adults. Though&nbsp;different reasons lie behind each&nbsp;metamorphosis, the ultimate motivation is the same: crazy animal age transformations are designed to optimize survival at every stage of life.Whether it’s a tadpole morphing to a frog, or a <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/what-happens-when-a-caterpillar-becomes-a-butterfly/nida-sea">caterpillar transforming into a&nbsp;butterfly</a> (or a moth), animal transformations demonstrate the amazing resourcefulness of evolution to ensure survival in a spectacular, visual fashion.&nbsp;Fortunately for the Internet, this&nbsp;means tons&nbsp;of <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/cutest-baby-animals">cute animal pictures of their&nbsp;babies selves</a> compared to whatever they become&nbsp;as adults. Of course, it’s not always the case that the children look&nbsp;cuter than their parents, but no mom or dad wants to hear that about their prodigy, so maybe keep that opinion to yourself.

15 Pictures Of Animals As Babies Vs. When They're Fully Grown

Animal/Plant

15 Pictures Of Animals As Babies Vs. Full Grown

Lists about the indigenous people and cultures native to modern day Canada and the United States. 

Native America

Graveyard Shift

Long before the first Europeans set foot on American soil, the native people who lived there had spent centuries perfecting the art of combat. Even after visitors arrived from across the vast oceans with superior technology and weaponry, Native American guerilla tactics prevailed so thoroughly that the invaders were forced to adopt similar strategies. From the Mourning Wars tactics to the tactics of&nbsp;the French and Indian War, Native American soldiers and scouts proved themselves capable of immense cunning and incredible feats of military prowess. 

For more than 100 years, the&nbsp;Native Americans fighting to protect their territory forged new means of defense&nbsp;against&nbsp;the people who were slowly spreading across the continent. Thanks to brilliant strategists and intrepid heroes like Pontiac and <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/facts-about-geronimo/justin-andress" target="_blank">Geronimo</a>, Native Americans have left an indelible mark on strategic combat. The success of their tactics led to American forces adopting their combat style, as seen with <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/true-robert-rogers-stories/justin-andress" target="_blank">Robert Rogers</a>.&nbsp;

Some of the greatest strategists in the history of combat have acknowledged the genius of Native Americans. When asked about his plans for fighting in the Pacific during World War II, <a href="https://www.hoover.org/research/lessons-indian-wars" target="_blank">General George Marshall </a><a href="https://www.hoover.org/research/lessons-indian-wars" target="_blank">explained</a>,&nbsp;&quot;Go back to the tactics of the French and Indian days, [...] study their tactics and fit in our modern weapons, and you have a solution.&quot;&nbsp;Read on to discover the bloody lessons learned from the military tactics used by Native American tribes.&nbsp;

Guerilla Warriors: The Military Tactics Of Native American Tribes

14 Ingenious Native American Guerrilla War Tactics

As long as men have been writing history, women have been clearing their own paths.

Herstory: Women of the Past

Culture

If you’re a member of the American public who still has faith in the legislating power of the people on Capitol Hill, then you’re in the vast minority (and, by the way, you might not care about sexist laws in America). <a href="http://www.gallup.com/poll/1600/congress-public.aspx">According to a May 2017 Gallup poll</a>, 74% of Americans don’t approve of the work being done by Congress. In short, the members of Congress really stink at their job –&nbsp;the passage and enforcement of laws. You don’t even have to look very far to find&nbsp;mountains of proof that legislators at every level of government are sort of stupid; take a look at the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/50-bizarre-state-laws/litgoddess">bizarre state laws</a> that get passed if you're feeling doubtful.&nbsp;In addition to its general ineffectualness,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.cawp.rutgers.edu/current-numbers">only one in five members of Congress is female</a>.&nbsp;So, Congress is especially terrible at representing and protecting the interests of women from all walks of life. From <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/stupid-marriage-laws/mike-rothschild">arcane marriage laws</a> to laws against women’s rights to legislation governing daily life, laws against women's rights are everywhere. You might be amazed by the crazy things that women could get harassed, victimized, or even arrested for since the beginning of the United States, some of which still linger and impact people to this very day. If you're a woman, however, you might be intimately familiar with some of this insanity.

Insane Things Women Could Be Arrested For In Shockingly Recent History

In 1942, a band of Polish soldiers freshly released from prisons and work camps stumbled upon <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/weird-mascots/dukeharten">an unlikely mascot</a> when they traded goods for a Syrian brown bear cub. Drawn to his friendly demeanor and his outspoken antics, the Polish troops who adopted the young cub came to think of him&nbsp;as one of their own. As the war progressed and the men strode&nbsp;into combat, the cub who would grow up to become Wojtek the military bear was right by their side.Like a handful <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/10-astounding-animals-of-mass-destruction/shar3mor3">of other noble animal mascots</a>, Wojtek the Polish warrior made a name for himself by raising the troops’s spirits and serving valiantly in the thick of battle. The Polish military bear distinguished himself further by becoming an official part of the Polish military.&nbsp;Throughout his entire life, Wojtek worked diligently to improve the lives of those around him, doing his duty and enjoying life to its fullest. Here is the story of Wojtek, the bear who went to war.

The True Story Of Wojtek - The Bear That Served In The Polish Military

The True Story Of Wojtek, The Bear That Served In The Polish Military

Lists about the squishy ball of noodles inside your skull, how it works, things we think it does, and ways it affects your life all day, every day.

What's on Your Mind

Medicine

It&rsquo;s called <a href="http://www.brainfacts.org/Diseases-and-Disorders/Neurological-Disorders-AZ/Diseases-A-to-Z-from-NINDS/Prosopagnosia" target="_blank">prosopagnosia</a>, a neurological disorder that leaves its sufferers unable to recognize individual faces. Also known as face blindness, or facial agnosia, prosopagnosia effects thousands of people throughout the world to varying degrees. And just how much does face blindness complicate the lives of its sufferers? The answer is: wildly.

When&nbsp;<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1536410/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_11" target="_blank">its portrayed in a thriller movie</a> starring that lady from the Resident Evil films, it&rsquo;s easy to think that face blindness is the concoction of a half-bored Hollywood writer. That&rsquo;s entirely untrue. This incredibly debilitating condition is nothing if not deadly serious. Those unfortunate people who are afflicted with prosopagnosia must endure an uncertain and often unfriendly outside world every day of their lives.

Faceblindness symptoms may be few, but their resulting handicaps are immeasurable. Similar to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/obvious-things-blind-people-have-to-deal-with/justin-andress" target="_blank">enduring blindness</a> or hearing loss, face blindness can be a hugely isolating condition that has a profound impact on those living with it. Here&nbsp;are some of the endless ways that face blindness can affect a life, as well as some stories from people who live their lives unable to rely on their own eyes.

14 Bizarre Facts About What It's Like To Live With Face Blindness

14 Things To Know About Prosopagnosia, A Blindness of Faces

Koala

What’s not to love about koalas, right? This&nbsp;cuddly-looking,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/cute-marsupials/eric-vega">cute marsupial</a> is the living embodiment of a <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/cartoons-and-comics-best-bears/admiralcrunch">cartoon teddy bear</a>. They’re nature’s stuffed animals, just chilling the day away eating eucalyptus and loving life. If that’s your impression of these miserable animals, then you are in dire need of an education.News flash: koalas are the worst. Anyone unfortunate enough to come into contact with one of these little devils knows the savage truth. These ferocious little animals may look like a kind little cutie just waiting for a friend, but that’s far from the truth. There are myriad reasons koalas are actually horrible animals. From rampant attacks on the people they encounter to the disgusting behavior of their young, koalas are just terrible to their core.If you’re willing to have your illusions shattered, then continue reading, because mean koala facts (and a possible rude awakening) await anyone daring enough to learn the awful reality of these seemingly innocuous little leaf eaters.

9 Facts That Will Absolutely Ruin Your Perception of Koalas

9 Terrifying Facts About Koalas - A Miserable and Hateful Animal

Lists about the home of the Nords in the high fantasy action RPG Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.

Inside Skyrim

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

If&nbsp;one thing can interrupt the monotony of&nbsp;Skyrim's&nbsp;hundreds (and hundreds) of hours of gameplay, it's a funny Skyrim mod, guaranteed to add some laughs to your quest. Sometimes it feels like Sheogorath is the only one actually having a good time tromping through the Nords’&nbsp;homeland. While there’s plenty of bloodlust,&nbsp;where are lulz&nbsp;when you're searching for <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/skyrim-easter-eggs/zacharyjamesniblick">Skyrim's Easter eggs</a>? Fortunately, in the five years since the game’s release, modders have taken it upon themselves to dream up <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/best-skyrim-mods/dukethepcdr">the best Skyrim mods</a>, many of which are more for humor than help.&nbsp;Designed to elicit a good chuckle from&nbsp;players&nbsp;submerged&nbsp;in&nbsp;the hours-long adventure, these clever mods introduce elements ranging from Sonic the Hedgehog to Futurama to a game about slaying a time-traveling dragon. Gotta&nbsp;love a&nbsp;good crossover.&nbsp;The mods for Skyrim featured here rank among the funniest and most useful&nbsp;additions to the game, sure to spice up your next run-in with a flying, fire-breathing lizard.

20 Skyrim Mods That Will Make You Seriously Crack Up

The 21 Funniest Skyrim Mods of All Time

Before the United States laid claim to the lovely little patch of North America, the continent was a wild, untamed place and incredible true stories of intrepid frontiersman were forged on a daily basis. Among the greatest of those rugged men and women was Robert Rogers, one of the most fascinating forgotten figures of American colonial history.There's a vast sea of important figures in colonial America, from famous people like Benjamin Franklin to obscure ones like&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/badass-friedrich-wilhelm-von-steuben-facts/philgibbons">Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben</a>.&nbsp;Robert Rogers is one of the overlooked frontiersmen who had an indelible impact on the early formation of the US,&nbsp;thanks to his unflappable spirit and his penchant for success. Unfortunately, Rogers also chose to fight for Great Britain in the midst of <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/a-list-of-all-american-revolutionary-war-battles/reference">all the battles of the&nbsp;American Revolution</a>, a decision which likely contributed to the total lack of true Robert Rogers stories circulating in US History classes. This bad*ss&nbsp;frontiersman, who had earned&nbsp;a reputation as a noble explorer and soldier, was ultimately shunted off to the footnotes of American history for this lapse in judgment.But one mistake shouldn't overshadow the amazing accomplishments of Robert Rogers. Here, uncovered from various texts and footnotes, are some Robert Rogers facts, along with some of the most <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/historical-weird-true-stories/jim-rowley?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">amazing true stories</a> from American history.

The Story of the Most Influential Army Leader Ever Written Out of U.S. History

15 Rugged Stories About British Frontiersman Robert Rogers

Russia

Throughout Moscow, St. Petersburg, and several other major Russian cities, stray dogs and cats are a common sight. The number of stray dogs running throughout the country is so high that even Russian experts won’t <a href="https://rbth.com/society/2015/09/26/how_is_russia_tackling_the_problem_of_stray_animals_49573.html">hazard a guess as to the totals</a>. In post-Soviet Russia, generation after generation of stray dogs have adapted to city life with incredible panache. Take, for instance, the small number of Russian dogs who mastered public transportation.Of the vast population of strays in Russia, <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3503544/How-Moscow-s-metro-dogs-learned-navigate-city-s-subways-Canine-senses-help-master-complex-routes-claims-scientist.html">about 20 dogs</a> have learned their surroundings so well they’ve figured out how to get free rides on the subway.&nbsp;Yes, you read that right -&nbsp; there are dogs using public transit in Moscow and other large&nbsp;Russian cities. These undeniably smart dogs are far from uncommon on the Moscow metro, having garnered a <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/real-cults-of-personality/will-gish?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">cult of personality</a> as they travel the city in search of food and prey.For years, the Moscow subway stray dogs have drawn international attention for their ingenuity and unique ability to make the most of their urban environs. Here, for your consideration, is the story of the Russian dogs that have taken ownership of Russia’s public transportation.

A Bunch Of Dogs In Russia Have Figured Out How To Use Public Transportation

Joss Whedon

In the world of popular science fiction, few auteurs command as much respect from both men and women as Joss Whedon. While people the world over flock to his films to soak up their stylish violence and swaggering anti-heroes, others praise Joss Whedon’s feminism. Thanks largely to the cult impact of a <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/things-buffy-the-vampire-fans-have-noticed/candice-darden">certain blonde vampire slayer</a>, few people have asked the question, “Is Joss Whedon a feminist?” Of course he is. It’s just taken for granted. Or it was, at least, until the release of Avengers: <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/avengers-age-of-ultron-easter-eggs/jakebaumgart?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">Age of Ultron</a>. After the colossally disappointing treatment of women in that film, some members of the viewing public began to re-examine <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/obscure-joss-whedon-projects/stephanroget">Whedon’s pop culture contributions</a>, and they found something kind of shocking: Joss Whedon isn’t a feminist hero. He’s one hell of a talented writer, but Joss Whedon,&nbsp;Mainstream Feminist doesn’t exist.&nbsp;He’s just another fella who’s spent his entire career populating his films and TV shows (even Buffy) with rote female characters.Need proof? Check out all the reasons Joss Whedon isn't a feminist.&nbsp;

12 Reasons Joss Whedon Was Never The Feminist Pioneer You Thought He Was

Evidence That Joss Whedon Isn't the Feminist Hero People Claim He Is

Exploring the life and end Abraham Lincoln, the tall lawyer in the top hat who served as the 16th President of the United States from March 1861 until he was taken out by an enemy in April 1865.

Lincoln the Liberator

Abraham Lincoln

Though modern history has long since laid the crown of <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-u-s-presidents-from-best-to-worst">Best President Ever</a> at the feet of Abraham Lincoln, during the man&rsquo;s lifetime, plenty of people thought Abraham Lincoln was the worst president ever. Before the Civil War erupted, before the first Republican president was <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/facts-about-the-assassination-of-abraham-lincoln/setareh-janda">gunned down in Ford&rsquo;s Theater</a> (and subsequently subjected to <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/lincoln-assassination-conspiracies/mike-rothschild">ludicrous speculation</a>), anti-Lincoln quotes were extremely common in the political arena.&nbsp;

In 1861, when Lincoln took office, he was already inheriting a country steeped in domestic turmoil. Even worse, there was very little faith in his ability to get the job done. For those men and ... well, mostly it was white men. For those white men&nbsp;who feared the growing problems of an increasingly enlightened society, Lincoln was an established lightning rod for their wrath. Beyond the landed gentry, there were few people who believed in Lincoln&rsquo;s ability to fuse an already divided country.

When Lincoln&nbsp;was elected, the numbers weren&rsquo;t in his favor. He won only&nbsp;39.8 percent of the popular vote in the 1860 election. That was partially due to the fact that Lincoln had to beat three other candidates instead of just one, but it&rsquo;s still&nbsp;&ldquo;the poorest showing by any winning presidential candidate in American history.&rdquo;

Needless to say, there were a lot of people out there willing to spit some bad quotes about Abraham Lincoln. The man was despised by a large portion of the country both above and below the Mason-Dixon Line. A lot of them were convinced he&rsquo;d end up as the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-10-worst-u-s-presidents">worst president in the history of the United States</a>.&nbsp;Clearly, those people were bigoted idiots, but their stupidity sure is funny in hindsight. So here for your consideration&nbsp;are quotes from people who hated Abraham Lincoln.

Direct Quotes From People Who Thought Abraham Lincoln Would Be The Worst President Ever

The 1990s brought a wave of amazing, unforgettable programming designed specifically for kids. Let's rank 'em.

'90s TV for Kids

Are You Afraid of the Dark?

In 1992, American tweens&nbsp;tuned into Nickelodeon's first&nbsp;dedicated block of Saturday night viewings called <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="http://www.ranker.com/list/best-snick-shows/ranker-tv">SNICK (Saturday Night Nickelodeon)</a> and were greeted with a new series called&nbsp;Are You Afraid of the Dark?&nbsp;The show became one of the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="http://www.ranker.com/list/anthology-tv-shows-and-series/reference">best anthology programs</a>,&nbsp;revolving&nbsp;around a group of Canadian kids who called themselves "The Midnight Society" that&nbsp;met at night in the woods and told scary stories.Whether the&nbsp;kids of The Midnight Society were talking about ghosts or goblins, the frights were never in short supply. People who grew up with the show recall&nbsp;different&nbsp;Are You Afraid of the Dark? episodes as the scariest, but in case you needed a reminder, journey into the past to&nbsp;determine which of these scary episodes of Are You Afraid of the Dark? are the most spine-tingling. &nbsp;

20 'Are You Afraid of the Dark?' Episodes That Scarred A Generation For Life

TV Episode

Are You Afraid of the Dark? Episodes That Scarred You For Life

Take the kids out for a fun day at the zoo! See wild animals in tiny recreations of their natural habitats! Watch as they suffer stress, indignity, unnatural climates, and public mating! ...Ooh, a monkey!!!

Locked Up: Animals Behind Bars

Zoos

Zoos are <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/zoo-secrets/michelle-nati">pretty controversial places</a>. While some zoos&nbsp;do an incredible amount for preservation efforts the world over, that definitely isn't true for all zoos.&nbsp;Keeping wild animals caged&nbsp;has its own set of unique draw backs –&nbsp;especially when the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/13-of-the-best-idiots-climbing-the-wall-at-the-zoo/danielle-dauenhauer">spectators themselves aren't too bright</a>. But&nbsp;sometimes zoos just aren't able to keep their animals locked up.&nbsp;Since the modern zoo came into being nearly a century ago, crazy zoo escapes have been a fixture of society. Sometimes, the animals are bored of captivity and make a daring escape;&nbsp;other times, gaps in their fences allow them to step free.&nbsp;When transplanted from their natural environment, animals have shown a remarkable aptitude for springing themselves from the joint. Everything from kangaroos to hippos have joined the proud tradition of animals who broke free from their cells using wildly diverse means.In honor of all those animals on the loose, here are the wildest zoo escapes in history.

The Wildest Zoo Animal Escapes Of All Time

The 12 Wildest Zoo Animal Escapes Of All Time

Lists about armed forces and military tactics around the world.

Military Men

Looking closer at some of the best, most realistic, most brutal depictions of war in the history of entertainment.

Wars on Screen

All about Spielberg's epic & heartbreaking WWII drama, celebrating 25 years in 2023.

Saving Private Ryan

War Movies

War is a terrible, awe-inspiring monster that&rsquo;s fascinated filmmakers almost as long as movies have existed. The valor displayed by everyday people and the atrocities visited on our fellow man are all captured in equal measure by war films. It&rsquo;s a duality that goes to the very core of what it means to be a person. By and large, though, <a href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/top-war-movies" target="_blank">war movies</a> have a tendency to go for scale -&nbsp;or some political message - rather than an accurate portrayal of conflict, and <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/veterans-share-military-inaccuracies-in-movies/alby-thompson" target="_blank">veterans notice</a>. That&#39;s a shame, too, because accurate war movies are some of the most fascinating, beautiful films we have.&nbsp;

When done correctly, the very worst parts of humanity can be exalted into some of the most thought-provoking art in the world. Disguising the real terror of war behind a veneer of Hollywood sheen is a disservice to the real men and women who weather the storm in the service of a higher good. The tension of the danger, the brotherhood forged in the thick of battle, the lives laid down to save strangers, even the alienation felt by returning soldiers -&nbsp;they&rsquo;re all great dramatic fodder in the hands of a talented artist. Here are Hollywood&rsquo;s most accurate war movies.&nbsp;

Rescue Dawn

Brutal War Movies That Absolutely Got It Right

Film

24 Accurate War Movies That Absolutely Got It Right

Lifestyle

For most people, vision is the most significant way of receiving and interpreting information from the world. Scientists still lack knowledge of the deepest inner workings of the brain, so there&#39;s no exact statistic to back this&nbsp;up, but most experts agree that <a href="http://www.brainline.org/content/2008/11/vision-our-dominant-sense_pageall.html">vision is&nbsp;our dominant sense</a>. But people with vision impairment&nbsp;experience the world through entirely different mechanisms. It&#39;s not better or worse - it&#39;s simply different.

Blindness does come with its share of challenges, though, considering most of the world is designed with sighted people in mind. As a result, living with limited vision means blind people have to find other ways to handle some things most people take for granted.

14 Unreal Things You Never Realized Blind People Have To Deal With

14 Common Problems for Blind People You've Never Thought Of

Lists of insane, very creepy tales are almost unbelievable, but are 100% true.

Totally Bizarre True Stories

There’s no such thing as a happy story about feral kids. Though films like The Jungle Book make life among the animals looks like carefree fun, the most famous feral humans have been left tragically scarred by their ordeal. Throughout modern history, several kids have for whatever reason been left to fend for themselves in the harsh world around us.&nbsp;In each of these cases, the&nbsp;children&nbsp;learned to survive by relying on animals. They&nbsp;adopted the characteristics, diet, and behavior of whatever wild animal they spend the most time with. Even today, children find themselves lost among the animals for years at a time, only to be rescued almost against their will. These experiences have an indelible impact on the survivors who come out the other side. Even though they start with an animal taking pity on a poor, lost child, few of these stories have fairy tale endings.Here is a group of children who managed to survive insurmountable odds in spite of the fact that they had no training and virtually no chance of surviving on their own. Though the real history of feral children is darker than the movies would have you believe, these stories of survival are no less astonishing.

10 Feral Children Raised by Actual Animals

First comes trial, then comes guilty, then comes sentencing to years locked away with people even more dangerous than you are. Join us on a whirlwind tour of prison!

Prison: Behind the Bars

Unspeakable Times

Prison is far from pleasant, but things sink to an extra nasty level when prisoners are taken out of the yard and put into solitary confinement. Solitary confinement was originally a form of punishment practiced by Quakers and Calvinists who wanted&nbsp;to afford prisoners the quiet space to evaluate their actions, presumably while praying. Some religious sects, such as the Amish, still use <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/facts-about-the-amish-shunning/erin-wisti" target="_blank">forms of social isolation</a> to punish offending members of their community, and it can wreck the psyche of those ostracized. Still, these practices don&#39;t hold a candle to&nbsp;the <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/scary-prison-stories/stefanie-hammond" target="_blank">United States prison system</a>, which takes solitary confinement to an inhumane level.&nbsp;

These days, solitary confinement goes by a more PC name - segregation - but it takes no less a toll on the prisoners unfortunate enough to be separated from the general population and subjected to total isolation for weeks, months, and even years. Various studies have shown that putting prisoners in SHU or other forms of isolation are not only incredibly damaging to the prisoner&#39;s psyche, but is also incredibly expensive and counterproductive to what <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/scariest-prisons-in-history/danielle-ownbey" target="_blank">prisons</a> are supposed to be doing: rehabilitating prisoners to become functioning and contributing members of society.&nbsp;

You want to know what solitary is like? The best way to find out is to ask those prisoners who&#39;ve been forced to live it firsthand.

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