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Explainer

Vikings have developed a pretty intense reputation&nbsp;over the years, thanks in no small part to their enemies, who were always eager to paint these historical raiders as mindless savages. And savage they were, without a doubt. There&#39;s plenty here to send a chill down even the toughest&nbsp;spine. &nbsp;But savage times make for savage people.

As you read further, you&#39;ll likely note a striking&nbsp;disparity in Norse funerary traditions. On the one hand, they absolutely fit the stereotype of the violent barbarian, violating and pillaging his way through everything that moves. But there are also signs of a sophisticated society in the making, and social conventions thousands of years ahead of their time. In these strange and sometimes violent proceedings, we see some of both the best and worst of humanity.&nbsp;

It is worth noting all of the film and fiction references you&#39;ll find&nbsp;in this list. Everything from Marvel movies to Bram Stoker, Night of the Living Dead&nbsp;to <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/small-mistakes-in-lord-of-the-rings/tpetersccc?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">Lord of the Rings</a>.&nbsp;Norse culture seems to have touched every corner of our own in one way or another, and that&#39;s never more evident than when we look at their funerary traditions. Some beautiful, some violent, just like any basic encounter with humanity.

12 Facts About Viking Funerals That Are Even Crazier Than You Imagined

General

Facts About Viking Funerals That Are Even Crazier Than You Imagined

Richard Rowe

History

Almost all religions throughout history, no matter how old or new, claim to be either the first, the last, or both. This was as true of Zoroastrianism 2,000 years ago as it is of Judaism today. It's still as true of Christianity or Islam as it was of ancient Greek or Egyptian mythology. But isn't that always the line between a &quot;religion&quot; and a &quot;mythology?&quot; The simple passage of time since it was last practiced?If we were to list every single religion that has ever died out through cultural shifts, genocide, factionalization, replacement, or absorption into other religions, you'd still be reading this by the time we got around to worshipping Borg space otters. Instead we're going to focus on a few &quot;dead&quot; religions that might not be quite as &quot;dead&quot; as you think. Because much like the Borg, new religions have a fascinating way of assimilating the old; absorbing and modifying concepts from long ago and far away, then forgetting where they originally came from.&nbsp;But no belief system is the first, and no one alive today will likely survive to see the last. The things we believe today are but single links in the chain of human history. Some day, thousands of years from now, people will have trouble remembering when they started worshipping space otters. Otterism will feel like the first and last religion to them, too. But maybe, just maybe, someone will take a break from cracking clams on their tummy long enough to look back on Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Shintoism, and Buddhism. Maybe they'll see a bit of themselves in our &quot;dead religions,&quot; just as you might see a bit of yourself in these. &nbsp;

12 Fascinating Religions That Have Died Out - And Some That Came Back

Fascinating Religions That Have Died Out - and Some That Came Back

Lists about polite manners, celebrations, and cultural traditions around the world.

Strange Customs & Rituals

Interesting

Every culture has its own way of dealing with death, and exactly how they do it often comes down to that culture's views on the afterlife. Or in some cultures' cases, &quot;before-life.&quot; Here in the West, we might see other cultures' funerary practices as morbid or unthinkable. <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/history-of-coffins/lyra-radford">But they might well say the same of us</a>. That sort of cultural relativism does apply to most practices. Except for that one we always have a problem wrapping our minds around: <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/brutal-human-sacrifices/t-l-perez">human sacrifice</a>.&nbsp;The custom of sati, a widow killing herself following a husband's death, seems fairly barbaric in some ways. Prehistoric, almost. And it is, on both counts. But is this really so different from what we see in something like Romeo and Juliet?&nbsp;Two people deeply in love, entering the hereafter together?&nbsp;Depending on your age and views of the afterlife (or in India's case, reincarnation), the idea of Sati may be either very easy or very difficult to understand. But there is some beauty to be found in the notion. Just ask Juliet.

10 Sad Facts About the Hindu Custom Sati, in Which Women Practice Self-Immolation

Little-Known Facts About the Indian Custom of Sati

Lists that examine the unique, bizarre, and sometimes shocking ways that different worldwide cultures view and celebrate life and what comes next. 

Post-Mortem Rituals

Everybody loves a great party, and nobody wants to miss out&nbsp;just because they're dead. In the deep highlands of Madagascar, the Merinas people have a longstanding tradition of digging up and partying with dead relatives; they call it <a href="http://www.ancient-origins.net/ancient-places-africa/turning-bones-and-madagascar-dance-dead-001346">&quot;Famadihana,&quot; or &quot;The Turning of the Bones.&quot;</a> The Western World has&nbsp;come to know this ritual as &quot;Dancing With the Dead.&quot; Held in the winter months in the deep highlands of Madagascar, this seemingly bizarre and morbid festival represents a&nbsp;beautiful, unique and honest form of ancestor worship. Unlike other forms of worship, which seek to prolong life indefinitely, the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/06/world/africa/06madagascar.html?pagewanted=all&amp;_r=0">Merinas only seek to enjoy existence long enough for it to matter.</a> The more you learn about Famadihana, the clearer it gets: This day of death is about life, and the love of living behind it. It's not so much the ritual itself that's important, but the ideas behind it.&nbsp; Some choose to lie down in the face of mortality, and some choose to weep. The Merinas of Madagascar choose to dance, and there might be some lesson in that for everyone. &nbsp;

12 Facts on Famadihana, The Body Snatching Religious Ceremony of the Merinas

12 Facts on Famadihana, The Body Snatching Ceremony of the Merinas 

Lists about the federal armed forces of the U.S. - its branches, history, practices, active members, and veterans.

The United States Armed Forces

Military

Ships hold the seas&nbsp;and armies hold the land,&nbsp;but someone has to take land and sea alike before they can be held. The Marines are the tip of America's military spear. They're the first feet on the beach, the first to kick down the&nbsp;door.&nbsp;Called stormtroopers&nbsp;and Devil Dogs&nbsp;by adversaries, the Marines's almost cult-like devotion to aggressive action and gaining ground has earned the Corps a level of universal respect granted to few military forces in the world.&nbsp;While at one time Marines were a simple expeditionary force carried around by Naval ships, these days the Corps maintains its own transportation and methods of launching mechanized warfare. Whether fighting on land,&nbsp;in the sea, or in the sky, every member of the Corps is one thing above all else: a&nbsp;Marine. All else, even death, is secondary.&nbsp;Read on if you've ever wondered &quot;what&nbsp;is&nbsp;the&nbsp;Marine&nbsp;Corps&nbsp;like?&quot; or are simply interested in&nbsp;stories&nbsp;about&nbsp;the&nbsp;Marine&nbsp;Corps. This list compiles some of the most important Marine Corps missions.

The Most Epic Things the United States Marine Corps Has Ever Done

There are many sides to America's military forces. There's the side that most people know: big guns and explosions, stomping soldiers, and screaming jet fighters. But America's military complex is unique in the world, because it also takes a full-spectrum approach to saving lives. Yes, sometimes that does mean using violence; but just as often, it means lending a saving hand to those in need, as these United States Coast Guard stories prove.What does the Coast Guard do? Technically speaking, they're America's seaward fist line of defense; the hard line between law and lawlessness on the high seas. But a big part of the Coast Guard's job has also been showing up to aid those who have suffered coastal disasters. While most of us think of these services as rendered with ships and helicopters, the Coast Guard has been involved with many humanitarian and search and rescue missions over dry land and far away from any saltwater. &nbsp;Wherever disaster strikes in conjunction with water, you can count on the coast Guard to be there. At that is just one of the many reasons why the Coast Guard is the best.

The Most Epic Things the United States Coast Guard Has Ever Done

Car Models

All manufacturers produce concept cars -- but BMW is one of the few to consistently do it right. BMW truly gets the idea of a concept car, a vehicle to drive both sales and imaginations, and test the waters for new directions in design. On this list you'll find a few cars that helped to chart not only the course of BMW design direction, but (in at least one case) the design direction of an entire industry. For better or worse. But either way, nobody can tell BMW's design department that it doesn't know what it's doing with concept bodies.That said, someone might consider having a chat with the marketing department about certain concept vehicle names. Because...just...seriously, guys. There's such a thing as too much personal sharing. But, nevermind. We'll open that dresser drawer in the near future. Meanwhile, BMW's designers will continue to focus on the distant future, and keep delivering on some of the most awesomely futuristic concepts around. At least we can count on someone over there to think ahead.&nbsp;

Best Futuristic BMW Concept Cars We Wish Were Made

Automobile Model

Building a good, cheap drift car these days isn&#39;t quite as easy as it used to be.&nbsp;An ideal drift car is typically four things: Old, cheap, tunable for immense power, and (most critically) rear-wheel drive. That wasn&#39;t such a great feat in the 1990s, when there were many 10- to 15-year old cars capable of footing the bill. But here in the 2010s, things are a bit different.

Now, buying a 10- to 15-year-old car now means buying a car from the 1990s or early 2000s--probably the single worst period for manual transmissions and rear-wheel-drive in American history.&nbsp;That makes pickings for decent drift cars pretty slim in 21st Century America. Basically, unless you want a truck, Mustang or Camaro, you&#39;re going to have to spend more for a newer car, sacrifice performance with an older one from the &#39;90s, or get a really old car and put a ton of work into modifications. There are also a few <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/classic-japanese-cars/ranker-cars" target="_blank">vintage Japanese cars</a> that are great for drifting.

Obviously, none of this makes building an awesome drift car impossible. It just means that, unless you want a Camaro or Mustang, you&#39;ll have to be a little more creative and flexible in your approach. Think outside the box, and consider options that might seem a little weird or crazy at first. They say necessity is the mother of invention, and hardship the father of creativity.

Sure, you&#39;re going to have to be very creative to build a good cheap car for drifting these days. But that just means you&#39;ll end up with something awesomely unique, and completely your own creation. Not exactly a bad thing, most would say. After all, the&nbsp;best cars for drifting usually have tons of quirks and eccentricities.

14 Cheap Beginner Drift Cars That Don't Break the Bank

Of all of America's military branches, the Air Force is the youngest. As prominent a role as air power has come to taker in the military, it's easy to forget that aviation as a thing has barely existed for a hundred years. But as you'll see further into this list, it didn't take long for man to take to the air in huge numbers with lots of guns and bad intentions.&nbsp;A century after biplanes and pistols, we've got flying deathbots and laser-guided boomsticks that can take an enemy out well before they're in sight. Some say this era heralds the beginning of the end of military aviation as we know it. And that might be true. But in between, the Air Force sure has given us its fair share of epic true stories. They could involve massive air battles with thousands of combatants, or one fearless badass going full kamikaze to take out a machine gun nest. Some changed history by dropping single bombs or by killing single men; others did it by dropping millions of bombs and leveling entire countries. &nbsp;But no matter what your standard of &quot;epic&quot; may be, the Air Force has provided a true story to meet it. Prepare to witness the awesome might of American air power -- and the century it helped to shape. Vote up your favorite true story about the Air Force.

The Most Epic Things the United States Air Force Has Ever Done

United States Air Force Stories That'll Impress You

Culture

Thinking of going on a road trip? Earth's longest roads are adventurous enough to make anyone's wanderlust dreams come true, but are you brave enough to face them? The journey&nbsp;into the unknown can be dangerous, so please don't get distracted by the beautiful scenery, and don't ever text and drive. Life is all about the journey, so instead of boarding a quick flight, jump in the driver's seat of your car and hit the road, seeing the world from one of the longest roads ever!Whether you're an American without a passport or just a travel enthusiast in any location, this list of the longest highways will take you all over the world from California to China. Buckle up!

The Longest Roads on Earth

Lists of famous Mormons and fascinating information about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Inside Mormonism

Mormonism

They call it "America's Religion" - &nbsp;the only major world religion truly native to our shores. Yet in its time and even today, Mormonism has been regarded with much the same degree of skepticism and outright dismissal as anything created by any science fiction writer. Not least of which because it does contain some elements that sound a little sci-fi.Mormonism raises some interesting philosophical questions about the nature of humanity and free will, and the role of family and personal ethics, as well as some less laudable ideas. It's true, Mormonism's history (some of it fairly recent) is shot through with beliefs, biases, and actions many would find abhorrent today - though the same could be said about any major religious tradition.&nbsp;No matter how you see the religion itself, though, few people outside of Mormonism really understand its beliefs. Here are some facts about the faith, its fundamental beliefs and unusual practices, that will increase your understanding of this fast-growing religion.

What Mormons Really Believe

18 Insightful Facts About What Mormons Really Believe

Places/Travel

There's a certain bias many people have; let's call it &quot;the illusion of safety.&quot; That is, believing things they think should be secure actually are. In some cases, that belief is so strong nobody even bothers to make it illegal to, say, sneak into a very important building, like a King or Queen's palace. It's just kind of assumed that would never happen.Sure, we'd all like to believe it takes some combination of Danny Ocean and Tom Cruise to get into our most &quot;secure&quot; facilities, like the White House. But many times, a little bit of patience, a lot of bravery, and an axe will do just fine.If history has taught us anything, it's that there's no such thing as truly &quot;safe&quot; or &quot;secure.&quot; One determined person can make mincemeat of the best-laid defenses. It takes an entire forge to make chain mail, but a single arrow to find its weakness. That's how people can sneak into a building like a nuclear power plant. Here is a list of people and groups that broke into places you'd never believe it was possible to gain access to - with minimal effort.

Places That Are Surprisingly Easy to Sneak Into

17 Places That Are Surprisingly Easy to Sneak Into

Politics

As the relationship between Cuba and the United States changes, Americans are discovering a new fascination with this long-embargoed Atlantic neighbor. It's been five decades or so; but at long last, the U.S. government has decided that the Cuban Embargo isn't going to crush Communism in the Western Hemisphere.True also is that, as stupid as cutting Cuba off from American trade may have been, it's had the unexpected side effect of creating a bizarrely wonderful kind of pocket universe. A place where cab drivers drop tourists off at cantinas in 1957 Studebakers. Where you won't find a Coke, but you will find free penis enlargement. Where hummingbirds can land on your thumb, and where you won't find much Wifi - but you will find that 98% of the population can quote Hemingway on demand. True, there aren't many boats on the water; but under that water lay pristine coral reefs the envy of anyone else in the civilized world.&nbsp;Nobody really knows what kind of wonders will open to America, now that we're back on speaking terms with Havana. But one thing's for sure: In this little pocket universe, this consumerism and pollution-free Galapagos of social evolution, this tiny piece of parallel reality called Cuba, which split off from our own reality some 50 years ago... there's a whole world of wonders, now waiting to be found.

22 Things You Never Knew About Cuba

Cuba Facts, Trivia, and History

Lists that rank the top game shows on TV and revisit some of the most memorable moments ever to air.

Life Is One Big Game Show

Scandals

Cheating at game shows is practically as old as game shows themselves - and it's not always done strictly by contestants. In fact, in the most despicable cases, the &quot;cheating&quot; was more a result of producers rigging the game in the search for money than of greedy people seeking to game the gaming system.But hey, players gonna play and cheaters gonna cheat. It's just the way of the world, and game show cheats on either side of the line have been fairly common. Sometimes, their motives have even been altruistic. Here are a few of the more notable examples of game show cheating, of slick contestants and greed-frothing producers bending or breaking the rules of sportsman-like conduct for fun and profit.

10 True Game Show Cheating Scandals

Game Show Cheaters | List of Game Show Contestants Who Cheated

A drill instructor yelling at recruits is one of those classic military images. But believe it or not, this practice wasn't always as well-known in American culture as it is today. Prior to R. Lee Ermey's appearance in Full Metal Jacket, people might not have known about how intense basic training could be. But truth is often even more brutal than fiction, as these pictures of drill sergeants yelling at marines and other military personnel show.Granted, yes, we can have a little fun with some of the photos, imagining the things these instructors might be saying. But have no doubt, this kind of treatment is deadly serious, and serves an important purpose. Apart from unifying the troops, the drill instructor's job is to teach recruits to maintain cool and discipline under stress. It's a literal life-or-death quality on the battlefield. The drill instructor's job is to save lives, plain and simple.Still... can't fault them for having a little bit of fun in the process.&nbsp;

Intense Photos of Drill Instructors Yelling at Recruits

28 Pictures of Marine Drill Instructors Yelling at Recruits

Events

Humans aren't the calmest group of mammals on Earth. Sure, we're pretty social - we show it on a regular basis by coming together for things like political conventions, sporting events, and orgies of competitive shopping (AKA Black Friday). But for every Super Bowl enjoyed by millions, there are thousands of people working event security to keep the wild hordes at least sort of civilized.Of course, unruly crowd members aren't the only concern in the world; especially in today's world of armed lunatics and terrorists. For that reason, some event security can come to look and act decidedly military in nature. Sometimes, it is the actual military showing up in unmarked Suburbans, jet, or full on clown costumes. (Looking at you, Switzerland.)&nbsp; But no matter what they wear, what they drive, or how they act, these brave men and women stand ready to protect humanity from itself. Check out the circumstances that call for security measures that go above and beyond retired old security guards.

The Hardest Events to Securely Protect in the U.S.

How Security Is Handled at High Profile Events

The issue of gun regulation in the US is hardly as black or white as the extremes of the political spectrum would have us believe. In reality, there are broad swaths of gray in the gun control debate. Some people take a stand on ethical or ideological grounds; others (generally in the firearms industry) stand on grounds of profit. Most elected officials are in it to pander for the political points, and the&nbsp;majority of their supporters seem quite happy to decide now and get informed later. But what are some pro gun control arguments people are using?This list of arguments is <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/arguments-against-gun-control/richard-rowe">half of a two-parter</a> debating both sides of the gun control issue, and it focuses on the arguments for gun control. Or, more pointedly, it collects the most rational reasons why people are for gun control laws being stricter.Fact is, at the end of the day, most of us just want our homes and our nation to be safer places. But to do that, both sides have to see where the other is coming from. Consensus starts with understanding.When you're done here, check out the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/arguments-against-gun-control/richard-rowe">list of arguments made by the other side</a>, then decide for yourself on which ground you choose to stand.

Here Is Why We Need Gun Control Right Now

Pro Gun Control Arguments | Facts That Support the Need for Firearm Regulations

Controversy

Arguments against gun control are quite varied. In the United States, the issue of regulating weapons is hardly as black or white as the extremes of the political spectrum would have us believe. Like all <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/social-issues-in-america-that-you-care-about-most/mike-rothschild?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">major social issues</a>, there are a number of variables in the gun control debate. Some people take a stand on ethical or ideological grounds; others (generally in the firearms industry) stand on grounds of profit. Most elected officials are in it to pander for the political points, and the&nbsp;majority of their supporters seem quite happy to decide now and get informed later.Both sides have their extremists and more moderate supporters. Why are people against gun control?&nbsp;Every argument has <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/pro-gun-control-arguments/richard-rowe">two sides</a>, and this list of pro gun facts is one of them.<a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/pro-gun-control-arguments/richard-rowe">Click here</a> for the other side of the debate.

Here's Why Gun Control Doesn't Make Sense Right Now

Pro Gun Arguments | Cons Against Gun Control

Lists about armed forces and military tactics around the world.

Military Men

Strange as it may seem, today&#39;s generation of kids probably know more about military strategy than many generals of a hundred years ago. Why? In a phrase: &quot;Video games.&quot; From World of Warcraft to Halo, Modern War to Fallout 4, gamers these days get quite the education in military strategy well before they&#39;re old enough to attend West Point.&nbsp;

Maybe that&#39;s kind of a natural thing for a nation that proudly boasts the largest and most powerful military in human history. All things considered, it shouldn&#39;t be that weird. And yet somehow, we bet you&#39;ll be surprised by exactly how many of these classic military strategies you already know. You might not know the names of the strategies themselves, or the history behind them. But you&#39;ll probably find at least half of these strategies oddly familiar.

Vote up the most genius military strategies below.

The Most Genius Military Strategies Ever

Military Strategies | Most Genius Battlefield Tactics

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

What does dopamine do? Well, at the most basic level, everything you think, do, and&nbsp;are is basically part of one big chemical reaction. That's not an altogether comfortable thought for some people - but it's the science. It's hard to deny when you start looking into incredible brain chemicals and neurotransmitters like dopamine.Most people have heard of dopamine; in pop culture, it's generally considered &quot;your brain's natural heroin.&quot; That kind of trivia stuff is both true and... not quite true. It's true in the sense that heroin and many other drugs increase the dopamine levels in your brain, and that's a big part of the high. But the fact is, in its natural setting, this amazing molecule is responsible for far, far more than inspiring all the best Stone Temple Pilot albums. The dopamine facts below will explain.Dopamine inspires a lot of things we do; it's the reward our brain gives us when we're doing something useful, like learning a bunch of dopamine trivia! See if you can feel that little chemical hit yourself while you're learning about one of the most important biological chemicals in your body.

17 Crazy Interesting Facts About Dopamine

Dopamine Facts | Interesting Stories about What Dopamine Does

Here in the modern world, most of us have developed a healthy cynicism that helps us look past &quot;get rich quick&quot; schemes with a smirk and an eye roll. So you'd think we would be able to avoid the total financial ruin that comes from joining in on a scam. And yet, when it comes to these infamous Ponzi schemes, we apparently are not as smart as we think we are. In the face of real human cost, it's hard to maintain a sense of humor while poring through the true costs of greed. Hard, but not impossible. Oh, sure, it's got its moments (if you're into irony), but at the end of the day, even the most hardened cynic would struggle to find the punchline in the utter devastation some of these scams have wrought upon the poor, naive, and undeserving. What is a Ponzi scheme? The basic definition involves a fraudulent company that promises big returns to early investors. Those returns are usually furnished by the money from later investors, instead of from a legitimate enterprise. Indeed, these days, we tend to look at cases like Bernie Madoff and shrug it off with &quot;Well, that's what you get for trusting Wall Street.&quot; But looking over this list of scams, it's hard to apply the same logic to the refugees of the Kosovo conflict, women and children fleeing anarchy in Albania, and the utter decimation of the poor in Haiti.The last 30 years have been something of a new Golden Age for investment scams. Everyone's got a plan to get rich doing as little as possible; it's almost come to define the new American dream. But risking it all on a business that seems too good to be true can have disastrous consequences, as these examples of the biggest Ponzi schemes in history prove.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

The Most Infamous Ponzi Schemes in History

Ponzi Scheme List | Famous Ponzi Schemes in History

There are two kinds of people in the world: Those who get the appeal of floating fortresses, bristling with guns and missiles and all manner of things awesome - and those who drive Priuses. There is no middle ground. And if there were, most of the ships on this list would turn it into a giant, smoking crater.Yes, there's definitely something about a big military ship that takes us back to the most primal part of ourselves. There's a bit of romance to that part; maybe a bit of the old idealist, who appreciates the aesthetic appeal of naval warfare. Maybe it's the risk-taker, the gambler who understands that all that lay between sailor and sea is one well-placed shot to the stern. &nbsp;Maybe it's just the fact that big guns are cool, and ships carry the biggest guns of them all.&nbsp;But no matter what the appeal, you would have to be of a pretty small group not to find something to love about these cool military surface ships. And if you're one of those people, please park your Prius on the beach...we're working up a firing solution...&nbsp;Vote up the coolest military surface ships below, and be sure to let us know what you think in the comment section!

The Coolest (Military) Surface Ships Ever

Best Surface Combatant Ships: Surface Vessels, Ranked

Cars & Vehicles

Considering buying a new car? You're about to be faced with a laundry list of cool-sounding but crazy expensive extra options. But are they worth it? Seems like for all of the millions of factory and dealer options out there, most of them are utterly worthless cash sucks.&nbsp;That might be overstating things a little, but it also isn't too far off the mark. The fact is, a lot of car companies make far more on selling options, option packages, and useless, whiz-bang gizmotronics than they do manufacturing automobiles. Granted, some of these bad new car features don't seem so bad; but you might be surprised how many options are really nonsense add-ons whose sole &quot;performance&quot; contribution is reducing the weight of your wallet. Here's looking at you, carbon fiber cupholders of the world.&nbsp;When you head to the lot, try not to be seduced by these worthless dealer options.

The Most Worthless New Car Options

Useless Dealer Options You Shouldn't Pay for

They say if it looks right, it flies right. And if that&#39;s true, then this must be the best flying list on Earth. Military aircraft, as a rule, are all about function - just getting the job done, and getting home in one piece. But every so often, some fighter jet, combat aircraft, or hyperspeed recon flier will cross that line from function to form, and wind up looking dead-sexy in the process.&nbsp;On this list, we&#39;re going to take a look at some of the sexiest planes from the Air Force, Army, Marines and armed forces worldwide. 
&nbsp;

North American XB-70 Valkyrie

The Sexiest Military Aircraft

Military Aircraft Photos | Most Attractive Combat Planes

Summer

Have you ever run into a spider web at night, and gotten a case of the &quot;screaming mimi's?&quot; Ever met a sizeable lady, and silently spoken the words &quot;Big Bertha?&quot; Ever fired a bottle rocket at your cousin on the Fourth of July, used a GPS nav system, or shot a gun? Well, you have artillery to thank for all of that. And a lot more.Big artillery pieces are like great warriors in their own rights. They've got names, personalities, biographies, and histories of their own. Gustav and Dora, Thor and Little David, Davey Crockett and Satan himself; they all have seen battle from time to time. It's kind of odd how much of artillery history has worked its way into pop culture, and how often we refer to the big guns of days gone by. &nbsp;Here are a few of the biggest, coolest and most important ballistic weapons in history. Vote up the best artillery pieces from history, and be sure to let us know what you think in the comment section.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Coolest Artillery Pieces in History

Artillery Pieces | Best Cannons & Shells

The coolest guns, most destructive weapons, and best, most iconic, most reliable firearm brands and manufacturers since the beginning of war and civil unrest.

Guns & Ammo & Weapons

There are two basic ways to look at banning weapons in war. The first, humanitarian view is that that war should be as &quot;humane&quot; as possible, limiting death only to intended targets, and delivered as quickly and painlessly as possible. With, of course, the possibility of rescue or recovery. Weapons banned in war inflict undue destruction on civilians.The second view on illegal war weapons could be called the &quot;Lee Perspective,&quot; so named for the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/tags/civil-war?ref=internalCrossLinking_tag">Civil War</a> general who said &quot;It is well that war is so terrible - otherwise we would grow too fond of it.&quot; Since the Hague and Geneva conventions, we seem to have grown quite fond of war. The Sherman Argument would have it that putting rules on war turns it into a sport, instead of something to be avoided at all costs.But no matter which side of that you come down on, the modern war does indeed have its rules. These are the nastiest, most horrible instruments of death and suffering that you won't see on today's battlefield - including a good number <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/interesting-pictures/robert-wabash?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">that might</a> surprise you. These are the weapons that are not allowed, even in war.

Weapons That Are Banned In Warfare

Banned Weapons | Guns & Explosives Not Allowed in War

Whether you're treating yo'self, redecorating your life, or shopping for clever and cute gifts, we've got plenty to throw in your online cart.

Funny Things You Can Buy

Pop Culture

<a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/inappropriate-bumper-stickers/nathandavidson?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">Funny bumper stickers</a> are the only bumper stickers worth paying attention to from behind the wheel. People slap stickers and decals to their rear bumpers for all kinds of reasons, but this list is dedicated to those rare bumper stickers that are actually funny. Your votes will decide the funniest bumper stickers on the road, determining which stickers are worth their adhesive and which decals are just dumb.When you're driving, pretty much the only way to express yourself is through your horn or the occasional flipped bird. Maybe that's why some drivers are compelled to express their political or religious beliefs through stickers. We're not interested in political bumper stickers, however. We're here for the comedy, for the clever car stickers that make you smile during the rolling stress festival that is your morning commute.We've saved you the trouble of sifting through all those silly &quot;How's my driving? Call 1-800-EAT-SH*T&quot; bumper stickers. A lot of the decals on this list are clever, poking fun at the stupidity of bumper stickers, and a lot of them are so dumb they just might be clever. All of them are funny, but only you can decide which are the best. Vote up the funniest bumper stickers below!

The Funniest Bumper Stickers on the Road

Funny Bumper Stickers and Decals on Cars

It doesn&#39;t matter how great in power some armaments seem on paper - sometimes, stuff just happens and even the most ingenious devices end up relegated to the White Elephant chapter of history. Often times, these devices and machinery that never saw action get caught up in a&nbsp;political quagmire, or show up in the wrong place at the wrong time, like when there&#39;s no conflict.&nbsp;

Other times, in the greatest stroke of irony, some of the instruments and machines&nbsp;were <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/brutal-weapons-throughout-history/jonathan-kantor" target="_blank">just too great for their own good</a>. Too big, too powerful, too expensive - or just too over-the-top to prove practical in battle. But no matter what ultimately kept them off of the field (including peace), it&#39;s hard for <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/badass-historical-figures-weapons/stephanroget" target="_blank">military hardware enthusiasts</a> to not feel a little pang of regret at the idea of these machines winding up in mothballs.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Vote up the most <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/most-ridiculous-weapons/mike-rothschild" target="_blank">innovative armaments</a> that never saw action below.

The Greatest Weapons That Never Saw Action

Innovative Military Weapons That Were Never Used

No right turns? No problem! These are the highs and lows of all things NASCAR related.

NASCAR Racing

NASCAR

These days, as safety obsessed as NASCAR is, it&#39;s pretty easy to miss the fact that since 1950, NASCAR has actually averaged more than one death&nbsp;per year of racing. That&#39;s an attrition rate of about 2 to 3 percent -&nbsp;every year -&nbsp;among NASCAR drivers, making this sport one of the most dangerous occupations in the world. That was especially true in the 1950s and &#39;60s, back when stock cars were relatively stock, and safety took a serious back seat to speed. The Daytona track has claimed more lives than almost every other American super-speedway combined.

So, yes, NASCAR is obsessed with safety now...but not without reason. So, maybe it&#39;s worth taking a few minutes to appreciate some of the other high-speed heroes who gave their lives to the pursuit of a checkered flag. Check out this list of the worst NASCAR deaths ever to learn which drivers were killed on the tracks.

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