Brave New World Etc.(formerly Midtown Blogger): How Stuff Works

Today's Mind-blower

How Cyber Monday Works
Between the early rising and intense crowds, it's no wonder some shoppers want to skip Black Friday. But staying home the Friday after Thanksgiving doesn't mean skipping all the savings -- that's where Cyber Monday comes into play.

Great Stuff

electronics 10 Ways Watches Have Evolved
Portable timepieces have existed since the mid-1500s; however, the wristwatch (as we know it) has only been around for a little more than a century. Learn the many ways that watches have evolved.

health Is fast food addictive?
The idea of food addiction is relatively new, but researchers say the struggle is real — especially when it comes to greasy, delicious fast food. So what's the science behind those cravings?

animals 10 Venomous Creatures in Your Backyard
You don't have to live in some exotic, tropical environment to find a venomous critter. They live all over the world, and some may be closer than you think.

entertainment 10 Toys So Popular They Incited Violence
Would you knock down a fellow shopper to get your hands on a toy? Apparently, lots of folks would, judging by news accounts. Here are 10 toys that inspired some of the most heinous acts of violence committed in the name of spreading holiday cheer.

health Is wheat toxic?
Some people in the anti-wheat movement say that the grain has compounds in it that make it addictive. But is this true?

adventure 10 Things That Can Go Wrong in Air Sports
Air sports are an exhilarating hobby, but there's a long list of things that can go awry. Even the best-trained air sports adventurers need to be aware of these risks.

science Should black box data be stored in the cloud?
Why do we still lock away critical data on a box that can go down with the plane? It may be time to think differently about the black box and its contents.

money 10 Black Friday Horror Stories
We're not sure why Americans lose their minds at the thought of picking up flashy electronics at big discounts on the day after Thanksgiving. But it happens. Discover 10 fascinating and horrifying true-life tales that happened on Black Friday.

animals 10 Wildly Wrong Animal Stereotypes
The world is full of cuddly koalas, loyal dogs and friendly dolphins. Or is it? Even positive animal stereotypes can be dangerous if they lead to humans making poor judgment calls.

science How Bacteria Work
Bacteria are both friend and foe to humanity. They cause and cure health problems, make rotting food stink and give sourdough its delicious taste. Find out how these countless tiny microbes accomplish all of this and more.

people 10 Weird Ingredients People Put in Thanksgiving Dressing
We've loved pepperoni and mozzarella on our pizza for years, so why not throw it in the bird? Yep, stuffing (or dressing) doesn't have to be boring.

people 10 Tips for Genealogy Scrapbooking
While you can create scrapbooks of parties or vacations, a really meaningful and fun project is to scrapbook your family history. How do you keep all those certificates, clippings and photos from looking like a hot mess?

electronics How the Amazon Fire Phone Works
Amazon's jumped into the smartphone market with a device that's loaded with bells and whistles. But does the Fire phone pose a threat to privacy? And is it just geared to making us buy more things from Amazon?

people 10 Historical Untruths About the First Thanksgiving
On the fourth Thursday in November, Americans gather with their families to eat turkey and sweet potatoes, just like that first Thanksgiving.... Actually, not like that first dinner. Join us as we debunk some of the many Thanksgiving myths.

science Did NASA win the space race?
This passive-aggressive peacetime contest between the USSR and the U.S. unofficially ended with the U.S. moon landing. But the Soviets also touted a long list of space race accomplishments. Who won?

electronics How could Google Glass detect people's emotions?
Imagine being able to look at people and get a heads-up display about how they're feeling. Now, software is making use of the camera in Google Glass to do just that.

health What are the white dots on my nails?
You notice a white dot on your fingernail. You try to scrub it off and realize the little white dots are not paint; they're actually part of your nail. What could they be?

recipes 10 International Dishes for Your Thanksgiving Spread
Turkey and stuffing are delicious traditional Thanksgiving dishes, but sometimes it's refreshing to vary the requisite menu to include international fare.