People have been living all around the world for literally thousands of years. Here are some of the most interesting things human beings have ever done (that we know about).

Fascinating Ancient History

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The 6th century boasted many exceptional&nbsp;events, people, and historical contributions. The exception, however, was&nbsp;one year that was particularly burdened with a level of tragedy and strife&nbsp;most historians say surpassed any other moment in history: 536 CE. This was the worst part of the Dark Ages.&nbsp;

Calling the medieval period the &quot;<a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/reasons-dark-ages-were-not-dark/melissa-sartore" target="_blank">Dark Ages</a>&quot; may seem to be a&nbsp;bit of an exaggeration to the period overall, but scientists and historians recently determined the worst time to be alive was, in fact, during one of these so-called dark years. Across the globe, from Europe to Asia to South America, civilization stalled as people dealt with hardships brought on by horrific natural events.

Plagues, famines, and natural disasters all contributed to the challenges of 536, as did messy political shifts and cultural upheavals. <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/what-life-was-like-in-medieval-castles/shanell-mouland" target="_blank">Living in medieval Europe</a> was anything but easy, and the 6th century appeared&nbsp;exceptionally difficult to survive.&nbsp;Don&#39;t worry, though - about 100 years later <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/how-did-humans-survive-536-ad-worst-year/genevieve-carlton" target="_blank">everything recovered as best it could</a>.

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Reasons 536 CE Was The Worst Year To Be Alive

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She's got so much love, got so much patience—She's learned from the pain. She turned out amaaaaziiiinggggggg.

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Taylor Swift has her cats named Olivia Benson and Meredith Grey. Chris Evans has his dog, Dodger. And Paris Hilton has a menagerie of miniature pooches. But&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-ariana-grande-thank-u-next-songs/ranker-music">Ariana Grande</a>'s pets might outrank them all. The singer has a wide variety of dogs breeds and fun names that include Toulouse and Coco. Grande has 10 dogs and an adorable farm animal as part of her family. &nbsp;&nbsp;For as long as the world has obsessed over celebrity culture, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/celebrities-with-strange-pets/samantha-dillinger">celebrity pets</a> have achieved a level of notoriety on par with that of their owners. Take a look at all the animals that call her "Mom."

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Exploring the many ways space, space travels, and extraterrestrial life are depicted in film, TV, literature, anime, comics, and technology.

Imagining Life in Space

Best TV

The outer galaxy has fascinated television viewers for decades. The <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/most-exciting-sci-fi-tv-shows/ranker-tv?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">best space TV shows</a> feature out-of-this-world storylines, extraterrestrial beings, and scientific humanoids. This list of the greatest TV shows about outer space includes everything from Star Trek: The Original Series to Battlestar Galactica to Firefly and is ranked from best to worst by your votes.

What shows will you find on this list of the best TV shows set in space? Since it first premiered in 1963, Doctor Who has become a staple of British - and global - television. The regenerating Time Lord explores space and time from his distinctive blue ship, the TARDIS.&nbsp;The lead characters of Mystery Science Theatre 3000 are trapped in a spaceship and forced to watch B movies as their captor attempts to take over the world. Other good <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/current-tv-shows-about-space/ranker-tv?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">TV shows about space</a> include Babylon 5, Lost in Space, and Farscape. Next to those classics and are <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/current-tv-shows-about-space/ranker-tv" target="_blank">newer TV shows set in space</a>, such as The Mandalorian, For All Mankind, and Space Force.

Which space TV show do you think is the best? Vote up the best TV shows set in space and see where your favorite out-of-this-world series rank.

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The 50+ Best Space Shows, Ranked

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The 50+ Best TV Shows Set In Space, Ranked By Fans By Fans

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If you're a fan of outer space and futuristic adventures, you're in for a treat with our list of the best Sci-Fi space movies of all time. Fiction movies about space have been a cornerstone of the science fiction genre, transporting audiences to distant galaxies, uncharted planets, and beyond the known universe. These films are not just about dazzling special effects; they tackle profound questions about humanity, survival, and the cosmos.Some standout examples in the genre include Interstellar, a visually stunning epic that delves into the complexities of love, time, and space travel. There's also The Martian, a gripping tale of survival and ingenuity as an astronaut fights to stay alive on Mars. And for those who enjoy a mix of ancient history and sci-fi, Stargate offers an exciting adventure through mysterious portals and distant lands. These films, among others, have defined what it means to create captivating and thoughtful fiction movies about space.&nbsp;So, which film ranks highest in your interstellar adventures? Make sure to cast your vote – it will help determine the ultimate sci-fi space masterpiece.

Independence Day

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The 185+ Best Sci-Fi Movies About Space

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The 185+ Best Sci-Fi Space Movies, Ranked By Fans

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Wild Facts

Nowadays, most people know that radium products are&nbsp;incredibly harmful, and <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/dying-from-radiation-poisoning/kellen-perry" target="_blank">that radiation can kill you</a>. However, this wasn't always the case. In the early 20th century, radium paint was used on many household objects, and no one gave it a second thought. That is, until factory workers who were exposed to radium paint started to die. These Radium Girls, as they're referred to,&nbsp;often&nbsp;perished from radiation poisoning, and those who didn't&nbsp;fought stringently against it. They eventually won the battle, but at a great cost.Interestingly, when radium was first discovered, it was actually thought to be healthy. <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/quack-medical-devices-that-contained-radium/amandasedlakhevener" target="_blank">Radioactive medicine</a> was all the rage, and no one suspected that it was actually slowly killing them. Dangerous x-rays conducted at the time further exacerbated the effects of this&nbsp;radioactive quackery, so if you had been exposed to the poison, seeing a doctor actually made it worse. When the Radium Girls found that they had this&nbsp;sickness, they chose to fight&nbsp;back against those who inflicted&nbsp;it upon them - the corporations.These women were heroic, tragic, and important figures in our history, and their stories should never be forgotten&nbsp;for as long as they remain glowing in their graves.

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14 Horrific Facts About The Women Forced To Get Radium Poisoning For Their Job

14 Horrifying Facts About The Radium Girls

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Fascinating info that will make you the most interesting person at every party.

Wild Facts You Should Know

Culture

Symbols are everywhere, even when we don't realize it. A drawing of a heart, a no smoking sign, or a crosswalk - they're all physical representations of a word, a concept, or an idea. As often as not, people use symbols and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/satanic-symbols-in-public/jacob-shelton">see symbols</a> without actually knowing their names.&nbsp;For example, let's take a look at the US-International keyboard (the version used for this list). There are a lot of keyboard symbols with fairly obvious names because there's very little confusion about what they do. The dollar sign ($), the plus sign (+), or the at sign (@) - these are all (more or less) keyboard symbols with names everyone knows. Most punctuation is also pretty straightforward (period).But, there are a bunch of<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/common-freemason-symbols/jacob-shelton"> symbol names</a>, especially keyboard symbol names, that don't resonate. Maybe we've never learned them, or maybe we came up with one of our own for simplicity (saying “star” for * is much easier than “asterisk," after all).&nbsp;There are a lot of possible reasons symbol names we don't use in regular conversation - but, now that we know them, try to stop us (exclamation point)! What about you (question mark)?&nbsp;

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As scientists continue to forge ahead, paving humanity's road to the future, so should you do your part by reading and voting on each of these lists.

They Blinded Us with Science

Science

The fascinating world of science has inspired countless films throughout the years, including some that are based on the lives of scientists. These biographical movies not only illuminate the extraordinary contributions that these individuals have made to their fields but also offer captivating insights into their personal journeys and the challenges they faced. With elements of drama, romance, and adventure, these films not only entertain but also celebrate the scientific spirit that drives human progress.&nbsp;The scientist-movie selection covers a wide range of subjects and eras, showcasing the multifaceted nature of scientific discovery. Each film delves into the heart of a scientist's story, highlighting their struggles, triumphs, and the impact of their groundbreaking work. Viewers are given a glimpse of the determination, perseverance, and brilliance that these pioneers displayed, as well as the emotional and intellectual challenges that colored their lives.&nbsp;For instance, The Imitation Game presents the story of Alan Turing, a brilliant mathematician who played a crucial role in breaking the Enigma code during World War II, while grappling with his own personal demons. Likewise, A Beautiful Mind explores the life of John Nash, a gifted mathematician who battled schizophrenia while making significant contributions to game theory. The Theory of Everything delves into the life and work of renowned physicist Stephen Hawking, depicting his fight against motor neuron disease and the development of his groundbreaking theories in cosmology. These exceptional films are just a few examples of how movies about scientists capture the essence of these pioneering intellects and their achievements.&nbsp;The best movies about scientists not only provide engaging entertainment but also serve as inspiring tributes to the indomitable human spirit in the quest for knowledge and understanding. By portraying the lives and works of these remarkable individuals, these biographical movies enable audiences to appreciate the invaluable contributions that scientists have made to society and the world at large.&nbsp;

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Unveiling the vastness of the cosmos to intrigued viewers, the realm of astronomy TV documentaries evokes awe and wonder. Documentaries about astronomy make complex concepts accessible and palatable, transforming stargazing into an educational joyride. Fusing compelling visuals with insightful narration, such shows unfurl layers of spacetime, opening gateways to galaxies far, far away. With each episode, these series act as a telescope, allowing us to peer into the mysteries of the universe while comfortably seated on our couches.&nbsp;Featuring a captivating blend of scientific exploration and entertainment, these shows paint an enigmatic portrait of the universe. These engaging astronomy documentaries reveal celestial secrets, from the life cycle of stars to the swirling vortex of black holes. Making science both fun and intriguing, they feed our innate curiosity for the cosmos. Their exceptional storytelling, combined with astounding visuals and expert insights, retains the fun-filled nature of traditional TV while immersing the viewer in an ocean of knowledge.&nbsp;Prominent examples of this genre include The Universe and Cosmos: A Personal Voyage, which pushes the boundaries of informational television. The Universe dazzles viewers with its detailed exploration of celestial phenomena, while Cosmos: A Personal Voyage, hosted by the iconic Carl Sagan, takes audiences on an inspiring journey through space and time. Other notable entries like Wonders of the Universe and Cosmos: A Space-Time Odyssey continue the legacy of delivering profound insights in a digestible format. These series, along with others, conveniently provide streaming options for Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, Paramount+, Disney+ and Max, ensuring that they reach a broad spectrum of space enthusiasts.&nbsp;Documentaries about astronomy offer an accessible portal into the vast expanse of the universe. They are a testament to the power of television in making convoluted astronomical concepts simple and engaging for audiences of all kinds. These delightful series, brimming with scientific revelations, continue to satiate our cosmic curiosity, proving that the best astronomy series are those that not only entertain, but also enlighten. Tune in for a galactic ride into the unknown, and explore the universe from the comfort of your home.&nbsp;Whether you're flipping through the channels on a day off, burning hours at a time on Netflix, or actively seeking out and sharing clips of your favorite astronomy documentaries online, there's no denying that the top astronomy shows can pull us into their orbit and keep us there. So let's break out the telescope, venture into a black hole that sucks up all of our time, and rank the best astronomy documentary series.&nbsp;

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The Best TV Documentaries About Astronomy, Ranked

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Vacations

The solar system is a vast, amazing place. From our Goldilocks-zone planet of Earth we've been able to observe and learn quite a lot about our solar neighborhood. Most of that knowledge has come from high tech probes and telescopes, letting us peek at the other celestial bodies that make up our solar system. Getting there in person has proved a considerable challenge for our tenacious drive to explore. The whole solar system is hundreds of millions of kilometers of space, inhabited by objects that make up an infinitesimal fraction of that volume. And even if you could live long enough to make the voyage, these places aren't exactly hospitable, with all manners of intolerable cold, heat or toxicity. But let's just assume we all had a TARDIS or something. What cool things in the solar system could you visit? What outer space tourist sites would be your favorite destinations in an age of space tourism? Once you've considered this important question, why not rank your favorite <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/best-star-wars-planets/amylindorff">Star Wars planets</a> also?

Sailing Along Saturn's Rings Or Going For A Dip In Titan's Methane Lakes?

The Best Vacation Spots In The Solar System

The Best Vacation Spots in the Solar System

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Do you love cats? Do cats love you? Some questions are better unanswered.

Just Kitty Cat Stuff

Weird Nature

Have you ever wished you could visit an island full of cats? If this sounds like a <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/the-31-greatest-viral-images-about-cat-ownership/olivia-peterman">cat lover's</a> fantasy island, it isn't. Aoshima, also known&nbsp;as&nbsp;the Cat Island, is a small fishing island off the coast of Ehime prefecture in Japan. Why is it called Cat Island? Because this amazing place is home to over 120 free-roaming felines!&nbsp;Before the 2000s, Aoshima&nbsp;was a relatively&nbsp;isolated place, with few humans aside from the approximately 20 people who live there. Ever since the cat-loving Internet found out about Aoshima, though, tourism to the island has exploded.&nbsp;While there is a cap on daily visitors, which helps keep the elderly residents from becoming overwhelmed, it is absolutely possible for cat lovers the world over to come and check out the adorableness. If you have a vacation coming up, and you're looking to get <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSJRJXDxS-E">swarmed by cats</a>, Japan's cat island of Aoshima might be just the right choice.&nbsp;

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10 Things You Should Know About Aoshima, The Island Of Cats

10 Fascinating Facts About Aoshima, The Island Of Cats

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Lists about maps, globes, geography, and the other ways we think about wherever the f you are.

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Maps can be useful for so much more than simply locating borders or figuring out bus routes. Maps of the world can visually illustrate how humans move around the globe, what cultures value, how nations relate to one another, and even how innumerable animal species inhabit <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/interesting-world-population-maps/mallory-weiler" target="_blank">this starship Earth</a>. These are the most interesting planet-spanning maps&nbsp;on <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/mapporn" target="_blank">r/mapp*rn</a>, so vote up the ones that shifted your worldview just a little.

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17 Maps Of The World That Will Make You Say 'Whoa'

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PETA&nbsp;stands for "People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals"... or so they say. But is PETA bad? Historically, many of their&nbsp;ads and campaigns show more controversially bad things about PETA&nbsp;than good. While they may try to fight for animal rights, and they sometimes succeed, the way they do it, and how they spend their time and money often just emboldens&nbsp;why PETA sucks at their mission. They're well known, sure, but not for the good they do. More often, it's for PR nightmares, skewed ethical decisions, and more wasted finances than you would believe.If you're wondering if there are any legitimate reasons why you shouldn't support PETA, this list only brushes the surface. From encouraging Ben and Jerry's to use&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="http://articles.latimes.com/2008/sep/26/business/fi-icecream26">human breast milk</a>&nbsp;to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="http://www.torontosun.com/2016/05/20/peta-brings-human-bbq-to-ribfest">pretending to grill a naked woman</a> at a BBQ festival, this organization is baffling. Not to mention, these guys kill a whole lot more animals than most shelters do!&nbsp;This may seem like it's being pretty hard on a group that really does aggressively fight for animal rights, but there are just too many reasons PETA&nbsp;is actually bad&nbsp;to overlook. Perhaps support your local no-kill shelter or wildlife rescue hospital instead?

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Customs & Rituals

Totem poles are Native American works of art&nbsp;meant to represent important facts or people. Beginning in the 1700s, many tribes in the Pacific Northwest region created totem poles, but six tribes&nbsp;were known to do so in large numbers: the&nbsp;Tlingit, <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/haida-mortuary-pole-facts/keith-burnside">the&nbsp;Haida</a>, the Bella Coola, the&nbsp;Chinook, the Tsimshian, and&nbsp;the Coast Salish. These Northwestern tribes placed totem poles throughout their lands&nbsp;for a number of fascinating&nbsp;reasons based on their unique&nbsp;spiritual beliefs and cultural traditions. The poles typically ranged from just over 9.5 feet tall to&nbsp;nearly 60 feet tall.&nbsp;So what exactly did they mean and how were they used? Uncover these answers and more below.

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Totem Poles

Everything You've Ever Wanted to Know About Totem Poles and Their Iconography

T L Perez

Lists about creeping, crawling, flying, buzzing, stinging, biting creatures that live all around the world and maybe inside your very own walls.

Totally Buggin'

Lists of pics, vids, and facts about spiders and other arachnids for the masochist in you.

Eight-Legged Freaks

If you&#39;re&nbsp;reading this out of morbid curiosity because <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/scary-facts-about-spiders/justin-andress" target="_blank">spiders freak you out</a>, consider that most spiders you see are average-sized, relatively banal arachnids.&nbsp;What would do&nbsp;if you ran into&nbsp;the <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/largest-spiders-in-the-world/orrin-grey" target="_blank">most massive spider in the world</a>? If you ever find yourself in that position, you can take solace in the fact that it&nbsp;probably won&#39;t&nbsp;attack you.&nbsp;Believe it or not, despite its size,&nbsp;the Goliath birdeater is&nbsp;just another spider trying to make its way in the world. If you know a few amazing Goliath birdeater facts, you might even have a bit of fondness for these mammoth web-spinners.&nbsp;

Being the biggest spider in the world comes with perks. Being bigger than the average human&nbsp;hand means you&nbsp;can take on large prey (it is, after all, called the birdeater, athough that&#39;s a bit of a misnomer), and not many animals will want to fight you. However, the Goliath birdeater isn&#39;t as deadly as some of its smaller brethren, who pack so much poison they could kill a horse with a few nibbles. Curious about spiders? Terrified of arachnids? Stoned and trawling the Internet? Regardless of why you&#39;re here, you&#39;ll find some dank, juicy morsels about the largest spider species in the world.&nbsp;

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Belief is fluid. That's not a bastardized Bruce Lee quote, nor does it refer to a mythical river or rogue wave (which we'll get to later); it means that <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/amazing-animals-scientists-didnt-believe-were-real/eric-vega">what people believe is in constant flux.</a> The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/crazy-people-proven-right-all-along/will-morgan-1">history of belief </a>affirms that statement.&nbsp;For centuries, ordinary people thought the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/historical-figures-crazy-proven-right-all-along/emily-mast">sun revolved around Earth</a>, disease was caused by demons, and a hole in the head could cure most ailments. Although it may seem like our ancestors were more gullible, they didn't buy many of the phenomena that we now accept as fact.&nbsp;Note: many quotes are translated from their original languages.

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Real Things People Used To Think Were Fake

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Stories, pics, trivia, and interesting tidbits about all creatures, great and small.

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Animals

Noise can be annoying and some <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/worst-sounds/samantha-dillinger">people tolerate</a> it better than others. There is a point where any noise or sound is too loud for a human <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/creepiest-alarm-sounds-and-sirens/jacobybancroft">to physically tolerate</a>, however.&nbsp;According to the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/hearing_loss/what_noises_cause_hearing_loss.html#:~:text=Sound%20is%20measured%20in%20decibels,immediate%20harm%20to%20your%20ears.">Centers for Disease Control,</a> a sound that's about 120 decibels (dB) causes pain and permanent injury to your ears. At about 110 dB, a sound causes hearing loss after two minutes, while a 100 dB sound does the same thing after roughly 15 minutes. Hearing anything above 120 dB enters an entirely different category of pain and damage. An eardrum can rupture at about 150 dB and a single blast of sound <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.researchgate.net/figure/A-large-eardrum-rupture-seen-after-a-single-175dB-blast-After-each-blast-we-examined_fig3_326424643">at 175 dB </a>has the same effect.Sounds from people, places, and things all create the soundtrack to daily life. Even <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/animal-behaviors-signaling-danger/anna-lindwasser">nature gets</a> in on Earth's complex symphony, offering unique and distinct utterances in every setting.&nbsp;What are the biggest contributors, though? Which animals are the loudest? What do they sound like? And, just how loud are they?&nbsp;

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The 12 Loudest Animals On Earth

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Science and Medicine lists at Ranker provide the best rankings of interesting scientific facts, topics, and cool science news voted on by 1000s of science fans.