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Is Your Neighbor a Superhero? 10 Real-Life Caped Crusaders

2008-04-20T06:44:00.000-07:00

If you thought superheroes lived only in comics and lousy movies... you'd be absolutely right. But that doesn't stop an elite group of would-be crime-fighters from donning home-made costumes and patrolling the streets. Here are 10 "real-life" superheroes who await the signal to help you in your next moment of need...

1. Dark Guardian (New York, NY)

New York can be a daunting place, but the knowledge that it's watched over by the Dark Guardian should help its citizens feel just a little safer. According to the Dark One, "I patrol through bad areas of New York City, help the homeless, clean up the city, donate food and money to the needy, do charity work, and help anyone in need. I do my best to work with the police and have helped put them on the trails of several drug dealers and an illegal gambling den."

In addition to his nightly duties, the Dark Guardian has worked to set up a nonprofit called WHO (Worldwide Hero Organization). "WHO is going to be the main hub of my operations, many big things will be happening through this organization in near future."

2. Superataf (Florence, Italy)

From what we gather from the sketchy translation Google gave us from Superataf's autobiographical blurb, this Italian do-gooder employs his superpowers to help make the female commuters on Italy's bus system more comfortable.

"Superataf was originally a citizen quite normal, but developed the super powers after a journey by bus particularly shocking, in which well-spent 140 minutes to go from Bagno a Ripoli at Careggi, and was then Although stamped fined two tickets each hour of validity. From little satisfaction obtained alteration of its structure psychophysical, settled with the emergence of super powers."

3. Red Arrow (Hong Kong, China)

Citing a lack of places people in Hong Kong can turn to for information on social services, the Red Arrow has sprung into action! Since his "superpower" is pointing people in the right direction for help, he has adopted the "red arrow" as his symbol and name.

Growing up watching superhero programs on TV, the Red Arrow knew at an early age he was meant to do good deeds, though he conceals his identity out of modesty, wanting no glory for his super actions.

4. Terrifica (New York, NY)

The only female caped-crusader on this list, Terrifica takes her role as a feminine hero seriously, aiming to help women all around New York get through the typical big city evening without falling pray to scheming males.

She has been known to patrol the bar scene, on the lookout for women in situations where their drinking might lead them into making decisions they'll regret in the morning. Instead, she jumps into action and sees that the women make it home safely, without an unwanted companion.

5. Citizen Prime (Phoenix, AZ)

If you're a damsel in distress in the greater Phoenix area, count on Citizen Prime to get you out of a jam. According to sources close to Prime, "Citizen Prime is a symbol. He represents you, me, and every good citizen who wants their world to be a better place."

But rather than patrolling the streets, Citizen Prime focuses most of his efforts on lifting the spirits of those in need, visiting and inspiring local mortals in the area's hospitals, youth centers and schools.

6. Angle Grinder Man (London, England)

Motorists in London who find their vehicles immobilized with a wheel clamp due to unpaid fines can call on Angle Grinder Man to free them.

The source of this masked hero's power resides in his power tools, which cut cut through the metal clamps that prompt frustrated Londoners to call for Angle Grinder Man's help. You can either call Apple Grinder Man from a number on his website or hope he finds you while on patrol in Kent or London.

7. Etomo (Napoli, Italy)

The summation symbol "sigma" is the adopted crest of Etomo, because as he puts it, "I sum up all the powerful, silent and venomous small creatures inhabiting this world. From activism to crimefighting, I stand for the biggest oddity of the known universe: existence."

OK, that's pretty deep, so what does being a superhero mean to Etomo? "To be a Real Life Superhero is truly the greatest deed a man can accomplish in a false world like this, where fiction is truer to reality than reality itself. On the other hand, the chance to fight for such stunning planet is too significant to be turned down. Hear my buzz, fear my bite: I inject justice."

8. Squeegeman (New York, NY)

Not much is known about New York's resident squeege-wielding superhero, except for the symbolic nature of his weapon of choice. A greeting found on the web attests to his lofty ideals:

"Greetings citizens... I am Squeegeman!!! New York City's resident superhero!!! Former protector of a small upstate town turned mass-do-gooder, I have squeege-vowed to fight crime and grime in New York City!!! When you walk down a clean street or make it home without getting mugged you can thank me, Squeegeman!"

9. Green Scorpion (AZ)

This self-described "aspiring real-life superhero" admits that he hasn't accomplished much since first donning his mask after reading the exploits of fellow do-gooders on an online registry of superheroes. But he has been patrolling his neighborhood and has high aspirations.

Since learning of other real-life heroes, he has said, "I have long thought that there should be people like that, so I have decided to become one, putting my money where my mouth is." The Green Scorpion has been meeting with fellow superheroes to learn from their exploits and hopes to "really take a bite out of crime in the future!"

10. The Big "O" (London, England)

Perhaps the most accomplished real-life superhero on this list is known simply as The Big "O," and has been spotted helping the people of London on many occasions. His long list of exploits has included fixing flat tires, returning dropped purses, breaking up and preventing street fights, helping the elderly up stairs, and other good deeds.

A newspaper reporter may have come close to breaking The Big O's identity as a former Lloyds of London insurance man, but the mystery continues, as well it should for all good superheroes, whether in the pages of a comic or on your local street corner.

Real TRON Light Cycle and Other Concept Cars

2008-04-04T15:37:00.000-07:00

1. The VentureOne from Venture Vehicles clearly takes its inspiration from the light cycles from Tron, though this incarnation features three wheels for better stability. You might be able to pick one up as early as this year starting at around $20,000. You can choose from a 50 kW plug-in hybrid, a 100 kW plug-in hybrid, and a 40 kW all electric model The 100 kW version will be the speed-demon of the series, with a top speed of 120 mph, and each is expected to transport you up to 100 miles per gallon.

2. The Acura NHR-1 (Nano Hydrogen Racer 1) will employ molecular nanotechnology, a compact fuel cell and 100% recyclable materials. Designed to be a contendor in a future running of the 24 Hours of LeMans race, the NHR-1 is expected by Acura futurists to push its hydrogen fuel cell power plant to its limit in what's considered the "most grueling endurance race in the world."

3. The Honda PUYO was given its name as a literal description that "expresses the sensation of touching the vehicle's soft body." Soft body? Not only does the vehicle have no hard lines, but its exterior is made of a gel-like material in order to make impacts safer. Another safety feature: you'll see the PUYO coming even at night without lights, since the vehicle glows in the dark.

4. Suzuki's PIXY + SSC concept Unveiled at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, this personal transportation unit is still quite a way off from pulling into our garages. But when (if) it does, the PIXY + SSC combo combines a macro and micro approach to future transportation. Your larger PIXY vehicle will get you from home to the mall, then you'll pop out in your SSC (Suzuki Shared Coach) to toot from store to store.

5. The Volkswagen Nanospyder is another futuristic model whose maker expects to employ nanotechnology. The Nanospyder envision will be powered by hydrogen fuel cells, solar power, and wheel-mounted electric motors to lessen its environmental impact. And its "inflatable organic body panels" will be comprised of billions of programmable nano devices less than half a millimeter in diameter, each programmed to be strong or weak to form "crumple zones" and lessen any impact on its occupants.

6. Toyota's RiN intends to transport you in "harmony with nature" with a special focus on keeping you physically and mentally comfortable on your journey. The seats are designed for ideal back posture, while steering control is "mood-sensing" and provides a constant readout of the driver's psychological state. The RiN also offers oxygen conditioning, a humidifier, and special glass that reduces harfmul UV rays while casting a pleasing green glow on your surroundings.

7. The Renault Twingo proves it's what's inside that counts. The Twingo's interior is gadgets galore, with multiple iPod docks, a dashboard mixer to control your own mash-ups, USB and Bluetooth connections, an independent audio jack for each seat, a 15-inch LCD screen that displays the car's built-in computer with Internet access, and drink coolers and rear speakers to make this the ultimate party vehicle.

8. The Nissan Pivo 2 is an "environmentally friendly electric urban commuter" and gives the driver a robot co-pilot to help navigate, warn of traffic jams, control key vehicle systems, and well, just keep the diver company. Its cabin rotates a full 360 degrees for easy entry and exit from any angle, and all its wheels turn 90 degrees to make parallel parking a breeze.

9. The Zero Pollution Motors Air Car expects to help you achieve 106 miles per gallon thanks to its unique compressed-air six-cylinder engine. It will still operate on fossil fuels, but the CO2 emissions will be negligible. And the Air Car could soon be spotted on a road near you. Zero Pollution Motors plans to start taking orders in 2008 (for just $17,800), with expected delivery in early 2010.

10. The Milner Motors AirCar is the second "Air Car" on our list, but this one is actually designed to get off the ground. Its current design hasn't quite achieved that feat in testing, but hey, that's why they call these "concept vehicles." The AirCar has a 28-foot wingspan and might travel more than 900 nautical miles at up to 200 mph, thanks to its twin rotary engines and 160hp ducted fans. Pilot's license not included.

10 Biggest Explosions in History

2008-04-02T18:05:00.000-07:00

Explosions are tricky to measure. For one, what's the criteria? And most data on "blasts from the past" are speculation at best. So consider this list "10 of the biggest explosions since the dawn of time," measured by magnitude of the blast, loss of lives and impact on world history.

In no particular order:

1. Atomic blasts over Hiroshima and Nagasaki (August 6 and 9, 1945)
Ordered by U.S. President Harry S. Truman to force Japan into submission and prevent greater loss of life from an endless war, the devastating dropping of the "Little Boy" atomic bomb was the first use of a nuclear weapon in world history. The bomb contained 130 lbs. of uranium-235 and detonated at approx. 1,900 feet above the city with a force that equaled about 13 kilotons of TNT. Scientists considered "Little Boy" to be inefficient, estimating that less than 2% of the bomb's nuclear material actually fissioned in the blast, and yet its effect was devastating: the blast radius was about 1 mile across, killing approximately 140,000 (mostly civilians) almost instantly, with thousands more to die of radiation poisoning and other injuries in the weeks and years to come.

Three days after the Hiroshima blast, U.S. forces dropped the "Fat Man" atomic bomb over Nagasaki, prompting the Japanese to surrender on August 15. It would be the second, and to date, last use of a nuclear weapon in history, killing an estimated 80,000 Japanese.

2. Soviet Nuclear Test, Novaya Zemlya (October 1961)
In the years following the Hiroshima and Nagasaki blasts, the U.S. and Soviet Union began a Cold War campaign of nuclear one-upmanship that saw its single biggest explosion in a October 1961 Soviet-conducted test blast over the Arctic. The detonation was caused by a 58-megaton bomb, 4,000 times more powerful than "Little Boy."

3. MINOR SCALE, U.S. Defense Nuclear Agency, White Sands Missile Range (June 27, 1985)
The ironically named "MINOR SCALE" blast in the desert of New Mexico in 1985 consisted of up to 4,800 short tons of Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil (ANFO). Considered by many to be the largest artificial, non-nuclear explosion in recorded history, the test simulated the effects of an 8-KT nuclear weapon in order to test possible responses of weapon systems and the blast's effects on communications equipment, vehicles and buildings.

4. Krakatoa volcanic eruptions (August 26-27, 1883)
The Krakatoa eruptions of 1883 exploded with a force of approx. 200 megatons of TNT, or approximately 13,000 times the yield of the Hiroshima atomic blast, making it one of the most violent volcanic blasts in modern history. The blast's death toll was more than 36,400, and it's believed to be the loudest sound ever observed, having been heard as far as 3,000 miles away. The Krakatoa blast is also said to be the cause of the red sky in the famous painting "The Scream" by Edvard Munch. The volcanic blast had spewed so much debris into the atmosphere that it caused deep red twilights visible in the skies over Europe (including Munch's hometown in Norway) from November 1883 to February 1884.

5. The Halifax Cargo Ship Explosion, Nova Scotia, Canada (December 6, 1917)
A cargo ship from France carrying explosives for WWI was struck by another ship in Halifax Harbor. The explosion hurled debris, caused fires and building collapses, killing 2,000 people and injuring 9,000 more. The blast also caused a tsunami in the harbor, along with a pressure wave of air that devastated the shoreline and hurtled shards of the destroyed ship for many miles.

6. Explosion at Port Chicago (July 17, 1944)
Two ships loaded with more than 4,600 tons of explosives to be used in WWII collided at Port Chicago, 30 miles north of San Francisco. This impact, coupled with an additional 400 tons of explosives sitting on adjacent railway cars, killed around 320 workers, damaged buildings, caused injury as far away as San Francisc, and caused tremors felt as far away as Nevada.

7. Chernobyl Nuclear Plant Disaster, U.S.S.R. (April 25, 1986)
The worst nuclear power plant disaster in history occurred April 25, 1986 in the U.S.S.R. region of Chernobyl. Four inexperienced engineers conducted an electrical experiment on Chernobyl's number 4 reactor, setting off a cataclysmic chain of events that caused the reactor to explode, blowing off its concrete and steel lid. The blast sent more than 50 tons of radioactive material into the atmosphere, killed 32 people at the scene and led to an estimated 5,000 deaths from cancer and other radiation-caused illnesses in the following years.

8. The Yellowstone Caldera Eruption, Wyoming, USA (640,000 years ago)
Perhaps the largest explosion the Earth has known occurred approx. 640,000 years ago at the site of the Yellowstone Caldera in the northwest corner of Wyoming. The blast was estimated to be about 2,500 times the magnitude of the 1980 Mount St. Helens eruption, affected an area of approx 34 miles by 45 miles, and spread a layer of ash over most of North America. The area is now commonly referred to as the "Yellowstone supervolcano" referring to its potential for massive devastation that many scientists feel will re-occur some day in the distant (or not so distant) future.

9. Gamma Ray Burst, 12 billion light years from Earth (observed on Earth in 1998)
Scientists in 1998 observed an almost unfathomable burst of gamma ray energy 12 billion light years away from us. They measured it to have released an amount of energy equaling all the estimated 10 billion trillion stars in the universe. Its distance from our own galaxy prevented the blast from affecting us or our sun, yet the scale of the explosion has led astronomers to label it the biggest documented explosion in history.

10. The Big Bang, Birth of the Universe (13.7 billion years ago)
Though still the subject of debate in the scientific and theological communities, the "Big Bang" would have to be considered the largest explosion EVER. The forces involved may not meet a strict definition of "explosion," yet Georges Lemaitre's Big Bang theory postulates that all the mass in the universe began as a condensed "primeval atom" that burst forth with such dense energy and high temperature and pressure to give birth to everything within the universe. While initially discounted by his peers when Lemaitre introduced the concept in 1931, other related discoveries such as the cosmic microwave background radiation in 1964 helped solidify the Big Bang as the most well-reasoned theory on the origin of the cosmos.

10 Ways Videogames Are Good for You

2008-01-27T08:19:00.000-08:00

People who call videogames the root of all evil need to be put in their place. Here are 10 points to help you pwn them.

1. Videogames can teach leadership skills. If you play RPGs, you've had to strategize what areas your character will specialize in, choose just the right companions based on their skill sets, and allocate resources effectively. And if you've run a guild or clan in an MMORPG, you've sharpened your leadership abilities even more. "A guild master," writes John Seely Brown, director emeritus of Xerox PARC and a visiting scholar at USC, "must be adept at many skills: attracting, evaluating, and recruiting new members; creating apprenticeship programs; orchestrating group strategy; and adjudicating disputes. Never mind the virtual surroundings; these conditions provide real-world training a manager can apply directly in the workplace." (Source)

2. Gaming is an active cognitive experience (vs. passive TV watching). The people who claim gaming is rotting your brain are often the same folks who'll soak up hours of dreck like "Deal or No Deal" each night. "Watching television is a completely passive experience... Video gamers, on the other hand, are active during their media interaction," writes teacher, parent and gamer Russell Dawson in the article, Benefits of Playing VideoGames. "Some games may require quick reflexes or some may require problem solving or analytical thinking skills. All video games, by their very nature, require players to use their powers of cognition at some level." (Source)

3. Gaming = experimentation. The act of progressing through a game essentially boils down to the question, "What happens if I do this?" which is the essence of scientific experimentation. "Video games require the player to learn the rules through trial and error, observation, and hypothesis testing," says Obe Hostetter of James Madison University's Department of Educational Technology. "These cognitive skills are essential skills in science called inductive discovery." (Source)

4. Videogames can improve physical health. There have been several documented cases of people losing weight playing the Wii, and the soon-to-be-released Wii Fit will whip us into shape with yoga and other exercises. And there's been scientific research examining students at some of the 1,500+ schools across the country integrating Dance Dance Revolution into their gym classes. West Virginia University’s School of Physical Education "found significant health benefits for overweight children who played the game regularly, including improved blood pressure, overall fitness scores and endothelial function, which reflects the arteries’ ability to deliver oxygen." (Source)

5. Gaming enhances hand-eye coordination. The next time you need surgery, choose a doctor who's a gamer. Research performed at the Beth Israel Medical Center found that surgeons who played three or more hours of videogames a week made 37 percent fewer mistakes than those who didn't. (Source)

6. Videogames improve peripheral vision. According to researchers at the University of Rochester in New York, "Video gamers tend to be more attuned to their surroundings while performing tasks like driving down a residential street, where they may be more likely to pick out a child running after a ball than a non-video gamer. Such action video games train the brain to better process certain visual information." (Source)

7. Gaming builds multitasking skills. Many modern games are so complex that they train the brain to follow a number of simulaneous actions and events. Research published in the journal Nature shows that "experienced players of these games are 30 percent to 50 percent better than nonplayers at taking in everything that happens around them. They perceive numerous objects without having to count them, switch attention rapidly and track many items at once." (Source)

8. Videogames can help with conditions such as autism and Attention Deficit Disorder (A.D.D.). Some psychologists treating children with A.D.D. prescribe videogames to help them learn to focus. (Source) And a mother of an autistic child has written an article detailing how gaming has helped her boy develop skills and interact with the family. "Video games provide the visual patterns, speed and storyline that our kids love while helping them refine basic skills they might not grasp in your normal everyday setting," wites Kandi Demarest. "They also allow our unique kids an acceptable way to de-stress and mellow out while increasing their knowledge of peer-related topics." (Source)

9. Videogames can encourage communication and cooperation. Researchers at England's Bristol University observed the effects of videogame play on social interaction. They found "a number of strong, useful discussions between groups of children, in which individuals were required to listen to others and to justify their ideas in ways that would encourage others to accept them." (Source)

10. Videogames have positive effects in healthcare. Mark Griffiths, professor at Nottingham Trent University, says when recuperating children are offered videogames to play, they require less medication for pain relief, feel less nausea and register lower blood pressure than those who didn't play games. (Source) Then there's the widely praised work of Penny Arcade's Child's Play program providing games to hospitals, which has been observed to lift a hospitalized child's spirits and provide bonding time between a child and a hospitalized parent. (Source)

Sexual Arousal - How Men and Women "Turn On" Differently

2008-01-20T07:59:00.000-08:00

Getting the opposite sex aroused can be more complicated than dimming the lights and busting out your sure-fire moves. Here's 10 interesting findings to keep in mind when trying to get that special someone "in the mood."

1. Scents that arouse women: "Good 'n Plenty" candy and banana nut bread have been studied to increased vaginal blood flow, a sign of female arousal. Scents that have a negative effect on women: cherries, barbecued meat, and men's cologne. Scents that arouse men: "Actually every smell that we tested aroused men," reported Alan Hirsch, MD, neurological director of the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Center in Chicago. Top scents for males are pumpkin pie, lavender, black licorice, and (Doh!) doughnuts. (Source)

2. A man's sweat can not only arouse a woman, but also improve her mood and boost her brain activity. A UC Berkley study found that women who sniffed androstadienone, a chemical in male perspiration and "other bodily secretions," were not only aroused, but also experienced increases in blood pressure, heart rate and breathing, as well as entering a markedly better mood. The effects occured within 15 minutes of inhaling the odor and lasted about an hour. (Source)

3. Men are more likely than women to be aroused by interactions having nothing to do with sex. A study in the journal Nature Neuroscience showed men and women a series of photos of people interacting in sexual as well as non-sexual situations. The men were found to become more easily aroused by the most mundane, non-sexual interactions. (Source)

4. How long does it take you to become fully aroused? If you're a healthy male, the average is 664.6 seconds (approx. ten minutes), and if you're a woman, it's 743 seconds. This negligible difference disputes the myth that men get aroused much more quickly than women. (Source)

5. What is the right mood for sex? If we're in good mood, we're likely to be frisky, but a bad mood will also rile us up. A Kinsey Institute report suggests men are likely to become aroused while experiencing anxiety, anger or disgust, while women may be aroused while feeling aversion or shame. (Source)

6. Women are more likely to be turned on by films and photos of women than men are by seeing other men, suggesting a stronger bisexual pattern of arousal in women than in men. While women in this study reported that they would rather engage in sex with a man than another woman, they were more likely to be aroused by viewing stimulating images of their same gender than men were. (Source)

7. Men are more prone to ignoring their sexual partner during sex, instead focusing on fantasies or even their own sexual performance. Such distractions keep the man from being in "the present" with his partner, putting a damper on the woman's state of arousal. (Source)

8. While men prefer the touching of parts commonly seen as the "sexual" body parts, women are more likely to enjoy being touched on virtually any part of the body considering it is done "softly and affectionately." (Source)

9. When looking at a nude photo, where do your eyes linger? If you're a man looking at a woman, you'll likely fixate on the face, while a woman is more likely to stare... further down. This is according to the Kinsey Institute, which studied eye movement in three groups: men, women, and women taking contraceptives. The men spent more time looking at faces, women not on contraceptives spent more time looking at genitals, and women on the pill studied elements around the people -- clothing, furniture, etc. (Source)

10. Want to arouse a woman? Buy her a cup of coffee. A study printed in the journal Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behaviour found that caffeine may stimulate the parts of a woman's brain regulating arousal. The caveat? It may only work on women who aren't regular coffee drinkers. (Source)

American Celebrities in Japanese Commercials

2008-01-05T08:26:00.000-08:00

We're used to seeing B-list celebrities in TV commercials, while our top stars are much too dignified to appear in ads. But that doesn't stop them from pocketing a quick buck by starring in commercials shown around the world (usually in Japan), hoping their stateside fan bases will never see them. Here are some of our favorites:

1. Natalie Portman ... for Lux Super Rich Shampoo
This action-packed clip full of goofy swordplay reminds us why we have a massive geek crush on Natalie...

2. Leonardo DiCaprio ... for Orix Real Estate
"We are all responsible for choosing comfort over conscience, and present over the future?" I guess we're not supposed to absorb what he's saying but rather bask in his dreaminess.

3. Kiefer Sutherland ... for CalorieMate
Here's Kiefer in part 3 of a hilarious send-up of his series, 24.

4. Richard Gere ... for Dandy House
One has to wonder if Gere knew the name of the Japanese clothing store he would be pitching when he signed on. Dandy House?

5. Nicolas Cage ... for Pachinko maker Sankyo
Triplets! Nicolas scores in one of several spots he shot for the Japanese gambling sensation Pachinko.

6. George Lucas ... for Panasonic
Much like the stilted acting he gets from otherwise great actors, George gives a wooden performance in this Japanese spot for Panasonic.

7. George Clooney ... for Toyota
Apparently George symbolizes cool not just here in America but around the globe, and Toyota attempts to get some of that cool to rub off on its vehicles...

8. Harrison Ford ... for Kirin Beer
A nearly naked Han Solo in a sauna with a delusional Japanese businessman? There must be alcohol involved.

9. Brad Pitt ... for Heineken
Surely Brad Pitt has "people" he can send on beer runs for him.

10. The Simpsons ... for CC Lemon
Of course, here in the U.S. the Simpsons are no strangers to product tie-ins, but this bawdy clip for a Japanese soft drink is over-the-top fun we rarely see stateside.

And one more just for fun...

11. C-3P0 and R2-D2 ... for Mitsubishi's Star Cars
Everyone's favorite droids pitching a line-up of "Star Cars"(!) for Japanese automaker Mitsubishi...

Old-School Videogame Commercials

2007-12-31T13:13:00.000-08:00

Here's a brief history of videogaming as told through hilarious commercials from the early 1970s through the mid 1990s...

1. Magnavox Odyssey (1972)
Though you've probably never heard of it, this is the home videogame console that started it all...

2. Pong (1975)
Sure, the original played only one game, but what more could you need? It's PONG!

3. Fairchild Video Entertainment System (1976)
Compare the pricing on the Fairchild VES to the games of today, factor in 30+ years of inflation, and suddenly our modern games seem pretty darn cheap!

4. Atari 2600 (1976)
Here's the one that introduced videogames into the lives of the masses. It reigned as the king for six or eight years until the videogame crash of 1983, when consumers simply became fed up with the glut of garbage games on the market and stopped buying.

5. Intellivision (1980)
Mattel watched the Atari's enormous success and launched its own system to compete. While the system had its die-hard supporters, its selection of games couldn't stand up against Atari's.

6. Colecovision (1982)
It was the Xbox 360 of its generations, shaming the Atari 2600 and Intellivision with its 16KB of VRAM and 256 x 192 resolution!

7. Famicom (1983)
Nintendo's precursor to the NES was launched in Japan and ushered in a new era of home gaming.

8. NES (1985)
Born from the technology of the Famicom, the NES quickly revitalized gaming in the North American market and established Nintendo as the company to beat.

9. Jaguar (1993)
Atari wasn't about to throw in the towel. It launched this powerful system to compete with the Super Nintendo, 3D0 and other systems, but failed miserably and collapsed into financial turmoil.

10. PS1 (1995)
If you're a younger gamer, the original PlayStation may be the system that introduced you to gaming. It established Sony as the leader in home gaming, a title it held well into the early 21st century before being challenged by the likes of Microsoft and a resurgent Nintendo.

How Men and Women Communicate Differently

2007-12-30T07:34:00.000-08:00

It's been long suspected that men and women communicate differently, and recent studies confirm it (to a degree). Here are some interesting findings that illustrate why we sometimes seem to be on different wavelengths from our significant others.

1. Men and women write differently. Don't believe it? Copy a recent letter or article you've written into the GenderGenie, a tool based on research by Moshe Koppel of Israel's Bar-Ilan University. This simple tool counts instances of words more frequently used by women (such as with, if, not, where, be), and words more often used by men (the, at, it, said, to).

2. Men and women seek out different "between-the-lines" messages. Women tend to find hidden meanings related to intimacy, or the state of the relationship between the two parties. Men often hone in on underlying messages that indicate the status of the two parties in relation to each other, or the hierarchy of the communication. (Source: 1)

3. Women tend to emphasize the common ground between parties and seek to make each side happy, and it has been found that men will more often point out differences and resolve communication in ways that meet their personal needs. (Source: 1)

4. Men often choose to devote 100% of their attention on one thing at a time, while women seem to be more adept at dividing attention across multiple tasks. This finding may explain why a man reading or watching television may not seem to hear a statement made by the person sitting beside him, though women in similar studies were able to carry on conversations while watching TV or reading. (Source: 2)

5. Differences in communication styles can lead each gender to have a false impression of the other, with men left to think "women are weak, indecisive, and uninformed," while women are led to believe "men are not paying attention to what they are saying," according to Kirstin Carey, a sales and marketing veteran who trains businesswomen in effective communication skills. (Source: 2)

6. Carey adds that women also typically "take in all sorts of peripheral information, while men bore more deeply into the subject at hand." Carey points to a study that had men and women watch a TV news program. When asked about the report they had seen, women could recall the reporter's race, build, appearance, and clothing, as well as background design and other details. On the other hand, the men studied could not recall these details but could more thoroughly describe the facts in the report. (Source: 2)

7. How we respond to the opposite sex during communication is often misinterpreted. It's been observed that while women frequently nod or smile or make other gestures while listening to conversation, men more typically remain silent, believing it's more polite to give full attention and remain silent. As a result, both sides can feel like they're not getting through and become angry or withdrawn. (Source: 2)

8. In the workplace, it is more common for men to stand while presenting to a group, while women more often remain seated. It's believed that this is due to men seeking to hold a position of power in the room ("Whoever's head is higher has the most power") while women may think that remaining at the same level as the audience fosters more meaningful connections. (Source: 2)

9. On the other hand, some researchers believe men and women share far more similarities in communication style than the Mars and Venus type books would have us believe. Still, even these studies find subtle but meaningful differences. Such studies found that men were more likely to give advice to overcome a problem, while women offered moral support and affirmation. (Source: 3)

10. Researchers theorize that our differing communication styles are ingrained at an early age. This nurture-over-nature argument points out that girls as young as toddlers are taught to recognize and appreciate the feelings of others. Conversely, boys are encouraged to be strong and tough, which causes some to feel showing too much concern for others' feelings is a sign of weakness. (Source: 3)

SOURCES:
1 - Gender Issues: Communication Differences in Interpersonal Relationships, Cynthia Burggraf Torppa, Ph.D. (http://ohioline.osu.edu/flm02/FS04.html)
2 - Gender Differences In Business Communications, Kathleen McGinn Spring (http://www.princetoninfo.com/200105/10523s01.html)
3 - The Myth of Gender Cultures: Similarities Outweigh Differences in Men's and Women's Provision of and Responses to Supportive Communication, Erina MacGeorge (http://www.purdue.edu/UNS/html4ever/2004/040217.MacGeorge.sexroles.html)

The Birds and The Bees: Sex in the Animal Kingdom

2007-12-20T18:05:00.000-08:00

We humans like to think we invented sex, but we could learn a lot from the animal kingdom. Here are some tips to spice up your love life from creatures great and small...

1. INDIAN COBRAS: The Masters of Make-Up Sex. Indian cobras will strike at each other repeatedly, until the female decides she's had it and signals that she's ready by laying her head on the ground. The male then begins copulation with one or both of his two penises, with "the act" lasting from a few minutes to an entire day.

2. TURTLES: The Four-Foot Fetish. The males of some types of turtles will suck on the feet of the female, perhaps as a type of foreplay. And in some cases to the frisky male will push his luck and take the female's entire head into his mouth.

3. OCTOPUSES: Can't Get Past Second Base. Pity the poor octopus. The male and female will face each other during mating, but their "naughty bits" will never touch. Instead, the male will ejaculate onto one of his own tentacles and place the sperm in the female.

4. SEA LIONS: They Like to Watch. The California sea lion is the voyeur of the aquatic world, enthralled by watching their fellow sea lions have sex. In fact, this is often the only gratification a young male sea lion has, as the older males will viciously protect their rights to their "harems." These seasoned pros, therefore, keep busy gettin' busy during the two-month-long mating season, when they must satisfy the needs of their entire female "fan base."

5. GIRAFFES: Master of the Headache Excuse. Feeling spurned by your girlfriend or wife? Then feel sorry for the hapless male giraffe. Often, female giraffes are so disinterested in sex that the female will simply walk away in the middle of "the act," leaving the male to plummet to the ground.

6. RHINOCEROSES: Sting Has Nothing On Them. Sure, the Police frontman is known for his ability to "go the distance," but the male rhino will often perform sex for hours, sometimes reaching his climax every 10 minutes, ready to go again and again. Call it the reward for some punishing foreplay: the male and female rhinoceroses will charge into each other repeatedly before mating, crashing their 2,000-plus bodies head-on at speeds approaching 35 miles per hour.

7. CHIMPANZEES: Those Oversexed, Cheeky Monkeys. Okay, we know they're not technically monkeys. They're actually much more closely related to humans, which may explain why they're considered the primates most fascinated with sex. Chimps are known to indulge in oral sex play, mutual masterbation, and repeated sessions of sex that can number more than 20 times per day.

--- Things get pretty gross from here on out. We warned you. ---

8. BEDBUGS: Really Don't Let Them Bite. The male bedbug will bite a hole into the female's back and place his sperm into it. The eggs quickly fertilize in their new home, and the embryos develop within the female's exoskeleton.

9. PRAYING MANTISES: Pray Your Partner Is Already Full From Dinner. The female praying mantis, right in the middle of "love-making" will eat the head of the male. But like any sex-crazed guy, he won't let a simple thing like losing his head stop him from finishing his job.

10. TAPEWORMS: Who Needs a Partner? A single tapeworm can have over 10,000 sets of male and female sexual organs, the most of any creature. Each set mates with itself to create eggs. The longest tapeworm on record was over 230 feet in length.

CHECK OUT: Sexual Arousal - How Men and Women "Turn On" Differently

Sources: David Wallechinsky & Irving Wallace, "The People's Almanac"; www.greenexpander.com

Ron Paul, Presidential Underdog

2007-12-19T19:47:00.000-08:00

Since the mainstream media isn't paying him much attention, here's a quick review of ten interesting facts about this underdog Republican presidential hopeful. If you're a Ron Paul supporter, these items may not be news to you, but for the rest of us, here's a quick primer on Ron Paul...

1. To get it out of the way... the Ron Paul bio condensed to 50 words: Born and raised in Pittsburgh. Graduated from Duke School of Medicine. Flight surgeon in Air Force during 60s. As a Texas obstetrician/gynecologist delivered more than 4,000 babies. Served in the U.S. House of Representatives in the late 70s and early 80s. Reelected 1997 to represent 14th Congressional district of Texas.

2. Ron Paul's congressional record, according to his website: Never voted to raise taxes, never voted for an unbalanced budget, never voted for a federal restriction on gun ownership, never voted to raise congressional pay, never taken a government-paid junket, and never voted to increase the power of the executive branch. He voted against the Patriot Act, regulating the Internet, and the Iraq war.

3. His stands on some hot-button issues:

Abortion - "While Roe v. Wade is invalid, a federal law banning abortion across all 50 states would be equally invalid." (Believes it is a state, not federal issue.)

Stem cell research - "Individual states and private citizens should decide whether to permit, ban, or fund it."

Immigration - "No welfare for illegal aliens... End birthright citizenship."

Border enforcement - "Physically secure our borders and coastlines. We must do whatever it takes to control entry into our country before we undertake complicated immigration reform proposals."

Gay marriage - "I do not believe a constitutional amendment is either a necessary or proper way to defend marriage.... If I were in Congress in 1996, I would have voted for the Defense of Marriage Act... to ensure that no state would be forced to recognize a same sex marriage license issued in another state."

(Read more at http://www.lewrockwell.com/paul/)

4. Paul's entrance into politics was at least partially influenced by Richard Nixon's breaking of the U.S. dollar's tie to the gold standard. "After that day," Paul has said, "all money would be political money rather than money of real value. I was astounded."

5. Paul's list of notable endorsements isn't as lengthy as those of the frontrunners, but he has attracted some supporters of note. Adding to a lengthy list of names from academia, a number of entertainers have named Ron Paul as their presidential candidate: singer John Mayer, Nivana bassist Krist Novoselic, Babylon 5 creator J. Michael Straczynski, blues guitarist Jimmie Vaughan, and wrestler "Kane" (Glen Jacobs) from the WWE, among others.

6. Paul's appeal extends beyond his own party. Frustrated by their own party's field of nominees and admiring Paul's anti-establishment stance against the Republican Party's old guard, a group of Democrats have started "www.DemocratsForPaul.com."

7. During a December 16 fund-raising drive on the 234th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party, Paul's campaign collected more than $6 million from supporters. It's reportedly one of the, if not THE, largest 24-hour fund-raising totals in U.S. election history. Paul's campaign spokespeople said the number reflected a huge amount of small contributions from individuals, averaging $102 per donation. The event followed a similar fundraiser in November 2007 which brought in $4.3 million.

8. Paul refuses to participate in the taxpayer-subsidized congressional pension program, forgoing a lucrative benefit the vast majority of congressmen and women enjoy.

9. Ron Paul's book, A Foreign Policy of Freedom: Peace, Commerce, and Honest Friendship, is a best-seller on Amazon.com. As of December 2008, it ranked #406 in all books, #1 in the Economic Policy and Development category, #5 in Government, and #6 in Accounting and Finance.

10. This isn't Paul's first run for the White House. In 1988, he was the Libertarian candidate, having been disillusioned with the Republican party's acceptance of massive deficits under President Ronald Reagan.

Sources: www.lewrockwell.com/paul/, www.ronpaul2008.org, www.wikipedia.org, www.democratsforpaul.com, www.amazon.com.

The Googolplex and Other Huge Numbers

2007-09-12T18:38:00.000-07:00

1. As kids, we were all taught there's no such thing as "the biggest number," but it turns out this is only partially true. The 'centillion' (a number with 303 zeros) is the highest number recognized in common mathematics. Anything beyond a centillion is considered to be in "the realm of infinity."

2. While not quite as big as a centillion, the "googol" is recognized by some math theorists, but not used in orthodox mathematics. The term was first published in mathemetician Edward Kasner's 1940 book Mathematics and the Imagination. Kasner had asked his nine-year-old nephew to invent a name for a number with 100 zeros, and "googol" was the nonsensical word the boy devised.

3. Without prodding, Kasner's nephew then offered the term "googolplex" for number that would dwarf even the googol. Its size? According to the boy, you write a 1 then as many zeros as you can scribble until you simply can't go on. Kasner felt it needed a more finite description, so he defined the googolplex as a 1 with a googol of zeros after it.

4. According to Kasner's book, if you were to attempt to write out a googolplex, you would not find enough known space to write it. If you wrote one zero per inch, your string of numbers would take you past the universe's most distant known star.

5. The googolplex inspired the name for Google's headquarters in Mountain View, California: the Googleplex...

6. ... and further, it's said that the company name Google originated as a misspelling of the term googol.

7. Mind-boggling example of a giant number, part 1: There are 170 septillion (24 zeroes) ways to play the first 10 moves in a game of Chess.

8. Mind-boggling example of a giant number, part 2: If you wanted to count to one trillion (12 zeros), and you could somehow count 24 hours a day... it would take you 30,000 years.

9. Mind-boggling example of a giant number, part 3: If you somehow got your hands on a quntillion pennies and started laying them out side by side, you could carpet the entire surface of the Earth... twice.

10. Not exhaustive (though quite exhausting) list of big numbers:

- Vigintillion (63 zeros)
- Novemdecillion (60 zeros)
- Octodecillion (57 zeros)
- Septendecillion (54 zeros)
- Sexdecillion (51 zeros)
- Quindecillion (48 zeros)
- Quattuordecillion (45 zeros)
- Tredecillion (42 zeros)
- Duodecillion (39 zeros)
- Undecillion (36 zeros)
- Decillion (33 zeros)
- Nonillion (30 zeros)
- Octillion (27 zeros)
- Septillion (24 zeros)
- Sextillion (21 zeros)
- Quintillion (18 zeros)
- Quadrillion (15 zeros)
- Trillion has (12 zeros)

Sources: http://www.kokogiak.com/megapenny; http://www.skygaze.com/content/facts/math.shtml; http://www.weird-websites.com/justweird/weirdnumbers.htm; wikipedia.org.

10 Real-Life Transformers!

2007-07-14T13:20:00.000-07:00

You've seen the movie. And maybe you've thought everyday machines transforming into giant robots were just the stuff of fantasy. Not so! Here are 10 recent sightings of real-life transformers!

1. People in Disguise as Robots in Disguise

2. "A super-advanced robot. It's probably Japanese."

3. Presenting the "Robocar." Link

4. Transforming sculpture at Citroën dealership at Champs-Élysées showroom designed by Brooklyn’s Amorphic Robot Works

5. More Transformer costumes, at a Cosplay event in Japan.

6. Real transforming robots DO exist, and this site tells you how they work. Link.

7. Photos of vehicles that look like the Autobots we know and love. Link.

8. The SuperBot... a modular robot that can be configured in many different forms to perform different tasks. Here's just one of its shapes...

9. Metal rubber? Thanks to this patented technology, we could be one step closer to meeting a real Optimus Prime. Link.

10. OK, maybe it's not real, but it's got real sweet moves.

Lasers: History and Fun Facts

2007-07-13T17:22:00.000-07:00

1. The term laser originated as an acronym meaning "light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation."

2. Theodore Maiman at Hughes Research Laboratories demonstrated the first working laser in 1960.

3. The laser was predated by the "maser," (microwave amplification by stimulated emission of radiation). Based on Einstein's principle of stimulated emission, masers are used in devices such as atomic clocks for precise, standardized frequency measurement.

4. There are many types of lasers, with some of the most common classified as: gas, chemical, solid-state, dye, or stimulated electron lasers.

5. Today lasers are commonplace, found in everything from consumer electronics to medical devices. But in 1960, lasers weren't appreciated as a useful technology, but rather a "solution looking for a problem."

6. Most lasers we encounter everyday operate at a relatively low level of power: lasers in CD-ROM drives will typically peak at 5 mW; DVD players - 5 to 10 mW; recordable CD drives - 100 mW.

7. The most powerful laser on record was the 1.25 petawatt laser operated by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California on May 23, 1996.

8. A safety classification system defines the level of danger a laser poses: Class I, II, III and IV. Classes I, II and III represent most lasers found in consumer products and pose no or minor risks to people, while Class IV can cause temporary or permanent blindness and burning of skin.

9. One common misconception has been repeatedly perpetrated by Hollywood. Many popular films have shown a room of visible laser beams protecting museum treasures or other sensitive facilities. The movie's protagonist will perform wild ballet-like movements to slide gracefully around and through the beams to avoid setting off alarms. In reality, while many places use lasers in security systems, they are almost never visible. Not only would they tip off a potential criminal as to what areas to avoid, but visible laser systems are far more expensive and less practical.

10. Another laser myth seen time and time again in films like Star Wars depicts the appearance of lasers in space, often in exciting battles between opposing starfighters. Lasers actually would not be visible in space, due to the lack of matter necessary to cause "scattering," the effect that gives the laser the appearance of a beam of light.

Crazy Stun Guns and Safety Gadgets

2007-07-04T04:40:00.000-07:00

1. Jedi Stun Wand. Imagine wielding a wand not unlike a Star Wars light saber, two feet of metal glowing ominously blue and waiting to zap an assailant with 800,000 volts of electricity. And if your Jedi-like defensive display isn't enough to ward off your attacker, this "telescopic stun gun" will emit a 130-decibel alarm that surely will! Check it out here.

2. "No-Contact" Stun Jacket. Don't have mad Jedi skills? No problem, just slip into the "No- Contact Jacket," a garment that can deliver 80,000 volts to anyone who grabs you. Made from Aracon, a electricity conducting fiber by DuPont, the jacket is powered by a simple 9-volt battery, which is enough to build up a high-voltage, low-amp charge via a chain of step-up circuits. The wearer is protected from shock by a rubber inner lining, and a key must be inserted in the sleeve to unlock a safety mechanism to begin the charging process. A button inside the sleeve can then set off the stun effect. Link.

3. The Stunning Ring. For that next anniversary, why give your loved one a piece of expensive jewelry that simply glitters, when you can arm his or her finger with a tiny pepper-spray blaster that masquerades as a "beautiful" ring? The "Stunning Ring" features silver or gold plating, a genuine black onyx stone, and of course, a button-activated pepper sprayer that can be refilled between uses. Revel in its beauty here.

4. Cell Phone Zapper. "I just called to say... ZZZT!" Here's one feature you won't find on that fancy new iPhone. Billed as "the most realistic looking cell phone stun gun on the market today," this cute little unit can jolt an assailant with 900,000 volts. Apparently, all you need to do if being mugged or raped is to discreetly pull this baby from your pocket, pretend to place an innocent call to your date explaining why you'll be late for dinner, and ZAP! A potential life saver for you and the ultimate wrong number for your attacker. Call it up here.

5. Hot Walkers. You've seen women briskly walking with hand weights for a good cardiovascular workout, but how many of them were "Hot Walkers" equipped with pepper spray? These 1-pound walking weights serve the primary purpose any ordinary hand weights serve, but the replaceable pepper spray canisters inside can give that special fitness buff in your life an added feeling of security when out on the paths. Link.

6. The Scorpion 200. Can't decide whether pepper spray or a stun gun is the right defensive gadget for you? Now you don't have to choose, since the Scorpion 200 gives you two layers of protection in one stylish device. Which are you in the mood for today? Paralyzing your assailant with 200,000 volts or blinding him with painful pepper spray? Or why not a little of both? The Scorpion 200 puts both powerful options in the palm of your hand. Check it out here.

7. The Heart Attack. You may have heard that lashing out at an assailant with your keys between your fingers is an effective way to defend yourself. The Heart Attack takes this concept to the next level with a heart-shaped plastic weapon that normally hangs innocently from your keychain, but when held between your fingers can deliver a painful stab in the sensitive body region of your choice. Learn more here.

8. The Real "Sharp"-ie Pen. For just $5.99, not only will you get an expensive-looking, functioning pen, but also a lethal knife ready to be unsheathed to ward off an attacker. Comes in a variety of stylish colors and you can even buy in bulk with a discount if you want to give the whole family a gift that says, "Don't forget to write" and also "Give that pickpocket a stab for me." Link.

9. Blinded by the Light. Want to create an opportunity for escape without causing permanent harm to your assailant? Help your potential attacker "see the light" by rendering him temporarily blind with the handy AL22, a pocket flashlight that packs a whopping 110,000-lumens beam. Illuminate yourself.

10. Fists of Steel. These powerful SAP Gloves include 8oz. of steel sewn into the knuckle area of each high quality leather glove. They look innocent enough, but allow you to pack a powerful punch and literally floor your opponent. According to the site selling these: "Law enforcement has been using them for years to help win fights with unruly suspects. Order yours today and be prepared next time you need to throw down." Throw down here.

Women are More Likely to...

2007-06-15T19:51:00.000-07:00

Since we've already pointed out interesting facts on men, here's some random stats spotlighting differences between men and women.

1. Women are more likely to sleep with co-workers. A Playboy poll claimed that two-thirds of women reported having sex with a colleague, while for men the response was about fifty percent. Further, 20% of women said they had sex with an intern, while only 12% of men admitted doing so.

2. Women are more likely to download spyware. According to research firm Harris Interactive's poll of IT professionals, more women download malicious tools like keyloggers, which record keystrokes to capture passwords and other sensitive information.

3. Women are more likely to call the help desk. The same Harris Interactive poll found that of those workers who downloaded spyware, 64% of women called their company's help desk for assistance, while only 30% of men called for help.

4. Women are more likely to write meaningful emails. Plus, according to a Pew Internet study, women tend to use the Internet in a more interactive way than men, collecting helpful information to share with friends and family in an effort to deepen connections with others.

5. Women are more likely to abuse their partner on a date. Though it defies widespread beliefs on domestic abuse, more women than men told researchers for a University of Florida / University of South Carolina study that they "stalked, attacked or psychologically abused" someone they dated. The figure was 29% for women, 22% for men.

6. Women are more likely to enjoy a good joke. A Stanford University School of Medicine study found that women's brains process verbal jokes and sight gags more analytically, looking for the humor. When they find it, they are more likely to appreciate the payoff than men, who tend to begin the processing of a joke expecting the payoff to be big, and unless it exceeds expectations, the man may not be moved to react.

7. Women are more likely to die from Alzheimer's Disease, according to a study published in American Journal of Public Health, though it's the only one of the 15 major diseases that have a higher fatality risk for women than for men.

8. Women are more likely to see their doctor regularly. The study cited above also found that women followed through on annual medical check-ups more than men, as well as sought treatment for specific problems.

9. Women are more likely to become addicted to tobacco. The site DrugStratgies.org reported on a study that found women are more likely than men to become addicted to tobacco because their bodies are more vulnerable to its chemical effects.

10. Women are more likely to be appointed to boards of directors in times of crisis. Suggesting that male corporate executives appoint women to boards for them to take the fall, researchers at England's Exeter University found that when financial or management turmoil spelled oncoming doom, women won more leadership roles. While the study's authors found the trend among British companies alarming, many of the female subjects saw their "trials by fire" to be opportunities to prove their abilities.

Now check out our post "Men are More Likely to..."

(Sources: Playboy; DrugStrategies.org; PhysOrg.com; MSNBC.com; PewInternet.org; TrainingJournal.com; ABC News; MSNBC; New Mexico DailyLobo; MSN Money; )

Men are More Likely to...

2007-06-15T18:29:00.000-07:00

No agenda here, just some interesting, random statistics on men vs. women.

1. Men are more likely to cheat. Multiple studies (such as this one and this one) have found that guys are more likely to commit adultery than women. Rates of cheating increase if the couple co-habitated before marriage and when the couples have high incomes.

2. Men are more likely to do personal web surfing at work. A Harris Interactive survey revealed that men spend more time on the Internet overall and visiting a wider variety of sites, including those that could be considered "malicious."

3. Men are more likely to die from melanoma, stroke, and other diseases. The journal Carcinogenesis cited a study in which a gene found only in men was found to be altered by chemical processes that lead to skin cancer. Further, a study published in American Journal of Public Health claimed that men are more likely to die from 14 of the 15 most deadly diseases in the U.S.

4. Men are more likely to die in traffic accidents. Research on U.S. road-risks by Carnegie Mellon University discovered that men are 77% more likely than women to die in traffic. The deadliest scenario for men on the road is a man between 21 and 24 years old, driving a motorcycle between midnight and 4 am. They are 45,000 times more likely to die in a traffic accident than the average person in typical driving conditions.

5. Men are more likely to be imprisoned. Further, a researcher at the University of Sydney reported that in all modern societies where data is available for study, men are predominantly the perpetrators of personal violence. In the U.S. in particular, men account for 90% of people charged in cases of aggravated assault, murder and manslaughter.

6. Men are more likely to be homeless. According to research by the University of California at San Diego, and published in ScienceDaily, men are more likely to be homeless than women.

7. Men are more likely to be murdered. The FBI's Uniform Crime Reports, analyzing 2005 data, showed that 79% of murder victims are men. Plus, men experienced higher rates of victimization for all violent crime except rapes/sexual assaults.

8. Men are more likely to commit suicide. Research published in ScienceDaily suggests that although suicide can be linked to high rates of depression, and women are more likely to be diagnosed as clinically depressed than men, women may be able to think through and express their problems more effectively than men, which could explain that men are four times more likely to kill themselves.

9. Men are more likely to use illegal drugs. The American Journal of Public Health reports that men are prone to experience the "Superman Syndrome" which makes them feel immune to health problems, making them less likely to shy away from dangerous activity like illegal drug use.

10. Men are more likely to have a drinking problem. A paper published by the group Counseling and Learning Skills Services points to the statistic that men are five times more likely to become an alcoholic than women.

(Sources: ABC News; MSNBC; New Mexico DailyLobo; MSN Money; ScienceDaily; Bureau of Justice Statistics; SearchSecurity; CLASS)