First Doctor Who Season 8 Teaser Trailer Puts The Emphasis On “Tease”

The eighth season of Doctor Who, starring Peter Capaldi as the brand-new Twelfth Doctor, arrives this August, and the BBC has released the very first teaser trailer! And when I say “teaser trailer,” I mean “hilariously brief footage that is essentially a still photo of Capaldi in silhouette.” It’s ridiculous. Really, Doctor Who? You couldn’t…

Marvel Blu-ray Combo, Free Injustice: Gods Among Us Comic, Steelbooks

Today on Amazon, add ten Marvel Blu-rays to your collection for just $65. This set has been selling for $180 until now, and a few of the films also include a digital copy. [Marvel Bundle, $65] Amazon is giving away free digital copies of Injustice: Gods Among Us Issue 1. Even if you don’t own…

Genetic Manipulation: The First 50,000 Years

Genetically modified plants and animals are often feared as “Frankenfoods,” but is there really anything dangerously new about manipulation of DNA? People have been creating extreme genetic mutants with plants and animals for tens of thousands of years. Photo by Vladimir Wrangel via Shutterstock Today, using biotechnology, humans can directly manipulate the genetic code of…

Thom Yorke Demonstrates Why Facial Symmetry Isn’t Everything

While some studies have suggested that symmetrical faces are perceived as more attractive than others, the way we process facial features suggests that it is actually asymmetry that makes our mugs interesting, appealing and memorable. In a visually tantalizing piece for the latest issue of science magazine Nautilus, Simone M. Scully spoke with neurobiologists, psychologists…

See Philosophical Concepts Explained With Zelda, Mega Man, and Contra

Have trouble understanding the philosophical notions proposed by Plato, Friedrich Nietzsche, and Immanuel Kant? 8-Bit Philosophy illustrates big ideas about the nature of reality and free will using classic video games. In the first episode, the original Legend of Zelda sprites enact Plato’s Allegory of the Cave, while in the second episode, Mega Man lays…

9 Famous Zombies (That Aren’t Actually Zombies)

Zombies are everywhere in pop culture right now — but not all “zombies” are actually zombies. A traditional zombie is a corpse that rises from the grave and mindlessly hunts the living (to eat our braaaaaains). But that can get old after a while. So here are nine popular “zombies” that are actually something else…

Were Medieval Trials By Combat Like The Ones On Game Of Thrones?

Dr. Steven Isaac is a professor of medieval history at Longwood University in Virginia. In this essay, he puts the concept of trial by combat we see in Game of Thrones in a historical context. If you’re not caught up on the current season, there are spoilers below. Game of Thrones Trial by Combat: An…

Morgan Freeman Explains Physics While Sucking On Helium

Morgan Freeman has an amazing voice; that we know. But what we didn’t know was how much better it sounds after a good huff of helium. This short and seemingly inexplicable video is a promo for the fifth season of Freeman’s Through the Wormhole series, which is set to return on June 4th on the…

Cosmos On Weed Is Probably The Most Realistic Cosmos Parody Ever

Cosmos on weed cuts through the middleman and delivers the reality. Getting stoned and watching Cosmos is great. Because space is rad.

This Is The First X-Men Movie To Be A Great Film In Its Own Right

Back in 2000, the first X-Men movie felt like a milestone: one of the first movies to capture comic-book storytelling on film. But now, 14 years later, X-Men: Days of Future Past actually feels like a good movie in terms of storytelling and stylistic innovation, not just a good comic-book movie. Minor spoilers ahead… I…

Ask Carolyn Porco Anything You Want About Planetary Exploration!

Carolyn Porco, the leader of the Imaging Experiment on NASA’s Cassini mission, is here to answer your questions about exploring other planets, what we know about planetary rings, Saturn’s moon Encleadus, and looking for life in our solar system. https://gizmodo.com/more-people-need-to-know-about-carolyn-porco-1565667379 Much of her research has focused on the how, why, and what of planetary rings,…

As the 2016 presidential campaign ramps up, Republicans and Democrats have different wish lists when it comes to the traits they mostwant in a candidate. Military service far and away tops the list for Republicans, while a significant share of Democrats would like to see a woman at the top of the ticket.

Meet The New Characters Who Will Join Game Of Thrones In Season 5

It’s usually a pretty safe bet that not all of the stars of Game of Thrones will survive though the season finale, and as always, more new players will arrive next season to replenish the ranks. Based on the casting info, here are the new faces that will be joining season 5. These characters will…

More Evidence That Longevity Depends on Your State of Mind

We all know that having goals is important, but a joint US-Canadian study reveals that having a sense of purpose can affect our longevity. Remarkably, it doesn’t matter how old we are or what we aspire to — as long as we have goals, we live longer. Psychologists have known for some time that a…

Frequencies Asks, “What If Physics Determined The Laws Of Attraction?”

Loosely inspired by the theoretical physics work of Stephen Wolfram, the new movie Frequencies is set in a future where your romantic destiny is predetermined by science. Will tampering with the algorithm of love destroy or unite society? We’re premiering a special “alt” trailer for the movie’s big debut. Check it out. Here’s the official…

Why Screenwriter Gary Whitta’s Rant Proves He’s Perfect For Star Wars

In addition to naming Godzilla’s Gareth Edwards as the director of the first Star Wars spin-off, Disney also announced that Gary Whitta (above), screenwriter of the excellent The Book of Eli and the not excellent After Earth. But one particular rant has us convinced Whitta is going to do his Star Wars movie right. In…

It’s GIF Party Time! Come On In!

Cheer up, GIFs! It’s time for your party. What do you have planned for this week? Tell us about any upcoming travel plans, the things you’re looking forward to, and just which GIFs you’ve chosen to accompany you through it all. H/T Hands of Orlok for this week’s GIF.

Creation Museum To Display Dinosaur That “Proves” Biblical Flood

The Creation Museum in Petersburg, Kentucky, is set to unveil the skeleton of an Allosaurus fragilis — one that supposedly proves the biblical account of creation. Dubbed Ebenezer, the skeleton is set to be unveiled this coming Memorial Day. Measuring 30-feet long, standing nearly 10-feet high, and slightly resembling a smaller version of a T.…

Newly updated census data reveals dramatic inequalities in public school spending across the U.S. The nine states in the Northeast all rank among the top 15 states by per-pupil spending. Of the 20 states spending the least, 18 are in either the South or West.

Robert Kirkman Says Walking Dead Season 5 “Hits The Ground Running”

Bryan Singer explains why X-Men solo spin-offs are taking so long. J.K. Simmons explains why his Terminator: Genesis character has a big future. And it looks like we’re going to get tons more flashbacks to the Horseman’s past in Sleepy Hollow. Plus, Sharlto Copley explains the animation process for his character in Chappie. Spoilers now!…