Ridley Scott throws a giant stuffed Tiger at Russell Crowe

This behind-the-scenes photo from Gladiator reveals the giant fake tiger director Ridley Scott threw at actor Russell Crowe. Which looks like it was purchased from Toys R’ Us. In other news, Scott cancelled his plans for a series of scifi shorts with Machinima. Which is a shame. Image via Univseral Pictures.

Here’s a cognitive bias you’ll actually want to have — if you’re evil

Most cognitive biases persist because people don’t realize they’ve fallen prey to them. But at last, here’s one that we should consciously encourage. All obsessive people everywhere should band together and support the zero risk bias. People don’t like leaving things half-done. Knowing that it’s still there, percolating, is like a brain itch that can’t…

10 Reasons You Should Be Watching Dracula Right Now

One of the most amazingly bizarre reinterpretations of the Dracula story is airing this season on NBC, and if you are not watching you’re seriously missing out. Campy and ambitious, this Dracula series manages to be a completely unhinged transformation of the original novel, while also paying thoughtful homage to it. Here are 10 reasons…

Syfy unveils its winter line-up, with werewolves, vampires and Helix

Back at this year’s upfronts presentation, Syfy promised a new wave of quality science fiction and supernatural television — and it’s almost time for the network to deliver. The new disease outbreak show Helix looks cool, but what about all these other shows? SERIES PREMIERES: HELIX (TWO EPISODE PREMIERE) FRIDAY, JANUARY 10 AT 10PM We’ve…

Everybody’s in love with everybody else, on Tomorrow People

Seriously. At this point, the main cast are all pretty much ensnared in some kind of love pentagram. Entwined in a fiendish macrame of love. But mostly, Wednesday night’s Tomorrow People convinced me that this show is only really great when Astrid is around. First of all, many apologies that this recap is so late.…

Can eating nuts every day help save you from heart disease and cancer?

That’s what one really encouraging study suggests — the risk of heart disease was reduced 29 percent. Bear in mind, though, the study was funded by the International Tree Nut Council. https://jezebel.com/people-who-gobble-nuts-every-day-live-longer-1469406892

Exclusive Look Inside the BBC’s Greek Mythology Mashup Series, Atlantis

This Saturday, the latest series from Misfits creator Howard Overman will air in the United States for the first time. And to celebrate, here are two exclusive clips from Atlantis — including one featuring a Minotaur. Which is excellent. OK, here’s the run down: Young Jason teams up with Pythogoras and Hercules to form the…

Archaeologists Find Sunken Nazi Sub in Indonesia with 17 Skeletons

Indonesian researchers have just discovered the remnants of a torpedoed Nazi sub off the main island of Java just west of Indonesia. It’s the first time a German submarine has been found in the area — a discovery that’s giving historians new clues about what went on in the region during the war. The sub,…

Goodman’s Paradox introduces us to the color “grue”

Ever heard of the color grue? According to some, you see it whenever you stare at an emerald. Think about it as you walk across the beautiful bleen grass. Henry Nelson Goodman enjoyed the best things in life – good friends, hard work, and making people question their reality. He worked with the concept of…

Hunger Games: Catching Fire is a captivating tale of privilege and PTSD

The second Hunger Games movie builds on the emotional intensity of the first, telling a harrowing story of what happens when you win a deadly game by playing dirty. Catching Fire is the rare film that’s better than the original book. Even if you’ve memorized Suzanne Collins’ text, you’ll get something new out of it.…

Do boys have more sisters than girls do?

One of the famous intuitive mistakes in probability comes from the simple question, “Do boys have more sisters than girls do?” A quick analysis of the situation may prompt you to say yes. A more in-depth look might change your mind. I don’t have a sister. I have to say, I don’t feel much deprived,…

Ben Affleck and Matt Damon to make psychic crime story Sleeper

Matt Damon and Ben Affleck are getting back together to adapt a comic book centered around a man who can absorb and pass along pain and his job as a sleeper agent hidden in a massive system of organized crime. It’s a little noir with a whole lotta violence, titled Sleeper. Variety is reporting that…

Command legends with 5 new decks for Magic: the Gathering

Magic: the Gathering’s legendary casual format, Commander, got a huge boost this month with the release of five new decks full of multiplayer shenanigans. This guide to Commander will help you get started and find the right deck to destroy your friends in the most horribly fun way possible. Whenever I post Magic: the Gathering…

It’s Just Not a Gif Party Without You, So Come on In!

Put on your party hats, folks. It’s time for the Friday Gif Party! So, hurry on over, quick as you can. Because it’s just not a party until you (and all of your gifs!) have arrived. Drop your favorite gifs (and, perhaps, their favorite hats?) into the comments below and let the Gif Party begin!

This colossal new megapredator may have outsized T. rex

Behold Siats meekerorum, one of the largest terrestrial apex predators ever discovered. Paleontologists think it may have been bigger than even the almighty T. rex, holding it back on the evolutionary food chain for millions of years. The Cretaceous-era dinosaur, whose moniker stands for “Man-Eating Monster,” may be the biggest carnivore to have ever terrorized…

Want ultraviolet vision? You’re going to need smaller eyes.

Unlike humans and most other mammals, birds can see ultraviolet light. But not all avian eyes are created equal, according to new research. Apparently, birds with smaller eyes are better able to perceive the UV spectrum. Many animals can see ultraviolet light, including some amphibians, reptiles and fish. Even a few select mammals can see…

How Will Edgar Wright Make Ant-Man a Badass?

Read some excerpts from the Star Wars: Episode VII audition script. Warner Bros. has registered a bunch of possible Man of Steel 2 titles as domain names, and the Amazing Spider-Man universe is getting bigger. And it looks like the Governor will be stepping up his game in The Walking Dead. Spoilers ahead! Star Wars…

Researchers from Australia have uncovered a previously unknown species of giant clam on reefs off the coast of Western Australia. The clams — which come in colors of blue, green, brown, and yellow — can grow to a whopping 500 lbs (230 kg). Recent DNA evidenceconfirmed that what was thought to be one species is…

Now this is what sustainable architecture really looks like

If you’re going to start building in space, you should always use recycled materials. This gorgeous jalopy space station was made by Alejandro Burdisio, an artist in Argentina. Learn more on his Facebook page, and see more of his work on Concept Ships.

Every year, we find 1,000 new objects in space near Earth

Today, we got some hard numbers on the asteroids, comets and other objects whizzing through space near Earth. Astrophysicist Amy Mainzer took a break from asteroid-hunting at JPL to answer a couple of our most burning questions about asteroids, comets, and whatever else is just over our heads. Among the questions she answered were just…