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PBS
Nosferatu Is Dracula…Maybe
Why do vampires shift from terrifying to seductive and back again? Let's explore the long history of the vampire’s transformation—from monstrous fiend to gothic heartthrob—and what it says about our fears, desires, and identity. Sexy…...
PBS
The Terrifying Reign of the Beast of Gevaudan
Between 1764 and 1767, a mysterious creature terrorized the French countryside, leaving over 100 dead. Was it a monstrous wolf, a cryptid, or something more sinister? This is the chilling true story of the Beast of Gévaudan — a real-life...
PBS
The Most Puzzling UFO Case of the 20th Century
In 1952, a terrifying creature was spotted in Flatwoods, West Virginia — a 10 feet tall creature with glowing eyes, a spade-shaped head, and cloaked in a metal skirt. Was it an alien, a Cold War experiment, or mass hysteria?
Curated Video
How to Draw a Manga Vampire
Howcast - Learn how to draw a manga vampire from art instructor Chris Hart in this Howcast video.
Curated Video
How to Be Mysterious
Howcast - Learn how to be mysterious from life coach Stephanie Florman in this Howcast video.
Curated Video
Dead Ants Used for Camouflage? This Mysterious Creature Does Just That
Acanthaspis petax hide from predators by wearing its victim’s carcasses as a “mask.”
Curated Video
Legend of the Loch Ness Monster
The Loch Ness Monster, often called “Nessie,” has fascinated people for generations. In this video, we explore the mystery behind the famous creature of Loch Ness in Scotland. From eyewitness sightings to sonar evidence and ancient...
PBS
The Legend of Mothman Grows
Following the initial sighting of Mothman on November 15, 1966, at least eight more people reported seeing similar creatures over the next three days. Eyewitnesses described the creature as large, with wings and glowing red eyes, often...
PBS
The Enduring Legend of the Loch Ness Monster
The infamous "Surgeon's Photograph" of the Loch Ness Monster, taken in 1934, greatly boosted the legend's popularity. The photo made Nessie a cultural icon and international tourist attraction. Despite later information that proved the...
Curated Video
Who Made These Giant Desert Figures... and Why?
The three human figures and two animals that make up the Blythe Geoglyphs - or Blythe Giant Intaglios - are enormous. So big in fact, that they can’t be fully appreciated from the ground. But the figures were carved into the earth long...
PBS
How the Great Depression Fueled the Myth of the Loch Ness Monster
The Loch Ness Monster, or "Nessie," gained global attention in the 1930s, coinciding with the Great Depression, a time when people craved escapism. Reports of sightings, such as those by three anglers in 1930 and a detailed account...
PBS
The Origins of the Loch Ness Monster
Loch Ness, the largest lake along Scotland's Great Glen, is famously known for its legendary resident, the Loch Ness Monster, or "Nessie." Described as having a small head, long neck, and flippers, the creature's legend dates back to a...
PBS
Mothman in Popular Culture
John Keel's book "The Mothman Prophecies" and its 2002 film adaptation significantly popularized the Mothman legend beyond Point Pleasant. Keel, a journalist and paranormal investigator, visited Point Pleasant in 1966 to investigate...
PBS
Mothman: the Winged Monster of West Virginia
The legend of Mothman began in Point Pleasant, West Virginia in the 1960s. He is described as a six-foot humanoid creature with massive wings and glowing red eyes. Eyewitness accounts from the 1960s detail encounters with the creature,...
Curated Video
What Makes These Dunes Sing?
Why do dunes sing? Head into the mysterious world of sand with host Joe Hanson! Along the way we meet Dr. Melany Hunt and Dr. Nathalie Vriend who solved the longstanding mystery of why dunes sing.
PBS
How Advances in Science Changed the Zombie Narrative
Films like 28 Weeks Later (2007), [REC] (2007), Quarantine (2008), and Deadgirl (2008) depict the zombie plague as a result of scientific misjudgment, reflecting society's growing anxieties around technology and experimentation. At the...
PBS
21st Century Zombies: Evolving Fears and Cultural Reflections
In the 21st century, zombie narratives have evolved, reflecting new societal anxieties such as terrorism, bioengineering, pandemics, and environmental crises. With iconic video games like Resident Evil and films like 28 Days Later,...
PBS
Consumerism and Social Critique in Romero's Dawn of the Dead
In 1978, George Romero released Dawn of the Dead, moving the zombie apocalypse to a shopping mall, symbolizing the growing influence of American consumerism and suburban life. This film continued his critique of society, with zombies...
PBS
The Cultural Significance of the Romero Zombie
Slavery's influence on the creation of the zombie can be traced back to its roots in Haitian folklore, where zombification was linked to slavery and control. Romero's reimagining of the zombie, however, took on new political and cultural...
PBS
Trolls in the 20th Century
At the turn of the 20th century, trolls transitioned from fairy tales into novels, most notably in science fiction and fantasy. J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings series brought trolls into the mainstream, where they...
PBS
The Return of Trolls in Folklore and Literature
As science and formal education spread, belief in trolls began to fade until a resurgence of folklore interest in the 19th century. Danish author Hans Christian Andersen included trolls in his fairy tales, and Norwegian illustrators like...
PBS
The Significance of Trolls in Medieval and Scandanavian History
Since the publication of troll sagas in the Middle Ages, these mythical creatures have continued to captivate popular imagination, particularly in Scandinavian countries. Medieval Norwegian law even recognized the existence of trolls,...
PBS
Trolls: From Folklore to Social Media
Modern trolls, lurking on social media, harass and antagonize others while concealing their identities are much like their ancient counterparts who hid in dark, isolated spaces. Rooted in Scandinavian folklore, trolls originally...
PBS
Bioengineered Terrors: Killer Plants in Modern Fiction
In the 1970s and 80s, advances in bioengineering fueled narratives about dangerous plants, reflecting anxieties about genetic experimentation. Stories like Super Mario’s piranha plants and Godzilla, popularized the theme of killer flora....