Buzz
Once more, it’s time to shine a spotlight on the restless, caffeine-driven developers of the reality we inhabit. As we’ve mentioned before, despite the glaring and significant flaws in their programming, they somehow manage to embed bizarre, inexplicable elements in the most unexpected places—seemingly just to mess with us.
It’s worth noting that Elon Musk, a renowned intellectual, has publicly claimed the odds of us not living in a simulated universe are astronomically low. We’d also like to highlight that we’ve been somewhat ahead of the game on this topic. Mr. Musk, if by any chance you’re reading this, view this series as a growing collection of proof to back up your theory.
10. Ponyhenge
In a small patch of farmland in Lincoln, Nebraska, lies a peculiar sight: a collection of horses, now totaling around 30. What sets this apart from other equine gatherings in the region is immediately clear—these are vintage rocking horses, crafted from wood and plastic, arranged in a silent circle facing one another. Over the past few years, their numbers have gradually increased, and no one in the community can agree on how the first one arrived.
Some claim it started as a Halloween decoration. Others recall children running a lemonade stand bringing the initial pair. Since then, more have mysteriously appeared every month, added to the eerie assembly by anonymous contributors. Far from dwindling, the number of horses continues to grow, and their positions in the field frequently shift, though no one knows who moves them.
The locals adore this quirky exhibit, informally dubbed “Ponyhenge,” and prefer to remain in the dark about its origins. However, with the herd doubling in size over the past year, some are beginning to discuss the possibility of reducing its numbers. In our opinion, interfering with these horses in any way seems like a recipe for disaster.
9. The Clown Motel
Nestled in the vast desert along a desolate highway, the small former mining town of Tonopah, Nevada, is precisely the kind of place you’d expect to stumble upon a spooky motel. It’s the type of establishment that might give you an overwhelming case of the creeps, to say the least. However, Tonopah’s aptly named Clown Motel takes eerie to a whole new level—enough to send certain individuals, like those who can’t even glance at the accompanying photo, fleeing into the night with a scream.
Indeed, this quiet town of 2,500 residents boasts the world’s only (and hopefully only) Clown Motel, and it lives up to its name. Every room is decked out in clown decor, complete with clown dolls and images of famous clowns. But the clown invasion doesn’t stop there—the lobby is also packed with hundreds upon hundreds of clown dolls.
As if the motel weren’t unsettling enough, Tonopah is also home to an old prospectors’ cemetery dating back to 1901. Its occupants include townsfolk who perished in a mysterious early 20th-century plague and 14 miners who lost their lives in a devastating mine fire. With its rusted iron fence and crumbling graves, the cemetery looks like a nightmare brought to life, complete with a chilling backstory. And where is this cemetery located?
Why, it’s right next to the Clown Motel.
8. 419.99 Mile Marker
If you’ve ever come across a highway mile marker—and chances are you have—you’ll instantly notice something unusual about the one pictured above. Located on Interstate 70 near the small Colorado town of Stratton, it seems to be missing the other 99 signs that typically mark the hundredths of a mile.
However, this isn’t an error or part of an overly elaborate highway marking initiative. The number “420,” closely associated with marijuana culture, holds special significance for residents of this state. Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) workers swapped out the Mile 420 marker for this one after growing weary of constantly replacing it.
For the maintenance crews working on I-70, the issue is compounded by the fact that only two other highways in Colorado are long enough to face this problem—and both have opted to skip the Mile 420 marker entirely. Why this unique solution was chosen for I-70 remains unclear, but it has proven effective. The new marker has stayed in place, seemingly because no one wants to be eternally 0.01 miles away from the fun.
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time such a tactic has been used on this very highway. CDOT officials once installed a Mile 68.5 marker after repeated thefts of... well, you can guess. To answer your question, no, Colorado isn’t entirely populated by college students, but it’s certainly heading in that direction.
7. The Bug Carousel
The Bronx Zoo, a 265-acre natural oasis nestled in the heart of New York City, has been a beloved institution for over a century. While its Butterfly Garden attracts more than 300,000 visitors each season, its accompanying carousel might send some of those guests fleeing in terror straight to Manhattan.
Indeed, the carousel boasts 64 meticulously hand-carved, enormous insect replicas, showcasing a variety of species with astonishing (or unsettling, depending on your perspective) detail. Since its debut in 2005, this 15-meter (50 ft) carousel has entertained countless riders and is proudly marketed as the world’s first and only insect-themed carousel—a distinction we’re not entirely sure was necessary to highlight.
What kind of music accompanies such a unique ride? We’re delighted you asked. The soundtrack is a symphony of insect noises, provided by the Wildlife Conservation Society. Should the carousel ever need to make way for a new exhibit, we propose relocating it to Tonopah, Nevada. Somehow, we think it would fit right in there.
6. Waitomo Glowworm Caves
Just outside Waitomo Township on New Zealand’s North Island lies a vast network of underground caves that have become a popular tourist destination. Discovered around the late 19th century by a Maori chief and a British surveyor, the duo initially explored the caves by candlelight to map them—only to soon realize the candles were unnecessary.
These caves are inhabited by a massive population of Arachnocampa luminosa, a species of glowworm unique to New Zealand and not, as one might think, a spell from a Harry Potter book. True to their name, these worms emit a natural bioluminescent light. Hundreds of thousands of them light up the Waitomo caves, casting an ethereal glow on the intricate limestone formations that wind through the caverns.
While visitors might feel as though they’ve entered another dimension, locals have cherished this attraction for over a century. The caves are now managed by the government, with guided tours first offered in 1889 by the very Maori chief who played a key role in their discovery.
5. The Blue Flash
Bruceville, Indiana, a small town in the heart of flyover country, is the kind of place with little to do and even less reason to stop. In the early 2000s, local resident John Ivers had an idea: the town needed a roller coaster. Armed with a few tools, some scrap metal, and zero prior experience, he set out to construct one in his own backyard.
Though the ride lasts a mere 24 seconds, the Blue Flash, as it’s known, boasts many features cherished by roller coaster fans: a starting hill leading to a sharp drop (clearing the shed John used for construction), numerous twists and turns, and even a loop. When asked why he built it, John replied, “There are plenty of great engineers who design big roller coasters, but not in their backyards.” Fair point.
John initially built the coaster with his grandchildren in mind, completing it in a burst of enthusiasm. However, he soon realized his grandchildren were still toddlers and would likely fall out of the cars during the loop. Determined to fix this, he constructed a second coaster—Blue Too—a safer, more child-friendly version perfect for little ones.
Despite its remote location and brief 24-second duration, the Blue Flash has attracted visitors from across the globe, who make the journey to experience this unique backyard creation.
4. Toronto’s Neighborhood Watch Signs
One day, Canadian artist Andrew Lamb (a pseudonym) felt his Toronto suburb’s neighborhood watch signs were visually uninspiring. A comic book enthusiast, Lamb used a laser printer to create a vibrant splash page featuring a group of superheroes. After attaching it to a sign, he admired his work but knew he wasn’t done yet.
Despite the illegality of his actions (hence the alias), Lamb has creatively altered, by his estimate, 68 neighborhood watch signs across Toronto, with only a few repeats. He doesn’t hide his activities and claims that only a couple of residents have complained, while most offer encouragement as he works. He’s even received requests to modify specific signs and suggestions for new characters to feature.
While the idea of the Incredible Hulk or RoboCop guarding their neighborhoods might not scare off potential criminals, local officials don’t seem overly worried. Lamb started his project after noticing that the text on the signs faded in sunlight, leaving the black border intact—a perfect canvas for his art. His favorite additions include Ellen Ripley from the Alien series and the clumsy detective Frank Drebin from The Naked Gun.
3. The World’s Biggest Ghost Town
Myanmar, a country with a history of political instability, boasts one of the world’s largest capital cities. Revealed in 2005, Naypyidaw is six times larger than New York City, with construction costs estimated at over $4 billion. The city is equipped with modern facilities—shopping malls, hotels, new restaurants offering free Wi-Fi, and a 20-lane highway cutting through its center. However, it lacks one crucial element: residents.
Although the military regime responsible for building the city was removed from power in 2011, the current government claims Naypyidaw is a thriving metropolis with over a million inhabitants. This claim is easily debunked by a simple glance at the city’s vast, pristine, and deserted streets. The only signs of life are often road maintenance and construction workers (yes, construction continues), and traffic is so sparse that the BBC show Top Gear once filmed a drag race on its main road during supposed rush hour.
The reasoning behind relocating the capital to such a remote and uninhabited area remains unclear. Some speculate that officials feared a potential US amphibious invasion, as the former capital, Rangoon, was near the coast. While this may seem overly cautious, it’s worth noting that Myanmar is one of the few countries with friendly ties to North Korea.
2. The Seven Noses Of Soho
Walking through London’s Soho district, you might spot something unusual on several buildings. These aren’t architectural or decorative elements—they’re human features. Specifically, noses. Seven metal-cast noses are scattered across random buildings in the area.
These distinctive features are the creation of artist Rick Buckley, who in 1996 crafted the seven sculptures using a cast of his own nose. Over time, a myth emerged that finding all seven noses would bring infinite wealth, sounding like a quest straight out of a video game.
While some noses are as obvious as, well, a nose on a building (we couldn’t resist), others are hidden in plain sight, which makes sense if infinite wealth is the reward. Local tour groups have even organized walking tours dedicated to finding the seven noses—a phrase we never thought we’d type. Perhaps the infinite wealth offer was only valid for the first person to find them all. We have a few guesses, but none of the Kardashians are spilling the beans.
1. The Cave Of Kelpius
Hidden along the Wissahickon Creek on Hermit Lane in Philadelphia lies a little-known cave, rarely discovered by passersby. While this may sound like the opening of a fantasy novel, it’s a real historical site. A plaque near the cave identifies it as the creation of Johannes Kelpius, a German mystic and “The Original Rosicrucian,” who settled in Philadelphia soon after its establishment.
The Rosicrucians, a semi-secret society originating in 17th-century Germany, claimed to draw inspiration from ancient Egyptian wisdom. Kelpius and his followers, dubbed the “Hermits of Wissahickon,” lived in isolation here, dedicating themselves to meditation and offering aid to local residents when needed.
Things were going smoothly until the group seemingly evolved into one of the earliest doomsday cults. Kelpius, interpreting the biblical book of Revelation, declared that the world would end in 1694. When the predicted date passed without incident, the deadline was pushed to 1700.
This continued until Kelpius’s death in 1708, after which his remaining followers dispersed. Today, all that remains of their settlement is a dark, dry cave, once used for deep meditation and awaiting the apocalypse. Cyclists and hikers venturing off the beaten path might stumble upon this haunting, nearly forgotten piece of Philadelphia’s past.
