Mike Rampton
Mental Floss
United Kingdom
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Past articles by Mike:
Why the Color of Your Underwear Matters on New Year’s Eve
New Year's Eve can feel like a statement of intent. And for some, the color of your underwear can play a vital role in shaping the next 12 months of your life. → Read More
When a Hot Mic Caught Astronaut John Young Complaining About His Horrendous Gas
In 1972, Apollo 16 commander John Young walked on the moon—and broke some wind. → Read More
7 Surprising Facts About Michael J. Fox
What does the 'J' stand for? And when will he get his Oscar? → Read More
One VFX Artist On 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever' Was Mainly There For Fish Poop
Accuracy was important to the filmmakers behind the 'Black Panther' sequel—so much so that one visual effects artist was tasked with making sure the fish poop looked realistic. → Read More
10 Horror Subgenres to Know Before Planning Your Next Movie Marathon
Just because you love 'Scream' doesn't necessarily mean you're going to enjoy 'Cannibal Holocaust,' so knowing your horror subgenres can come in handy. → Read More
Why Aren't There More Halloween Songs?
Where did the spookiest holiday go astray, musically speaking? → Read More
How the 1980s Became the Golden Age of Spoof Movies (And Why It Couldn’t Last)
The arrival of blockbuster movies like 'Jaws' and 'Star Wars' and the rise of the home video era allowed '80s comedies like 'Airplane!' and 'The Naked Gun' to define the spoof genre like no films before them ever could. → Read More
Why Do Kids Eat Their Boogers?
Children can’t get enough of chompin’ on mucus, but what’s the appeal? → Read More
Why Did Seagulls Evolve to Be So Annoying?
Is there a scientific reason these flying bastards suck so hard? → Read More
So, Uh, Sex With Mermaids: How Does That Work?
It’s the week of Fourth of July. And while we appreciate you being here, we really hope it’s from some stretch of sand or some... → Read More
Why are There So Many Ancient Fountains Featuring Little Boys Peeing?
Modern guidebooks offer nearly a dozen different explanations for why Brussels' 'Mannekin Pis' statue is relieving himself. → Read More
The Arctic Explorer Who Freed Himself from an Avalanche with a Dagger Made from His Own Shit
Peter Freuchen lived the life of a hundred men — winning ‘The $64,000 Question,’ evading a Nazi death sentence and hobnobbing with movie stars. But none of it ever would have happened had he never fashioned that DIY ice poop pick → Read More
How Much Higher Can the Seven-Layer Dip Go?
If seven layers rule, how good would 50 be? EXTREMELY GOOD! → Read More
The Real Crocodile Dundee Died in a Drug-Fueled Police Shootout
Rod Ansell was an outback-dwelling buffalo hunter who spent months living off the land after a crocodile-poaching trip went wrong, inspiring the famous Paul Hogan character. But unlike the movie, there would be no happily ever after → Read More
Can You Fart a Blanket into the Air?
Is the force of your anus strong enough to function like a stinky tornado, moving bedding around your room like the cow in ‘Twister’? → Read More
The Unknown Corpse Who Saved Millions — And Gave the World Alien Ant Farm
How a drowning in Paris in the late 1880s led to both the popularization of CPR training and a 2001 nu-metal hit → Read More
Who Determined the Exact Parameters of the Cocktail Wiener?
Where is the line drawn between a bona-fide cocktail weenie and a little-ass sausage? → Read More
Why Did Chip Architects Equip Tostitos Scoops with Ridges?
Are they some sort of genius salsa-securing device us plebs just can’t comprehend? → Read More
How Much of the Celery Grown in the U.S. Goes Straight to Wing Plates?
Forget Thanksgiving. The most gluttonous day of the year is Super Bowl Sunday, where bowl after bowl and paper plate after paper plate is filled with finger-food bacchanalia that would make even the mad genius responsible for the TGI Friday’s appetizer selection blush (and certainly the ancient Romans). And so, all week leading up to game day, we’ll be offering up our own menu of scientific… → Read More
The Exact Order a Seven-Layer Dip Should Be Constructed, Per Flavor Experts
Beans then guacamole? Guacamole then beans? And where does the goddamn salsa go? → Read More