Games
Discover facts about games. Small discoveries that change the way you see familiar things.
Games
Why trust falls can end badly
If the person catching you can't support your weight, their arms may buckle and you could hit the floor hard enough to suffer a concussion.
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An egg-and-spoon race punishes sudden acceleration
The egg is balanced rather than fastened down, so a sharp start or turn can send it rolling while the spoon changes direction beneath it. Winning means…
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Limbo destroys lower backs for absolute fun
The deep backbend puts heavy strain on the lower lumbar spine; the payoff is the crowd’s cheer.
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Why the Cinnamon Challenge can send spice into your lungs
Dry cinnamon powder can coat the throat and trigger coughing or gasping, sending fine particles into the lungs and irritating the airways.
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Playground hopscotch forces chalk dust inhalation
The chalk is calcium sulfate, and shoes can kick some of it into the air as kids run and jump.
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Chubby bunny game acts as a massive choking hazard
Packing too many marshmallows into your mouth can obstruct breathing. As they soften and stick together, the treats can become a serious choking hazard.
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How leapfrog can turn a game into a back injury
If the jumper misjudges the leap, their weight can land on the other person’s lower back.
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Blindfolded taste tests betray basic human senses
Without sight, people lose visual cues that help identify food; in blindfolded tests, mashed potatoes can seem like wet chalk.
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Passing oranges under chins violates personal space
Players pass an orange using only their necks, bringing their faces close as they try to keep it from dropping.
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MASH let children gamble on their future
A few random pen strokes could assign a child a shack, a spouse they hated, and a garbage truck—turning a playground game into a tiny exercise in fate.
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Wipeout’s muddy pools could make contestants sick
Contestants repeatedly plunged into the same muddy, stagnant pools, where sweat and exhaustion added to the risk of skin rashes and gastrointestinal illness.
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Blind man's bluff guarantees bruised shins
With their eyes covered, players have to find one another by feel and sound, making furniture corners an unfortunate obstacle.
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Why shadow tag makes children crash into things
Players stare at the ground while sprinting to stomp on a shadow, so they may not see trees, poles, or other players in their path.
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A beer pong ball's disgusting journey
A beer pong ball can roll through spilled drinks, sticky residue, and shoe dirt before landing in a cup of beer someone is expected to drink. The game turns…
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Why parents turn silence into a car game
The adult turns silence into a competition, hoping kids will stop talking to win.
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Sudden freeze dance stops sprain careless ankles
A sudden stop can make shoes skid, putting extra strain on ankles as dancers try to halt their momentum.
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Intense patty cake leaves participants with blisters
Rapid, repeated slaps can leave hands stinging and blistered.
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Pass the parcel makes waiting part of the prize
The parcel moves while music plays; when the music stops, the person holding it removes a layer. Nobody knows whether the next stop will uncover the reward or…
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What Simon Says reveals about following orders
The game shows how a simple verbal cue can determine whether a group acts: players move only when an instruction begins with “Simon says.”
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Pin the tail on the donkey destroys plaster walls
A blindfolded child aiming a pin can easily miss the paper target and puncture a wall, wallpaper, or someone nearby.
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The five-year obsession behind Gran Turismo
A team of just 15 spent five years modeling cars and physics for the original PlayStation game. Yamauchi said he rarely went home, often sleeping under his…
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Dungeons & Dragons won a family naming contest
Gary Gygax assembled lists of evocative words and tried combinations while naming the game. His daughter Cindy favored Dungeons & Dragons. The alliteration…
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Every question in Go Fish gives away part of your hand
Under the usual rules, you can ask for a rank only if you already hold a card of that rank. Even a failed request tells everyone something about your cards.…
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Why blackjack dealers must hit on 17
When casino rules require it, a dealer hits on a soft 17 instead of standing. That can make the dealer bust more often, but also gives them a chance to…
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