listosaur.com

Keeping exotic animals as pets might make a great conversation starter, although it’s tough to start a conversation if you happen to be dead. Certain exotic animals are known for their ability to maim and kill — not to mention they’re illegal to keep in many states and localities. The owners are at risk, especially if they have no clue on the proper care and handling of such creatures, but exotic pets can also pose a hazard to the community, the ecosystem and 2-year-old children who might look like supper. Even exotic creatures that are not deadly still run the risk of terrifying your family, friends, neighbors and any potential spouses on your list.

It’s been an eventful year at Listosaur.com, and chances are you missed some of these stories that appeared on the site. In no particular order, here are 12 intriguing stories featured on Listostaur.com in 2011.

When you think of model builders, the image of someone hunched over a model airplane or car probably comes to mind. Model building has always been an exercise in patience, creativity and attention to detail, but for some models, those traits aren’t nearly enough. Imagine spending millions of dollars or more than 70 years working on a single model and you might understand the incredible effort involved in some of the following projects. Here are 10 unusual scale models from around the world.

One important thing to note about great casting in a biographical film is that it does not always result in a great biopic. One of the strengths of film is that it's such a collaborative medium, but this is also why uninspired directing or a staid screenplay can so easily threaten an inspired performance. There are a few examples of that on this list, but in every case the exceptional work of the star still makes the picture worth watching. It’s also worth noting that while Hollywood has a long history of producing biopics, there are many more instances of actors portraying real people in films that aren't strictly about that person. This list is limited to genuine biopics.

Technology now permeates nearly every facet of our lives. Whether shopping online, collaborating with distant colleagues, or merely looking for information, the Internet has brought the world to our desktop or smartphone. One of the most exciting things to emerge in recent years is the advent of online citizen science. This enables volunteers to participate in research or to make their personal computer available over a network, where the combined computing power of hundreds or thousands of computers can find answers to problems that would otherwise take centuries to solve. Here is a look at 10 diverse “crowd-sourcing” or “distributed-computing” projects that await the curious online. Best of all, no experience is necessary, and if you or your computer makes a great scientific find, you get the credit.

You could truly say that conspiracy theories are more American than apple pie. Some theories have gained such credence with the public that they’re almost accepted as fact. For instance, polls have shown that 80 percent of Americans believe that the government is hiding knowledge of aliens; the same percentage of the public believes that an assassination conspiracy killed JFK. Below are the 10 most prominent conspiracy theories to emerge in the U.S. in the past 70 years. At least one example listed here once again demonstrates that truth is stranger than fiction.

Cruises are popular choices for travelers seeking maximum value in a packaged vacation experience. Incredible scenery, entertainment, shore excursions and great food and cocktail selections have enticed millions of travelers to book a cruise. Yet by some estimates, only 15 percent of Americans have ever taken a cruise, and industry executives admit that many people are turned off by several persistent misconceptions. Here are 5 common myths about cruises, and several compelling arguments why you should ignore them.

Ask most workers in America, and chances are they’ll tell you they’re underpaid and overworked. In one famous 2004 incident, NBA star Latrell Sprewell publicly rejected a 3-year, $21 million contract offer from his team, saying, “I have a family to feed.” On the other hand, one could make the theoretical argument that few people are underpaid. Workers tend to earn as much as their talents and work experience dictates; if they’re unhappy in their current job, they’re free to work elsewhere. In reality, however, millions of workers are trapped by their circumstances, sometimes forced to take low-paying jobs they don’t want, and for which they’re overqualified, to make ends meet. Certain other jobs offer better pay, but many people would consider the salary low considering the job conditions. That said, here are the top 10 most underpaid jobs in the United States (salaries listed are the national median wage, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

For decades, they not only defined our shopping habits, but our culture as well. Companies such as Woolworth and Montgomery Ward were iconic brands that at one time were a major force in the retail world. But these once mighty retailers all eventually fell on the sword of capitalism. Some failed to keep pace with increased competition, while others fell victim to poor management. In some cases, the retailers succumbed to new technologies and inevitable obsolescence. Here are 10 retailers that left an imprint in the American marketplace but have since faded into oblivion.

Like a fine wine, Jane Austen never goes out of style, as Austen’s imagination, wit and love of love created some of the most beloved literature of all time. Her real life mimicked many of the women in her novels. She enjoyed socializing, dancing and the company of family and friends, although unlike several of her famous heroines, Austen never married. Her life did not have a happy ending, either, as she died in 1817 at age 41, possibly the victim of arsenic poisoning. In her relatively brief life, Austen turned out several novels that are now regarded as literary classics, many of which have been adapted for film or TV. Shirley MacLaine’s character, Ouiser Boudreaux, pretty much sums up the reasoning behind every Austen film adaptation in another classic “chick flick,” Steel Magnolias, “… And I don’t read books, ’cause if they’re good, they’re gonna make ’em into a miniseries.” In that spirit, here are the top five Jane Austen-inspired films and miniseries.