Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

The Meaning Behind Barn Stars If you’ve ever driven past an old farmhouse and noticed a five-pointed star on the barn, you’ve seen a barn star — a familiar sight across rural America, especially in the East. Though many view them as decoration, these stars once held deep symbolic meaning. Roots and Beliefs Dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries,…

“Don’t get on the plane! It’s going to explode!” At JFK, a homeless boy named Tyler Reed screamed a warning about a bomb on a plane. Edward Carter, a Manhattan venture capitalist, was about to board when he heard the trembling voice of the child, which reminded him of his own son. Tyler had noticed…

Tragedy at Green Valley Zoo: Zookeeper Injured in Panda Enclosure A wave of shock swept through Oregon’s Green Valley Zoo after 32-year-old zookeeper Michael Torres was critically injured on August 23, 2025 while tending to Bai Yun, a seven-year-old panda he had cared for for years. According to zoo officials, surveillance footage showed Bai Yun “nervously pacing before…

Understanding Genital Bumps Discovering a bump, sore, or patch of skin in your genital area can be alarming. “A wide range of conditions can manifest in this sensitive region, and the vast majority are treatable or entirely harmless.” Common causes include folliculitis, sebaceous cysts, and ingrown hairs, often triggered by shaving, friction, or blocked glands.…

Giant hailstones were recorded Tuesday evening in the town of [insert town name], shocking residents and causing widespread damage across the area. Locals described the storm as one of the most intense they’ve ever seen, with chunks of ice as large as baseballs pelting cars, rooftops, and trees. Within minutes, streets were blanketed in white,…

Most people didn’t exactly jump for joy when math class rolled around back in school. Numbers, fractions, decimals, percentages — all those endless formulas written on chalkboards seemed to twist and turn in ways that gave students headaches instead of inspiration. For many, the sound of a teacher saying, “Take out your math books” felt…

How Vegetables Help Protect Against Cancer “Eat more vegetables” isn’t just good advice— it’s one of the most proven ways to support long-term health. Research suggests 30–50% of cancers could be prevented through lifestyle changes, with a plant-focused diet leading the way. Vegetables reduce oxidative stress, ease inflammation, and support the body’s natural detox and hormone balance. These benefits build…

Why Seniors Lose Sleep — And How to Fix It Did you know 73% of adults over 65 struggle with poor sleep, according to a 2024 study? You might lie in bed for hours, exhausted yet restless. Rate your sleep from 1–10—how restful is it, really? If fatigue lingers even after a full night’s rest, it’s…

Leaked Documents Reveal DSA’s Alleged Influence on Mayor Zohran Mamdani New York City’s politics are in turmoil after Just the News released documents reportedly showing the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) plan to push new mayor Zohran Mamdani toward anti-Israel policies. The 34-year-old socialist and first Muslim mayor of New York rose to power after defeating Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa, promising a “historic mandate for change.” However,…

The Intruder   It started subtly — a chair out of place, a photo frame turned sideways. Living alone, I blamed forgetfulness, but the changes grew daily. To be sure, I took photos each night and compared them in the morning. Things had undeniably moved, though every door was locked. My peaceful home had turned…