18 Forbidden Places

[@laurent4819]

I just want to say thank you for continuing to make content

[@MentalFloss]

Thank you for continuing to watch!

[@PsoPstrong]

I second! =^.^=

[@nebulan]

Can you cover the sheer number of people that would have to be "in on it" for conspiracies like the moon landing and flat earth. For flat earth not just governments and any scientist in the Earth Sciences but also most anyone in the navigation industry, air and sea travel, the telecommunication industry, whole aerospace and satellite companies. The numbers would be staggering.

[@mattsgrungy]

For the record: my favourite conspiracy theory is that they hired Stanley Kubrick to fake the moon landings but because he was such a perfectionist he insisted they film it on location on the moon.

[@MentalFloss]

LOL I hadn't heard that spin on it, but given what I've read of Kubrick, it sounds about right.

[@aaronpitts5127]

Hahahaha. That was awesome! 😂😂😂

[@deviantaffinity1626]

I hadn't heard the perfectionist angle, but if he was hired, you are likely correct.

[@PsoPstrong]

_I LOVE THIS_ *SO HARD!* 🤣🤣🤣

[@GC-ye9qf]

That sounds too stupid to be a conspiracy theory. You must be either poorly informed or deliberately confusing the public. I don't recall the footage of him confessing filming a fake moon landing insisting that its done from the moon. Why would you request being there which is why you are faking it? Several astronaught's including Aldrin has stated they never went to the moon. Don't use fact check sites though, unless you research who owns them. Slaves tolerate anything their told.

[@geminirox8635]

"one to five snakes.. but we aren't sure those could be an exaggeration " very nice reporting

[@emancia]

What a great, enjoyable episode! Keep up the good work!

[@VoMFilms]

Oo-la-roo is how you pronounce it

[@daveslave7858]

and air's rock lol

[@jemima438]

I was bout to write the same things. :) so I liked both your comments to help people notice.

[@MentalFloss]

Dang, that's our bad on the producing side. We generally give phonetic spellings for unfamiliar words (since Erin has the small matter of running a website on top of recording these vids), and somehow those 2 (including Ayers) slipped through. Definitely some incentive to be more conscientious moving forward!

[@daveslave7858]

@@MentalFloss All good. We have some words that truly boggle the mind

[@dwindlebunny]

As an Australian, I appreciate you having a crack, but Ayers rock is pronounced like "airs rock" and Uluru is OO-luh-ROO

[@kathleenwendy7835]

Thanks for saying this Claire, I was suffering eye twitches with every mispronunciation and was about to do this as well!

[@fercfrm]

I read "18 forbidden palaces" before watching the video. But it was still interesting, as always.

[@MentalFloss]

If we can find 18 forbidden palaces, we are DEFINITELY making a video about that.

[@Joshcoupe325]

Love these videos!

[@MentalFloss]

And these videos love YOU, Josh.

[@groovylobster]

It would be interesting to see mention of the phenomenon of finding patterns/correlation in things that don't have any, because that seems to be a huge driving factor in people's belief in conspiracy theories.

[@MentalFloss]

Oo yeah! I still remember a professor who played a piece of classical music and projected what looked like a strange attractor-like screensaver as we walked into class. After asking several students to identify the connection between the two, he revealed what should've been obvious: there was no connection, other than those invented in our own minds. Even when there are no nefarious motives, our brains' desire to identify patterns and connections can lead us into error.

[@Litera_Trotter]

I loved the Robert Langdon reference. In Angels and Demons he do visit it.

[@yungcobalt]

imagine if one person was able to visit all these places in their lifetime...

[@MentalFloss]

I wanna say I'd watch this KZbin show, but I feel like that's probably pretty questionable, ethically. Therefore, I would watch it in incognito mode. #moraldilemmasolved

[@marcoklaue]

Sentinel Island?

[@wandabissell]

And you didn't mention North Sentinel Island?!

[@dancedecker]

Excellent video Knew some of those, but certainly not all. To address the request for your next video, I find that conspiracy theories best and most often evolve when there is some possible doubt that the facts as related, are undeniable and especially when other "evidence" then gets found, or created!! Sounds basic I admit, but my favourite one that is led from that hypothesis, is that the Titanic that sank wasn't the Titanic. It was her identical sister ship, The Olympic. I have to admit that some of the genuine facts are quite compelling. If anyone wants to know more, let me know.

[@xsithlord]

I see The Voynich Manuscript behind you. I'd love a List Show about that!!

[@MentalFloss]

Good catch! Maybe we can get Erin to try to decode it.

[@xsithlord]

@@MentalFloss If anyone can, it's Erin and the Mental Floss team!

[@invisibleninja86]

Remember when Storm Area 51 was one of the craziest things going on in the world?

[@MarvelousNysa]

Does Dyatlov's Pass count as a conspiracy theory for your purposes? A group of climbers went missing and then were found in mysterious ways that had many conspiracies about how they sustained their injuries. Cool and creepy story. Last Podcast on the Left covered it

[@antheavandenbergh]

It's actually been solved! Give it a google whe you can!

[@aldousd666]

You all have the same living room. Nice.

[@mikewyatt9977]

At the moment, the entire outside world is forbidden to me. Damn you covid!

[@maxcelcat]

Hello, I'm very late to watching this, and I bring greetings from Australia. Indeed there is a big rock in the middle of the country which is it now forbidden to climb. At the risk of being pedantic, it was called Ayers (Air-z) Rock and is now called Uluru (Ooo-loo-roo).

[@invisiblelemons7633]

A scientific study published in 2019 by Goreis & Voracek stated that, “fear and anxiety were reported as positive predictors of conspiracy beliefs. As people are anxious, fear a threatening situation, or have low perceived feelings of control over situations, they tend to conspiracies.”

[@keithlehman1621]

Interesting info video.

[@callabeth258]

Uluru should have an emphasis on the first syllable OO-lu-ru

[@Supermunch2000]

"Queimada Grande" means "Big Fire"

[@prufrock1977]

Added a like because of the copy of CHUD on the shelf.

[@j.j.c.s2802]

Every 2 years they dismantle Stone Henge and take it away to clean the stones. Looks fabulous after a wash and brush up!😜

[@geocacherETG]

Really good video. I’m surprised you didn’t mention North Sentinel Island. It’s a really interesting thing to research if you’ve never heard of it.

[@rickseiden1]

I don't remember where, but I've heard of an island where there is a tribe of people who live in the past, so to speak. The island is off limits to protect them from contamination. It might be that island where the tribe kills on sight and the missionary decided to go spread the Word of God and got killed.

[@chocolatethunda0177]

I believe that is Sentinel Island.

[@rickseiden1]

@@chocolatethunda0177 I'm not sure if that's the island I was thinking is illegal to visit (it probably is), but it is definitely the island I was thinking about where the missionary was killed.

[@slukky]

@@rickseiden1 It's the island. No. Sentinel Isl.

[@quicksilverrn]

Cool bangs

[@YeeSoest]

My pet peeve conspiracy theory is "a security officer in the car behind accidentally shot Kennedy" The footage actually "supports" the theory in that the car brakes suddenly and the guy wiggles weirdly with a gun in hand at the exact moment Kennedy is hit. Can't be bothered to look up the name but it's here somewhere and when i first saw it I was like "heeeey, that looks like he actually did it^^"

[@geminirox8635]

why would that be your pet peeve theory if you're clearly into the theory enough to support it lol

[@ezminj]

Can this be my resume for a research position? I'm not entirely sure how to earn a living researching and compiling lists like this, but I'm basically one fever dream away from packing a rucksack to come sit on the Mental Floss stoop until I've proven my worth.

[@valzalel5203]

oh I got a good one, that's actually factual. In the King James Version of the Bible, whenever you see the word 'LORD/ the LORD" placed in the bible it's actually a replacement of the written name of YHWH that derives from traditions of Rabbinic Judaism, and it occurs *over 7000 times*!! In fear of mentioning the tetragrammaton (written name of YHWH) they would say adonai which in hebrew means my lord (obviously refering to their god, or El/Elohim). This was kept as a focus in translation hence why from thousands of years ago clergy would say Lord (to put it simple). But it's a shame because the written name given to Moses mentioned in the hebrew bible is effectively recorded as YHWH in Hebrew, which most commonly pronounced as Yahweh or Yehovah. How many people DON'T know that? Also Jesus (the messiah's) original name isn't close to "Jesus" but much closer to the name of Joshua but that's another discussion.

[@michaelwhite2823]

Please tell me that DVD is of the ORIGINAL 1962 Manchurian Candidate.

[@SamButler22]

Most military bases aren't open to the public though, right?

[@jfroines]

Thought you might mention Sentinel Island.

[@violenceisfun991]

Sam U L Jacksonz?

[@JennWanderer]

I went to Maya Bay in 2013 as part of a geography class studying karstic formations and tsunamis. It was absolutely packed with people. I'm glad it's being given a break.

[@rickcarlos6306]

Thank you for makin this vids. Very informational and keep up the good work..

[@ZennExile]

YAY it's fixed! Also, anti-conspiracy theories are way more fun.

[@likenem]

In the video game Borderlands 2, their a gun called the Lascaux found in a cave.

[@farquoi]

speaking of floss... it looks you have something caught between your teeth...

[@starmessenger]

It's called the gum.

[@linengray]

What are the late penalties on that Blockbuster video?

[@brianarbenz1329]

I’m not sure I’d use the word “forbidden” to describe Snake Island. I mean, it’s not as though everyone would happily rush to the place if only the Brazilian government would let them.

[@Jakeu1701]

What about Centralia PA?

[@SECONDQUEST]

Don't climb sacred rocks.

[@bethanytaylor1704]

There is a tiny island in the Great Salt Lake, Utah, that you are not allowed to even boat within 2 miles of the shore.

[@sominboy2757]

Why?

[@drigodamus]

Sominboy27 covid

[@claryfray7377]

One conspiracy theory that was only semi recently proven to be true is that of the M K ultra project by the US government. While many of the documents released by the US government are blacked out, it’s a pretty fascinating, abet dark project. It is one of the inspirations of the popular show Stranger Things.

[@oliverolover]

I find myself fascinated by your hairline in this video.

[@okaminokuro]

you want conspiracies? David politis has you covered. the missing 411 cases are a trip

[@xevozmaster360]

Mothman, Conspiracy or Harbinger of Doom!

[@St.Linguini_of_Pesto]

This is a grea.. oh, I feel a chess match coming! I better phone the pope.

[@jemima438]

Australia has a snake island too.

Who ya gonna call? Some dude with a camera and an EMF meter.

[@gosnooky]

You forgot Sentinel Island

[@SamButler22]

I was expecting North Sentinel Island in the Andamans

[@jonathanmarkte]

Agreed!

[@SunRhe]

Plum island?

How about reptiloid humanoids?

[@johnnydugas1970]

Mkultra and cointelpro got FOIA'd and those are really damn neat

[@erictaylor5462]

0:30 "Crap, the doctor just got bit. Now what are we going to do?"

[@violenceisfun991]

Meth with a homeless chick 👌👌

[@mrscary3105]

Iguanas have 3 eyes. (True fact!)

[@nevermind546]

John grern

[@awlig]

What about that island with the natives that have had such a time of it with modern hoomans they murder any new ones on site

[@scubaguy007]

Building #7

[@karldettmann7780]

Your eye makeup is fantastic !

[@honodle7219]

'Robocop', 'C.H.U.D.', 'American Werewolf in London', 'Maximum Overdrive', Creepshow 2'. Can't make out the other titles. The Ethiopian church has the fabled Ark? But no one's allowed to see it. How convenient.

[@sadib100]

Do I have a rational evidence based fact to share? Nope.

[@bobbyf1626]

You are so great at relaying information and also ridiculously beautiful! Move over John Green lol, please keep the content rolling!

[@Tricksterboom]

I like that you managed to fuck up both names of Ayer's Rock (Uluru) very impressive.

[@Bleik49]

Hey! Great video but you forgot North Sentinel Island.

[@woogha]

Honestly I was tk address the conspiracy of Area 51 (ignore my profile picture...) Groom lake (Area51) is nothing more than a test facility for experimental craft. We pay for twk or three designs and make them compete. And we do not move forward with one of the designs. The air force loves the UFO angle because then no one is screaming about the billions wasted in secret plane designs we never use. My father was a staff sergeant in the air force and would spend a few weeks every year in Las Vegas working at the groom lake facility. Sadly, it's not aliens. Just creative accounting.

[@dwighthouse]

My Little Pony. Nice.

[@churchofchris1973]

All words contain lizard people

[@drigodamus]

...there is no scenario where this pronunciation thing matters except, to the egos of the phonetics/grammar trolls “sharing” their wisdom on how a word sounds...great contributions 👊🏾

[@bigpapadrew]

it's pronounced "airs" rock, not "eye-ers rock"

[@terrafirma5327]

Most words have many valid pronunciations, no culture should have the right to define the way things are said. Your cultural perspective is not necessarily the correct one by default, to assume such things is sheer arrogance and pettiness.

[@terrafirma5327]

@@adampickard9880 Based on what? One "correct" pronunciation? You wouldn't be arguing we pronounce the way things were pronounced originally in the dark ages. Words change. Pronunciations change. Why do you think YOU can declare the correct form? Feel free to start speaking old English if you feel you need to be correct.

[@bigpapadrew]

Wow, I was just trying to help someone who hadn't heard the pronunciation of the last name before.

[@stocktonjoans]

yeah ... that island is not haunted, just FYI

[@drigodamus]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

[@kenster8270]

Meanwhile, Mount Athos in Greece is off-limits to women, much like Mecca in Saudi-Arabia is off-limits to non-Muslims.

[@garybarnes4169]

When you mentioned North Brother island, at first I thought you were talking about Hart Island, about 8 miles away. More than a million people are buried there and now COVID victims are being buried there too.

[@spacemansabs]

There is a KZbin video that debunks pretty much all of the first season of ancient aliens. It’s pretty great.

[@randallD1999]

Who does the design of your background? You have some interesting selections from a TR collection RoboCop movie. Is that a book on Blockbuster?

[@AndrewPonti]

That was great as always! Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go play chess with the Pope.

[@nikolausdeems1922]

In the what desert? I don’t know where Nevaaaahhhhhda is.

[@joehartmann3902]

My favorite conspiracy theory is that everything will be okay.

[@SuperFluffyhippo]

Birds arent real.

[@nepetah3130]

Can you cover the antisemitic origins of the Lizard People/Illuminati conspiracy?

[@CharlesBukowski0]

I would have added the Sun Dagger site in Chaco Canyon, NM. It also has one of the great women in science stories, think a real life female Indiana Jones, Anna Soafer.

[@aarontabuchi5693]

Interesting change of tone between the Shinto temple and the Vatican. Shocker.. no.

[@ksheer]

i dont remember any of the places she listed. i cudnt keep my eyes away from spinach stuck in her teeth

[@SamButler22]

Plymouth, Montserrat is still their official capital city

[@realfunracing3975]

Is there something between your front teeth?

[@Forrestianum]

Couldn't you just wear like Onionbro armour to the snake island?

[@addison.maddison]

It may be the bangs. Unless you're hiding some horrible disfigurement, growing out those bangs and adopting a more modern look could draw out your eyes, which appear to be attractive. Whaddya think?

[@DonnyPardon]

It's pronounced; "ool-la-roo" (traditional) Or "Airs-rock" (modern)

[@afx7696]

first time iv ever seen a nose like that on a White woman, simply beautiful.

[@Jimberrley]

Boo Tom Hanks

[@dernudel1615]

That Ethiopian church is running a long con. Ah well, grifters gonna grift, especially when they have so many willing marks.

[@shaneorgan151]

Wow, mispronounced Uluru, then mispronounced Ayers Rock Like even basic research would have prevented this

[@houseofthedevil]

Yo that hair is distracting

[@davidday5487]

No John Green, then no thanks for this video

[@Anonymous66]

Literally would have taken 2 seconds to Google how to pronounce uluru and Ayers rock. Disrespectful much..

[@leeniehaus72]

Different ppl have different accents. Leave it be.

[@drigodamus]

lol...you think it took 2 seconds to make this vid? your logic is horrid, go in the corner!

[@drigodamus]

and correcting someone’s pronunciation is like telling them they say their own name wrong, how are you gonna tell someone how to speak a word? that’s much disrespectful...

[@jemima438]

@@drigodamus No its like them saying someone else's name wrong not their own.

[@GreyMirror]

The content is wonderful, but the host is so hard to watch. Like, lady, give your eyebrows a break. They don't exist to make your fringe ripple. There's no need to so drastically over emote and it's frankly really distracting.