10 STRANGE CITIES HIDDEN UNDER OTHER CITIES

Cities being built on top of ruins of ancient cities. Subterranean caverns running beneath today's cities. Underground fortresses and secret facilities being built. Many cities world wide have entire cities located beneath them, some centuries old and others relatively new.

Here are just a few of those places.

1) Edinburgh Vaults

Located in the nineteen arches of Edinburgh's iconic South Bridge, the Edinburgh Vaults were used to house tradesmen as well as the city's less desirable residents. When it was constructed in 1785, the bridge was intended to expand the city, and also serve as a custom-built shopping district. Along those ends, buildings located on the bridge's arches were given underground storage areas. Unfortunately, the storage vaults began to flood and were evacuated by their rightful owners. Shortly afterward, Edinburgh's downtrodden moved into them. The damp, dark rooms were a hotbed for crime, with serial killers Burk and Hare frequenting them for victims. Burk and Hare were notorious body snatchers who became serial killers when there weren't enough 'legally' executed criminals to supply their need for bodies to sell to medical schools. Tons of rubble was dumped into the Vaults in the mid-1800s to close them down for good, but an access tunnel was discovered in the 1980s, leading to some fascinating discoveries. The underground city now has conducted tours.

2) Napoli Sotteranea

If you were to pick a European city that would be least likely to host an underground secret, Naples might be on your list. The flooded canals of Campania's capitol actually lay atop a bed of volcanic rock known as tuff, which is easy to mine and work. Over the centuries, a massive system of tunnels and caverns have been carved out of this material. The ancient Greeks used them as reservoirs, but there are also many fascinating ruins down below, including theaters and early Christian worship sites. During World War II, the tunnels were used for air raid shelters.

 

3) La Ville Souterraine (Montreal)

Most of the subterranean cities here have fallen into disuse and disrepair, but the massive complex beneath the streets of Montreal is one of the city's main commercial hubs. La Ville Souterraine was constructed after the Metro subway system opened in 1966, and covers over 20 miles of space under the city. Entry points are constructed around residential or commercial businesses at the surface, and the network contains underground stores, restaurants, nightclubs, and a library. During the bitterly cold winter, the majority of the city's commerce happens below the streets.

4) Burlington Bunker (Cortsham)

The English country town of Cortsham, Wilshire, doesn't seem like it would be hiding any dark secrets, but guess again. Buried 100 feet below the quaint cobblestone streets lies a massive, sprawling subterranean city built in case a nuclear attack targeted London. The Burlington Bunker consists of 35 acres of construction and over 60 miles of roads. It was designed to support a maximum population of 4,000 people and boasted a number of amenities, including a television studio, cafeterias, and even a pub. Many of the walls are decorated with colorful murals. The existence of Burlington Bunker was classified until 2004, when it was decommissioned. It was never used, not even for test exercises.

5) Old Sacramento

In 1862, massive flooding swept through California's capitol, submerging both homes and businesses. The Legislature was relocated to San Francisco and the people who were left behind tried to figure out how to prevent a disaster like that from happening again. The solution was to raise all of the city's streets by ten feet, building new construction vaulted above the remains of the old. The abandoned spaces were used for storage and other purposes, and there is still a good amount of old Sacramento architecture left untouched beneath the surface, illuminated by squares of rose quartz set into the sidewalk as makeshift skylights.

6) Beijing Underground

The Cold War saw the threat of global nuclear annihilation loom heavy over our heads, so it's not surprising that many world leaders saw fit to head underground for safety. Perhaps the most ambitious project was Mao Zedong's underground city, which covers a staggering 33 miles of catacombs beneath the capital. China began construction in the 1970s when tensions with the Soviet Union were high, and the sprawling complex eventually came to contain medical clinics, schools, theaters, and even a roller rink. Food would come from a subterranean mushroom farm. It was opened to tourists in 2000, but closed in 2008. Some parts of the complex are now being used as illegal apartments.

7) Subtropolis

Having an office with a window is a nice perk, but for the workers of Subtropolis, that is not an option. This massive cave system carved out of the bluffs above the Mississippi River hosts 50 companies and thousands of employees working in a giant limestone mine. Subtropolis makes up a complex larger than downtown St. Louis's business district, and hosts the U.S. Postal Service's collectible stamp stockpile, a number of data centers, and an artisanal cheese aging facility. Even 5K and 10K races are held in this underground complex.

8) Paris Catacombs

Over 200 miles of tunnels, caves and catacombs stretch beneath the streets of Paris, France, and are used for a variety of fascinating purposes. Originally hollowed out for limestone when the city was being built, the Paris catacombs have been used for corpse disposal, mushroom farming, and hideouts for the French resistance during World War II. They were closed to the public in 1955, but a whole subculture has arisen around the underground city. Explorers have renovated tunnels, built living areas and even hosted art exhibitions in the Paris catacombs. The structural integrity of the remaining quarry walls are monitored by a team of French officials as they have been known to cave in and take whole neighborhoods on the surface with them.

9) Las Vegas Tunnels

The glittering streets of Las Vegas are a playground for people from all over the world with its tempting gambling, nightlife, and food. But beneath the streets, a subterranean city houses the unlucky people chewed up and spit out by Sin City. In the 1990s, with the tourism boom putting lots of tax money into the city, Vegas built a system of drainage tunnels to protect the city from flash floods. The 200 miles of tunnels have now become home to about a thousand people, who create living spaces in the cramped, scorpion-filled spaces and hope that the rain doesn't wash away everything they own.

10) Underground Seattle

One of the most famous underground cities in America was created as a result of a major disaster. In 1889, a cabinetmaker working in Seattle's Pioneer Square area tipped over a glue pot, which caught fire and started a massive blaze that destroyed 31 blocks of the city. Instead of just rebuilding, the City Council decided to raise all of the streets one to two stories higher than the old height. This created a cavernous area of walled-in sidewalks, with glass skylights in the street's above, that people used to get from business to business, as well as the remnants of buildings damaged by the fire. Seattle condemned the Underground in 1907 following a bubonic plague scare, but it was opened for tours in 1965. [I've taken this tour on two different occasions. Fascinating place.] 

STRANGE OCEAN CREATURES

The oceans are vast and mysterious places. In some ways, we know more about outer space than we do the ocean depths.

Sailors have been spinning tales of amazing and terrifying sea monsters since ancient times. As outlandish as these stories are, the idea behind them, the events that spawned them, were likely inspired by real creatures.

TWO-HEADED CREATURE

In December, 2016, scientists discovered the strangest creature washed ashore on Mexico's Laguna Ojo de Liebre that they had ever seen. The creature was approximately seven feet long, dark gray in color, had fins on each side, and had two tails. It also appeared to have four eyes. Definitely a sea monster of some type? In reality, it turned out to be a pair of extremely rare newborn conjoined gray whale twins. Since newborn gray whales are about twelve feet long, scientists speculated that the pair was likely the result of a miscarriage.

MONTAUK MONSTER

In the summer of 2008, an unidentified dead animal washed up on the shore at Montauk, New York. Although several people reported seeing it and photographs surfaced, the carcass disappeared before police were able to recover the remains. Newspapers ran the story along with a grotesque image. Locals speculated that it could be a mutant resulting from experiments at nearby Plum Island Animal Disease Center. Others suggested that it was nothing more than a hoax. Many scientists who studied the photographs think it was a known species heavily damaged and decomposed as a result of time spent in the water. Several people claimed it was some type of sea turtle without its shell. The raccoon claim seems to be the closest, but the Montauk Monster's legs are longer than a normal raccoon leaving us without a definitive conclusion.

OARFISH

Oarfish are large, greatly elongated fish that are found in all temperate to tropical oceans yet rarely seen. The giant oarfish is the longest bony fish alive (not longest fish, cartilage fish such as the whale shark are longer), growing up to 36 ft. in length.

The common name oarfish is thought to be in reference either to their highly compressed and elongated bodies or to the now discredited belief that the fish row themselves through the water with their pelvic fins. The occasional beachings of oarfish after storms and their habit of lingering at the surface when sick or dying make oarfish a probable source of many sea serpent tales.

GIANT SQUID

The giant squid remains largely a mystery to scientists despite being the biggest invertebrate on Earth. The largest of these elusive creatures ever found measured 59 feet in length and weighed nearly a ton. Giant squid, along with their cousin, the colossal squid, have the largest eyes in the animal kingdom, measuring some 10 inches in diameter. These massive eyes allow them to see objects in the lightless depths where most other animals would see nothing.

 Due to the inhospitable deep-sea habitat where they live, it has been a difficult task to study them. Almost everything scientists know about them is from carcasses that have washed up on beaches or been hauled in by fishermen. However, of late the opportunities for scientists studying these elusive creatures has started to turn. In 2004, researchers in Japan took the first images ever of a live giant squid. And in late 2006, scientists with Japan's National Science Museum caught and brought to the surface a live 24-foot female giant squid.

7 Bizarre Predictions That Actually Came True

Prophecy…making predictions…seeing into the future—the province of charlatan fortune tellers or a reality to be taken seriously? And those predictions that do turn out to be true—lucky guesses or someone who has the gift?

Michel de Nostredame, better known today as Nostradamus, is probably the most famous prognosticator of all time. He lived in 16th century France and in 1555 published a book of his predictions written as quatrains (a poem or stanza using 4 lines). He seemed to write in some sort of code, not saying exactly what he meant. This has allowed people down through the ages to attach interpretations of his predictions to all kinds of happenings and always after-the-fact rather than prior to the event. Prediction is supposed to relate to something that has not yet happened. Is it valid to take an event that has already happened then back track it to a prediction that did not mention that specific event?

Here are 4 of his predictions that, many centuries later, were applied to specific historical events. And after these, I have 3 more bizarre predictions that actually came true.

PROPHECY:  "The blood of the just will be demanded of London, Burnt by the fire in the year 66."

EVENT:  1666 is the year of the Great Fire of London. It is estimated to have burned the homes of 70,000 of the city's 80,000 inhabitants. Yet there were few deaths reported.

PROPHECY:  "From the enslaved people, songs, chants and demands. The princes and lords are held captive in prisons: In the future by such headless idiots. These will be taken as divine utterances…before the war comes the great wall will fall. The king will be executed; his death, coming too soon, will be lamented. [The guards] will swim in blood. Near the River Seine the soil will be bloodied."

EVENT:  The French Revolution, a bloody rebellion in 1789, resulted in aristocrats and royalty being arrested and beheaded. The Bastille (a great walled fortress) was demolished and LouisXVI was executed in 1793.

PROPHECY:  "From the depths of the West of Europe a young child will be born of poor people. He who by his tongue will seduce a great troop; his fame will increase towards the realm of the East."

EVENT:  The person referred to in this prophecy is invariably taken to be Adolph Hitler, chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945 and the person responsible for World War II and the Holocaust.

PROPHECY:  "Volcanic fire from the centre of the earth will cause trembling around the new city: Two great rocks will make war for a long time. Then Arethusa will redden a new river…"

EVENT:  Dedicated Nostradamus followers interpret this prophecy as being a prediction of the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center. These avid believers in Nostradamus' predictive powers claim 'centre of the earth' as the trade center and 'new city' as New York and the 'two great rocks' as either the WTC towers or the religions of Christianity and Islam.

PROPHECY:  Spanish conquistadors in Mexico.

EVENT:  The power of prophecy definitely worked in favor of the Spanish. In 1519 Hernan Cortes was sent to conquer and claim Mexico for the Spanish crown. Luckily for Cortes, his arrival coincided with the Mayan calendar that said a man-god named Quetzalcoatl was due to return in order to reclaim the city of Tenochtitlan. The Aztecs believed Cortes was that god—a mistake that aided Cortes in capturing Mexico with relative ease. [I have read information that refutes the fact of the Aztecs mistaking Cortes for Quetzalcoatl)

PROPHECY:  Lincoln's assassination.

EVENT:  Three days before his death, Lincoln had an eerily prophetic nightmare. To quote his words about this experience, "There seemed to be a death-like stillness about me. Then I heard subdued sobs, as if a number of people were weeping. I thought I left my bed and wandered downstairs. There the silence was broken by the same pitiful sobbing, but things so mysterious and so shocking, I kept on until I arrived at the East Room, which I entered. There I met with a sickening surprise. Before me was a catafalque, on which rested a corpse wrapped in funeral vestments. Around it were stationed soldiers who were acting as guards; and there was a throng of people, gazing mournfully upon the corpse, whose face was covered, others weeping pitifully. 'Who is dead in the White House?' I demanded of one of the soldiers. 'The President,' was his answer; 'He was killed by an assassin.' Then came a loud burst of grief from the crowd, which woke me from my dream."

PROPHECY:  Kennedy's assassination.

EVENT:  The morning of November 22, 1963, Jackie Kennedy saw a full-page ad in the Dallas Morning News. It unnerved her…more for its appearance than its content. The ad accused Kennedy of being a communist sympathizer. The part that concerned her was the black border around the ad which she thought resembled a death notice. JFK tried to calm her by saying if someone wanted to shoot him from a window with a rifle that no one could stop it so there wasn't any reason to worry about it. The fact that Kennedy made such a comment on the day he was assassinated is coincidence enough but his mention of the precise method of his death is truly bizarre.

11 SIGNS YOU MAY BE DATING A SOCIOPATH

Through the indoctrination of television and movies, we've come to generally associate the word sociopath with criminal.  In some instances, we've even come to equate it with psychopath as if the two terms were interchangeable…and to some degree that's true.

The dictionary defines sociopath as one who is affected with a personality disorder marked by aggressive, antisocial behavior.  That same dictionary defines psychopath as a person with an antisocial personality, especially one manifested in aggressive, perverted, criminal, or amoral behavior.

Some similarities, but not the same thing.  Even though not all sociopaths are dangerous criminals, they can certainly make your life difficult since the defining characteristic is antisocial behavior.

Approximately one in twenty-five Americans could be classified as a sociopath.  That means there is a good chance of you being directly associated with a sociopath—working for or with a sociopath, having one or more as part of your social circle and by that I mean in-person people you interact with rather than social media (you could have hundreds and even thousands of friends as part of your social media who you do not know face-to-face personally, making that number quite significant), or a relative.

Or…perhaps someone you are currently dating?

An article I read talked about eleven red flags to look for that could indicate the person in question is a sociopath.  That certainly does NOT mean that someone demonstrating one or two of these traits is a sociopath.  However, interesting traits for a writer to use when creating a villainous character.

According to the article, here are the 11 signs:

1)         Oversized Ego

Sociopaths have an inflated sense of self.  They are narcissists to the extreme who have a huge sense of entitlement and tend to blame other people for their failures.

2)         Lying And Exhibiting Manipulative Behavior

Sociopaths regularly use deceit and manipulation.  They often lie merely for the sake of lying—telling lies to see if they can trick someone, then telling larger lies for larger effects.

3)         Exhibiting A Lack Of Empathy

I think this is what I most associate with the term sociopath.  They don't have the capability to feel or even imagine the emotional realities of other people.  You are devastated when you see your beloved pet run over by a car, but they can't relate to the concept of your emotional response or distress.

4)         Showing A Lack Of Remorse Or Shame

I closely associate this with number 3.  Sociopaths lack remorse, guilt, or shame.

5)         Staying Eerily Calm In Scary Or Dangerous Situations

For example, following involvement in a car accident or being shown disturbing images, sociopaths have no anxiety or fear.  The lack of emotional connection in number 3.

6)         Behaving Irresponsibly Or With Extreme Impulsivity

Sociopaths jump from goal to goal and act on the spur of the moment.  They can be very irresponsible when it comes to finances and obligations to others.

7)         Having Few Friends

Sociopaths tend not to have real friends. All their friends are superficial (friends by association) or are friends because the sociopath needs them for the time being.

8)         Being Charming, But Only Superficially

Sociopaths have the ability to be very charismatic and friendly because they know it will get them what they want.  They are expert con artists and usually have a secret agenda.  They are masters at blending in by the use of an outer personality.

9)         Living By The Pleasure Principle

This can be described as: If it feels good and they are able to avoid consequences, they will do it!  They live their lives in the extreme fast lane, constantly seeking stimulation, excitement and pleasure.

10)       Showing Disregard For Societal Norms

They break laws and rules without concern because they believe these laws and rules don't apply to them.

11)       Having Intense Eyes

When I read this, I immediately visualized the pictures I've seen of Rasputin looking as if he was staring into someone's soul.  Sociopaths have no problem maintaining uninterrupted eye contact.  A failure to politely look away is sometimes perceived as being aggressive.

20 Habits Of Untrustworthy People

It goes without saying that you'll want to avoid untrustworthy people. While you'd think it would be easy to spot a dishonest character, that's simply not the case. It's not always easy to tell whether that new colleague or romantic interest is a compulsive liar at heart. Thankfully, there are some tell-tale personality traits that will help you.

20) They try a little too hard to charm you:

As the old saying goes, "Flattery will get you anywhere." And perhaps that's why untrustworthy people often try to get into your good graces with a little sweet talk. When someone is overly complimentary, it's not always because that person is nice. It's probably because they want you to see them as a good guy—to trust them.

Keeping an eye out for over-flatterers isn't just helpful in everyday work situations. Lawmakers say flattery is often used by potential perpetrators in interviews. Excessive fawning is a sign that one lacks authenticity and sincerity. What these people say shouldn't necessarily be taken at face value.

19) They dominate the conversation:

Have you ever been at a party where one person dominates the room with their stories? You shouldn't necessarily believe what they say—those tales might be made up. According to psychologists, controlling the room could be a signal of Machiavellianism and an indication that this person isn't entirely trustworthy.

An article in Scientific American said Machiavellians "are pragmatic liars who aren't fearful or anxious." And this is why at parties "they tend to dominate, but they also seem relaxed, talented and confident." Because of this, it can be hard to ignore their lies.

18) Buzzwords are their mother tongue:

"Solutionize. Ideation. Enterprise Thinking." These are the kinds of words you often hear managers say, phrases that sound big and fancy but mean nothing. To those in the business world, buzzwords tend to be an annoying part of the daily grind. But to those in the know, they're a signal of so much more.

A former FBI operative associates the tendency to use buzzwords with dishonesty. Writing for CNBC in 2020, the expert argued that these phrases are used "to substitute quantity for quality" and are helpful in diverting from the truth. Buzzwords are also a great tool for incompetent leaders, as they hide the fact that the speaker doesn't have anything to say.

17) They love bonding over mutual dislikes:

Everyone loves a little gossip. Who can deny that dishing dirt with a confidant about someone you don't like isn't a little fun? What makes gossiping so rewarding, though, is the fact that by doing so, you're establishing a rapport with someone else. And these are the sort of connections that dishonest people love to seek out.

Untrustworthy people will use gossip as a way to establish a connection with you. They imply that you're better than those other people, otherwise they wouldn't be confiding their disapproval. They give you opportunities to jump in with your own disapproval for those people as if it's a healthy form of bonding.

16) They move quickly in their relationships:

When a new partner shows signs they want to commit, it's thought of as a good thing, right? While they're asking to meet your parents, planning a weekend away, or even suggesting you move in together, you'll probably be thinking you've found the one. Sadly, the truth is usually a little more complex…

In reality, a partner may only be moving so fast because they know doing so lowers your defenses. Often people who are likely to harm others will sweep in quickly and forcefully and try to foster a false sense of trust. If things are moving at a lightning pace, don't be afraid to apply the brakes.

15) They don’t take criticism well:

Most of us can be sensitive to criticism, it's hard not to be. If you've invested your time and effort into a project, it can be a little demoralizing when someone picks it apart. While criticism for many of us is a necessary part of personal growth, it's a completely different story for dishonest people.

Sensitivity to criticism is one of the most common traits of untrustworthy individuals. And it can be dangerous as people who become defensive feel if they deny something, it ceases to exist. Dishonest people tend to derive their sense of worth from positive feedback, making it easy for them to block out negative opinions.

14) They become aggressive when challenged:

Should you ever succeed in calling a liar out on their lies, don't expect them to take it in their stride. Unlike ordinary folk, untrustworthy people tend to become angered when confronted with their dishonesty. Untrustworthy people pout. They act aggressive. They change the subject. They distort the accusation.

In these cases, it often feels like you've done something wrong. But don't be fooled: this behavior is merely a front to cover up the fact that they've been caught. When a liar becomes hostile or defensive, he is attempting to turn the tables on you.

13) They always, definitely, unequivocally speak in absolutes:

"You never finish your work on time." "You're always late." "You don't care about me at all." Statements phrased as strongly as these are very effective in convincing you that the accuser has a point. And because of this, strident words such as always and never are a gift for untrustworthy people who want to present their lies as truth.

Problems may arise later if these exaggerations aren't corrected. When absolutes go unchallenged, they have a tendency to become seen as truth. In contrast, words such as usually often express doubt and soften the absolutes. They can be a good indicator that the speaker can be trusted.

12) They have a new set of friends every week:

While a lot of us find it difficult to make new friends, untrustworthy people don't seem to have this problem. For them, finding folks to hang out with is no trouble, and they often appear to have a wide circle of acquaintances. The thing is, though, keeping relationships alive when you're a liar is tough. So their amiability is more out of necessity than choice.

If dishonest people keep losing friends, how come they're always able to make new friends? It all comes down to them projecting an image of themselves as someone with whom you'd want to be friends. Dishonest people are often quite charming and good storytellers.

11) They love a robust debate:

One thing that untrustworthy people love to do is engage in debates—not civilized and rational debates. They prefer one-sided wars of words focusing on attacks of character as opposed to ideas. For this reason, engaging a dishonest person in a debate can be dangerous because they have no interest in an honest discussion.

Untrustworthy people resort to underhanded tactics such as insinuation and playing on fears when arguing. And these days these dubious techniques are everywhere. Once upon a time you couldn't get a passing grade in English if you communicated like that.

10) What they're saying vs. how they're saying it:

Throughout your life, you may have found that body language conveys just as much meaning as spoken words. When someone is frowning while speaking, for example, that's probably a good indicator that they have something negative to share. Liars, on the other hand, may be more inclined to smile when delivering a supposedly unhappy story.

In general, dishonest people will convey one emotion through their speech and another with their bodies. Such disconnect is a tell-tale sign of dishonesty. It's easy to lie with words, but our bodies know and show the truth.

9) Their facial expressions seem off:

A dishonest person may find it easy to lie to you, but lying to themselves is a different matter entirely. Untrustworthy individuals often exhibit unique mannerisms that show just how awkward they really find the act of lying. Learning to hone in on these clues is a good way to separate the truth from fiction.

An FBI agent identified a series of behaviors that can indicate an individual's true nature. These could be a fake smile, a head that's rolled back just a little bit, and staring eyes. When you see these signs, it's wise to give them special attention about why they feel uncomfortable.

8) They deflect blame while apologizing:

Apologizing when you're in the wrong is a vital part of maintaining a healthy relationship. And yet saying sorry isn't always as easy—it involves owning up to your mistakes and acknowledging your own fallibility. Perhaps this is why dishonest people—who are often blind to their imperfections—find this task especially difficult.

Admittedly, untrustworthy people can say they're sorry. But they usually use it as a prefix for an accusation that reframes the recipient as the real villain. This happens out of fear, particularly in fear's common disguises of arrogance, perfectionism, or some other form of superiority. If you find yourself on the receiving end of this kind of apology, quit while you're ahead.

7) They like to sour your opinion on others:

Thanks to their superficially charming natures, dishonest people are often very good at forming bonds with others. But it's not enough for these untrustworthy individuals to count you as a friend. Sometimes, they will purposefully try to drive a wedge between you and your other acquaintances—just for the sake of it.

One way in which untrustworthy people may tear down bonds between friends is through hearsay. And according to specialists, manipulation and gossip are perfect tools for liars to pit people against each other. After the dust has settled on these arguments, the dishonest individual may also find themselves in a situation that's better for them.

6) Their body language is closed-off:

No matter how good somebody is at lying, the act itself will usually leave that person uncomfortable. The discomfort comes from the fact that lying makes them feel exposed, vulnerable, and open to attack.

Someone who's lying to you will shield the most exposed sections of their body such as their head, neck, or abdomen as a defensive measure. But what's more telling than these gestures is a full or partial covering of the mouth. A covered mouth quite literally represents a closing off of communication.

5) Their movements and emotions are hard to predict:

Certain people seem to change on a daily basis. One moment, they won't leave you alone. The next, they won't even respond to your texts. If you have a friend who's this unpredictable, it could be a signal of untrustworthiness. Behaviors that are either aggressive or erratic are signs that someone hasn't yet figured out who they are.

Small changes in emotions can be a giveaway, too. For example, does this person experience mood swings? Can they switch between opposing emotional states in an instant? Someone who exhibits these behaviors is likely prone to narcissism and the habit of saying or doing anything to emerge on top.

4)They never work on a relationship:

It goes without saying that relationships are hard. And in order to maintain a healthy one, couples must work together to understand each other's changing needs. Sadly, not all parties are interested in putting in the work, which leads to a situation where one partner is shouldering all of the responsibilities.

In many cases, a simple conversation can restore the balance. But partners who are dishonest, unreliable, or controlling may exhibit what is referred to as a demand-withdrawal. These individuals are more likely to withdraw from the conversation and discussion rather than confront the issue.

3) They project all their insecurities onto you:

As Sigmund Freud said, psychological projection is a common condition recognized within psychoanalysis. Essentially a form of self-defense, this behavior is used as a way for certain people to avoid dealing with their own bad habits while simultaneously calling out somebody else. It's a technique commonly used by the dishonest in society.

People who are untrustworthy have a consistent habit of accusing others of behaviors that they are exhibiting or contemplating themselves. So, if somebody you know is accusing you of something you've never done, don't take it to heart. They're probably just trying to divert attention away from their own shortcomings.

2) They can't keep secrets:

If someone who can't be trusted enters your life, then you should under no condition tell them anything that you don't want anybody else to know. But how can you tell if someone new can keep a secret without actually giving them a secret to spill?

One way to identify an untrustworthy person is to see how well they keep their own confidential information under wraps. Did that person unload all of their emotional baggage onto you when you met them? If yes, then it's a sign they lack control over themselves and are probably unlikely to keep their mouths shut.

1) They show little to no empathy:

We've talked about the habits and peculiarities of untrustworthy people. But one thing we haven't mentioned is why dishonest people lie in the first place. For many psychologists, it all boils down to empathy—something many of us take for granted but that untrustworthy people are fully or partially lacking. And this deficiency allows them to ignore the pain their lies cause.

Assuming everyone has empathy is partly why we let people like this into our lives in the first place. Our natural empathy makes it difficult for us to imagine someone without it. So many people get into relationships with pathological liars because they're trying to fit these people into the ordinary standards of what it means to be empathetic.

Has "Lost Atlantis" Finally Been Found?

There is no conclusive proof that a single Lost City of Atlantis has been found. Instead, over the centuries, researchers, explorers, and theorists have proposed dozens of different locations (easily numbering 30 to 40 major theories) where Atlantis was supposedly located.

The only historical record of Atlantis comes from the writings of the ancient Greek philosopher Plato around 360 B.C., but Plato never disclosed its exact whereabouts so for all these millenniums it has remained the mystery of the lost city.

The legend of Atlantis had archeologists scouring the world's seas for the location of this lost civilization. One major theory is that Atlantis was never real. However, as we all now know, the idea of a coastal city being swallowed by the sea is not impossible.

The most highly publicized hypothetical locations span the globe, claimed by numerous researchers as the true Atlantis:

1. In or Near the Mediterranean Sea

• Santorini (Thera), Greece: This is the most popular archaeological theory. The island's caldera was destroyed by a massive volcanic eruption around 1600 B.C., which many experts believe heavily inspired Plato's story of a sunken civilization.
• Pavlopetri, Greece: A submerged ancient city off the coast of Greece. While an actual historical site (but not the mythical Atlantis), it is often compared to the legend due to its sunken status.
• Cyprus: Some theories claim the copper-rich island is the actual location of Plato's lost continent.
• Sardinia, Italy: Proposed by some researchers based on the region's ancient nuraghe ruins and geographic alignment.

2. In the Atlantic Ocean and Western Europe

• Southern Spain (Doñana National Park): Researchers have used satellite imagery and radar to pinpoint submerged areas near Cádiz, speculating that flooding and tsunamis destroyed this ancient region. As recently as 2011, new theories circulated about Atlantis being found in Spain.
• The Azores & Canary Islands: Many historical and modern theorists propose that these island chains are the visible mountain peaks of the sunken continent.
• The Richat Structure (Mauritania): A prominent geological dome in the Sahara Desert, known as the "Eye of the Sahara." Its circular, ring-like structure matches Plato's description of Atlantis perfectly, making it a highly popular internet and documentary theory.

3. Unconventional Locations Worldwide

• The Caribbean (Off Cuba): Deep-sea sonar images in 2001 revealed what appeared to be symmetrical stone structures (some resembling pyramids) off the western coast of Cuba, sparking intense, unverified speculation of a sunken city.
• Antarctica: The fringe theory suggests a massive crustal displacement moved Atlantis to the South Pole.
• The Americas: Some pseudo-archaeologists have claimed Atlantis was an ancient, massive civilization located in either North or South America.

While these locations have supposedly at one time have been the home of Atlantis in the eyes of their respective discoverers, the mainstream scientific and archaeological communities agree that no definitive evidence has been discovered that Atlantis ever existed.

Now, let's jump to the latest news about Atlantis, believed by some to have been found in the most surprising and unexpected location—Denmark. Speculations and theories have placed Atlantis in the Western Hemisphere, the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, various coastal areas of Europe and Africa, and even Antarctica. But the North Sea? Not until now.

The artifacts in Denmark have been trapped underwater for thousands of years. They are far better preserved than they would have been inland. Researchers uncovered several artifacts that show a civilized community that existed there almost 8,500 years ago, the site dating back to the end of the last ice age when rising seas engulfed entire coastal settlements, causing Stone Age hunter-gatherers to retreat to inland areas. 

Fourth Of July Holiday—Some Trivia And A Fireworks Safety Quiz

July 4, American Independence Day holiday—on this date in 1776, the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress, setting the 13 colonies on the road to freedom as a sovereign nation. The U.S. Constitution, the document that emerged from the 1787 Philadelphia Convention, is the oldest national constitution in the world.

This most American of holidays is normally marked by fireworks, parades, and backyard barbecues. Fireworks displays are common throughout the world and are the focal point of many cultural and religious celebrations. Fireworks were invented in ancient China to scare away evil spirits, as a natural extension of the Chinese invention of gunpowder.

With 4^th of July fireworks comes the concern for safety. A reality for the holiday is that fireworks cause thousands of injuries, and even some deaths, in addition to enough fires to make July 4 the day with the most reported fires across the United States according to the National Fire Protection Association.

This year, many 4^th of July fireworks shows are replacing traditional pyrotechnics with the newer drone displays. Hundreds of synchronized lights in the night sky creating the colorful pictures for everyone to enjoy without producing the immediate danger of fires from the fallout of fireworks. In addition to greatly reducing the fire danger, using the drones also helps prevent the danger of burns to people handling the flammable material.

So…how much do you know about traditional fireworks safety? Here's a 9 question quiz to test your knowledge. Correct answers are at the end.

1)  How hot does a sparkler burn?

            a:  212 degrees

            b:  600 degrees

            c:  950 degrees

            d:  1200 degrees

2)  What portion of 4^th of July fires are caused by fireworks?

            a:  10 percent

            b:  35 percent

            c:  50 percent

            d:  90 percent

3)  Which age group has the most injuries reported from fireworks?

            a:  under 20

            b:  20 – 40

            c:  40 – 60

            d:  60+

4)  You should skip buying fireworks in brown paper packaging as that could be a sign that they're made for professionals, not consumers.

            a:  true

            b:  false

5)  If a pack of fireworks has not fully functioned, you should cautiously relight it.

            a:  true

            b:  false

6)  What's the best way to dispose of used fireworks?

            a:  throw in trash

            b:  use hose or bucket of water to soak them then throw away

            c:  bury them

7)  What is the most common fireworks injury?

            a:  fractures and sprains

            b:  contusions and lacerations

            c:  ear injuries

            d:  burns

            e:  eye injuries

8)  According to a U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission investigation, which of these were common reasons for fireworks injuries?

            a:  holding fireworks in the hand

            b:  mischief

            c:  debris or smoke from a malfunction

            d:  errant flight path from a malfunction

            e:  early or late ignition from a malfunction

            f:   all of the above

9)  Never light more than how many fireworks at a time?

            a:  1

            b:  2

            c:  3

And now, for those of you who want to see how well you did on the quiz—

1)         the correct answer is d…1200F degrees, hot enough to burn certain metals and ignite clothing.

2)         the correct answer is c…50 percent, when shooting fireworks keep a bucket of water or sand available.

3)         the correct answer is a…under 20, children 10 – 14 are more than twice as much at risk for fireworks injuries.

4)         the correct answer is a…true.

5)         the correct answer is b…false, any malfunctioning fireworks should be soaked in water and then thrown away

6)         the correct answer is b…use hose or bucket of water to soak them and then throw them away

7)         the correct answer is d…burns

8)         the correct answer is f…all of the above

9)         the correct answer is a…light just 1 at a time.

A happy and safe holiday to everyone.