Are you looking around for some online nerdy fun beyond Twitter and Pinterest in 2013? Well, I have a list for you!
1. Buzzfeed
The leading social news organization, intensely focused on delivering high-quality original reporting, insight, and viral content across a rapidly expanding array of subject areas. . . . reaches more than 25 million monthly unique visitors.
Probably the best-known and largest Geek site covering a cavalcade of topics from pop culture to sports to food to politics.
32 Imaginative and Beautifully Designed Maps
The Science Behind 9 Big Diets
30 Ways to Instantly Transform Your Office
Eight Firsts of the New Congress
2. Mental Floss
"Where Knowledge Junkies Get Their Fix"
I just discovered this website and now every day some new delightfully quirky article pops up on my Twitter page. I know Nerds love their lists (look at me writing this one now) but you can find something for everyone on Mental Floss:
7 People who hated Pride and Prejudice
The Story Behind 11 Famous Cocktails
7 TV Shows Saved by the Fans
3. The Mary Sue
"A Guide to Girl Geek Culture"
Ever wish there were more super heroes of the female persuasion? Well, look no further than The Mary Sue where you will find a heroine on almost every page, along with lots of cool stuff about Tolkien, Anime, Science and more.
10 Most Popular Posts of 2012
Ten Anime You Should Watch (And are Easy to Find)
A Prehistoric Lizard named after Barack Obama
4. I Waste So Much Time
"A collection of funny or interesting junk"
This website is a good place to turn if Pinterest and Tumblr seem repetitious or glitzy. "I Waste So Much Time" is for people who crave things that make them go Hmmmmm. While many familiar internet jokes appear, such as Grumpy Cat, there's more to it than just "Memes and Things." In effect, it's the perfect way for a nerd to get some food for thought and have a few laughs at the same time.
30 Random Surprising Facts
Soldiers Going Home
Grumpy Cat Reincarnated
5. The Oatmeal
"An entertainment site for teens and older full of comics, quizzes, and other delights."
This site is the brainchild of web designer Matthew Inman, who also creates the cartoons and art work on the site. While that description would please any nerd looking for something to peruse, The Oatmeal has the added draw of wacky quizzes and rather twisted comics (warning - not really for children - think of The Office's Dwight Shrute vs. Bears with various Ninja weapons and cannibalism). Matthew is also the author of How to Tell If Your Cat Is Plotting to Kill You
~ click link for Amazon.Quiz: How Many Justin Biebers Could You Take in a Fight?
Ten Words You Need to Stop Misspelling
The Five Phases of Caffeine Intake
6. A Number A Day
"The Mathematical Association of America’s NumberADay blog. Every working day, we post a number and offer a selection of that number’s properties."
My teenage son gave me this selection - the Math Association simply posts a number - large or small - each day, then they analyze it in a meaningful way. Great discussion opener for homeschoolers or gifted kids, and fun for any older math nerds or Nate Silver wannabes.
2013
2013 = 3 x 11 x 61.
2013 is the number of trees with 27 nodes and 4 leaves (A055291).
The year 2013 celebrates the Mathematics of Planet Earth.
2013 is also the International Year of Statistics.
7. Comic Book Movie
"A Comic Book and Movie Website Generated by Fans"
I'm not as into the comic book world as some folks, but that doesn't matter because everyone can use this site to stay informed about sci-fi or horror movie news, as well as events like Comic Con. This is the place for articles on X-Men and Dr. Who. And for this old Trekkie and lover of all things Star Wars, Comic Book Movie is also a nostalgic walk down memory lane. For a more interactive experience, check out the Online Community with Live Chat, Polls, Quizzes, Calendar, and a List of Fansites.
The Importance of Zack Snyder's "Man of Steel"
Beautiful Star Wars Travel Posters - Alderan, Hoth, and More!
What will Disney do with Star Wars?
8. Neatorama
"The neat side of the Web. We bring you the neatest, weirdest, and most wonderful stuff from all over the Web every day. Come back often, mmkay?"
When I am completely bored with everything else, I can always find something amusing or astonishing on Neatorama. Yes there are robots on every page, but also links to geeky artwork, movie trivia, scientific discoveries, movie mash-ups and more pulled from all over the web. There are also frequent contests and a cool online shop.
Remote-Controlled Superman
11 Seriously Weird Chocolate-Coated Foods
What is the "7" in 7-Up?
Ten Beautiful Tattoos Inspired by Watership Down
9. The Anomalist
"A Daily Review of world news on maverick science, unexplained mysteries, unorthodox theories, strange talents, and unexpected discoveries."
Considering that The Anomalist keeps up with the latest UFO and Bigfoot news, this is a surprisingly low-key website without the usual scary radioactive-green alien pictures or flashing apocalypse ads. It's a simple list of the daily crypto news, sort of a dignified one-stop shop for the Twilight Zone. Whoever runs the site is truly open-minded and loves a mystery, yet they sometimes sometimes wink at or call out the more outrageous hoaxes or tales of abduction and time travel.
Since they are a news aggregator, I'll just list a few headlines:
Sacramento Man Captures Video of Strange Explosion in the Sky
The Curious Genetics of Werewolves
Sightings Increase of Zimbabwe's Own Loch Ness Monster
10. Lexicon Valley Podcast
"A show about the mysteries of English."
If you love linguistics and want to have a nerd-gasm over language, this is a true joy. Probably not for children, but definitely for wordsmiths and dictionary readers of all ages.
How Honest Abe Became the Poet of Gettysburg
From Downton Abbey to Mad Men - Capturing Language in Period Drama
Try out their fascinating New Year's podcast on the phenomenon of "Creaky Voice" among young American women.
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