Human Subcultures

Today we're diving into the bizarre world of the Zizians, a rationalist group known for their extreme beliefs in applied rationality and complex interpersonal dynamics. Initially nestled primarily in the San Francisco Bay Area, this community blends philosophy, artificial intelligence and even computer science into their daily lives.

By Zach Taras

Synanon began as an alternative rehabilitation program for alcoholics and drug addicts in Santa Monica, California, during the 1950s and 60s.

By Mitch Ryan

In 1993, FBI officials and other law enforcement agents became locked in a 51-day standoff with the Branch Davidians, a religious sect living on a 940-acre farm and compound near Waco, Texas, led by self-proclaimed prophet David Koresh.

By Kimberly Olson

New religious movements generally garner equal parts attention and skepticism; this is especially true for new and alternative religions in America. The United States has a long list of cult leaders who experienced a meteoric rise to fame, followed quickly by an abrupt fall from grace.

By Mitch Ryan

The Mennonite vs. Amish distinction is difficult to pinpoint for most outsiders since they both represent some of the most conservative groups in the modern world. Although closely related in traditional dress and customs, there are several notable differences once you dig a bit deeper.

By Mitch Ryan

For Timothy Treadwell, observing and protecting grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis) was a way of life. Until one day Treadwell and his partner, Amie Huguenard, were eaten alive by the same bears they revered.

By Sascha Bos

The Yellow Deli cult doesn’t worship sandwiches but runs global restaurants that fund their controversial religious group.

By Sascha Bos

Cults are not unique to the United States, but there is a long history of cults in America. "Compared to other developed nations, the U.S. does have this consistent relationship with cults," Amanda Montell, author of "Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism," tells LitHub. "Whenever I talk to my friends who are not American and I tell them I'm writing this book about cults, their eyes do not light up the same way that Americans' eyes do.

By Yara Simón

If you're feeling especially optimistic, you might say that, as a society, we're becoming more open and accepting of different sexual identities and preferences. Of course, there's always backlash, but in recent years, it's become more popular to be upfront and unashamed of who or what one is sexually attracted to (within the bounds of consent and maturity).

By Zach Taras

Epic McD, World's Largest Entertainment McDonald's, call it whatever you want: The worlds largest Mcdonalds on Sand Lake Rd in Florida is something else.

By Yara Simón

There are no books at this library; instead you check out people. Why? To talk to them and help shatter the stereotypes that divide us.

By Kristen Hall-Geisler

Hoboes were a widely displaced brotherhood who illegally hopped trains and journeyed across the country, taking odd jobs wherever they could find them. The hobo code helped them survive.

By Carrie Tatro

Afrofuturism isn't just about placing a Black person in a futuristic landscape. It takes into account the challenges Black people face and allows them to imagine futures of their own making.

By Yves Jeffcoat

The name Karen has somehow become the universal term for the angry, white woman. But when and how did that happen?

By Kristen Hall-Geisler

Movies often pit dark-robed, masked ninja assassins against elite samurai warriors. But just how accurate is our modern outlook on these two Japanese fighters?

By Mark Mancini

The late Aleister Crowley liked being known as the "wickedest man in the world." But today he's most remembered as a brash cultist who was the father of a strange religion.

By John Donovan

There's a fascinating story behind how punk, both the music and the cultural movement, spanned the globe, becoming way more than just a sound and a mohawk.

By Chris Opfer

Everyone loves a good pirate yarn, but some well-worn stories about them don't align with genuine history. Today, we be quizzin' ye about real pirates, buccaneer fiction and the scurviest of all holidays. Yarr!

By Mark Mancini

Lobster Boy, Monkey Girl, Emmitt the Alligator-Skinned Man - they all called Gibtown home.

By Stell Simonton

Who is Jim Roberts and the people who fervently follow his doomsday prophecies?

By Diana Brown

They're worshipped by 'cargo cults' on the Pacific Island of Tanna. What can their ideals tell us about our own political and social beliefs?

By John Donovan

Until he was found dead on Aug. 23, 2022, a solitary man with a mysterious, but certainly horrific, past went about his business, alone in the Amazonian jungle.

By Jesslyn Shields

Bentinho Massaro, aka the Tech Bro Guru, has more than 300,000 followers. But is he preaching the truth or are his believers just being duped?

By Diana Brown

How has this Twitter subculture brought about social change?

By Khiry Clements

From claims of secret bank accounts created by the government to exemptions from federal law, sovereign citizen beliefs seem outlandish. But is there any truth to them?

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors