Category: Berry Interesting

Life advice you didn’t ask for, trends you’ll forget by next week, and feel-good fluff designed to help you stop doomscrolling, at least for five seconds.

“Survivor” Is Letting You Find an Immunity Idol… Even If You Live in Nebraska

Have you ever wanted to be on Survivor but immediately remembered you enjoy food, mattresses, and not having enemies?

Good news: Survivor is about to give fans a much gentler way to play along… and the biggest danger appears to be walking around your state looking confused while staring at your phone.

In January, Survivor is launching a nationwide contest called the Survivor 50 Challenge, and it is basically a real-life scavenger hunt with way less betrayal. The show is hiding “Immunity Idols” in all 50 states and daring fans to find them using clues posted online.

The “50” in the name pulls double duty. There are 50 states involved, and the challenge is celebrating Survivor’s upcoming 50th season, which premieres February 25th. The whole thing kicks off January 31st, when the clues start dropping online, and it runs all the way up to the season premiere.

Here’s how it works. Each state will have a hidden Immunity Idol somewhere within its borders. Survivor will release clues to help people track them down. You do not have to be the first person to find it, which is huge for anyone who does not sprint well or has a job. Anyone who finds their state’s Idol and takes a photo with it as proof gets entered into a drawing for that state’s prize.

In other words, this is Survivor with no tribal council. Just vibes and maybe a road trip.

There will be 51 total prizes. One winner will be selected for each state, plus one additional winner from a separate “virtual contest.” Details on the virtual part are still pretty light, but it sounds like some kind of online scavenger hunt situation for people who would rather not leave the couch.

Each state winner gets a free trip to Los Angeles for a Survivor-related event. The grand prize has not been announced yet, but given the timing, it probably ties into the upcoming season in some way. Worst case scenario, you get a free trip to L.A. and a great story about the time you hunted for a tiny statue like a reality TV goblin.

If you want in, Survivor has a hype video out and more details at Survivor50Challenge.com, including the official rules. You can also sign up with your email to get updates when clues drop.

If you have ever dreamed of Survivor glory, this might be your moment. Similar searching. Same idols. Way fewer breakdowns.

Can Your Dog Be a Tax Dependent? A Lawyer Says They Should

If raising kids feels expensive… raising pets is not exactly cheap either. Food, vet bills, grooming, boarding, training, toys you swear you will stop buying… it all adds up fast. And now, one lawyer is asking a question plenty of pet owners have at least joked about during tax season:

Why can’t pets count as legal dependents?

A lawyer filed a lawsuit against the IRS, arguing that pets should qualify as dependents for tax purposes, just like human family members. It sounds ridiculous at first, but once you dig into her argument, it starts to feel… possible?

97% of American pet owners say they consider their pets part of the family. And unlike your freeloading cousin, pets are truly dependent. They rely on humans for food, shelter, medical care, transportation, training, and basically every aspect of daily life. No side hustle. No allowance. No chance of paying rent.

The lawyer says her own eight-year-old golden retriever meets nearly every requirement the IRS looks for when defining a dependent. The dog has no independent income, lives exclusively with her, and racks up more than $5,000 a year in expenses. From a purely financial standpoint, the only thing the dog is missing is being human.

Right now, that is kind of a big deal. The IRS officially classifies pets as property, not people, which makes them ineligible for any dependent-related tax breaks.

That distinction is exactly what this lawsuit is challenging.

Still, even people who would love to write off their Labradoodle are not holding their breath. Legal experts say the case faces long odds. One major hurdle is something called legal standing. To sue, you have to prove you were directly harmed, and courts generally do not allow people to challenge the tax code just because they do not like it.

The lawyer insists she has been harmed, arguing that the tax rules are unfairly applied and discriminatory because they treat taxpayers differently based solely on whether their dependents are human.

As of now, the case has not been dismissed, so it is technically still alive. But realistically, do not expect to be claiming your dog, cat, or horse on next year’s return. For the moment, your pet is still family in every way that matters, just not according to the IRS.

What Dish or Flavor Best Represents Your State?

If you had to explain your entire state to a stranger using just one dish, America has already decided what you would serve. And in most cases, it is heavy, comforting, and absolutely not gluten-free.

A recent survey asked people to name the dishes or flavors that best represent each state. And some of it makes sense.

Here is the state-by-state breakdown of the foods people most associate with each place, plus a little personality baked in.

Alabama
• Banana pudding
• Pinto beans and cornbread (grandma is watching, so be respectful)

Alaska
• Seafood
• Muktuk (if you know, you know)

Arizona
• Mexican cuisine
• Sonoran hot dogs

Arkansas
• Catfish
• Country fried chicken

California
• Mexican food
• Burgers
• Shrimp tacos (served with opinions)

Colorado
• Green chili on literally anything
• Rocky Mountain oysters (we are not explaining them again)

Connecticut
• Clam chowder
• Pizza (yes, they are very serious about it)

Delaware
• Scrapple
• Bengali cuisine (sneaky food flex)

Florida
• Seafood
• Key lime pie
• Fresh orange juice (pulp debate mandatory)

Georgia
• Peach cobbler
• Seafood boils

Hawaii
• Laulau
• Poke
• Loco moco (breakfast that could bench press you)

Idaho
• Potatoes (all forms, no apologies)

Illinois
• Deep dish pizza
• Chicago-style hot dogs (do not ask for ketchup)

Indiana
• Corn
• Pork tenderloin sandwich (larger than the plate)

Iowa
• Corn
• Pork chops

Kansas
• Barbecue
• Steak
• Chili with cinnamon rolls (trust the process)

Kentucky
• Fried chicken (the original influencer)

Louisiana
• Crawfish
• Cajun cuisine
• Gumbo

Maine
• Lobster (no notes)

Maryland
• Crab cakes (Old Bay is implied)

Massachusetts
• Clam chowder
• Seafood

Michigan
• Cherry pie
• Coney Island dogs

Minnesota
• Juicy Lucy
• Tater tot hotdish
• Walleye

Mississippi
• Fried catfish
• Soul food

Missouri
• Barbecue (strong opinions, no consensus)

Montana
• Steak
• Wild game
• Huckleberry everything

Nebraska
• Runza sandwiches (you either love it or moved away)

Nevada
• Buffets
• Mexican food (Vegas rules apply)

New Hampshire
• Seafood
• Apple cider donuts

New Jersey
• Italian food
• Pizza
• Taylor ham, egg, and cheese sandwich (pick a side)

New Mexico
• Green chilis
• Enchiladas (red or green, choose wisely)

New York
• Pizza
• Bagel and cream cheese (attitude included)

North Carolina
• Barbecue
• Knoephla soup (surprise!)

Ohio
• Buckeyes (not the tree kind)

Oklahoma
• Chicken fried steak
• Comfort food in general

Oregon
• Salmon
• Marionberry pie

Pennsylvania
• Pierogies
• Cheesesteaks

Rhode Island
• Seafood
• Clam cakes
• Chowder

South Carolina
• Soul food

South Dakota
• Fry bread

Tennessee
• Barbecue

Texas
• Tex Mex
• Barbecue (bigger opinions than plates)

Utah
• Jello salad
• Fry sauce
• Funeral potatoes (yes, really)

Vermont
• Pancakes with maple syrup
• Mac and cheese

Virginia
• Ham (colonial confidence)

Washington
• Apples
• Salmon

West Virginia
• Pepperoni rolls (portable joy)

Wisconsin
• Cheese
• Fish fry (Friday is sacred)

Wyoming
• Steak (that is the whole sentence)

I guess this proves one thing: Every state thinks its food is iconic, correct, and deeply misunderstood by everyone else.

Defense Attorney Says Self-Checkout Can Land You in Serious Trouble

Self-checkout lanes are everywhere now.

Grocery stores, big box retailers, even places selling just a handful of items have decided that scanning and bagging your own stuff is part of the deal. And lately, those machines are even bold enough to ask for a tip. But according to a criminal defense attorney who’s gone viral on TikTok, using self-checkout could come with a much bigger cost than awkwardly hitting “no tip.”

Carrie Jernigan, a criminal defense attorney, is warning people to avoid self-checkout altogether. Her reason is simple and unsettling. It’s risky, even if you’re not trying to steal anything.

She says stores now have large, sophisticated teams whose job is to review self-checkout footage and look for possible shoplifting.

@carriejernigan1

Reply to @afamily20202 I have no idea why it cut off

♬ original sound – LAWYER CARRIE

Every scan, missed scan, and awkward item shuffle is recorded. If a store’s inventory comes up short later, they can go back through the video to figure out where something might have gone missing.

That’s where things can get ugly. If you accidentally forget to scan an item, scan the wrong barcode, or even if the store just makes an inventory mistake, you could end up being flagged as a suspect. From there, the store can report the incident to police. Suddenly, what felt like a harmless mistake at the checkout turns into a legal nightmare.

@carriejernigan1

Reply to @briannapatterson09 and buy and checkout with a toothbrush so you have it in jail if you get arrested 🫣

♬ original sound – LAWYER CARRIE

She says these cases can be expensive, stressful, and time-consuming to deal with, even if you didn’t do anything intentionally wrong. And the worst part is you might not even know there’s an issue until law enforcement contacts you later.

If you’re thinking, “That seems extreme,” she argues it happens more often than people realize. Self-checkout shifts the work and the risk from the store to the customer.

You’re basically acting as your own cashier, but without the training or protection employees have.

That said, Jernigan knows self-checkout isn’t disappearing anytime soon. So if you absolutely have to use it, she offers a few tips to protect yourself. Stick to small orders so there’s less room for error. Always pay with a credit card so there’s a clear record of what you purchased. Keep your receipt, even if you usually toss it. And most importantly, go slowly. Make sure the cameras can clearly see you scan every item.

Convenient or not, self-checkout may not be worth the headache. Sometimes waiting in line for a human cashier really is the safer move.

If You’ve Canceled Plans to Stay Home with Your Pet, You’re Not Alone

Remember the “before times,” when having plans actually meant leaving the house?

Turns out, a lot of those nights out never stood a chance, especially if there was a dog waiting at home giving you that look‘According to a survey, three out of four dog owners admit they have bailed on plans at the last minute just so they could stay home with their pup. Not because they were sick. Not because they were tired. Just because the couch, the dog, and the idea of not putting on real pants sounded way better.

Cat owners are not totally innocent here either. About one in three people with cats say they have also canceled plans to hang out with their feline. Although, let’s be honest, the reaction was probably very different. Dogs were thrilled. Cats were likely annoyed that their perfectly planned night of ignoring you was suddenly ruined.

The survey also found that pet ownership has quietly turned into a full-blown lifestyle. The average dog owner has 1.7 dogs, while the average cat owner has 1.9 cats.

Which means a lot of people crossed the line from “I have a pet” into “this is now a household with a system.”

That might also explain another big takeaway from the survey, where pets actually sleep. The most common answer was not a dog bed. Not a crate. Not even the floor. It is the bed. Your bed. Right between you and any hope of personal space.

For many pet owners, especially dog people, staying home is not a backup plan anymore. It’s the preferred option. A night in with your dog means no small talk, no waiting for the check, and no pretending you’re having fun when you would rather be home anyway.

Your dog is always excited to see you, never asks where you want to eat, and thinks every evening is the best night ever. Cats, of course, are a little different.

Choosing to stay home with a cat is more of a gamble. You might get cuddles. You might get judgment. You might just get two forearms full of lacerations.

Still, the numbers do not lie. Whether it’s dogs wagging their tails or cats silently questioning your existence, a huge chunk of people are perfectly happy canceling plans to be home with their pets. And honestly, that sounds like a pretty great excuse to us.

The U.S. Has Four of the Fakest Cities in the World

According to a new study, America might be leading the world in more than just fast food and reality TV—we’re now officially home to four of the fakest cities on the planet.

A ranking from travel insurance provider InsureAndGo analyzed over 1.3 million Google Maps reviews across 144 global cities, looking for mentions of “authentic,” “local,” or “traditional” experiences—and trying to avoid words like “tourist trap” and “overpriced.” The result? A list of the 10 least authentic cities in the world. And taking the top (or bottom?) spot: Chicago, Illinois.

Yep, Chicago was crowned the world’s #1 least authentic city, edging out famously over-touristed places like Venice, Italy, and Las Vegas, Nevada, which landed at #2 and #3, respectively. In total, four U.S. cities made the list, with Nashville (at #4) and Boston (at #6) also getting called out for being more “for show” than substance.

Here’s the full list of the world’s fakest destinations:

  1. Chicago, Illinois
  2. Venice, Italy
  3. Las Vegas, Nevada
  4. Nashville, Tennessee
  5. Hobart, Australia
  6. Boston, Massachusetts
  7. London, England
  8. Singapore
  9. Sydney, Australia
  10. Brussels, Belgium

If you’re surprised that Los Angeles didn’t make the cut, you’re not alone. The report jokingly nods to that irony—L.A. might be so inauthentic, it’s actually authentic at this point.

Meanwhile, cities topping the most authentic list include Bogotá, Colombia; Lima, Peru; and Taipei, Taiwan. Not a single American city cracked the top 20 for authenticity. Ouch.

So what makes a city feel fake to travelers? According to the study’s metrics, it’s all about the vibe: is your experience shaped by overpriced souvenir shops, gimmicky attractions, and cookie-cutter tours? Or are you getting something that feels real and rooted in local culture?

Either way, maybe this is a sign that it’s time to venture a little farther off the beaten path. Or at the very least, skip the $20 tourist trap hot dog and try something the locals actually eat.

10 Things That Happened 10 Years Ago: Jan 25-31

Stick figures, Flat Earthers, and Barbie gets curves. Here’s what was in the news 10 years ago this week.

Be Like Bill Meme Goes Viral

A smug little stick figure named Bill was the hottest meme on the internet. The “Be Like Bill” format praised common-sense behavior in a sarcastic, passive-aggressive tone – perfect for social media virtue signaling. Love it or hate it, Bill quickly dominated Facebook timelines across the world.

Rapper B.o.B Declares the Earth Is Flat

In one of the weirder celeb moments of 2016, rapper B.o.B made headlines for claiming the Earth is flat. He doubled down on Twitter with diagrams and “proof,” sparking a bizarre feud with astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, who tried to science him back to reality. Spoiler: It didn’t work.

Abe Vigoda Dies (For Real This Time)

After decades of premature death rumors and false reports, character actor Abe Vigoda passed away at 94. Best known for “The Godfather” and “Barney Miller,” his death inspired countless “sleeping with the fishes” headlines. Even in death, Vigoda remained a punchline – and those who knew him knew he would’ve appreciated that.

Science Says Being a Bar Regular Is Good for You

A study out of the U.K. suggested that regularly visiting a local pub could actually improve your health and happiness. It wasn’t about drinking – it was about community, routine, and social connection. In other words, “Cheers” wasn’t just a sitcom. Your local watering hole might be your therapy.

“Creedbombing” Went Viral

It became a widespread thing after the Carolina Panthers adopted it as a locker room prank. Derived from the term “photobombing,” Creedbombing is when you sneak up on a friend and relentlessly scream-sing the lyrics of a Creed song – “With Arms Wide Open” being the go-to choice for most. Creed lead singer Scott Stapp was a fan.

Justin Bieber Dies in Zoolander 2 Trailer and People Cheer

Fans couldn’t help but cheer one particular moment in the “Zoolander 2” trailer: Justin Bieber’s dramatic slow-mo death scene. In the film’s teaser, Bieber gets assassinated mid-duckface, to the delight of Bieber-bashers everywhere. It was 2016, and even the Biebs was in on the joke.

Barbie Gets a Body Update: Tall, Petite, and Curvy

Mattel shook up the toy world by introducing three new Barbie body types: tall, petite, and curvy. After years of criticism over unrealistic proportions, Barbie finally got a much-needed refresh. The move was hailed as a step toward inclusion—even if the fashion industry still had some catching up to do.

Rihanna Drops “Anti” – Then Goes Radio Silent

Rihanna’s long-awaited eighth album “Anti” was released January 28th, 2016. Fans devoured the hit “Work,” but the real shock came after: she more or less disappeared from music. A full decade later, her ninth album is still TBD, leaving fans thirstier than ever for “R9”. Makeup empire? Yes. New album? Not yet.

Homeless Man Goes Viral for Accepting Credit Cards

Abe Hagenston made headlines from under a Detroit overpass by becoming the first known homeless panhandler to accept credit cards. An early adopter of Square readers, Abe paired it with his phone and began accepting Visa, Mastercard, and AmEx – safely and securely. Despite the buzz, he admitted people seemed hesitant to give their credit card info to a homeless man.

Tom Hanks Once Again Named America’s Favorite Actor

For what felt like the umpteenth time, Tom Hanks topped the poll as America’s most beloved actor. The honor reflected his decades of box-office hits, good-guy reputation, and general national treasure status. Whether he’s Forrest Gump or Sully Sullenberger, we just can’t help but trust Tom.

The World’s Shortest IQ Test Is Just Three Questions

Pretty sure you’re a genius, but too lazy to prove it with a lengthy Mensa test? Here’s a two-minute alternative.

The Cognitive Reflection Test (CRT) is just three questions long and was created to quickly assess a very specific ability. Can you avoid choosing the intuitive or obvious answer long enough to work out the correct one?

Less than 1 in 5 get all three questions right.

The test is designed to trip you up with questions that seem simple but have surprisingly tricky answers. Only 17% of people manage to get all three correct. The other 83% are fooled by their own instincts at least once.

So, let’s see which group you fall into. Read each question carefully and come up with your answer, then click the question to see if you’re right.

QUESTION #1: A bat and ball cost $1.10 total.  The bat costs $1 more than the ball.  How much does the ball cost? (Click to reveal answer)

Correct answer: 5 cents

Your brain probably screamed “10 cents,” right? That’s the trap. If the ball is 5 cents, the bat is $1.05. (aka, “$1 more”)

QUESTION #2: It takes 5 machines 5 minutes to make 5 widgets.  How long would it take 100 machines to make 100 widgets? (Click to reveal answer)

Correct answer: 5 minutes

If you said 100 minutes, you’re not alone. But… each machine makes one widget in 5 minutes. So 100 machines make 100 widgets in 5 minutes. Obvious now, right?

QUESTION #3: There’s a patch of lily pads in a lake. Every day, the patch doubles in size. If it takes 48 days for the patch to cover the entire lake, how long will it take to cover half of the lake? (Click to reveal answer)

Correct answer: 47 days

First instinct says 24 days, but the patch doubles every day. So, complicated math wasn’t really required – it would have covered half the lake the day before it was full.

How’d you do?

If you got all three right, congrats – Einstein would probably high-five you. If not, don’t sweat it. The test is designed to trip you up, that’s the point. Now go share the quiz with your friends and see who else gets bamboozled – or lies and claims they didn’t. “Smart” people love a good flex.

1 in 7 Americans Want to Nix All Coins

When the U.S. Treasury announced it was finally pulling the plug on the penny, a bunch of people went “Noooo!”… before realizing they had not actually used a penny since Blockbuster Video was a thing?

The penny got the boot because it costs more to make than it’s worth. That alone feels like a metaphor for half the things in our junk drawers. But for some Americans, eliminating the penny was just the warm-up act.

According to a new survey, 24% of people say they would also be fine tossing nickels into the historical dumpster. Meanwhile, 58% want to keep them, including 34% who strongly oppose nickel extinction. These are apparently very passionate nickel fans. Nicklers? Nickelheads? Nickelbacks? (Sorry.)

But here is the real plot twist: 14% of Americans want the government to stop making all coins. Every last one. No pennies, no nickels, no dimes, no quarters, no rogue Sacagawea dollars haunting the bottom of your purse. Just round everything to the nearest dollar and call it a day. No more loose change in your cupholder, no more jingling pockets, no more “Does anyone have 17 cents?” at the gas station.

If you’re wondering why this debate exists at all, here is the fun part. Pennies cost 3.7 cents to make. Nickels cost nearly 14 cents.

That said, dimes and quarters do cost less to produce than their face-value.

As for how often people actually spend pennies, the answer is: they mostly do not. Nearly 30% of Americans say they would not even bend down to pick up a penny off the ground. 11% claim they use pennies every day, which honestly feels like a bigger confession than they meant it to be. That group tends to be older, lower-income Southerners. Another 19% use pennies weekly, 18% monthly, and a solid 28% say they never spend pennies at all. Another 16% use them so rarely it might as well be a leap-year tradition.

So the penny is gone. The nickel is sweating. And somewhere out there is a very determined 14% who dream of a future where everything costs a clean, round number and your only loose change is that one rogue guitar pick in your pocket.

Pet Peeves That Everyone Can Agree Are the Absolute Worst

If there is one thing that truly brings humanity together, it is mutual annoyance. Politics might divide us and pineapple on pizza might spark wars, but some everyday irritations are almost universally hated.

A roundup from Zippia.com tapped into that shared frustration and identified things people across the globe can collectively agree are the worst. And honestly, reading the list feels like group therapy.

Right at the top of the hate parade is loud chewing. For most of us, it is just gross and distracting. For others, it triggers full-blown rage. There is even a real condition called misophonia, where certain sounds like chewing or slurping cause intense emotional reactions. Either way, nobody wants to hear your mouth at work, on a plane, or anywhere else.

Slow walkers are another public enemy. You know the type, strolling down the sidewalk at a leisurely pace while blocking the entire path. It is especially infuriating when you are clearly in a hurry and there is no room to pass. Somehow they always manage to stop abruptly too.

Group texts with too many people also made the list, and for good reason. One innocent message quickly turns into a nonstop stream of notifications every five seconds. Even worse, half the replies are things like “LOL” or thumbs-up emojis that absolutely did not need to go to everyone.

Being told to “calm down” is another guaranteed way to make things worse. It almost never works and usually has the opposite effect. If anything, it confirms that you are absolutely right to be annoyed in the first place.

Talking during movies remains a classic offense. Whether it is in a theater or at home, people chatting through key scenes somehow never realize they are ruining the experience for everyone else. Right up there with it is clipping your nails in public. Some personal grooming activities should stay personal.

Close talkers also earned their spot, and they became even more unbearable during the pandemic. Nobody wants a stranger inches from their face. Add in drivers who refuse to use turn signals, painfully slow internet, and couples who argue in front of their friends, and you have got a perfect storm of shared misery.

Here are some other peeves that made the list:

  • People who don’t return shopping carts
  • Leaving trash on the table at fast food places
  • Someone watching videos in public without headphones
  • Standing too close in line
  • Not covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze
  • People who block the aisle at the grocery store
  • Taking phone calls on speaker in public
  • Not replacing the toilet paper roll
  • People who are late all the time
  • Typing “k” or “ok” after a long text
  • Interrupting someone mid-sentence
  • Not saying “thank you”
  • Cutting in line
  • Talking during important scenes of TV shows
  • Borrowing things and never returning them
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