If time travel is possible, why haven’t we met a single time traveler yet? And if we did meet one, how would we know they weren’t faking it? What would their...
The digital age is well and truly upon us. And in recent years, there’s no development more talked about than Bitcoin. Forget about dollars, pounds, and euros...
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, one question has lingered in the minds of millions around the world. What would happen if Russian President Vladimir Putin...
Spanning more than 66 million years, the Cenozoic Era shaped the world we live in today. From the rise of mammals to the emergence of modern humans, this era tells a...
Jupiter is the largest planet in the Solar System. It is more than 300 times more massive than Earth, yet it is far less dense. Unlike Earth, it does not have a solid...
2020 has been one of the worst years in human history. It’s been strange, confusing, and often terrifying. But what if when the clock strikes midnight on December...
This is no Simba. Unlike the song, this lion is not sleeping tonight. Instinct kicks in, and you begin to run, but even the fastest human on Earth, Usain Bolt, with his...
Something is very wrong with our Sun. It’s turned into a spinning lighthouse of death. What would make the Sun so much more deadly than usual? Would there be any way...
You would live in giant glass domes, and grow small portions of food inside. And if you happen to go outside, it would be in your big clunky spacesuit, and you...
You wake up in complete darkness. The space around you is cramped, the air feels stale, and every bump reminds you that you’re moving. The last thing you remember...
In 1044, the Chinese invented gunpowder. And we’ve been getting into trouble ever since. Fireworks are cool, nuclear warfare is not. And nuking the moon...
Tectonic plates: can’t live with them, can’t live without them. Their movements cause some of the world’s deadliest disasters, but, as you’re...
Sharks are the oceans’ primary predators. Eating every fish in their path. But what if you ended up in a pool full of them, and you were the prey? What would...
You and your family wake up to an emergency broadcast: “The United States is now in a state of emergency. Riots erupt, statues are torn down, and the government...
With Earth’s geopolitical tensions on the rise, the possibility of a global conflict is becoming more than just a distant threat. But in the modern era, a future world...
You’re trying to sleep. But it’s kinda hot in here so you get up to grab a fan. But how can you get out of bed when… the floor is lava! There are several different...
An ice storm begins when temperatures drop to around 0°C (32°F) and freezing rain turns into a layer of ice the moment it touches the ground, trees, buildings, or power...
Herbs. Honey. Moldy Bread. Animal Feces. In ancient times, these were the go-to remedies for disease and infection. We’ve come a long way since then. Or have we...
Three passengers died — including a Dutch couple — and others fell ill on the MV Hondius sailing from Argentina toward Cape Verde. One case is lab-confirmed as...
We visit a lot of planets here on WHAT IF, but K2-141b is the most extreme one yet. Are you ready to jump on board this one-way space shuttle? If you’d rather stay...

