Life is basically a series of lessons you learn as you go along. However, try as we might, there are just some things we’re never meant to know. Things, phenomena and incidents that just have no explanation. From the Loch Ness monster to Stonehenge to the Bermuda Triangle, perhaps some things must always remain a mystery. Check out 5 of these world’s greatest mysteries, and give us your take in the comments below!
1) The Taos Hum
Taos. A small artsy community and town located in north-central New Mexico. The Hum. A persistent and invasive low-frequency sound that is not audible to all people. The Taos Hum is called as such because the hum is present constantly there. Not only has Taos experienced this sort of humming, but other places in the world have as well. The Taos Hum was first reported in the early 1990s, and it has been heard since then. In 1993, it was even reported to the Congress because it was getting unbearable. After some research, it was revealed that only 2% of the population were “hearers”, and there was no real explanation for the hum. Till today, no one knows why Taos hums.
2) The Loch Ness Monster
Affectionately known as Nessie, the Loch Ness monster is probably one that we’re all familiar with. According to stories, Nessie is a creature that calls Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands its home. It has been said that Nessie is large with a long neck, possibly with one or more humps protruding from the water. Explanations for Nessie are aplenty, ranging from psychological theories (you see what you want to see), to misidentified animals, to hoaxes, to folklore and myths… we’re not saying it’s definitely real, but we’re not saying it’s totally fake either, you know?
3) MH370
As Malaysians, we are too familiar with this mystery and tragedy. On 8th March 2014, MH370 was a flight from KLIA to Beijing, but it never made it. Shortly after takeoff, the plane lost contact, but military radar continued to track it for about an hour until it quite literally disappeared. According to the radar, the plane was deviating from its original flight path westwards. With all on board presumed dead, many theories about what happened sprung up, but none have been confirmed even till today. The latest update according to several news reports was that the pilot was in control “till the end”, and they uncovered a mysterious 90kg load on board. We do not know what this means, but this is the deadliest incident involving a Boeing 777 and in Malaysia Airlines’ history, till the unfortunate incident of MH17 months later, which was shot down in Ukraine.
4) Jack the Ripper
Jack the Ripper is a name which is surrounded by intrigue and fear. Widely believed to be an unidentified serial killer in the 1880s in and around Whitechapel, London, Jack the Ripper keeps this name till today, with no one knowing the real person behind this persona. The murders were grisly, with slit throats and removal of organs. Back in the day, police received a letter claiming to be from Jack the Ripper, but it has been considered a hoax and a play to further hype the incident up. In early 2019, new reports surfaced that the identity may finally be revealed through DNA tests, and they suggested Aaron Kosminski, a 23-year-old Polish barber and a prime police suspect at the time. However, evidence still remains largely inconclusive, and so the mystery lives.
5) SS Ourang Medan
“All officers including captain are dead, lying in chartroom and bridge. Possibly whole crew dead.” This communication was followed by indecipherable Morse code, then a final message: “I die.” That was the final message sent in a series of SOS messages from the ship seeking help from others. True to the message, once others reached the SS Ourang Medan, all they discovered was that the whole crew had perished. According to reports, all corpses bore terrified expressions, but they was no sign of foul play nor spy work. Scarily, it was also reported that search party members on board the SS Ourang Medan felt chilly, though the weather was reported to be hot. When the Captain of the Silver Star (the closest vessel and the one to locate the ill-fated ship) wanted to tow the SS Ourang Medan, it instead exploded and swiftly sank, making no investigation possible.
