Why was quicksand a major peril in 1960s movies, but suddenly no longer scary in the 1990s? In an entertaining essay for Slate, Dan Engber explains how quicksand is getting sucked out of pop culture - but reinvented by scientists.

Did the 3-D version of Monsters Versus Aliens make you want to barf, even though you liked the movie? Now Slate's Daniel Engber explains why - and says the problem may never be solved.