The world is a much more engrossing place when you read past the headlines and seek out the details.
The BBC news website agrees and publishes a regular column called 10 Things We Didn't Know Last Week.
Here are some interesting facts usually gleaned from getting past the first paragraph of some recent news stories. (Thanks to blog reader Sean for the tip)
Archimedes was murdered over pi. More details
Forty years after color TV was introduced to the UK there are still 34,700 people with black and white television licenses. More details
Arthur C Clarke wrote story-lines for the comic-book hero, Dan Dare. More details
There are frogs that use semaphore. More details
A bear helped carry ammunition for Polish troops during World War II. More details
Men eat more Brussel sprouts and broccoli than women. More details
Dishcloths are purged of 99% of their bacteria during two minutes in a microwave. More details
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez hosts a daily radio phone-in show. More details
The average duvet is home to 20,000 live dust mites. More details
There is mobile phone reception from the summit of Mount Everest. More details
Kryptonite exists. More details
Zombies can't run because their ankles would snap.
More details
People can have four kidneys.
More details
The secret to happiness is accepting misery. More details
Thanks for that info Bean!
Posted by: Geo | March 24, 2008 at 04:39 AM
You didn't know Kryptonite was a real element? And zombies can't run because they're non-existant.
Posted by: Vic Rattler | March 24, 2008 at 09:32 AM
I can believe the broccoli and brussel sprouts thing with men. Those are gassy vegetables, and women don't like to let them rip as much as men do.
Posted by: Steven | March 24, 2008 at 10:15 AM
Vic, you are thinking of Krypton, the element.
The story referenced here is about a mineral with the exact specifications of the Kryptonite described in one of the Superman movies.I remember reading it at the time it was in the news.
Posted by: Todd | March 24, 2008 at 10:23 AM
Alright, the dust mites thing is so gross!
Posted by: | March 24, 2008 at 11:53 AM
i googled the dishcloth thing and look what i came across:
"Microwave warning after dishcloth starts fire"
to read more:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2007/jan/26/uknews4.mainsection1
Posted by: Melika | March 24, 2008 at 12:20 PM
Interesting. That's twice in one day that I've seen the Brits refer to the subject of manipulating numbers as "maths" (see the pi article). See also British author Mark Haddon's "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time", which I just started.
Posted by: dana | March 24, 2008 at 01:38 PM
Bean, I appreciate your Autism. That dishcloth fact was nothing but helpful!
Posted by: Elissa | March 24, 2008 at 09:08 PM