12 Random Bits of Trivia That Cannot Be Unlearned
Do you think you have what it takes to pilot a blimp? Think again, bucko.
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Lying Scientists Say They’ve Built the World’s Smallest Violin
British physicists have created a drawing of a violin that’s 35 microns tall and 13 microns wide. The entire canvas is “no larger than a speck of a dust.”
Scientists Have Discovered 230 New, Disturbingly Large Viruses
“Giant viruses” are larger than 250 nanometers and have exceptionally complex genomes. Researchers have just identified a whole trove of existing viruses that thrive among microscopic sea life, and that we may be able to harness to control things like algae blooms.
It’s Not Illegal to Pee in the Opposing Team’s Water Jug
A New Mexico district attorney said that a teen who itted to peeing in an opposing baseball team’s water jug didn’t technically commit battery: “Battery consists of the unlawful touching of another person in a rude and insolent manner. So in this case, we don’t have any touching of another person.”
An Animal Growth Molecule May Help Grow Bigger Plants
The molecule itaconate is part of animals’ metabolism, but scientists have successfully used it to make corn seedlings grow taller and faster.
A Guy Told Cops He Had to Speed Because of Farts
In 2019, British police pulled a man over for speeding, and he explained that he was trying to get home before his enger’s farts got too stinky.
A Zebra Survived for a Week in the Wilds of Tennessee
Ed the zebra was a private pet in Tennessee, and escaped a week ago. He was finally found in a pasture, but had made it far enough away that he had to be airlifted to an animal hospital to get checked out.
There Are Fewer Blimp Pilots Than Astronauts
The Goodyear blimp just celebrated its 100th anniversary. It’s such a unique vehicle, there are currently only 10 people licensed to fly one.
Which Came First: Butterflies or Flowers?
A chunk of 236-million-year-old fossilized poop has been found to contain butterfly remains, meaning they likely predate flowers by about 100 million years.
How Much Does One Person Need to Make to Live Comfortably in Your State?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that America’s median annual wage is $62,000, but it takes over $80,000 per year to live comfortably — in West Virginia. In every other state, it takes considerably more than that.
The TSA Had to Remind People That Costco ID Cards Don’t Count
The TSA had to combat a weird rumor by announcing, “We love hotdogs and rotisserie chickens as much as the next person but please stop telling people their Costco card counts as a REAL ID because it absolutely does not.”
What Percentage of the World’s Cars Are in the United States?
Of the 1.5 billion cars in the world, one-fifth are in America. 92 percent of American households have a car, and 36 percent have at least two.
Which States Have the Most Road Rage?
Colorado, New Mexico and Louisiana have the worst road rage, while California, Iowa and Maine have the chillest motorists.
