12 Random Bits of Trivia We Needed a Dentist to Dislodge From Our Molars
The national and global economy may be slowing their growth more rapidly than at any point since JFK was in office, but at least his idiot nephew has fired the people in charge of making new vaccines.
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The Slowest Global Economic Growth Since the ’60s
The World Bank has reduced its projection of global economic growth to 2.3 percent, which is the lowest rate in about 60 years. Its Chief Economist blames “international discord — about trade, in particular” and warns that “without a swift course correction, the harm to living standards could be deep.”
The Federal Government Is Hoping Natural Disasters Will Take a Time-Out While They Come Up With a Replacement for FEMA
The Trump istration announced that they’re going to straight-up kill FEMA after this hurricane season, but promised begin to form a council “over the next couple of months” to think about an alternate way to prepare for and respond to natural disasters.
It’s Not True That You Only Use 10 Percent of Your Brain, But You May Be Putting It in Idle About 20 Percent of the Time
Neuroscientists have determined that people experience a blank mind, defined as “the impression of having no thoughts or not being able to report any thoughts,” 5 to 20 percent of the time.
Hilton Customers Ate 30 Million Waffles Last Year
The company says their offering of free waffles appeals to all demographics, with one executive saying, “It’s surprising how many men in suits will pretend nobody’s looking and grab their little waffle.”
Syria’s Civil War Uncovered An Ancient Tomb
While clearing out a home that had been damaged by Syria’s civil war, workers found what turned out to be a 1,500-year-old Byzantine tomb.
What’s the World’s Richest Shipwreck?
A Spanish ship called the San José sank off the coast of Colombia during a cannon fight with British forces in 1708, with 200 tons of gold, silver and gems on board. The treasure is currently valued at $17 billion.
Oops, That ‘Orgasmic Meditation’ Company Was Actually a Cult
Leaders of a cult called OneTaste, a company that claimed to promote “orgasmic meditation,” were accused of coercing women into sexual acts, and have been convicted on federal charges of forced labor. They face up to 20 years in prison.
The Door to Hell Is Finally Closing
The Darvaza gas crater, known as “the door to hell,” is a huge hole in Russia that’s been on fire since 1971 when scientists accidentally drilled into a gas pocket. The fire appears to be petering out, indicating it may have finally burned up the entire hidden gas reserve.
How People Around the World Don’t Say ‘Sex’
Some of the best sex idioms in other languages include “to blow air with the bellows” (Spanish), “work has been completed” (Hindi) and “to park the bus” (Swedish).
That Unsubscribe Button Might Be a Trojan Horse
Cybersecurity experts have determined that one in every 644 “click here to unsubscribe” links in your inbox may actually be links to malware.
Are Radioactive Chernobyl Dogs Evolving Faster?
Scientists have been studying the feral dogs that live near the site of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster for decades, and have found actual genetic differences from those that live just 10 miles away. What’s still unclear is whether it’s due to radiation, or just because they live 10 miles away.
A Fragrance Company Is Trying to Bring Extinct Stinks Back to Life
A biotech firm is working with Harvard researchers to recreate the smells of flowers that have gone extinct. They already completed six perfumes, like the orbexilum stipulatum, which was last seen alive in Ohio in 1881.
