The world is more interesting than you think.
Unexpected facts, big ideas, and little discoveries. Find something that sparks your curiosity today.
A little more wonder
The game publisher that offered to pay speeding fines
Acclaim promoted Burnout 2 with a proposal to reimburse British drivers’ speeding fines on its release day. Government criticism followed, and the company…
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Umbrellas completely belong to Jupiter
Astrologers link umbrellas to Jupiter because the planet symbolizes protection and expansion: an umbrella opens into a broad shield against rain.
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Splatoon characters transform into squids to swim in ink
In squid form, characters swim through their own colored ink at high speed, using their ammunition as a shortcut across the battlefield.
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Why some styluses don't need batteries
The tablet sends out a weak electromagnetic field that powers the stylus wirelessly. The pen then sends a signal back so the tablet can register its position…
Discover moreSeaborgium broke a rule for naming elements
Usually, an element named for a person honors them after their death. Seaborgium became an exception when Glenn Seaborg received the honor in 1997, while he…
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Emanuel Swedenborg influenced Blake
William Blake read Emanuel Swedenborg’s theological writings about heaven and hell, then drew on them in his art and poetry.
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Castor heightens intellect and sharpens your writing
In astrology, Castor—the star associated with one of the celestial twins—is linked with intellect and communication, including a knack for sharp, elegant…
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Ancient necromancers preferred to summon spirits by sleeping directly on top of rotting human corpses
Greek and Roman necromancers believed spirits lingered near their bodies, so some practiced “incubation”: sleeping on a corpse in a dark tomb to seek visions.
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Trachea expands significantly when gulping liquids
The cartilage rings around the trachea are open at the back, where the esophagus runs alongside it. When swallowed food bulges the esophagus, that flexible…
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Why Amsterdam's houses lean forward
The forward tilt and roof hooks let movers hoist furniture through upper windows, avoiding the narrow, steep staircases inside.
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Why some runners choose to go barefoot
Some runners go barefoot to feel the ground and adjust their stride instead of letting thick cushioning blur the feedback. The foot and calf take more of the…
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The original rage bait was mispronouncing words
Some early broadcasters deliberately mispronounced familiar words to provoke angry letters from viewers. The tactic shows that outrage could drive engagement…
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India's railway had more than a million people on staff
Its annual report counted about 1.25 million employees at the end of March 2024. More than 300,000 worked in engineering, and over 27,000 in medical services.…
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Big Brother made household comforts part of the competition
The British show's 2002 rich-and-poor divide gave housemates unequal living conditions, including different access to hot water. Those practical differences…
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Taurus individuals photosynthesize in direct sunlight
In a warm sunbeam, they go blissfully inert, soaking up heat like melting wax and ignoring every responsibility.
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A towel's hidden machinery is the space between its fibers
Water is drawn into narrow gaps by capillary action: it sticks to the fibers and pulls more water along with it. A mass of tiny passages can soak up a spill…
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Virtual Boy games could remind you to stop playing
Nintendo's automatic-pause option interrupted play after about 15 minutes to prompt an eye-rest break. The option could be switched off, though manuals…
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Germany consumes millions of currywurst sausages
The postwar street-food favorite is sliced sausage topped with ketchup and curry powder, and it became popular enough to inspire a museum.
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Smooth muscles line internal hollow organs
You do not have to consciously contract the muscles lining your gut. Smooth muscle squeezes on its own to move material through hollow organs, doing the…
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Why anime characters stare away during monologues
Having a character face away during a long monologue saves animation work: the studio can avoid drawing the character's moving mouth.
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Third house governs very short trips
Besides siblings, it covers local travel and quick errands, from your commute to a dash to the grocery store.
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Thousands paid to see a fake petrified giant
The “giant” was gypsum, carved by a prankster and buried on a farm to manufacture a discovery. Thousands paid to see it—the hoax worked best as a ticketed…
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Why soccer goalies dive even when staying put works better
Goalies often choose a direction before the ball is kicked because a dive looks like an attempt to save it. If they stay put and the shot scores, their…
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High rise hotels bolt guest windows shut
Sealed windows help control the hotel's air conditioning and keep objects from falling onto the street.
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