Category: I learned this today

Where did stoicism come from? It was invented in Athens in 300 BC, by Zeno of Citium (modern day Cyprus). Stoicism is a philosophy that seems to enjoying a revival…

Was Robin Hood real? Probably not, but the legend could have been based on a real person. Robin Hood has been made famous by the many movies that have been…

How many countries are nuclear powers? There are 9 countries that have nuclear weapons. They are the United States, Russia, China, France, the United Kingdom, Pakistan, India, Israel, and North…

How does anthrax kill? Anthrax is an infection caused by a bacterium called Bacillus anthracis. Because it is a bacterial infection, it can be treated with antibiotics if it is…

Why is there an obelisk in Rome? There is more than one and the Romans took them from Egypt as a show of power. During the Roman Empire, 50 obelisks…

What is impressionism? It was a style of art where the artist was trying to capture an impression of the moment. Claude Monet is probably the most famous impressionist, and…

How does a motion detector work? There are several different methods. They can use infrared light, microwave radiation, ultrasound, video, or electromagnetic radiation. There are many uses for motion detectors…

Why are prunes a laxative? They contain a lot of two different types of fiber, sorbitol, and polyphenols. What is a prune? Prunes are dried plums, although not all plums…

Is there a planet beyond Neptune? It is possible, but there is no way to know for sure until telescope power increases. Neptune was discovered in 1846 and it was…

What is a zombie virus? Zombie viruses are ancient viruses that have been frozen in ice, but are being released as the permafrost melts due to climate change. “Zombie” virus…