Commonplace Fun Facts

Colorblindness: What It Is, What It Isn’t, and Why Your Charts Are the Problem

Explore colorblindness: what it is, common myths, causes, everyday challenges, and surprising advantages in this humorous, informative guide.

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April 4, 2026April 4, 2026

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The Indiana Pi Bill and the Attempt to Redefine Mathematics Through Legislative Fiat

Do you remember when you first learned of the concept of π? Have mathematics always been at least a little bit difficult for you? Haven’t you wished you could just pass a law to make it all a lot easier to understand? When some elected legislators attempted to use their political power to change some…
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Visit the Museum Where Peanut Butter is Art

If you like art, and if you are particularly fond of peanut butter, a visit to Rotterdam’s Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen has all the makings for your perfect day. It is the home of an exhibit that will make any peanut butter lover’s mouth water.
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The Crazy Story of Aimo Koivunen, the Soldier Who O.D.’d on Speed, Stepped On a Mine, Skied 250 Miles, and Outmaneuvered the Soviet Army

Discover the extraordinary survival story of Aimo Koivunen, the Finnish soldier who skied 250 miles under the influence of amphetamines during WWII.
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The Wolves That Fought in World War I

War can bring about some uneasy alliances. In the right circumstances, opposing forces can sometimes be persuaded to stop killing each — for a little while, anyway. This happened on Christmas Day, 1914 when British and German troops paused their fighting long enough to play a few matches of soccer. It also happened a couple…
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Are Teddy Bears More Deadly Than Real Bears?

Bears and teddy bears. The difference between the two could not be starker. One is massive, terrifying, and dangerous. The other is small, cuddly, and goes hand-in-hand with small children. It seems ridiculous to ask which one is more dangerous, but the answer might surprise you.
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Mount Tambora: The Volcano That Triggered a Year Without Summer, Defeated an Empire, and Gave Birth to a Monster

Discover how the 1815 eruption of Mount Tambora caused a ‘Year Without a Summer,’ defeated Napoleon, and inspired Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.
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Chairman Mao and His Disastrous War on Sparrows: How a Pest Control Campaign Led to Ecological Disaster

Discover how Chairman Mao’s war on sparrows, part of the Four Pests Campaign, triggered an ecological disaster and mass famine in China, leading to millions of deaths.
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The Thatcher Warning for Moderates

While many decry partisan politics and point to moderates as the ideal political philosophy, Margaret Thatcher (1925-2013) thought otherwise. The former prime minister of the United Kingdom was famously known as “The Iron Lady” because of her resolute will. She embraced conservative politics and cautioned against those who thought otherwise. She warned, “Standing in the…
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“A Cacophony of Hell” — The Terrifying Crocodile Massacre at the Battle of Ramree Island

War can be terrifying enough when humans are the only combatants. Imagine how much worse it can be when nature takes sides. Such was the case during the Battle of Ramree Island when more soldiers were slaughtered by saltwater crocodiles than by enemy bullets.
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Are You Afraid of Not Being Good Enough?

Atelophobia. Does it bother you if you don’t know the meaning of that word? Does that somehow make you feel inadequate or less than perfect? Does the very notion of being imperfect drive you to distraction? If you answered yes to any of those questions, you may very well suffer from the condition of atelophobia.…
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Urian the Greyhound: The Dog Responsible for the English Reformation

Meet Urian the greyhound — the remarkable dog who was responsible for triggering the English Reformation.
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Meet Archytas, the Father of Robotics

Do you know about Archytas, the father of robotics? Learn about this fascinating scientist, mathematician, and philosopher from 2,500 years ago.
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How Two Roosters Saved Greek Civilization

Themistocles, an Athenian military tactician, played a crucial role in the Battle of Marathon, a turning point in the Greco-Persian Wars. Inspired by two fighting roosters, he motivated his soldiers, leading to a victorious outcome that secured Greek civilization’s survival for the next 2,500 years.
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Nikola Tesla and His Unforgettable Bond With the Pigeon of Doom

Explore Nikola Tesla’s fascinating connection with a mysterious pigeon that marked a turning point in his life, reflecting his eccentric genius.
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Behold Tibbles the Cat — Destroyer of a Whole Species

Learn how one cat named Tibbles was responsible for the extinction of an entire species of birds.
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