One way to make life more fulfilling and exciting is to simply have an open mind. A lifelong curiosity and an unquenchable thirst for knowledge can let you reinvent yourself repeatedly. After all, there’s always something new you can learn, even though sometimes it may be hard to find the energy and motivation to keep going.
Thanks to the Facts by Guff Instagram account, we can receive our daily dose of knowledge by reading the completely random, unexpected, and unusual tidbits of information they share every day. Whether it’s enlightening their followers about goosebumps, baby elephants, or diamond rain, it certainly triggers a desire to know more.
Bored Panda has collected some of the best facts from the page, so continue scrolling and upvote the ones you might not have known about! Although just to warn you—once you get started, you’ll probably want to keep reading until your curiosity is satisfied.
Psst! Be sure to check our previous posts full of cool and interesting trivia right here, here, and here.
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This Instagram account was created by Guff, a data-driven content company that aspires to enlighten people with daily trivia and wisdom. They have amassed more than 825K followers by sharing different bits of information every single day. Unexpected and fun facts seem to often catch people off guard in the best possible way, and many think that it's worth their time.
Staying curious and open to new ideas is not only enjoyable but also provides us with a dopamine rush. Whether it’s learning something new about history, science, art, or even modern pop culture, there are many benefits to keeping our brain cells active.
A study by researchers at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business has found that our brains are hungry and always willing to learn new details about the world. Researchers revealed that "new information acts on the brain’s dopamine-producing reward system in the same way as money or food."
"To the brain, information is its own reward, above and beyond whether it’s useful,” co-author of the study and associate professor Ming Hsu, Ph.D. told Neuroscience News. “And just as our brains like empty calories from junk food, they can overvalue information that makes us feel good but may not be useful—what some may call idle curiosity.”
However, knowledge usually becomes useful when it’s put into context. While many think that learning cool and interesting facts is a waste of time, it’s quite the opposite. Sure, you can find out everything you need with just a few searches and clicks on hyperlinks but it won't do any good to your critical thinking skills.
Scott H. Young, author of Ultralearning: Accelerate Your Career, Master Hard Skills and Outsmart the Competition, wrote that factual knowledge determines the speed you can acquire new knowledge on a topic. "The more you know, the faster you learn." It also is an important driver of our reading comprehension and other high-level skills, for example problem-solving. When you’re reading a book, it’s much easier to understand the deeper meaning if you’re already familiar with the topic.
"You can’t reason critically or creatively without first having amassed a large amount of factual knowledge," Young explained. "This is why the existence of Google and Wikipedia doesn’t reduce the need to learn facts. Something being a Google search away doesn’t mean it’s available in the background to allow you to parse new information easily."
If you find yourself wanting to expand your mental horizons, the Wall Street Journal bestselling author suggested to simply be curious. By reading more articles and books, and by watching a variety of shows or movies, you always surround yourself with new knowledge. If it's hard to understand everything at first, don’t be discouraged and try to look it up.
Young advised not to be afraid of topics that are new to you: "Knowledge is exponential, so if you’re not used to reading something, you’ll learn a bit less. However, as you read more about it, you can read faster and smarter." So picking up a book that might be "above your level" could take longer but will get easier with time.
Just remember, we are the ones using the newly learned facts and putting them into context. So if you’re wondering whether you’re ever going to use this stuff, one day you actually might. Sometimes, our brains are capable of the most wonderful things, and bringing two completely unrelated ideas into one is certainly one of them.
I'm not a fan of his acting, but Keanu seems to be a genuinely good person.
Just as if they were completely regular employees in a country with actual employee rights.
Because it's a wicked socialist country that does not let its workers work themselves up to being billionaires by pulling themselves up by their bootstraps /s/
Poor McDonald's employees. Don't they know they could have freedom and trickle down economics instead !?*eyeroll*
Load More Replies...Or "how decent working conditions are listed as unusual and interesting fact in dystopian America".
But that's Denmark. That's everywhere there. Not just McDonald's. Cause their government actually gives a f**k.
Cause the people actually give a f**k and voted for it. The US could do it, if enough people wanted it.
Load More Replies...The McDonald's corporation in the US must think we're all so frigging stupid
That's true for most countries in Europe (with starting pay different in each of course). The government sets a minimum salary and minimum benefits (5-6 weeks of vacation, maternity, health insurance, pension contribution etc) and it is illegal for companies to hire someone below these limits, no matter what the job is.
You forgot: payed sick-days and increased pay evening, night, saturday and sunday... All that is normal in denmark- and a lot more...
Big Mac in USA = $3.99. In Europe $4.75. Not a huge difference to pay people properly but we entitled Americans won’t pay a reasonable price so someone can have a living wage.
Unhealthy food is expensive in Denmark. We have extra taxes on fat, sugar, alcohol, cigarettes etc. But the "normal" food is good.
Load More Replies...America is so greedy it is infuriating. "Wealthiest country" for what.
....this is so wrong. The extra costs might mean the owners of the business might not be able to buy that third yacht....
McDonalds is a franchise and franchise holders must comply with the laws of the country their business is in.
So sad how basic human needs get abused in America and were so conditioned to think it’s normal.
But shouldn’t all that money be going to shareholders? Won’t somebody think of the shareholders?!
That's normal. Less pay here in the UK but the rest is totally normal. Americans need to realise its their country that isn't normal regarding workers rights
Yeah, I'm moving to Denmark. Forget about college, I'm being a McDonalds employee all my life
You can have any job with these conditions in every first world country: in Europe and outside. Just quit USA.
Load More Replies...Probably because ALL workers in Denmark have these, it will be the law, perhaps that is why Amazon has not set up there?
We have the same or similar laws (benefits etc) in Germany and we do have Amazon here (including Warehouses and stuff). Even Amazon will pay and treat their workers fairly, if they have no other choice. As the workers are probably all locals from bottom to top they would not agree to anything else. Our culture is a bit different than that of the US.
Load More Replies...Please... What's the use of all those paychecks if they can't use the money to buy AR-15s?
In Denmark the expectation is that waiting staff should earn enough to support a family. Waiting is regarded as an actual career.
Nothing to do with McD's. It's a law by government, applies to all work contracts.
Beside the pay (sadly only about 12$/h) same for Germany. As it should be for every job everywhere... (and hopefully higher pay soon).
Right? itn't McDonalds just one company? They should all get the same benefits, franchise or not.
Well... the company Itself would probably be greedy but... For example Czech Republic have a bunch o laws calle "Labour Code" where is stated the minimum wage or even guaranteed wage... the healt insurance is paid from your 'gross wage' (AND! You ave health insurance provided by state if you lose your job!), th Labour Code also stated the minimum level of vacation each year, which you HAVE!! And If you did not go on this vacation, those free days will be moved to anotheryear as BONUS!! For your new year vacation days... But this all exists because of the State and its laws... USA is just wrong on so many levels
Load More Replies...'That's socialism, brrrr' would a "smart" American voter say.
Oh and hamburgers there cost $1 million, according to top U.S. Republicans
According to the Big Mac Index, “a Big Mac costs DKr30.00 in Denmark and US$5.66 in the United States.” When adjusted for GDP, the Economist found that “a Big Mac costs 13% less in Denmark (US$4.90) than in the United States (US$5.66) at market exchange rates."
And next thing they'll claim is having well maintained infrastructure.. pfff. /s
Non-Americans cannot understand why Americans prefer to work themselves to ill health and death by having 2 weeks holiday (if they are lucky).
Why would you think Americans "prefer" such a thing? Don't be ridiculous.
Load More Replies...Europe has a bit stricter laws regarding ingredients and if we stay with McDonalds: the burgers do look like the pictures in advertisements
Load More Replies...You should be welcome in Denmark, we have a shortage of qualified workers for a lot af different jobs 🙂 But the weather is a bummer, it rains almost half the year.
Load More Replies...Not 50 cents! How will I ever afford freedom and guns /s
Load More Replies...And almost in every country in Europe, including the Netherlands where I live!
And how much is a big mac (in comparison to, say, the US where workers receive little if any benefits and minimum wage)?
ANY full time job, ANYWHERE, should provide a living wage in the area!!
To think I've been busting my a** at my office job for 21 years and still don't have that. But, I've got a job with security so it could be worse.
Minimum wages hurt the low-skilled workers the most. It's just facts, basic economics, not an opinion or a political slant. I don't care about either party, no one has all the best answers for everything. But facts are facts no matter which side you're on. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aCpaON5NyE
Of course. and the good ‘ol USA does nothing like this. People are outraged at $15/ hr. And insurance,,pensions, etc.?? No way! We stink in so many ways.
Before we get too jealous or all move to Denmark: Gas is over $6 a gallon They have a value added tax of over 25% ( Fir something that you buy for $100 you have to pay that value added tax of $25
A car that costs $20,00 here costs over $45,000 in Denmark; it's sixth in the world for cost of living... gotta keep things in perspective
Load More Replies...MacDonalds would hire girls when I was in high school. I graduate in 1971 and wanted to work. I guess we were just supposed to depend on guys to pay for dates. And pay back from the back seat. I wonder how many women who take a gut to dinner think that? Just wondering. Gender equality is about a whole lot more than equal pay.
Only because workers from other industries protested for it together.. truck drivers and others ALL protested together, losing McDonalds millions until they finally agreed.
I know I said I was gonna go o Norway but I'm replanning my trip to go to Denmark
But not in the "best country in the world"? Another example of why the us and the American dream is a joke
Higher taxes, yes, but those taxes are actually used for the benefit and well being of the citizens. Imagine working any job you want, and not having to worry about saving money for/going into debt to see a doctor. Or going into debt to get an education. I'd gladly pay higher taxes for those things.
Load More Replies...In the Eighties my wife worked for McDonald's and she had medical insurance to cover both of us, life insurance, paid vacation, ( one week), college aid, everything except maternity leave. This was common for every job in America then. Then an evil man called Ronald Reagan came along, and with his morally bankrupt and stupid Republican followers they managed to turn all Americans into wage slaves, always one step away from disaster.
And I'm sure the food looks as it does in the ads as opposed to the smashed crap you get here in the states
Here in Canada all jobs have to require paid maternity leave and vacation for pretty much any job but there are some exceptions though
As it is in Europe. I think they fixate on McDonalds, because it is one of the lowest paid jobs anywhere?
Load More Replies...Unhealthy food is expensive in Denmark. We have extra taxes on fat, sugar, alcohol, cigarettes etc. But the "normal" food is good.
Load More Replies...It is not only McDonalds that does it. It is law in Europe. Every company HAS to do this (at least living wage and all these benefits, this is standard here). The companies do not have a choice in this.
Load More Replies...So, I have to ask. How much does a Big Mac cost? In USA it's 4.99 USD (in Iowa) which is about 33.3 DKK.
Denmark $4.60 according to google. https://www.therichest.com/travel/mcdonalds-traveling-most-expensive-cities-price-big-mac/
Load More Replies...& U pay 50 % in Taxes…. Forgot to tell that. And more….👍 And U got make a beside the one from the goverment. The one U get from them is really small. So its not all Milk & Honey.
Not 50%. The rest, I think you left some words out there.
Load More Replies...Yea, But he average annual income in Denmark is about 39,000 euros (nearly $43,000) and as such, the average Dane pays a total amount of 45 percent in income taxes
Actually, you do not pay that much in such a low income job. You pay more, the more you earn. And that money goes to infrastructure, education, health and so much more. What do you prefer? Paying higher taxer but living a good live no matter your income, having security that you will not go into debt when you have an accident or medical emergency, your child having the opportunity to get a good education for free or just a small fee, having a good work life balance because of basically unlimited payed sick leave and paid vacation etc etc or the "American way"?
Load More Replies...How much does a Big Mac cost there? And a large fry? If you believe corporate America, the Big Mac and fry should be $100
https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/big-mac-cost-denmark/ The price is around the same, at most 13% larger than in USA, but in some places it is almost the same
Load More Replies...Thats simply not true. The tax rate varies, the Mcdonalds worker would pay around 35-38% - and that includes free health care, dental care under 18 y, free education, free child care (for low income) and so on...
Load More Replies...Yeah, and for that we get free healtcare, Education (WE get paid to get an Education), great interfracture, pensions. We also pay childcare after what we earn. We get housingsupport (100-500$ depending on your income, to help pay rent) Government paid family checks every quarters (ca 500$ Per child). Paid maternity leave ( Can also be shared with daddy), 6 weeks paid vacation. Plus a typical rent in DK is only ca 500-1200$. Soooo, Im proudly paying 40% of my income...but Im only paying that after my taxfree 500$ a Month ;)
Load More Replies...I would gladly pay more in taxes, if it meant a national healthcare system in the US.
Load More Replies...Yes we pay a lot of taxes, but we have free school, college, healthcare etc. And everyone can get in to politics if the want to, you don't have to be rich and old😉
Load More Replies...You think wrong. I'm in a higher than average income bracket and I pay 38% income tax
Load More Replies...Yes, because usa is the only one with 'freedoms'. Freedom to get shot by some crazy person or freedom to be ripped off by insurance company or lifetime of student debts. Keep it.. . .
Load More Replies...They don't have to add health insurance on top though.
Load More Replies...Five seconds of research would have saved you from looking like a fool. From snopes: "A McDonald’s customer will pay approximately the same amount — give or take a dollar or two — for a Big Mac in Denmark as they would for a Big Mac in the United States. In fact, in many cases you’ll actually pay less for a Big Mac in Denmark than you would in the United States."
Load More Replies...$4.32 for a Big Mac. https://medium.com/@AHenderson/where-in-the-world-is-the-most-expensive-big-mac-ec50b979b63a#:~:text=Denmark%20%E2%80%94%20%244.32,become%20in%20just%20one%20year.
Load More Replies...True, so whatever you do don't think about how they feel when their new babies are taken away and placed in a field where they can still hear each other's cries. I live in the midst of cattle farms, and it's heartbreaking.
Charasmatic megafauna get a lot of attention. There are probably thousands of species that are less likable that are in the same situation.
My kid goes to a Montessori school where students clean up everyday. I think it's a good idea - helps kids feel responsible for their school, which helps them become responsible citizens.
I'm always torn when it comes to things like this. On the one hand, I don't feel like the government should tell us "you can't do that because it isn't good for you". Your not my mom, back off. Sugar isn't good for me either. The last person I dated wasn't good for me. On the other hand, I'm all for the government telling us it's the law to wear a seatbelt, or that my doctor can't smoke crack before he operates on me. And this, Ladies and Gentlemen, is why I am not a politician. Glad I'm not the one who has to make the decisions on these kinds of things!
I remember watching this on tv with my dad before he passed away. We were so happy for him!
Then I pity those who don't. I have no emotional stability at all
Fun fact: Men who kiss other peoples' wifes befor going to work live an average of 5 years shorter.
That's so sad ☹️. Glad they managed to convince her not to. Not just because she's a celeb, but because she's a human
Note: this post originally had 94 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.
Several of these so-called "facts" are misleading, unverified rumours, or downright false. Looks like Guff is not a source you can trust. But that might not be surprising coming from a content company that sells "hyper-engagement" and churning out content that is primarily designed to "drive human emotions." 👎
I very much welcome this addition. Extra, easy to access context is always a boon.
Load More Replies...I would say most of these "facts" are full of crap! They have no proof of what they are saying and most of them are so ridiculous that I had to stop scrolling.
But i find the news here interesting and sometimes double check on other sites to verify it if its legit
Load More Replies...This is the type of post I like... I get so disappointed when the title of a post is awesome but then you open it and it's nothing but words... pictures add a little pizazz especially when it refers to a person or place so that way you can get a better idea of what it looks like...
This was surprisingly sad, but I'm happy to have seen it. If you don't tear up Googling "Pocho crocodile funeral", you're not really living.
In scrolling through answers a lot of down votes were given if the interesting facts were not interesting and it was so stated!
Several of these so-called "facts" are misleading, unverified rumours, or downright false. Looks like Guff is not a source you can trust. But that might not be surprising coming from a content company that sells "hyper-engagement" and churning out content that is primarily designed to "drive human emotions." 👎
I very much welcome this addition. Extra, easy to access context is always a boon.
Load More Replies...I would say most of these "facts" are full of crap! They have no proof of what they are saying and most of them are so ridiculous that I had to stop scrolling.
But i find the news here interesting and sometimes double check on other sites to verify it if its legit
Load More Replies...This is the type of post I like... I get so disappointed when the title of a post is awesome but then you open it and it's nothing but words... pictures add a little pizazz especially when it refers to a person or place so that way you can get a better idea of what it looks like...
This was surprisingly sad, but I'm happy to have seen it. If you don't tear up Googling "Pocho crocodile funeral", you're not really living.
In scrolling through answers a lot of down votes were given if the interesting facts were not interesting and it was so stated!