One of my favourite facts is

[bonj2]

I recall reading about 20 years ago that the dead outnumber the living 30 to 1.

might be now - since the dead are always going up.

 

[Cubist]

Although I thought that came from Hebrew Yodh (not sure about the tittle), Matthew 5:18. In the Greek it is an 'iota' (name for letter i) and a 'dot' which would presumably refer to pointing in Hebrew (if it was around then).

Opinion is divided:

In the Greek original translated as English "jot and tittle" is found iota and keraia.[1] Iota is the smallest letter of the Greek alphabet (ι), and was used as a small diacritic below other vowels (the hypogegrammeni) in ancient Greek texts. Alternatively, it may represent the Hebrew or Aramaic yodh (י) which is the smallest letter of the Hebrew and Aramaic alphabets

(wikipedia)

 

[Cubist]

98% of brussels sprouts are produced in Biggleswade.

 

[just jim]

Lewisian Gneiss, found in North West Scotland is the oldest rock in Europe - 3000 Million Years old. But younger than The Rolling Stones!!!!!!!....!!.....!

 

[twowheelsgood]

that a cubic square mile of fog can be condensed into a one gallon container

Don't believe it.

1 gallon (imperial to be generous) is 4.55litres which is 4.55kg for pure water

One mole of H2O weighs 18g (ignoring small amounts of odd isotopes)

Therefore 1 gallon contains 4550/18 = 252.56 mols

At STP 262.56 mols of water vapour would occupy (22.4 litres per mol) = 5657 litres

1 litre is 2.4*10-13 cubic miles according to the interweb meaning 5657 litres equates to 1 part in 736 million odd.

Now as water vapour varies between 0 and 4%, of the atmosphere, I don't think that would make any difference.

Yes I am bored today...

 

[Pottsy]

This is bollocks. The total amount of people alive today is about ONE TENTH of the amount of people who have ever lived.

I know, I made it up. I was wondering if anyone would pick up on it.

 

[User482]

Of all the people alive in the USA today, an equivalent to one quarter of one skeleton will end up as a fossil.

 

[clarion]

Don't believe it.

1 gallon (imperial to be generous) is 4.55litres which is 4.55kg for pure water

One mole of H2O weighs 18g (ignoring small amounts of odd isotopes)

Therefore 1 gallon contains 4550/18 = 252.56 mols

At STP 262.56 mols of water vapour would occupy (22.4 litres per mol) = 5657 litres

1 litre is 2.4*10-13 cubic miles according to the interweb meaning 5657 litres equates to 1 part in 736 million odd.

Now as water vapour varies between 0 and 4%, of the atmosphere, I don't think that would make any difference.

Yes I am bored today...

Ah, but you're forgetting this is a cubic square mile. A lot of water can get lost inthose extra dimensions.

 

[theclaud]

Of all the people alive in the USA today, an equivalent to one quarter of one skeleton will end up as a fossil.

Good fact, User482! Is it true?

 

[accountantpete]

My friend Glenn can fart the opening bars of God Save The Queen.

Including the "she ain't no human being" bit?

There are more atoms in a glass of water than there are glasses of water in the seas and oceans.

 

[Dayvo]

might be now - since the dead are always going up.

As is the number of living!

 

[User482]

Good fact, User482! Is it true?

Yes, if you believe Bill Bryson in "A Short History of Nearly Everything". It's stunningly hard to become a fossil. The overwhelming abundance of marine fossils (compared with land fossils) is mainly because marine creatures are much more likely to be buried and preserved in sediments. Only certain rock types will preserve fossil remains (sedimentary is where it's at). Most bones simply weather away.

I think there was an article in New Scientist once, on how to give yourself the best chance of becoming a fossil. I'll see if I can find it.

 

[Arch]

Another Elephant fact..

They are the only animal to have 4 knees.

Sorry, no. They have the same number of knees (2) and elbows (2) as any other land mammal.

They look a bit different because their leg proportions differ from many other quadrupeds. But they have exactly the same skeletal elements as a horse, a dog, or you.

I've just spent a day explaining the relative homogeneity of the vertebrate skeleton to a bunch of 14 year olds....

 

[User482]

Their legs all bend forward though - isn't that unusual?

 

[montage]

Sorry, no. They have the same number of knees (2) and elbows (2) as any other land mammal.

They look a bit different because their leg proportions differ from many other quadrupeds. But they have exactly the same skeletal elements as a horse, a dog, or you.

I've just spent a day explaining the relative homogeneity of the vertebrate skeleton to a bunch of 14 year olds....

uhoh...a Biology teacher?

How many knees does a Bee have?