How long can you pull off a conversation about the weather, or the sad condition of the society we live in? Here, I give you a list of some of the most interesting topics you NEED to know about, not only to sound smart, but to make an impression that’s worthy of you. Let’s make that tete-a-tete over coffee more riveting!
CANADA IS MISSING GRAVITY
In a region called Hudson Bay in Canada, it had been discovered during the 60’s that gravity here is significantly less than other parts of the world. This is majorly attributed to the fact that the Earth isn’t a perfect sphere and the uneven distribution of mass means slightly uneven gravity.
EXPLODING LAKES
Just like volcanoes in some parts of the world, especially Africa, there are lakes that have been victims to what is called a LIMNIC ERUPTION. The phenomena is similar to the opening of a soda can, only this is the biggest soda can ever, which can cause waves almost as high as 25 meters. These are really just giant C02 waves that can suffocate people to death. Lake Nyos and Lake Monoun in Africa are notorious for the same. Maybe I’ll be skipping soda for a week.
HUMONGOUS FUNGUS
Measured 3.8 kilometers across the Blue Mountains in Oregon, the world’s largest known living organism, is a kind of a honey fungus. Honey fungus, or Honey mushroom is the common name given to several different species of fungi in genus Armillaria. Italian chef Antonio Carluccio claims its delicious with spaghetti and red chilli!
THE BADGERMIN
This one is for all the music buffs- the badgermin is an instrument which is hands down, one of the quirkiest (pun intended). The honey badger is a ferocious bad ass of the wild, but a trio of nerds somehow managed to kill a honey badger and stuffed its guts with a Theremin (an electronic musical instrument) and Voila! There you have it ladies and gentlemen, a dead badger that can make alien sounds. *facepalm*
PROJECT LOON
Google is doing it again! Its changing the world as we know it and for better. Project Loon is Google’s initiative to provide internet access to the 60% of the world’s population that’s never been online ever. How internet evolved and how far it will go, we have no idea but Google is set to launch a number of helium balloons and send them to places where cell towers can’t reach to provide reception there. These balloons can bring widespread social and economic benefits through to the people whose lives are never gonna be the same again. The project was named Loon for its association to both flight and ingenious insanity!
THE CANNABIS CUP
As the name has rightly grabbed your attention, it is indeed a Cheech and Chong paradise. It was started by Steven Hagger of the HIGH TIMES in 1988 (all hail the blessed man). It’s a festival featuring some locally brewed “stuff”, held every November in Amsterdam where it allows judges to vote for their favorite marijuana varieties. I’ll see you lot there!
HEALTHY BACON
Yep, you read that right! Throw away those greasy chips and listen up! Researchers from Oregon State University’s Hatfield Marine Science Centre have developed and patented a new type of seaweed that tastes just like bacon. It’s twice as nutritious as kale and infinitely more delicious. Nom-nom!
WALKING CORPSES
Yes I’m a Walking Dead fan, but this is scarier because this is real. Also called the Cotard Syndrome, the Walking Corpse Syndrome is a rare mental disease wherein a person has delusions that they are dead, either figuratively, or literally. Ever fantasized about meeting a zombie?
EDGING
I’m not sure how many of you have heard of this absolutely brilliant concept that’s been the talk for quite some time now? Edging, or in more technical terms-orgasm control- is a technique where your body stays in an aroused state of pleasure for a long time without reaching an orgasm. Other than its obvious sexual rewards, this technique has been used by artists to create masterpieces because the stimulated state of the body creates a kind of a “hormone cocktail” and the euphoric sensations make the brain more effective. Anyone experiencing a writer’s block?
ARTIFICIAL HAPPINESS
Harvard psychologist Dan Gilbert is also a “Happiness Expert”. Yes that’s very much a thing. The concept of a “psychological immune system” has shed light upon a revolutionary field of study, “The science of happiness!” Simply put, we have mechanisms in our minds that can help us be happy against all odds. We can literally choose to be happy. Now you know what to say to your friend crying over that break up, eh?
You are now ready to impress. You’re very welcome guys.
