Fun Fact: The Guugu Yimithirr language of Australia has no words for left and right—they use cardinal directions (north, south, east, west) for everything, even to describe where their shoes are! Think language is just a tool for communication? Think again. It turns out that the language you speak may quietly, profoundly influence how you …
Fun Fact: Your gut has over 100 million neurons—more than in your spinal cord—and can function independently of your brain. You’ve heard the phrase “gut feeling.” But what if that flutter before a big decision, that anxiety when you’re nervous, or even your everyday mood swings weren’t just in your head—but in your stomach? This …
Fun Fact: Your brain uses almost as much energy when you’re daydreaming as when you’re solving a math problem. Ever been caught staring into space and told to “get back to work”? Turns out, your brain might have been doing some of its most important work precisely when it looked like you were doing… nothing. …
Fun Fact: In a famous study, people donated twice as much money to save one child than to save eight—simply because the single child had a name and a photo. Imagine this: You see a photo of a little girl named Aisha, eyes wide and frightened, standing in the rubble of a war zone. You …
Fun Fact: Albert Einstein, who revolutionized physics, is widely believed to have shown traits of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), such as delayed speech and strong visual thinking. We often throw around the word “normal” like it’s a gold standard. A normal student. A normal worker. A normal mind. But what if normal is a myth—and …
Fun Fact: Even toddlers as young as 3 years old tend to prefer people who speak their native language—hinting that our instincts to form “in-groups” start shockingly early. Have you ever felt uncomfortable in a room full of strangers, but totally at ease among your own “people”? Or instinctively rooted for one sports team—not because …
Fun Fact: There are people who can remember almost every face they’ve ever seen—even years later—while others can’t even recognize their own family members in photos. You’re walking through a crowded market when someone waves at you. Panic sets in. You smile back, trying to place them. School? Work? Your neighbour? Nothing. Later, it hits …
Fun Fact: Roughly 55% of people report experiencing “frisson”—a scientific term for chills or goosebumps—while listening to music! Why does a certain note in a song send a shiver down your spine? Why do you get goosebumps when a singer hits a high note or when the orchestra swells into a crescendo? These moments aren’t …
Fun Fact: A 2024 study published in Affective Science found that people who habitually suppress positive emotions experience lower well-being across cultures, highlighting the universal impact of hiding true feelings. How are you? Most of us hear this question daily. At the store, at work, over text. And more often than not, we offer a …
Fun fact: A 2024 study conducted across 51 countries found that individuals are more likely to compete with their own compatriots than with strangers from other countries, suggesting that people may perceive distant strangers as less threatening than their immediate neighbours. You might not know your neighbour’s name, but you trust the opinions of a …
