Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in FYI.

Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner
Last year, I wanted to transform the afterschool classroom for the kids at my job into an extremely low budget museum, exhibiting people of color they may have never heard of. February was a showcase of Black men and women who deserve more recognition for their impact on the world. For March, I got started on the next exhibit, honoring solely women, predominately women of color. The goal was for the children to get inspiration. To see that their current circumstances do not automatically determine how their lives are going to turn out. To ponder the existence of their own greatness.
By Jada Ferguson5 years ago in FYI
Break a Leg - Why?
If you have been raised around or been involved with the theatre in any way, you probably have heard the saying - Break A Leg. Or even just in general, this is a natural response to wish someone good luck. But why?
By Ted Ryan5 years ago in FYI
Happy birthday, James Madison. Did you know...
Today, March 16, is James Madison's birthday. He was our 4th President and has rightly been called the "father of the Constitution," but did you know he had studied for the clergy before entering political life? Here's a short description of his life journey that included his fight for liberty of consciousness and religious freedom.
By Bill Petro5 years ago in FYI
Dramatic Origins: The Can-Can
Everyone’s heard of the Can-Can. We all know it as the upbeat tune that a group of women in long skirts dance to and do lots of high kicks. To us, it’s fun, sexy, and even comical. But back when it first rose to fame, it was called salacious, scandalous, and raunchy.
By Jaye Ruggiero-Cash5 years ago in FYI
The Smartest Dog of All Time?
The phrase, "a dog is man's best friend," originated in the Supreme Court in 1870. Lawyer George Graham Vest defended a man who deeply loved his coon hound named Old Drum. A neighbor shot Old Drum for trespassing on his property. Vest argued that the man not only took the life of a pet, but he killed an important family member.
By Bryan R..5 years ago in FYI
Curiosity for Systems of the Human Body
Those of us interested in the medical field aren't the only types of people who enjoy knowing a variety of medical facts. Personally, my intrigue with the human body began with a passion for the Saw films. As a lover of horror, you can often find reference to the human body in a variety of sub-genres that aren't restricted to so-called "torture porn". Perhaps I'm the only one who enjoys making these connections, but they are my two biggest passions. For this informal essay (really an informative stream of consciousness) I will point out a few facts I find fun, revolving around systems of the body I enjoy learning about the most.
By Natalie Kaia Christiansen5 years ago in FYI
The Fact Thief
There are a wide variety of things in life that people will take chances on. We watch the lottery numbers tick up higher and higher, filling our own heads with dreams of what we’d do if we “won the jackpot”. We drive a little bit over the speed limit, well some of us drive faster than the speed of sound, lets just get that out on the table right here. We like to take chances, more so if they have positive results rather than negative results. I love fun facts. I loved going to the library when I was a kid and some of my favorite books were those about facts and unique things in the world. I can still smell the musty pages of the books I loved to flip through as I write this. Some of the most interesting facts I have come across over the years have been life changing. Take for instance, the apple pie. Truly an American icon that conjures up images of picnics, patriotism, and pride. “As American as apple pie” has been joyfully broadcast by many of us. Well, the apples themselves originated in China and the first written recipe for the version we know and love today, was documented in England. I know, I know, I just ruined your childhood. These are fun facts, facts that make you want to tell your neighbor. The tallest man was eight feet, eleven inches tall and Canada is South of the USA. All these facts and more pitted me up against some of the best schoolyard minds in Bellevue, Nebraska where I spent my kindergarten through sixth grade years.
By Wade Astin5 years ago in FYI
The Origins of AI
Problems posed by the computer are really no different than the problems we have with other products of technology. It's going to take a great deal of wisdom on our part to manage them. But if we do, we're going to make a much better world.
By Zeeshan Mushtaq Lone5 years ago in FYI
The Untold Truth of Our Educational System
"We shall not try to make these people, or any of their children, into philosophers, or men of learning or science. We are not to raise up among them authors, orators, poets, or men of letters. We shall not search for embryo great artists, painters, musicians. Nor will we cherish even the humbler ambition to raise from among them lawyers, doctors, preachers, statesmen, of whom we now have ample supply." -Rev. Frederick T. Gates, Business Advisor to John D. Rockefeller Sr., 1913
By Bobby Bushnell5 years ago in FYI
Are We Getting Closer To The Truth?
Being a bit of a sci-fi nerd after growing up in the age of Star Trek and Star Wars, among other fan favorites, I anxiously have awaited the true stories behind certain events in human history. Unfortunately, those events remain largely in the classified files or, if they made it to the notorious FBI Vault, are redacted, at times, so much that they can not be deciphered by normal everyday citizens. The why of it all is an intriguing question that people ponder as they look for answers. Journalists, researchers, politicians, and historians that have access to resources most of us don't have, file Freedom of Information Act requests and even lawsuits trying to force the information to come into the light of day. For most people, we have only our ability to read between the lines, local bar conspiracy theories to enjoy, and the hope that one day a president will see fit to declassify the truths past leadership deemed fit to hide from the taxpaying public.
By Jason Ray Morton 5 years ago in FYI
The Wonderboy X-100
For several summers during my Junior and Senior High years, my younger brother and I mowed yards. We hauled a lawnmower and a weed eater in the trunk of my family's Oldsmobile Delta '88 and cut grass for about 15 different households in our community. After a couple of years with only a push mower Lawn Boy, we added a Snapper Riding Mower to our arsenal, and welcomed another 10 lawns. We didn't get rich, but we both added money to our bank accounts and wallets. Most days, the heat drove us to mow early in the morning and later in the evening. But, at least we weren't mowing in the 1830's or whacking weeds with a scythe.
By Bryan R..5 years ago in FYI
The Man & Fairytale Behind The Word "Serendipity"
Serendipity. It's a famous restaurant in New York City. It's a great romantic comedy. It's a fun word to say. Serendipity is not only one of my favorite movies that I watch every year at Christmas time, but it's also my favorite word. I love it because of its meaning. I also love saying it. It's just a fun word to say, isn't it?
By Lizzy Heartwood5 years ago in FYI