Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in FYI.

The Hornet Spook Light
On almost any evening in the small hamlet of Hornet, MO, curious onlookers, and paranormal investigators can observe the Hornet Spook Light. The light bobs and bounces along a dirt road in northeast Oklahoma, near the town of Quapaw, but since it is most often seen from the east, it has been attached to the tiny village of Hornet, and the larger town of Joplin, MO.
By Bryan R..5 years ago in FYI
Miscellaneous oxymorons
26FEB2021; 1220, FRI It's another R.E.D. (Remember Everyone Deployed) Friday in these uncertain and unprecedented times, and I figured that I might as well as "shoot my shot" at the newest "community" on this site for my 56th blog post. With any luck, this will be my very first "staff pick", or featured piece, if you will.
By Nefarious Darrius5 years ago in FYI
8 little known facts about the Hollywood sign
Hurray for Hollywood! The classic iconic sign which is located high above the Hills in Los Angeles was created in 1921 and erected in 1923. I recently found out a number of little-known facts related to this landmark that might be surprising to others as well. Many movies and television shows were filmed near the Hollywood hills and the location is filled with nostalgia. In this article, I will share 8 significant truths about those famous 9 letters that I believe to be quite significant.
By Cheryl E Preston5 years ago in FYI
The Misuse of the word “Myth”
I originally wrote this article for a theme on Medium: reasonable doubt. I had largely forgotten about this piece until the (Un)common knowledge competition was announced. Pretty much everyone knows what a myth is, so it might be odd to have an article on the topic published in FYI and submitted to a challenge about uncommon knowledge. But the reason I'm rewriting this article for the challenge is because the average person's understanding of the term is simply incorrect.
By Daniel Goldman5 years ago in FYI
Don't Forget Your Hyperbolic Paraboloid Snacks While You Read
Your average, unsullied Pringle is a hyperbolic paraboloid; its equation is (x²)/(a²) — (y²)/(b²) = z/c. Here’s where things get interesting, though (as if hyperbolic paraboloids weren’t interesting enough). Proctor & Gamble doesn’t just shove a bunch of Pringles in a can and call it a day. Rather, they use supercomputers to keep conditions just right to make sure the chips make it from their factory to your house unmolested. ~Source
By Lynda Coker5 years ago in FYI
Who Developed the World’s First Vaccine?
Some of us may not want to pay attention to current events these days—except as it relates to the COVID-19 vaccination, that is. Instead, we are turning to past events, aka history.
By Hope Lourie Killcoyne5 years ago in FYI
Are we drinking water older than our solar system?!
Yes! You read the title correctly. When I heard what seems like this insignificant little fact, I was like most people: “It’s interesting but, whatever”, you know. But then after really thinking about it and doing some research, I was mind-blown at the magnitude of its effect that is felt reverberating throughout our entire solar system. Let me explain why.
By Lil Osiris5 years ago in FYI
Does the Moon Actually Revolve Around the Earth?
I hesitate to share this article, as I’m neither an astronomer nor an astrophysicist, though some have called me a lunatic. But, years ago, curiosity got the best of me and I went in search of some specific information — and found it! So, in the name of Vocal’s “(Un)Common Knowledge” challenge, this is my contribution. (To clarify: I certainly didn’t come up with the following! It’s pretty basic science and well known by those in the field. Yet, most normal people I’ve met definitely don’t know this.)
By Jim Dee5 years ago in FYI
Beer Trivia
Beer is just more than barley, water, hops and yeast. It’s a complex drink that as a history dating back to the ancient Egyptians and has transformed into one of the world’s most popular beverages. So sit back with a cold one and learn some of the more unusual facts about beer.
By Jason Strange5 years ago in FYI
I Saw The Sign, But I Closed My Eyes
I swear that every time you get to know new people--whether that be in a work, school, or other social setting--someone always brings up the Zodiac. I hear a lot of things like, "oh yeah, I'm a Cancer" or "Gemini, through and through!" But when I'm asked about my sign, I used to just mumble something about being a Scorpio.
By Isla Berry5 years ago in FYI
Egyptian Mummies: A 17th Century Delicacy
We all had to sit through the Egyptian history and explanations of why and how mummies were mummified. As teens we learned how they felt whatever they took with them when they died would also show up in the after life. They went through great lengths to mummify pharos and religious animals. So imagine my surprise when I learned that years later people were breaking into tombs to eat these mummies and/or use their body parts for medicinal reasoning.
By Blue Dymond5 years ago in FYI
10 Horrific Ways Feces Have Been Used as Weapons
1. Scythian Arrows Going all the way back to the 5th century BC, Herodotus describes how Scythian archers would dip their arrows in feces or blood from dead bodies. Often times, they mixed it with venom from decomposed vipers. This meant that even the smallest wound would be lethal! Blood and feces already contain bacteria that cause tetanus and gangrene — add poison to the mix and you have very slight, if not non-existent, chances of survival.
By Shirin5 years ago in FYI