Small Talk - Micro Learning

Joseph Guillotin, namesake of the guillotine, opposed capital punishment but promoted the device as a more humane alternative to the brutal execution methods of his time when abolition proved impossible.

Source: Smithsonian

Learn more on your iPhone

Get the small talk app to receive words, facts, quotes and more each day

Previous facts of the day

Spiders can fly using electric fields—a process called ballooning - by releasing silk that catches atmospheric electricity. This lets them glide for miles, even over oceans.

With just 23 people at a party, there’s over a 50% chance that two share the same birthday - this is known as the Birthday Paradox.

Research shows that up to 30% of Americans are infected with the brain parasite Toxoplasma gondii, often without knowing - typically contracted via undercooked meat or cat feces. It can result in slowed reaction times, behavioural changes, and increased risk-taking.

The only reason Mario exists is because Nintendo couldn’t secure the rights to use Popeye in their 1981 video game, Donkey Kong.

Research shows that people with social anxiety disorder have a distinct gut microbiome - and when it’s transplanted into mice, the mice begin to exhibit increased social fear.

A recent study found that drinking 1–3 cups of black or lightly sweetened coffee daily is linked to up to a 17% lower risk of death from all causes and cardiovascular disease, when sugar and saturated fat intake remains low.

Content

General

Copyright