Col
d Knowledge: Interesting Facts from the World Around Us The world we live in is full of wonder and amazement. There are so many quirky and fascinating things out there that most of us have never even heard of. From creepy crawlies to cosmic phenomena, the universe is a treasure trove of knowledge waiting to be explored. One of the most interesting areas of cold knowledge is the animal kingdom. Did you know, for instance, that some species of octopus are able to change the color and texture of their skin to camouflage themselves from predators and prey? Some animals are also capable of seemingly impossible feats—for example, the mantis shrimp can punch with the force of a .22 caliber bullet, while the tiny tardigrade can survive in outer space and even regenerate after being completely dehydrated. Another fascinating area is the realms of science and technology. For example, did you know that every year, lightning strikes the earth around 100 times per second? Or that there is a bridge in Japan that has special technology to reduce vibrations caused by earthquakes? Or that there is a type of crystal called a piezoelectric crystal that can produce electricity when it is squeezed or vibrated? The world of art and culture also offers up a wealth of cold knowledge. Did you know that the world’s largest collection of art is held by the Vatican, with around 70,000 pieces in its museums? Or that the longest sentence in English literature is over 13,000 words long and is found in a novel called “The Rotters’ Club”? Or that the oldest known representation of the human body is a carved figurine that is over 30,000 years old? These are just a few examples of the many fascinating things that exist in our world. The more we learn about the world around us, the more we realize how little we know—and how much there is left to discover. It’s important to continue exploring and expanding our knowledge, because the more we understand, the more we can appreciate the beauty and complexity of our world. So next time you have a spare moment, take a look around and see what new and interesting things you can learn about the world. You never know what kind of cool facts or mind-boggling discoveries are out there, waiting to be uncovered.