I really like non-fiction and focus mostly on biographies and history. I read alot so try to retain what I’ve read–well, at least the interesting parts–through note taking. With that in mind, I would like to share a few of my notes from a fun read–A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson:
\-Our cells are constantly replenishing themselves to the point where we don’t have any cells older than 9 years old. (I guess I am capable of change after all)
\-The average pillow has around 10,000 mites living in it. (at least I know I’m never alone)
\-Laughing gas (nitrous oxide) was used widely as a recreational drug in the 19th Century in England. It took many years before it was used as an anesthetic. (I couldn’t help but laugh at this one)
\-Utilizing the Drake equation and setting the perimeters conservatively, one works out the number of advanced civilizations in just the Milky Way alone to be in the millions; the average distance between any two of these advanced civilizations is determined to be at least 200 light years; so the nearest advanced civilization that may be looking at us through a telescope would see the world as it was 200 years ago (Jefferson, the French Revolution, etc.).
I’ll try to share more from time to time–I have a database filled with them!
by NoteClimber