“What’s A Fact You Learned Way Too Late In Life That Blew Your Mind?” (30 Answers)

To dig deeper into the world of facts, Bored Panda got in touch with Jake Olefsky, CEO of Braingle.com, who kindly agreed to share his insights regarding this topic!

We asked Jake about the most interesting fact that he knows - “My favorite fact is the one that I have most recently learned, so it changes constantly,” he emphasized. “Today I learned that a stadium-sized comet is going to whizz past the earth this week! Hopefully it won't hit us.”

Speaking about the inspiration that led Jake to delve into the world of trivia and the best part of it, he noted that the best part is definitely learning new things. “The trivia on Braingle is actually supplied by our users. Anyone can create their own trivia quiz on any topic that they are interested in,” he said.

“Of course, we have a review process where editors fact-check each question and proofread it for errors. If you are an expert in some subject, please come and make a quiz on it to share with the world,” Jake added.

Finally, we asked him what types of facts tend to be the most memorable or stick with participants long after the trivia event and Jake shared - “Shocking or surprising facts are memorable, of course, but also those facts that will be useful in a person's life.”

He pointed out that being a lifelong learner is important because it keeps your brain in shape, so you can stay sharp as you age. It also makes you a more interesting person to be around, so you'll make more friends. 

“Just remain curious and try to learn something new every day,” he emphasized. “Come to Braingle.com to take a trivia quiz on a wide range of topics, or create your own quiz on anything that you are interested in!”

We also reached out to Ira Brooker, a writer and editor of Trivia Mafia. “I probably come across a newfound fact that blows my mind at least once a week, although my standards of mind-blowing are likely different from a lot of folks',” Ira emphasized when we asked to share his favorite fact.

“One of my favorite recent discoveries is that Sidney Poitier, Bea Arthur, Marlon Brando, Harry Belafonte, Walter Matthau, and Tony Curtis were all in the same acting class in New York in the late '40s. That would have been a heck of a class to audit.”

Speaking about the inspiration to delve into the world of trivia, Ira shared that he is a writer who's always been fascinated by learning about pop culture and history. “If I discover an old band or book or movie that I didn't previously know about, or if I hear about some obscure historical event, my instinct is to research everything I can find about it.

He also noted that cataloging the past and leaving a record that puts things in their proper historical contexts is very important to him. “Writing and researching trivia for Trivia Mafia is one of the most direct paths to that goal that I can think of. And if I can get paid to do it, all the better!”

We also were interested to learn what kind of facts tend to stick with participants after trivia night, so Ira said that some of the most memorable facts they dig up are ones that add detail or context to something our players are already familiar with.

“For example, I recently wrote about the recording of ‘Sweet Georgia Brown’ by Brother Bones and His Shadows, better known as the Harlem Globetrotters theme music. It's a song everybody knows, but not many people know that it was one of the only — and possibly the only — hit song to feature the Novachord, which was the first electronic synthesizer sold commercially.”

He emphasized that now the next time their players hear that song, they'll remember that little extra bit of knowledge and tell their friends. “Any time I can help someone add another ‘Hey, speaking of that, did you know…’ moment to their repertoire, I feel like I'm doing my job.”

So, guys, being curious and learning new facts not only may teach you useful things and keep your brain in shape, but also help you form new relationships! 

And what is your favorite fact that you wish you knew sooner? Share your thoughts in the comments below!