Since humans can’t eat raw meat, how did we ever survive before we learned to control fire?
Quite a few people seem confused by when humans mastered fire. One group of vegans I occasionally stalk for meme content is convinced humans began using fire around…
Why was the concrete made by the Romans more than 2,000 years ago stronger than the one used today?
Roman’s were lucky. Roman concrete is amazingly strong because of its chemistry. Modern-day concrete is typically made of ‘Portland cement’ that is then mixed with water and aggregate…
How accurate is the science in ‘The Martian’? Could a man really survive on Mars for so long as shown in the film?
I saw the movie. It was really good. A lot of the science was pretty good, but not all of it. The soil of Mars can grow food…
What did the Apollo 11 astronauts see on the moon that had them so shaken up?
I had the good fortune of having a very long dinner with Gene Cernan about 15 years ago. He was the last man to walk on the moon….
What are Japanese jails like?
Since I spent 35 days in Japanese jail, I believe I’m qualified to answer this question! The day started at 7am, when the harsh fluorescent lights would flicker…
What ancient construction technique has particularly fascinated you?
Not an ancient technique, but related. The great chain of Constantinople’s harbor. It was a marvel of medieval engineering. Illustration by Georgios Anapniotis. For seven centuries, it was one of…
If all the nuclear weapons on Earth were detonated, would it be possible to destroy the whole of humanity?
No. Fun nuclear weapons fact. If you detonated ALL the nuclear bombs EVER made (over 80,000 lifetime, about 12,000 left today), the energy released would not even compare…
What is the highest density solid in the world?
It seems like you’re asking about solids found on Earth, which rules out interstellar objects like black holes or neutron stars. So the honor goes to this rare,…
Can former US presidents earn millions a month just by talking? Analysis of their sources of income
To this day, the United States remains the most powerful country in the world. As the leader of this superpower, every move made by the US president is…
How much wealth does the British royal family actually have?
As one of the oldest royal families in Europe, the British royal family has countless legendary stories. Their every move is closely watched by the whole world. According…