Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in FYI.

Pelican necks and other creepy animal facts
When I saw this challenge and this new community I knew I wanted to join in and also keep it in my wheelhouse. Therefore, I'm going to lay out some lesser-known animal facts but only creepy ones. I have four for you today but I'll be back when I find more. Also, there will be a photo of a tarantula later in this story, you have been warned!
By Angela Nolan5 years ago in FYI
The Horses of Outlander
HORSES ARE PREDICTABLY UNPREDICTABLE Horses are BIG and, if you are not familiar with horses, they can be intimidating and seem unpredictable. The horses used in a TV series or a movie need to be appropriate for the nervous and inexperienced actor as well as for the actors who ride regularly. The horses also need to be well trained so that the professional stunt men and women can do what is required. Add to that, finding horses and tack that are historically correct...because there will always be that person watching who will say, "wait, they didn't have horses and tack like that back then!"
By Mary Chris Foxworthy5 years ago in FYI
The Origins Of Lesbian Literature.
Sappho was a woman-loving, passionate, defiant, heartbroken, lyrical poet. She set the path for lesbian artists openly sharing their love in their work. Being vulnerable is such a challenge, when LGBTQ+ artists have always been told to do the opposite, “keep it private.” Sappho did the opposite and not only has the legend of her talent lasted for thousands of years, but her influence has even altered the English language! Sappho’s work may also feel familiar to those who have, like myself, been in a long-distance relationship. Her poems cry out with the heartbreak in the unwilling parting between her girlfriend and herself. She even pleads to Aphrodite, the goddess of love, to see the woman she loves most again.
By Kasey Rae5 years ago in FYI
16 COOL THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT CHARIOTS
WHAT WERE CHARIOTS USED FOR? Contrary to popular belief, chariots were not just used for war and races. The chariot is a two-wheeled vehicle put to one or more horses. Chariots were used for ceremonies, funerals, general transportation, hunting and yes..... war and races.
By Mary Chris Foxworthy5 years ago in FYI
Eight sisters swimming together in the Atlantic
Somewhere on the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of Africa (West of Morocco), eight beautiful sisters are found bathing in the Atlantic’s crisp waters. They lie there, peacefully, unaffected by what goes on in the world, enjoying their symbiotic relationship with the ocean that lovingly caresses their bodies. These beautiful pieces of land, each with her own unique personality and beautiful traits, are known as the Canary Islands.
By Natalia Perez Wahlberg5 years ago in FYI
Under The Gumbo-Limbos
Known by many names such as copperwood, torchwood, West Indian birch, turpentine tree, gum tree, and chaca, the Gumbo-Limbo is native to the tropical regions of the Americas. Bursera simaruba has red-peeling bark which earned it the nickname “tourist tree” as the red skin resembles that of the sunburnt travelers who flock to its lush native regions of Central America and the Caribbean. South Florida, the Florida Keys for example, is abundant with the red-barked beauties!
By MJ Halliburton5 years ago in FYI
Life-Changing Hungarian Inventions
Despite Hungary’s small population, the country has one of the most Nobel Prize winners per capita in the world. These scientists have given the world discoveries and inventions which make our everyday life easier.
By Daniel Toth5 years ago in FYI
A Fistful of Days
There is a widely used poem out there about remembering the days of the months. I can never remember it. Instead, my grandma taught me to make a fist. Allow me to explain.
By Michelle5 years ago in FYI
This is Your Brain on Instagram
Nearly half of the world population – 3.8 billion people – now use social media platforms, and the numbers are on the rise. In 2020, the average person had 8.6 social media accounts, compared to 4.8 in 2014. The average time spend on social media platforms is currently 144 minutes per day. The most popular platforms worldwide are Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, WeChat and the new kid in the block, TikTok. Every day, 95 million photos and videos are shared on Instagram, 500 million tweets on Twitter, and 500 million stories on Facebook. But what makes social media so addictive?
By Jasmiina5 years ago in FYI
Did you know jaywalking is an urban design principle?
As my friend and I walked to his car from Cousins Deli and Lounge in Winnipeg, Man., the conversation turned to the act of jaywalking. For the uninformed, jaywalking means to cross or walk in the street or road unlawfully or without regard for approaching traffic—a favourite practice of mine.
By Rebecca Henderson5 years ago in FYI
World's First Programmer was a Woman and Software Programming was Meant to be a Woman's Job
But first, a little on why I feel the urge to write about these two uncommon facts even those in the software field are not aware of. I'm a software developer. I love challenging myself and solving problems. I look forward to the design and architecture discussions in my daily meetings. And I truly believe that with the help of technology when used rightly, we can solve the world's problems. Writing on Vocal and sharing it with the world wouldn't have been possible without a group of software developers figuring out solutions to build a scalable product. Without code, it wouldn't have been possible to put a human on the moon. Without the Python code that Katie Bouman wrote, it wouldn't have been possible to capture the first-ever image of the black hole. Yes. My heart swells with pride whenever I see women accomplishing the impossible feats in my field. Because, Gender Inequality is one of the most frequently discussed shortcomings in STEM fields. I look around in my office and I see very few women whom I look forward to having as a role-model. As the career ladder gets higher, the number of women climbing it drops significantly. So how are companies solving the problem of Gender Inequality? Through some of the below initiatives aimed at encouraging the women workforce.
By vaisrinivasan5 years ago in FYI
Mother of Life, Goddess of Death
The Smithsonian Natural History Museum has long been one of my favorite places in the world. From a young age I remember happily spending hours there, wandering the halls and contemplating facts from displays.
By Sarah Gavin5 years ago in FYI