I was reading Lileks today, and he had a few bits on obscure movie stars, with interesting information on each. Also the source of the first optical illusion I posted below. I liked reading it.

Just got my new Popular Science, and found out some amazing things about robotics in Japan, and other stuff.

I like things like the Discovery Channel, Smithsonian magazine, and others.

What is it about learning something you didn't know that's pleasurable, almost like an endrophin thing? Doesn't even matter if it's useful information. In fact, most of it isn't useful to me.

The subject line of this post says it all. It's FUN to stick a new fact into your head, especially if it's unusual. It's not the same thing as looking at a house in a new neighborhood and seeing that it's painted blue, which is also a new fact, but not much fun.

Is this a brain thing? I can see how it could be. Learning new things must be pro-survival. Obviously curiosity saves more cats than it kills.

Does everyone feel the same way?