Ten Selected 2025 Super Facts

I started this blog, superfactful, in August of 2024. The goal of my blog is to create a list of facts that are important, not trivia, and that are known to be true yet surprising, shocking or disputed by large segments of the public. I determine what is true by evaluating the evidence I find in reliable reputable sources and if a longstanding scientific consensus is available that certainly helps. In some cases, I have expertise in the subject myself, which also helps. Whether a fact is important and surprising or disputed is a judgment call. In some cases, there are polls to help me determine how surprising or disputed the fact is. I am trying to avoid trivia and click bait, and I am only focusing on what is true, important and mindboggling.

It is a project I hope to learn a lot from, and I hope others will also learn something from reading it. We are all drowning in misinformation, false beliefs and unsubstantiated assumptions. We often know and understand less than we think. I have been bamboozled in the past and I am pretty sure you have too. If this blog can spread a little bit of light, I am happy.

In 2024 I posted 25 super facts and in 2025 I posted 53. I am hoping to one day to have collected 200 super facts. I have also made 64 other kinds of posts on this blog such as book reviews for educational books as well as other fact related posts. Below are ten selected super facts from 2025. To read the full post click the links.

That Earth is round was well known long before Columbus

Super fact 28: That Earth is round, or spherical (or closely spherical) had been known for at least a couple of thousand years by the time Columbus set sail. Columbus did not set sail to prove that earth was round, and he knew it was round.

I’ve realized that this comes as a surprise to some. To read the post click here.

The earth globe showing the side with the Pacific Ocean. The Pacific Ocean covers most of this side. | Ten Selected 2025 Super Facts
Columbus thought earth was smaller. He did not know about the Pacific Ocean. Earth Pacific Ocean view Stock Illustration ID: 1617553012 by Matis75

EV Cars Indeed Emit Less Carbon Pollution

Super fact 29: EV Cars emit less pollution than Internal Combustion Engine, even considering manufacturing, disposal and EV Cars being charged by dirty grids.

There is a lot of misinformation about EVs including that EVs are not better for the environment. To read the post click here.

The histogram graph show that if you consider construction of facilities, manufacturing of vehicle and battery, production of fuel, vehicle operation as well as disposal the total average greenhouse gas emissions from EV cars is 52% less.
Lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions comparison of average gasoline car and 300 mile range EV. Feedstock and fuel include the generation of electricity for EVs.

Scientists Agree that Global Warming is happening and that we are the Cause

Super fact 34: Climate Scientists agree that Global Warming or if you call it Climate Change is happening, and that it is caused by us primarily because of our burning of fossil fuels. There is a long-standing scientific consensus on these two facts because the evidence is conclusive. Typically, studies show an agreement of at least 97% or 98% among climate scientists.

Polls show that most American are unaware of the consensus among climate scientists. To read the post click here.

There is almost total agreement among climate scientists that global warming, or climate change, is happening and is caused by us. To understand why, you need to know a little bit about the impressive evidence, which for all practical purposes is conclusive. Take a look at this post “Global Warming is Happening and is Caused by us”

The green graph is going up slightly starting from 46% in 2009 and ending in 58% in 2023. The black graph starts at 33% in 2009 and ends in 22% in 2023. The yellow graph starts at 2% in 2009 and ends in 2% in 2023.
The green graph corresponds to “most scientists think global warming is happening (%).” The black graph corresponds to “there is a lot of disagreement among scientists (%)”. The yellow graph corresponds to “Most scientists think global warming is NOT happening (%)”. Graph taken from the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication.

Time Dilation Goes Both Ways

Super fact 38 : If two observers are moving compared to each other both will observe the other’s time as being slower. In other words, both observers will observe the other’s clocks as ticking slower. Time slowing down is referred to as Time Dilation.

Clocks slow down as you travel at high speeds. However, the person travelling think they are standing still. It is the other person who is travelling. This is confusing. To understand it click here.

The picture shows two people Alan and Amy. Alan is on the ground. Amy is flying by Alan in a rocket speeding left. Both Alan and Amy are pointing lasers to the left. | Ten Selected 2025 Super Facts
In this picture Amy is traveling past Alan in a rocket. Both have a laser. Both measure the speed of both laser beams to be c = 299,792,458 meters per second. The speed of light is a universal constant.

Emissions of ozone-depleting gases have fallen by 99 Percent

Super fact 41 : Largely thanks to the Montreal Protocol in 1987 the emissions of ozone-depleting gases have fallen by more than 99%, 99.7% to be exact, according to Our World in Data. This has resulted in halting the expansion of the ozone holes and the reduction in emissions of  ozone-depleting gases is saving millions of lives every year.

A gigantic victory for the environment that few are aware of. To read the post click here.

Gases visualized in the diagram are CFCs, Halons, HCFCs, Carbon Tetrachloride, Methyl Bromide, Methyl Chloroform. The diagram shows a peak around the end of 1980’s.
The phase out of six ozone depleting gases. Data source UN Environment Program (2023).

Sulfur dioxide pollution has fallen by 95 percent in the US

Super fact 44 : Sulfur dioxide pollution in the US has fallen by approximately 95% since the 1970s. This significant reduction is primarily due to regulations like the Clean Air Act. Global sulfur dioxide pollution has also fallen but not as much.

Another big victory for the environment that we seldom hear of. To read the post click here.

The graph shows a steep increase towards the end of the 19th century with a peak in 1973, followed by a steep decline.
US sulfur dioxide pollution since 1800. Data Source: Hoesly et al (2024) – Community Emissions Data System (CEDS). This graph is taken this page in Our World In Data. US Emissions peaked in 1973.

I should mention that by clicking this link you can visit the graph above Our World in Data and select different countries and regions and play around with the settings.

We Exploded Thousands of Nuclear Bombs

Super fact 48 : Since 1945 we have set off more than 2,000 Nuclear Bombs corresponding to a yield of an estimated 42,000 times that of the Hiroshima Bomb.

That we have exploded these many nuclear bombs was a surprise to me and perhaps to you too. To read the post click here.

Russian Tsar Bomba mushroom cloud rising high above the clouds. High quality photo realist ( 3d make ). | Ten Selected 2025 Super Facts
This is an illustration of the Tsar Bomba explosion by by mbafai Shutterstock Asset id: 2208486661. To see a photo of the actual Tsar Bomba explosion click here (it is copyrighted).

The Euler Number Math Magic

Super fact 53 : The Euler number denoted e, is an irrational number, which like the number pi is extremely important in mathematics. In addition, the relationship between the Euler number and pi; seemingly unrelated numbers, is quite amazing, especially if you throw the imaginary number: i = square root of -1 into the mix. Euler’s formula e^ix = cos(x) + isin(x), where x is degrees expressed in radians, is mind blowing to say the least. Radians means that 180 degrees is replaced by pi, and 90 degrees is replaced by pi/2, etc. A simpler special case, but equally amazing is Euler’s identity e^ix = -1, or e^ix + 1 =0. This is amazing math assuming you understand it.

One of the most amazing math facts explained. To read the post click here.

The formula e^ix + 1 =0 shown on a blue and black background. | Ten Selected 2025 Super Facts
Euler’s formula in cyber space with grid 3d illustration, Asset id: 1636161301 by Giggle2000

The Bermuda Triangle the Big Non-Mystery

Super fact 56 : The Bermuda Triangle mystery is a myth. There is not a higher risk of disappearances in the Bermuda Triangle. To be specific, disappearances do not occur in the so-called Bermuda Triangle, or Devils Triangle, with any higher frequency than in other comparable regions of the ocean. The “mystery” of the Bermuda Triangle is largely a manufactured one, perpetuated by sensationalized accounts that often misrepresent the facts and downplay the role of natural hazards like storms.

A surprise to the people who are convinced that there really is a mystery. To read the post click here.

The Bermuda triangle has one corner in Bermuda, one in Puerto Rico and one around Miami, Florida.
The Bermuda Triangle: It is approximately defined as a triangle Florida, Bermuda, and Puerto Rico. There is no exact definition. Alphaiosderivative work: -Majestic-, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Evolution is a Fact

Super fact 63 : Evolution is both a fact and a scientific theory. It is a fact that life has changed over time. This is supported by overwhelming evidence, while the theory of evolution provides a comprehensive scientific explanation for these changes, using processes like natural selection.

Yes, there are scientific facts, and that evolution is happening is an observed scientific fact. To read the post click here.

A photo of a trilobite fossil. | Ten Selected 2025 Super Facts
The fossil record is a lot more solid and much less problematic than the creationist books I have read claimed. Shutter Stock Photo ID: 1323000239 by Alizada Studios

Happy New Year to You All

To see the other Super Facts click here

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Author: thomasstigwikman

My name is Thomas Wikman. I am a software/robotics engineer with a background in physics. I am currently retired. I took early retirement. I am a dog lover, and especially a Leonberger lover, a home brewer, craft beer enthusiast, I’m learning French, and I am an avid reader. I live in Dallas, Texas, but I am originally from Sweden. I am married to Claudia, and we have three children. I have two blogs. The first feature the crazy adventures of our Leonberger Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle as well as information on Leonbergers. The second blog, superfactful, feature information and facts I think are very interesting. With this blog I would like to create a list of facts that are accepted as true among the experts of the field and yet disputed amongst the public or highly surprising. These facts are special and in lieu of a better word I call them super-facts.

56 thoughts on “Ten Selected 2025 Super Facts”

  4. You say it best in your introduction: “we are all drowning in misinformation, false beliefs and unsubstantiated assumptions. We often know and understand less than we think.” Thanks for doing this valuable pubic service; we need more people like you! Happy New Year.

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  5. Interesting read as always, Thomas. I’d never heard of the Euler number. And i should be a useless oddity, but it is useful in designing RF signals, useful for ham radio aficionados, for example. Not that I’ve ever done anything like that. Those numbers are way over my head.

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    1. Thank you so much Denise. You are right, the imaginary number i seems like a weird curiosity but it is indeed very useful. Once you get into higher math, logarithms, advanced trigonometry, and calculus, a bit more the Euler number ‘e’ is all over the place. It becomes as common as pi.

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  12. These super facts are genius, Thomas, and I greatly appreciate this level of detail and honest work! Truly super fascinating! Hope 2026 brings us more facts to digest and wishing you and yours an extra super – Happy New Year! 😀

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    1. Yes it seems like a lot. Luckily we stopped doing those tests and we never created a new bigger Panama canal or a new Alaska harbor by blowing big holes using thermonuclear bombs. I guess we all got a little smarter. I wish you and your loved ones a very Happy New Year.

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  16. Fascinating super facts, Thomas. I just told my husband that we are good to book a cruise in the Bermuda Triangle. Lol. There’s some good news in some of these that show we can make improvements if we want to. Wishing you and yours a wonderful 2026, my friend. 😀

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  19. Thomas, really interesting! I’m fascinated by the power of the Tsar Bomba detonation. I read although the pilots were ~ 70 miles away when the blast shock wave caught up, their plane was almost knocked from the sky. They were given a 50/50 survival chance. I get the feeling nobody really knew what to expect. Unreal.

    Don’t know how I was unsubscribed… good ol’ WP 😂

    Hope you have an awesome 2026! 😎

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    1. I agree power of the Tsar Bomba is fascinating and scary. Pilots being knocked from the sky at 70 miles away is crazy. Thank you so much Darryl for your kind words and for subscribing. I wish you and your loved ones a Happy New Year as well.

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    1. Yes some environmental news is bad new but there is also good news like this one. The problem is that when are successful in turning things around we stop talking about it making things seem gloomier than they are.

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  23. These are indeed super facts! It always puzzles me when someone thinks the world is flat, lol. As if we keep driving to the end of the earth and fall off into the ethers. 😂 And I absolutely believe that we are to blame for climate change. 😊

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