Introduction

The world is a complicated place. With TV, radio, newspapers, podcasts, magazines, books and blogs, there are so are many pieces of information flying at us at a high speed that it makes your head spin. Who has the time to consume it all? Who has the time to read all this seemingly important information?

What is needed is to somehow narrow it down to information that is essential and which can yield the most utility.

This book is an attempt to simplify the vast complexity of the world while providing key facts and greater understanding of the patterns present in the world.

These are the fifty things that everyone should know.

Each entry in the book follows a simple three-part analysis: (1) What you should know; (2) Why you should know it; and (3) Further Thoughts on that particular topic for those interested in greater analysis. In this way, important core information can be presented in a concise manner.

Note: The topics to be covered in the book include geopolitical events (Arms trade, Global security), philosophy (Can anything be proved?), evolution (Why Intelligent Design is not science), psychology (Do people blindly obey authority?), religion (Does prayer work?), dispelling myths, interesting facts that stimulate and amuse, and resolving age-old questions (Chicken and egg, Tree falls in the forest).

The 5 samples below are an indication of the content/style of the book, but most entries are not as mathematical.