We all probably carry around random pieces of information that we pull out once in a while as a party trick. For example, I like to tell people that it would take them 19 minutes to fall to the center of the earth.
If only there was a way to share these utterly amazing facts with millions of people the moment you learn about them. Fortunately for us, there is, and it’s called the “Today I Learned” subreddit.
It’s a place where all-knowing people of the earth gather to share their unlimited wisdom with others. From fake diseases to tombs for dogs, these pieces of information really enrich one’s brain. So scroll down to find the all-time best collection of random facts about everything and anything. Perhaps they’ll even inspire some fun trivia for your next dinner party with friends.
We also reached out to online trivia host Brie Zulkiewicz and Brianna Liestman brand engagement director behind Trivia Mafia who kindly agreed to tell us about the importance of trivia and let us in on the secrets to hosting a great quiz game!
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Indeed, trivia games can be great fun. Not only that, but it keeps up good brain health, reduces stress, and improves memory retention.
Think of it as a workout for your mind. It needs exercise to stay in its best shape. Quickly delivering niche facts is an effective way to exercise the brain’s frontal cortex, which is responsible for memory function. In return, your brain becomes sharper, and the information is retained more easily.
This game is as much about gaining new knowledge as it is about recalling old tidbits of information. It’s rare to know everything and get a perfect score, so naturally, there will be questions that leave participants baffled. Learning the correct answers keeps brain functions working. Additionally, studies have found a positive connection between intellectually engaging activities such as trivia and higher cognition.
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It also has the benefit of reducing stress and making us feel better. Focusing strictly on the game offers a great distraction from whatever is making one feel anxious or stressed. Also, getting together in a relaxed environment is a good opportunity to blow off some steam.
Playing, especially winning, can release a rush of dopamine in the brain, making the person feel satisfied, excited, and even euphoric. Unlike gambling, this surge of feel-good chemicals from trivia doesn’t have any negative effects. Providing all the more reason to participate!
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Bored Panda reached out to Brianna Liestman from Trivia Mafia - a bar and trivia operation based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and the guys behind it kindly agreed to tell us more about this game. They are known to produce the highest-quality trivia nights in bars, taprooms, distilleries, and private events. It's a lot of fun!
They firmly believes that such quizzes help to be more sure of one's intelligence. "I would say that trivia nights help increase a person's confidence in their intellect. So many times, players will say "I'm no good at trivia," but then they are the person on their team who came through with the one clutch answer that helped them win the game. So if you want to feel smarter, come to trivia!"
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We also got in touch with Brie Zulkiewicz, who runs online trivia games on her Instagram account on Thursdays. Players can put their answers in a question box via an Instagram story and this week's game is ski theme-inspired. It's a great way to exercise your brain without leaving your sofa.
She sees trivia as a great way to look back on the information we already have in our brains. "Personally, I think participating in trivia helps boost memory and recall. I often receive messages from my players telling me facts and anecdotes that they were reminded of by one of my questions.
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When asked what makes a successful quiz night Brianna from Trivia Mafia told us "There are many factors that make trivia work. The first is the quality of questions: Trivia Mafia's approach to trivia is to avoid too many "either you know it or you don't" questions. We write round themes, and those theme descriptions are often really helpful in giving players a clue as to what the answer to a question could be.
For instance, at a recent trivia night, I am the kind of person who is hopeless with sports knowledge. But because I knew just enough about major players in baseball and I knew the rules of the round, I was able to get the answer.
The second is a great host. Someone who is engaging and fun keeps people coming back week after week. We pride ourselves on the fact that we hire hosts who are passionate about building their own little trivia community at their weekly trivia spot. If the person hosting isn't giving off a good vibe, people won't want to come back.
The third is meeting the audience where they are. Our games are typically 90-120 minutes, and our hosts have flexibility within that time frame to pace trivia appropriately. Some players and businesses want the host to move a little faster so people can close their tabs or get their kids to bed on a school night. Other places want a longer experience, where folks are really taking their time answering questions, eating and/or drinking, and enjoying a night out."
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Brie also highlighted the importance of knowing your audience. "The most important part of planning a successful trivia night is knowing your audience. You will want very different questions for a busy crowded night at a sports bar versus a bridal shower brunch. Questions should always be tailored to ensure that the group is engaged and entertained rather than always prioritizing difficulty.
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Lastly, we were curious to know the secrets that could help one score a win in a game of trivia. Trivia Mafia told us "Make more friends with different interests! The teams that do the best with trivia have a really wide Venn diagram of knowledge, even if there aren't a lot of people on the team.
Intergenerational teams also do really well, because there are zeitgeist moments that will be obvious to them that won't be as obvious to the person across the table. They can work together using their individual strengths."
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Brie's advice to success is practice. "Trivia, like many hobbies, is something a player can improve on with practice. In general, staying aware of current events and taking time to read for enjoyment will improve your odds of success."
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Brie signed off by saying "I always encourage players not to focus on winning or losing, but to lean into what they got out of the process. There are almost always questions that one can’t answer, but paying attention and reflecting on them can often be as personally beneficial as knowing the right answer."
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