They say knowledge is power, and the internet has made it easier than ever to learn new things every day.
In a recent Reddit thread, users are dropping knowledge in the form of crazy statistics.
We’re learning about everything from alcohol consumption to Australia to dangerous vending machines and everything in between.
But while this is definitely a cool way to pick up a few random “facts” here and there, let’s not just believe everything we read. Some users have linked to their sources and credible studies but others haven’t. If something sounds too good to be true or downright ridiculous, then a quick Google search should set you straight. Do your own research if it matters to you and maybe share your own crazy stats while you’re at it.
Without further ado, here are 20 of the craziest statistics, according to Redditors.
1. Australians and skin cancer
1 in 3 Australians will be diagnosed with a skin cancer by the time they’re 70.
Edit: typo, it’s actually 2 in 3.
2. Alcohol
The top 10% of drinkers account 60% of all alcohol consumed in the US. And they drink the equivalent of 74 drinks per week.
So the entire alcoholic beverages industry is kept alive by severe alcoholics.
3. The FBI says…
According to the FBI, there are currently more than 25 active serial killers in the US.
4. Homelessness and employment
40% of homeless are employed.
5. A walk to remember
If you were to compress earth’s existence into a 24 hour day, life would first appear at 4am, plants would first appear at 10pm, dinosaurs from about 11pm-11:40pm, and humans emerge at 11:59pm.
From Bill Bryson’s “A Short History of Nearly Everything”
6. Baby shark, doo doo doo doo
Sharks predate trees by 100 million years…
7. Another cancer stat
Statistics show that men have about a one in two chance of developing cancer during their lifetime, while women have a one in three chance.
That’s f—king terrifying.
8. Fruit waste
20% of produce and fruit in the USA is never sold and is left to rot.
9. World health issues
39% of the world’s population is overweight and that number is only getting “bigger.”
10. Sperm fact?
Sperm count of men is decreasing by 1% every year and it is decreased by 58% since 1973.
11. Cow vs. Coyote
In the US, you are more likely to be killed by a cow than you are to be killed by a coyote.
12. Money matters
35 percent of all US dollars were printed in the last 12 months.
13. Mental health also matters…
60% of people with Bipolar disorder are unemployed.
14. 9/11
More first responders and survivors have now died due to 9/11 related illnesses than the number lost at Ground Zero on the day of the attack. The number will continue to rise because of the huge amount of health problems caused by the dust and smoke that everyone in the surrounding areas inhaled when/after the towers fell.
15. There’s just something about NYC’s vending machines
You are more likely to be bitten by a stranger in New York City than by a shark anywhere else in the nation.
You are more likely to be killed by a vending machine than by a shark.
What we can learn from this is that strange vending machines in NYC should be avoided at all costs.
16. Let’s protect the most vulnerable among us.
90% of child sexual abuse victims know their attacker. 20% of all sexual abuse victims are under the age of 8. A typical pedophile will commit 117 sexual crimes in a lifetime. Children living in foster care of 10x more likely to be sexually abused. Survivors are 10 to 13 times more likely to attempt suicide.
17. Just in case you’ve ever wondered…
The average person produces about 46.5 liters of saliva each month.
18. Maybe do your own research on this one.
I like the correlation between Nicholas Cage movies and drownings. Basically The more films Nicolas Cage makes, the more people drown.
19. Harsh truths?
The most common cause of death for pregnant women is homicide.
20. Back to Australia
80% of Australia’s population live around the coastal areas.