Smartest Year Ever

Gordy
  • 5.0 (5)
  • EDUCATION
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The Smartest Year Ever began as a 365-day experiment in curiosity. In 2025, I dropped a new fact every single day. History, science, language, word origins, and strange true stories, all the stuff that somehow makes you sound smarter in conversation. The goal hasn’t changed: help you become the world’s greatest conversationalist.

  1. 2D AGO

    What Do You Actually Do If You Find Buried Treasure?

    Today I break down what actually happens when someone finds buried treasure—and more importantly, what you’re supposed to do next. From the famous Saddle Ridge Hoard to modern discoveries like the Great Kentucky Hoard, finding gold coins, hidden treasure, or valuable artifacts isn’t just a lucky payday—it’s a legal, financial, and historical situation most people completely misunderstand. If you’ve ever wondered: Do you actually own buried treasure on your property? Can you legally keep treasure you find? What are the laws around treasure trove in the United States? How do you sell gold coins or rare artifacts without getting ripped off? And why the IRS taxes treasure before you even sell it… This episode walks through exactly what you need to know—without ruining the surprise of how complicated this really gets. I also cover the biggest mistakes people make when they discover hidden gold, why cleaning coins can destroy their value instantly, how coin grading services like PCGS and NGC work, and what happens if you try to keep a major discovery quiet. #learnonyoutube #historyfacts #didyouknow #treasure #goldcoins #legalfacts #law Music thanks to Zapsplat. Cesarini v. United States, 296 F. Supp. 3 (N.D. Ohio 1969). Internal Revenue Service. (2026). Treasury Regulation § 1.61-14(a): Treasure trove and gross income. U.S. Department of the Treasury. McCarthy, D. J., & Kagin, D. (2014). Initial evaluation of the Saddle Ridge Hoard. Kagin’s Inc. Numismatic Guaranty Company. (2023). NGC certifies the Great Kentucky Hoard of pre-1865 U.S. gold coinage. Smithsonian Institution. (2024). Discovering the Saddle Ridge Hoard. National Museum of American History. Steinmetz, K. (2014). Gold coins: California couple looks set to keep Saddle Ridge hoard. TIME Magazine. Thomson Reuters. (2019). If I find treasure, can I keep it? FindLaw. JM Bullion. (2026). Should you clean your old coins? GovMint. (2026). State laws on buried treasure ownership in the U.S.

    11 min

  2. MAY 2

    You Don't Actually Own Your Land

    Today I break down one of the most counterintuitive ideas in property law: when you “own” land… how much of it do you actually own? We naturally think of land ownership as a vertical column—everything beneath your feet and everything above your head. But modern real estate law, mineral rights, and airspace regulations don’t work that way. In this episode, I explore how concepts like subsurface rights, directional drilling, and airspace ownership changed the way property works in the United States. From oil companies extracting resources beneath private land, to landmark legal cases like Pennsylvania Coal Co. v. Mahon and United States v. Causby, this episode breaks down how ownership, regulation, and government authority actually interact. Follow along as we uncover how property rights, police power, and modern infrastructure quietly limit what you thought you owned. Merrill, T. W., & Smith, H. E. (2017). Property: Principles and Policies. Foundation Press. United States v. Causby, 328 U.S. 256 (1946). Pennsylvania Coal Co. v. Mahon, 260 U.S. 393 (1922). Brown v. Lundell, 344 S.W.2d 863 (Tex. 1961). Pierce, D. E. (2018). Oil and Gas Law. West Academic Publishing. Texas General Land Office. Mineral Rights Overview. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Navigable Airspace Regulations. NYC Department of City Planning. Air Rights and Zoning Regulations. #propertylaw #historyfacts #LearnOnSpotify #funfacts #legalfacts #hypotheticalquestions Music thanks to Zapsplat.

    7 min

  3. APR 27

    Do Newborns Remember Being Born? It Just Happened

    Today I break down one of the strangest questions in neuroscience and human memory:Do newborn babies remember being born… or even being in the womb? We all experience it — yet almost no one can recall it. So what actually happens to those earliest moments of life? This episode dives into the science behind infantile amnesia, exploring how memory formation, the hippocampus, and early brain development shape what you can — and can’t — remember. I walk through how episodic memory (the kind you can consciously recall) differs from implicit memory, and why babies may be learning far more than we realize… just in a completely different way. We also get into the role of neurogenesis, synaptic pruning, and why the rapidly changing brain might actually interfere with long-term memory storage. Plus, how language development, autobiographical memory, and caregiver interaction help determine your first real memories. And then there’s the deeper question:Are those early memories truly gone… or just inaccessible? If you’re interested in brain science, psychology, memory research, early childhood development, or just want a better understanding of how your mind works, this one goes deep. Sources and studies are listed below. Follow for more daily facts designed to make you a better conversationalist. Music thanks to Zapsplat. #sciencefacts #brainfacts #psychologyfacts #memoryscience #neuroscience #childdevelopment Bauer, P. J. (2007). Remembering the Times of Our Lives: Memory in Infancy and Beyond. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. DeCasper, A. J., & Fifer, W. P. (1980). Newborns prefer their mothers’ voices. Science, 208(4448), 1174–1176. Guskjolen, A., Kenney, J. W., de la Parra, J., Yeung, B. A., Josselyn, S. A., & Frankland, P. W. (2018). Recovery of "lost" infant memories in mice. Current Biology, 28(14), 2283–2290. Josselyn, S. A., & Frankland, P. W. (2012). Infantile amnesia: A neurogenic hypothesis. Learning & Memory, 19(9), 423–433. Nelson, K. (1993). The psychological and social origins of autobiographical memory. Psychological Science, 4(1), 7–14. Rovee-Collier, C., & Cuevas, K. (2009). Multiple memory systems are unnecessary to account for infant memory development. Developmental Psychology, 45(1), 160–174. Squire, L. R., & Zola-Morgan, S. (1991). The medial temporal lobe memory system. Science, 253(5026), 1380–1386. Travaglia, A., Bhattacharya, S., & Bhattacharya, S. (2016). Infantile amnesia reflects a developmental critical period for hippocampal learning. Nature Neuroscience, 19(9), 1225–1233.

    7 min

  4. APR 18

    What Is the Oldest Living Thing on Earth?

    Today I explore one of the most fascinating questions in biology, evolution, and longevity: what is the oldest living thing on Earth? We tend to think of long-lived animals like tortoises or whales… but the truth gets much stranger once you zoom out. From the Greenland shark and 500-year-old clams, to ancient bristlecone pine trees, massive clonal organisms like Pando, and even deep underground microbial life, the definition of “oldest” starts to break down. This episode dives into: The longest-living animals ever recorded How scientists use radiocarbon dating and dendrochronology to measure age The difference between an individual organism vs a clonal system The science behind biological immortality And why the answer depends entirely on how you define life itself If you’re interested in science facts, extreme longevity, weird biology, evolution, or mind-blowing nature facts, this one’s for you. Follow along as we break down one of the most deceptively simple questions in science… and why it doesn’t have a simple answer. So there you have it. Sources Nielsen, J., Hedeholm, R. B., Heinemeier, J., Bushnell, P. G., Christiansen, J. S., Olsen, J., Ramsey, C. B., Brill, R. W., Simon, M., Steffensen, K. F., & Steffensen, J. F. (2016). Eye lens radiocarbon reveals centuries of longevity in the Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus). Science, 353(6300), 702–704. Butler, P. G., Wanamaker, A. D., Scourse, J. D., Richardson, C. A., & Reynolds, D. J. (2013). Variability of marine climate on the North Icelandic shelf. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 373, 141–151. Schulman, E. (1958). Bristlecone pine, oldest known living thing. National Geographic Magazine, 113(3), 354–372. National Park Service. (2023). Great Basin bristlecone pine. U.S. Department of the Interior. U.S. Forest Service. (2024). Pando: The trembling giant. Fishlake National Forest. Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. (2006). National recovery plan for Lomatia tasmanica. Becraft, E. D., et al. (2021). Evolutionary stasis of a deep subsurface microbial lineage. The ISME Journal, 15, 2380–2392. Lloyd, K. G., et al. (2020). Growth zone for deep-subsurface microbial clades. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 86(18). Hoehler, T. M., & Jørgensen, B. B. (2013). Microbial life under extreme energy limitation. Nature Reviews Microbiology, 11, 83–94. #Science #weirdanimals #Biology #AnimalFacts #ScienceFacts #biologyfacts   Music thanks to Zapsplat.

    7 min

  5. APR 11

    What Living Thing Is Most Genetically Different From Humans?

    Today I explore a deceptively simple question: what living thing is most genetically different from humans? At first glance, you might imagine something bizarre—deep-sea creatures, alien-looking animals, or massive organisms that seem nothing like us. But in evolutionary biology, appearances mean nothing. What actually matters is genetic distance—how far back two species share a common ancestor. In this episode, I break down how the answer changes depending on how you define the question. From microscopic life to the earliest branches of the animal kingdom, to more familiar creatures within vertebrates and mammals, this turns into a fascinating look at how all life on Earth is connected—and how far some branches have diverged. Along the way, we touch on: Domains of life and what separates humans from fundamentally different organisms The structure of eukaryotic vs prokaryotic cells The earliest diverging branches of the animal evolutionary tree How scientists define genetic relatedness and evolutionary distance Why narrowing the question completely changes the answer This is a deep dive into phylogeny, evolution, and the hidden relationships that connect every living organism on Earth. Sources are listed below. Follow @SmartestYearEver for more daily facts and ideas designed to make you a sharper, more curious thinker. #Science #Evolution #Biology #AnimalFacts #ScienceFacts #biologyfacts  Music thanks to Zapsplat. Sources Dunn, C. W., et al. (2008). Broad phylogenomic sampling improves resolution of the animal tree of life. Nature. Erwin, D. H., & Valentine, J. W. (2013). The Cambrian Explosion: The Construction of Animal Biodiversity. Roberts and Company. Brusca, R. C., Moore, W., & Shuster, S. M. (2016). Invertebrates. Sinauer Associates. Hallström, B. M., & Janke, A. (2010). Mammalian evolution may not be strictly bifurcating. Molecular Biology and Evolution. Kuraku, S., et al. (2009). Timing of genome duplications relative to the origin of vertebrates. Molecular Biology and Evolution. Nielsen, C. (2012). Animal Evolution: Interrelationships of the Living Phyla. Oxford University Press. Image Credits: “Evolution of fishes from the Cambrian to present” — Epipelagic, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons “Petromyzon marinus (lamprey) mouth” by Fernando Losada Rodríguez, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons “Lampetra fluviatilis (lamprey)” by Tiit Hunt, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons “Duck-billed platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus)” — Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    6 min

  6. APR 4

    Why Is a Bunny Delivering Eggs on Easter?

    Today I break down one of the strangest traditions in modern culture: why the Easter Bunny delivers eggs. It sounds completely random—because it is. But behind it is a fascinating mix of German folklore, ancient spring festivals, Christian symbolism, and historical food traditions that all merged over time. In this episode, I explore the true origins of the Easter Bunny (Osterhase), why eggs became a central symbol of Easter, and how traditions like egg dyeing, Easter baskets, and egg hunts evolved. From 1600s Germany to early American culture, this story connects religion, history, biology, and tradition in a way that actually makes sense—once you see how the pieces fit together. If you’ve ever wondered: Why does the Easter Bunny bring eggs? What do eggs have to do with Jesus’ resurrection? Where did dyeing Easter eggs come from? This episode answers all of it. Sources are listed below. Follow Smartest Year Ever for more daily facts designed to make you a better conversationalist. #Easter #EasterBunny #HistoryFacts #DidYouKnow #traditionexplained Music thanks to Zapsplat. Hutton, R. (1996). The stations of the sun: A history of the ritual year in Britain. Oxford University Press. Weiser, F. X. (1958). Handbook of Christian feasts and customs. Harcourt, Brace & World. Encyclopaedia Britannica. (n.d.). Easter Bunny. Encyclopaedia Britannica. (n.d.). Easter. National Geographic. (n.d.). How the Easter Bunny became an egg-laying symbol of Easter. History.com Editors. (n.d.). Easter symbols and traditions. Newall, V. (1971). An egg at Easter: A folklore study. Routledge & Kegan Paul. Talley, T. J. (1991). The origins of the liturgical year. Pueblo Publishing.

    6 min

  7. MAR 27

    He Carried a Calf Every Day…Until It Became a Bull

    Today I dive into the unbelievable story of Milo of Croton, one of the most dominant athletes in ancient history—and possibly the strongest man ever recorded. From winning multiple ancient Olympic Games to performing seemingly impossible feats of strength, Milo’s legend sits at the intersection of history, mythology, and early sports science. Ancient sources describe a man who trained in a way that feels shockingly modern—long before gyms, barbells, or structured programs even existed. In this episode, I break down Milo’s most famous feat, his extreme daily routine, and the fascinating idea behind it—one that still forms the foundation of modern strength training and fitness today. But how much of this story is actually true? And what can we really learn from one of the most legendary figures in ancient Greece? Was he the Strongest Man Ever? This is one of those stories that sounds completely impossible… until you look a little closer. Pausanias. (1918). Description of Greece (W. H. S. Jones, Trans.). Harvard University Press. Strabo. (1917). Geographica (H. L. Jones, Trans.). Harvard University Press. Diodorus Siculus. Library of History (Book 12). Poliakoff, M. B. (1987). Combat Sports in the Ancient World: Competition, Violence, and Culture. Yale University Press. Crowther, N. B. (2007). Sport in Ancient Times. Praeger. Kyle, D. G. (2015). Sport and Spectacle in the Ancient World. Wiley-Blackwell. National Strength and Conditioning Association. (2015). Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning (4th ed.). #hiddenhistory #historyfacts #ancientgreece #olympichistory #didyouknow #learnonspotify #miloofcroton #Olympics Music thanks to Zapsplat.

    6 min

  8. MAR 21

    The Day a Major City Had No Police

    Today I dive into one of the most shocking real-world breakdowns of public order in modern history—when a major city suddenly had no police. In 1969, Montreal experienced a full-scale police strike, joined by firefighters, leaving a city of nearly 2 million people without formal law enforcement. What followed has since been studied as a case of rapid societal breakdown, urban unrest, and what can happen when systems we take for granted disappear overnight. This episode explores the Montreal police strike of 1969, often referred to as the “Night of Terror,” and why it remains one of the most cited examples in discussions around crime spikes, public safety, labor disputes, and social stability. We’ll break down: The underlying labor conflict and political tension in Quebec How quickly crime escalated without police presence The role of existing social pressure and unrest Why this moment still gets referenced in debates about law enforcement and order It’s a history lesson and a real-world case study in how fragile systems can be when they suddenly vanish. If you’re interested in history, true events, crime, urban chaos, or the psychology of what keeps society functioning, this is one of those stories that sticks with you. #History #historyfacts #LearnOnYouTube #CrimeHistory #UrbanHistory #DidYouKnow Music thanks to Zapsplat. Sources The New York Times. (1969, October 8). Montreal Police Strike Ends; Violence Erupts. The Canadian Encyclopedia. (n.d.). Montreal police strike of 1969. CBC Digital Archives. (n.d.). 1969: Montreal police strike leads to chaos. Fournier, L. (1984). FLQ: The Anatomy of an Underground Movement. NC Press. Levine, M. V. (1990). The Reconquest of Montreal: Language Policy and Social Change in a Bilingual City. Temple University Press.

    7 min
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About

The Smartest Year Ever began as a 365-day experiment in curiosity. In 2025, I dropped a new fact every single day. History, science, language, word origins, and strange true stories, all the stuff that somehow makes you sound smarter in conversation. The goal hasn’t changed: help you become the world’s greatest conversationalist.

Information

  • Creator
    Gordy
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    381
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Gordy
  • Show Website
    Smartest Year Ever