Warwick Stubbs’s Reviews > Four Elements : Water, Air, Fire, Earth > Status Update

Toba erupted 74,000 years ago in a catastrophic blast a thousand times more powerful than the eruption of Mount Saint Helens. In the aftermath global temperatures dropped by 10°C and created a multi-year volcanic winter nearly ending the human species. Sometime between 70,000 & 80,000 years ago human population on the planet plummeted to just 5,000-10,000 human individuals.

Roman gladiators perfumed their bodies before battle. A Latin proverb states "Never think of leaving perfume or wine to your heir. Administer these to yourself and let him have your money."

A compendium of interesting facts. Sometimes the paragraphs feel like lists written out in sentences, as there's rarely and actual narrative direction. But the reading is still quite enjoyable.

"In the United States, an estimated 1200 people die annually of heart attacks brought on by shovelling snow."