10 'Astounding' Science Facts That Aren't Very Astounding If You're A Pedant

10. We Are All Made Of Star Stuff

This could also read: we are all made of atoms; or, we are all made of food; or even better, we are all made of stuff. Just because you stuck 'star' on the front doesn't mean you're profound, Sagan. This 'astonishing truth' refers to the fact that all available elements came into this particular form in the stellar furnaces littered around the universe by fusing and breaking particles to make different ones. These stars explode, life evolves on the debris, blah blah blah fast-forward to you, staring vacantly at the computer (which is also made of 'star-stuff'). Someone fetch the oils and canvas. The trouble is, de-romanticise stars and there's nothing left. Sure, it's interesting that the particles in our body came into this particular form in stars aeons ago, but it's not teary-eyed wonder-stuff. They weren't created there, they just dramatically changed shape. Some of the particles in your body were once something's poo, but no-one goes on about that, do they? No-one whimsically gazes at a slurry silo while gently informing us we are all made of poo-stuff. But it's just as true.