Happy Friday! If you're new to Now I Know, you'll notice that today's format differs from the rest of the week. On Fridays, I pause to write the "Weekender," my  "week in review" type of thing, or to share something else I think you may find interesting. Thanks for reading! — Dan

Hi!

I have three things to share today — updates on two recent-ish Now I Know stories, a correction from last Friday’s email about a contest I offered up, and a new promotion I just cooked up. (As in, 90 seconds ago.) Let’s start with the last, because it’s something I hope you’ll appreciate!

I’m constantly trying to find ways to give Now I Know more of a community feel. And — transparently — pay the bills. I’m trying to pivot some of the ad space into something akin to classified ads, as you’ll see in today’s email (unless you’re a Friend of Now I Know financial supporter, in which case, you get an ad-free version of the newsletter).

Beehiiv, the service I use to send these emails, helps me find some of these sponsors. But I’d rather have Now I Know readers share what you’re working on and passionate about. Starting today, if you want to promote something in those spots, you can book them at 50% off — just email me at [email protected] and we’ll set it up!

And thanks for your support!

The Lonely Snail

In 2021, I shared a story about Jeremy the snail. Jeremy warranted receiving a human name because the coil on his shell was to the left; almost all snails have their coils on the right. And that’s a big problem for Jeremy, because it means his anatomy is backward — and therefore, needs another left-coiled snail to reproduce.

The people helping Jeremy found him not only one but two mates — but the problem has come up again. There’s another lefty snail, Ned, who is in the same predicament. As the Washington Post reported, Ned has become a national cause in his home of New Zealand, with people looking through their gardens to find a friend that Ned is compatible with. If you’re in the area — or can figure out how to ship a snail internationally — you may want to help.

The Fake Drowning

In April of this year, I wrote about a guy who went on a fishing trip, didn’t come home, and his family assumed he was dead. It turned out what happened was worse. I won’t ruin the story here; you can read it if you’d like. But the good news (and, somehow, the bad news) is that the man survived.

He’s not home with his family, though — he’s now on his way to prison. He’ll be spending the next 89 days behind bars, one per day that everyone thought he was dead. (You’ll see.) He probably got off easy, too.

Last Friday, I hinted at something I’m working on, and offered you all a discount on it if you guessed what it is. In doing so, I typoed my own email address. Here’s the corrected passage in case you want to give it a try!

If you’re a Friend of Now I Know supporter, I sent you a preview this week, so please don’t guess — you know the answer! But you’re getting the discount anyway 😀, so no worries! For everyone else, I’ve been putting a lot of work into that upcoming side project and I’m excited to share it in September!

Thanks!

Dan

(Interested in promoting something in this space? Reach out and let me know! Now I Know subscribers get a 50% discount! — Dan)

Be the smartest person in the room by reading 1440! Dive into 1440, where 4 million Americans find their daily, fact-based news fix. We navigate through 100+ sources to deliver a comprehensive roundup from every corner of the internet – politics, global events, business, and culture, all in a quick, 5-minute newsletter. It's completely free and devoid of bias or political influence, ensuring you get the facts straight. Subscribe to 1440 today.

Sign up now!

In a world of sensational headlines and shallow takes, The Daily Upside stands apart. Written by former bankers and veteran journalists, it delivers crisp, actionable insights that top execs use to make smarter decisions. Over 1M readers — boardrooms to corner offices — trust it every morning. Join them. Free, no fluff, just business clarity.

Join them. Free, no fluff, just business clarity.

A few dollars a week can really add up. My son Ethan swears by Acorns, a platform where you save a small amount per week, invest it in a simple portfolio, and watch your money grow. There’s risk involved, of course, but it’s a good habit to get into. Give it a try through this link and get a $5 bonus!

(And no, I didn’t charge Ethan for that ad.)

Monday: How to Move 9,000 Books: Apparently, these “book chains” are pretty common — as in, there have been three or four others over the last decade or so.

Tuesday: Stairway, Denied: The problem with Wayne’s World, but only on DVD/VHS and on cable TV and the like.

Wednesday: The Land No One Wants: Welcome to Bir Tawil, which isn’t in Egypt or Sudan, despite kind of being in both.

Thursday: The Human Traffic Cone?: Not a great hobby, if you ask me.

Now I Know is supported by readers like you. Yes, you! Many of my readers donate a few dollars a month to help Now I Know grow and thrive. And in exchange, they get an ad-free version!

And thanks! — Dan

Here are a few things you may want to check out over the weekend:

1) “All Hail the Mighty Snail” (Texas Monthly, 6 minutes, July 2025). While we’re on the subject of snails, here’s a story about people who keep them as pets.

2) “How Silica Gel Took Over the World” (Scope of Work, 8 minutes, March 2025). The science and a bit of history behind those “do not eat” packets you find in a lot of stuff you buy.

3) “See something, say something? The science of speaking out” (Knowable Magazine, 14 minutes, August 2025). The subhead: “From tattling to whistleblowing, a sociologist explores what drives people to tell on one another.”

Monday is Labor Day, but I’m planning on sharing a re-run instead of taking it off entirely. Have a great weekend!

Dan