Common Knowledge
ObviousStuff • CK v1.0
What counts as “Common Knowledge” here? Short, verifiable statements that most adults know (and know that others know), useful as shared baseline context. They’re not opinions, not advice, and not breaking news. Each item links to a confirmable reference.
- Widely known (general-audience baseline, not expert trivia)
- Verifiable (linked sources; conflicts/edge cases noted)
- Stable (unlikely to change month-to-month)
- Neutral phrasing (avoid spin; no moral judgments)
How it fits: Facts → Common Knowledge → Truth (Working)
Facts
Verifiable statements with citations.
Verifiable statements with citations.
Collected broadly; may be narrow or technical.
Common Knowledge
Shared baselines
Shared baselines
Promoted facts that are simple, stable, and widely known.
Truth (Working)
Best current synthesis
Best current synthesis
Interpretation that weighs evidence and context; revisable.
Editorial rules & lifecycle (tap to expand)
- Status: Seed → Pending (under review) → Promoted (in CK) → Retired (if outdated/contested)
- Cadence: light review quarterly; urgent corrections anytime
- Scope: aim for portable, cross-context baselines; flag domain limits
- Conflicts: note exceptions (jurisdictions, definitions)
Browse by domain
Science
Civics
Health
Finance
Everyday
Science
| Item | Why it qualifies | Source | Last verified | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Earth orbits the Sun. | Basic astronomy; stable across time. | NASA overview | 2025-11-10 | Promoted |
| Water boils at ~100 °C at sea level. | Standard reference; note altitude variance. | Britannica: Boiling point | 2025-11-10 | Promoted |
| Lightning is a natural electrical discharge. | General physics; broad agreement. | NOAA facts | 2025-11-10 | Seed |
Civics (U.S.)
| Item | Why it qualifies | Source | Last verified | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The U.S. Constitution is the nation’s supreme law. | Foundational civics; durable. | archives.gov: Constitution | 2025-11-10 | Promoted |
| Congress has two chambers: House and Senate. | Structural baseline; stable. | congress.gov basics | 2025-11-10 | Promoted |
Health
| Item | Why it qualifies | Source | Last verified | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washing hands with soap helps reduce disease transmission. | Long-standing public health baseline. | CDC: Handwashing | 2025-11-10 | Promoted |
| Antibiotics treat bacterial—not viral—infections. | Essential distinction; broadly taught. | WHO antibiotic facts | 2025-11-10 | Seed |
Finance
| Item | Why it qualifies | Source | Last verified | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loans typically charge interest for the use of money over time. | Basic consumer-finance concept. | FDIC/Consumer Ed | 2025-11-10 | Promoted |
| A budget compares income vs. expenses over a period. | Baseline planning concept. | Investopedia: Budget | 2025-11-10 | Seed |
Everyday Baselines
| Item | Why it qualifies | Source | Last verified | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microwaves heat food by exciting water molecules. | Common appliance knowledge; simplified. | Britannica: Microwave oven | 2025-11-10 | Seed |
| Dryer lint traps should be cleaned regularly. | Safety and performance baseline. | CPSC/Fire Safety | 2025-11-10 | Seed |
Submit an item
Send a short, neutral statement + 1–2 credible sources. Flag exceptions (jurisdiction, altitude, definitions). We’ll mark it Pending while reviewing.
Changelog
- 2025-11-10 • v1.0: established domains, lifecycle, status labels; seeded initial items.