The BBC presents a list of 100 things we didn’t know last year. While the vast majority of the list was news to me, I was at first surprised to find one item that made it to the list:

34. Kryptonite exists.

Originally I thought kryptonite actually existed for some time, but I was wrong. Krypton, one of the noble gases on the periodic table of elements, does indeed exist. The planet Krypton from the Superman comics was named for it.

The Beeb reported that a kryptonite rock was discovered last year. Contrary to Superman lore, the mineral is white and harmless, but will glow a pinkish-orange when under an ultraviolet light. (list link via kottke)

Out of pure habit — or perhaps because I really am a masochist — I watched the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards, a show that becomes ever more craptacular as the years roll by. I knew the show was going to be bad, but I didn’t expect anything like last night’s show.

Of course, those who actually won awards didn’t garner nearly as much attention as one Ms. Britney Spears, whose “comeback” performance was the most hyped aspect of the show. Brit’s act fell flat — I seriously thought she was sedated or something. Compared to her previous VMA appearances, her energy was null and void. I miss the Britney, pre-crazy.

Sarah Silverman followed. I didn’t find her bit exceptionally funny, though I must give her points for her gentle jab at 50 Cent: “I think it’s so cute that he is still alive.” She gets the points because it looked like even Fiddy found it funny.

The bulk of the show’s remainder was largely forgettable. The format was completely retooled and lacked any sort of cohesion. There were fights and child-like tantrums. And yet, I watched anyway, with a shrinking glimmer of hope that the channel will come to its senses and deliver a good show, which they haven’t done since 1998. At this point, it’s bordering on insanity; every year, I do the same thing (watch the show) and expect a different result (a better show).