I've also read that book and had a similarly spotty recollection until last week. The Yellowstone supervolcano is irrelevant to my life and I can't do anything

I've also read that book and had a similarly spotty recollection until last week. The Yellowstone supervolcano is irrelevant to my life and I can't do anything to prevent it. If it erupts in my lifetime, then I'll care a lot, but I can't predict that so it's not worth worrying about it. I was reminded of it last week when I saw my little sister for the holidays: she's a geologist and was wearing a t-shirt that referenced it. Family asked and she went on at length about it, more than Bryson does in that excerpt. It's relevant to her life in a way it isn't (and hopefully never will be) to mine. Don't feel bad about not remembering unimportant things.