Begin asking a question of Google, and some interesting insights into the inner-conflicts of the collective human mind emerge. Type "how ..." and two of the most popular choices are "how to make pancakes" and "how to lose weight fast". But there is also a heartening level of wonder at the world around us: type "why ..." and the top 10 list is bookended with "why is the sky blue?" and "why are manhole covers round?".

We did some of our own research into the most frequently asked questions on the Guardian site and what you find in this book is our attempts to answer some of the most interesting, taxing and bizarre. Everything from 'What is quantative easing?' to 'What does human flesh taste like?'. And here it is – eclectic, discursive, and not always right. That, in the digital age, seems a motto to be proud of. We don't have all the answers, but we will never stop asking questions, and we hope you don't either.