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We firmly believe that learning happens all life long. You don’t suddenly turn off your curiosity and desire to get to the truth of things the moment you graduate from school or get your college degree. Sure, all of life’s responsibilities—like paying taxes and petting cats—might get in the way a bit, but at the core of it all lies a simple truth: we love learning new things about the world.

The fun thing about knowledge is that it isn’t a race. Though some people like to gently poke fun at others for only hearing about [insert a random piece of trivia here] only just now, the truth is that we all have knowledge blind spots. It’s awesome social media projects like ‘Today Years Old Media’ that help us learn something entirely new about the world while entertaining us with some witty quips at the same time.

We’ve collected some of the coolest facts, as shared by the TYO team, to give you something fun to talk about during your next coffee break/dinner party, Pandas. So get ready to learn something new, prepare yourself for a ton of fun, and don’t forget to take notes. Oh, did we mention that a ton of these facts are animal-related? The Arabian sand boa is particularly delightful company, we feel.

As you’re scrolling down, upvote the posts that really got your noggins jogging, and consider following the TYO accounts if you enjoyed their stuff.

Aidan Schwieger, the founder of 'Today Years Old Media,' was kind enough to answer our questions about the project. "I always found myself coming across random facts that truly blew my mind, and couldn’t help but share them in the hope that others would find them as fascinating as I did," he told Bored Panda.

More info: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TodayYearsOld.com

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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Funny and freaking adorable, squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

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"I’m truly amazed that the project has had such a positive response on Twitter, literally overnight. We’ve had a long-standing presence on Instagram, but I’m so glad the content we share has now found a home on Twitter as well," Aidan, from TYO Media, told Bored Panda that he's over the moon about the fact that social media users enjoy the content he shares so much. 

Bored Panda was interested to find out how 'Today Years Old' decides on what to share with its fans.

"In all honesty, I really share whatever interests me. I love learning new things and when I come across something unusual or unexpected, I can’t help but share it," Aidan, the founder of 'Today Years Old Media,' told us.

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HTFenthusiast
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The bottom one is what I think I look like when I don't have my morning caffeine

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"The project has just recently taken off on Twitter so it’s hard to say what resonates with people the most, but we hope to continue to be a daily source of trending facts and discoveries in a variety of topics."

As for reigniting one's curiosity and passion for learning, as well as chasing away cynicism, the founder had this to say: "There is always something new to learn in our world. You can never really know everything."

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He added: "I hope this project will allow people to find new interests and encourage us to continue to be curious about the world around us."

Meanwhile, we also got in touch with the friendly team at the PDSA for a chat about animals and becoming a veterinarian as a profession. The PDSA is the United Kingdom's leading vet charity and they have 48 pet hospitals around the country.

"If you ask a vet or vet nurse why they chose their career, you may expect them to say that it is because they love animals and this is, of course, a huge part of their motivation. However, there is much more to it than that," PDSA Vet Nurse Shauna Spooner told Bored Panda about the motivation behind people's decision to become vets.

"People looking into a veterinary career will be passionate about science, problem-solving, and research as well as having a thirst for knowledge. They will want to make a difference not only to animals but also to their owners. They will be keen to act as a voice for those who can’t speak—championing animal welfare, educating others about the importance of the 5 Welfare Needs, and relieving the pain and suffering of species that are unable to tell us how they feel," she said.

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"Skills and knowledge are essential in the veterinary world. After their initial training, vets and vet nurses continue to complete hours of Continued Professional Development (CPD) each year, ensuring they maintain, improve, and broaden their skills and knowledge. Veterinary medicine is constantly evolving and there is always something new to learn! In addition to this, compassion, empathy, and professionalism are required, particularly when dealing with sensitive situations such as euthanasia."

PDSA Vet Nurse Shauna explained to us that learning more about animals can help us have more empathy for them. "It is so important for children to learn to care for and respect animals as, by doing so, it can help them grow into caring and compassionate pet owners of the future," she said.

"Education is important for everyone though, not just children. The more we know about animals and understand that they too are sentient beings that feel the same emotions and pain that humans experience, the more likely we, as a society, are to treat them well. In addition, learning about the 5 Welfare Needs that all animals need to be happy and healthy helps to ensure that our pets have everything they need to live their best lives," Shauna told Bored Panda.

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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A Chill is often the Bane of orphaned bats, no Joke. Their health can Wayne and they'll Freeze like a Penguin if not cared for in this Manor.

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The ‘Today Years Old Media’ network is absolutely massive. 167.3k people follow the TYO project on Twitter. A further 20k internet users follow their Facebook page. And a whopping 9.4 million users are followers of the TYO Instagram page.

The appeal of the project is edutainment: equal parts education and entertainment. It’s all about having a ton of fun while remembering the simple fact that life on Planet Earth is far stranger and more interesting than it might seem. Some of us forget about that during the daily grind. Sometimes, all it takes is a single tweet or Instagram post running across our feeds to remind us what it felt like to be a kid skimming through a massive encyclopedia.

Parenting blogger Samantha Scroggin, from ‘Walking Outside in Slippers,’ previously shared her thoughts about helping kids maintain their sense of wonder and curiosity as they grow with Bored Panda.

"I believe by staying curious and enthusiastic about the world ourselves, we will help our kids be openly curious and enthusiastic," she said that parents set the example and kids naturally follow it.

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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's a fair bit of skill in loading the vest evenly so as to not off-balance the porter while they deliver their precious cargo to safety. As an added bonus, the infants will warn of the presence of BTs.

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"When we visit museums as a family, for example, I always ask lots of questions and my children do the same. When we travel, my husband and I demonstrate excitement for the new sights, experiences, and even food. This is an amazing world, and I want my children to always appreciate that," the parenting blogger shared her thoughts with us.

"I figure my kids won't love every assignment at school. That's just how it goes. I still loathe math. But I try to help them power through school homework assignments they don't want to do," she said that parents can help their kids get through the topics that they don’t enjoy at school. Support goes a long way.

"I will sit with them and we go through it together in case they have questions. If they hate the task, there's a good chance that's because it doesn't come easy to them (like me with math!). And there will definitely be a special sweet treat of their choice at the end," blogger Samantha said.

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Seth
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Owls are just cats with wings. They're a rich, untapped mine of interweb memery.

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James016
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wonder what the Herbs thought when KFC just started following them for no apparent reason

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1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Needs a bowler hat, these creatures are clearly marine relatives of Cousin Itt

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"My daughter who is 6 has much more regular homework than my son who is 10. Most of her homework is on a tablet, though, which makes it easier to knock out. I make sure she completes her assignments, but fortunately she has gotten pretty independent about doing the homework herself. My son's teacher usually only assigned homework if there was something he didn't finish in school. Which I am grateful for because I hate homework!"

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Moxitron Jazz
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

if any farms with lambs havent got a donkey around, Id happily accept such a job...

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Age UK, Britain’s leading charity dedicated to helping people make the most of later life, explained to Bored Panda that trying out a range of different hobbies can help keep you physically fit and mentally sharp as you age.

"Hobbies add color and variety to all our lives so it’s good to help to inspire others to take up new interests. New hobbies and interests can help maintain social connections and reduce feelings of loneliness and it’s a great way to learn new skills. Taking part in social activities may help us to stay sharp in later life," they told Bored Panda.

"If joining clubs and classes are not an option [...] there are still ways to help them engage with new hobbies. Making sure older family members have everything they need to take up or continue hobbies, such as arts and crafts or wool if they are a keen knitter, ingredients if they are a budding chef, or even the right tools for DIYing, can help," they said.

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Lousha
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They also taste like heaven. Their meat is webbed with a lot of fat, but it's totally different from the usual fat you've seen in other pigs. It's firm like the meat, and the whole thing has an amazing flavour. Sadly it's also a lot more expensive than regular pork, even though rearing these pigs is a lot cheaper and easier than the usual pig breads.

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Yvonne Dauwalder Balsiger
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

*Party Pooper Alert - Proceed at your own risk* I asked employees of two different zoos, this is unfortunately not true 😥 They just do this when the ground is really cold https://www.ecomare.nl/en/in-depth/reading-material/animals/seals/#:~:text=Seals%20in%20a%20banana%20pose,of%20their%20head%20and%20flippers.

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"Doing activities together such as the gardening can be a great incentive too, or maybe help them research locally to see if there is a neighborly Book Club dial-in they could join. Even encouraging older friends and relatives to settle in with a favorite book or audiobook, do some cooking, listen to the radio while doing a puzzle, or tuning in to an afternoon radio play can help emotional wellbeing and mental health,” Age UK gave some advice on how to help older relatives and friends stay engaged and always learning.

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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

they call him/her 52 Blue, based on the frequency it uses. It's heartbreaking...

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"Having a hobby or learning new skills, whatever form they take, is important. And while for many they provide a nice way to spend spare time and an opportunity to interact with friends over a shared pursuit, for those with less social contacts it can give life a real sense of purpose and routine."

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Khara Mei
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I thought it was because he's a starfish, ad starfish lack centralised brains.

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Blurryface
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

*gasp*…………… THIS IS AWESOME. I LOVE MINIMALISTIC LINE DRAWINGS… MUST SHARE WITH FRIENDS… (sorry for yelling. I’m done now.)

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Den Ver
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Teachers used to have the flexibility to teach this information in school

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JB
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And east/west routes are even, north/south are odd

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Seth
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I always thought this was obvious just by looking at it. What I do find interesting is thag Hawaii has an interstate highway (not shown here)

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Susan Bosse
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It would be an intrastate (one state only) in HI. Interstate is multiple states.

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unfilteredCigarette73
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1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Same with US highway system except east to west and north to south starting with odd/even numbers in the northeast (ex. US 1 and US 2) if the US highway ends in 0 like 20, it was an original (east-west)coast to coast route

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Madre_Dr4gnZFly
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Odd numbers go North-South, Even numbers go East-West. Unless you live on the island of Oahu. Interstate H3 goes AROUND the island.

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Jay Son
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1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live there and H3 does NOT go around the island. It goes from Red Hill to MCBH in Kaneohe. That's hardly around the island. If you want to drive around the island, you'll likely be driving on Kamehameha Hwy instead.

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Nikki Sevven
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also, interstates that are even numbers run east and west, while those with odd numbers run north and south. (Note: This only applies to interstates.) Also, interstate spur lines are identified by adding a number to the beginning. For example, I live near I-91; its two spur lines are 291 and 391.

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unfilteredCigarette73
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1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Interesting fact lol...DallasFt.Worth and Minneapolis/St.Paul are the only cities that have 35E and 35W...

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Stephanie A Mutti
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

85 and 75 get flipped in Atlanta where 85 ends up on the west and 75 on the east. Not sure why this wasn't corrected... they had a choice at the time as to the names of the interstates.

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Oerff On Tour
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Most western countries have this system. And in most countries, the common people are never taught this in school or drivers education. I only came aware of it during my training for my Commercial drivers license, where long distance navigation is part of the curriculum

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ADHD McChick
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also, I read somewhere that exit numbers (Exit 117, for example) correspond to the number of miles the exit is from the state's (Northern?) border. Anyone else ever hear this?

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Christine Zanfino
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I knew that odd numbered routes run north and south and even numbered ones run east and west, but didn't know the numbers are in order..thanks for this info.

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Renee Rodriguez
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

spend some summers traveling the country and your entertainment is looking at the map while your parents drive and yeah, you notice this.

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Maureen Rouse
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yep...Even numbers for East to West and odd numbers for North to South.

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Meami
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You’ll also notice that interstates that run East/West end in 0 and ones that run North/South end in 5.

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thEBOrdeSTpaNDA
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Me, a brit who only knows this because of cgp gray and recognises these screenshots from his video:

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Rob Chapman
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1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All 2-digit highways ending in 5 are major north/south highways, with the lowest numbered, I-5, on the West Coast,and highest, I-95, on the East Coast. 2-digit highways ending in 0 are major east/west highways, with the lowest, 1-10, running along the south, and I-90 the farthest north. This was designed to be the exact opposite of the older U.S. Highway System. The lowest numbered north/south highway, U.S. 1, is on the East Coast, while the highest numbered, U.S. 101, is on the West Coast. The same applies to the major east /west routes, where U.S. 40 is north of U.S. 50, and the old U.S. 66 was south of U.S. 50.

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Lisa Hathaway
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I remember learning a boatload of number wizardry also. Can't remember any of it except products of nine also add up to nine. i.e. (9)(6)=54, 5+4=9 (from 1-10 anyways)

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Yurie
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Huh, I moved to the US when I was 20 years old and this was explained to me in the first year and how the even numbers go west/east and odd numbers go south/north

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R W
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And obviously the even ones run east/west; and the odd ones run north/soith.

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Jessica Andress
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pardon me- this has nothing to do with the post nor your comment. My grandfather died in 2017 and I generally find "signs" from/about him every few days. Today you are my sign! His name was RW. Thank you for being right here right now!

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Niki A
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Notice north to south are odd numbers, and east to west are even? I teach my students all of that.

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Alan Barrington
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In my mind they are also numbered backwards. From the SW to the NE.

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Amy Taylor
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And for some reason in CA we put "the" before naming the freeways. My family is on the east coast and kept asking me why I did that, lol. All.. The Californians is totally accurate with us giving directions all the time lol

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Lily Mae Kitty
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

lol. smaller highways are, as well...and north/south are odd numbers and east/west are evens...did you learn nothing driving all these years?

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CD King
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Apparently, people have stripes on our skin too. They can be seen under UV light.... only 6 degrees of separation to everything lol

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Captain Newt
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That would be true if Plankton the character was part of the phytoplankton. But he's a Daphnia, a crustacean that is part of the zooplankton, so, he needs to eat phytoplankton...

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Uncanny
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It doesn’t need to eat me, the heart attack I’d have if that guy flew near me would do the trick.

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Jonathan
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is not true, this is how they express send kids around the hospital. I've seen them use the same system at the bank.

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Nicole Weymann
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nice of the website not only to list the killing curse with the incantation and advice on pronunciation, but thr proper wand movement as well ☝️😂

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InvincibleRodent
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In a broad sense cousins, but isn't that relation technically... first cousin once removed? I think?

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Seth
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That seems like a creative limited run sort of thing, rather than something that's persistently true. Pretty neat though.

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$cagsy
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also, the chocolate is brown but the inner layer is white like egg white.

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Oki
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You CAN use it to keep food warm. It's MEANT for letting dough rise in a warmish place, while preheating the oven.

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