40 Intriguing “Today I Learned” Facts That You Probably Didn’t Learn In School (New Pics)
Interview With Expert
The internet can be a wonderful treasure trove of knowledge—so long as you’re curious, media-savvy, and know what sources are reputable. The ‘Today I Learned’ (aka TIL) online community is a powerhouse of edutainment and one of the most well-known groups on Reddit.
Its members share interesting facts about the world they learned only recently. It’s honestly the perfect inspiration to get all of our creative juices flowing and our brains (re)energized. We’ve collected some of the freshest and most intriguing TIL insights to share with you, Pandas. Scroll down to check them out.
Bored Panda got in touch with neuroscientist Burcin Ikiz, Ph.D., who shed some light on how getting older impacts our ability to learn new information, as well as how to stay curious about the world even when overwhelmed with grown-up responsibilities. Dr. Ikiz is the founder of the EcoNeuro project and the host of the Connecting Neurons blog on Psychology Today. Read on for her insights.
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TIL that JFK didn’t invite Sammy Davis Jr. to his 1961 inauguration as Sammy had married a white woman, and JFK was worried that the presence of an interracial couple would upset Southerners. Dean Martin, who was angered by this news, refused to attend the inauguration in solidarity with Sammy.
Dr. Ikiz explained to Bored Panda that as people age, certain changes in brain function and structure can affect their ability to learn new information.
"Neuroplasticity, or the brain's ability to form new neural connections, does not cease as we age, but it may slow down. The hippocampus, vital for memory formation, tends to shrink with age, and blood flow to the brain can decrease, impacting cognitive functions. Also, older adults often experience a decline in neurotransmitter systems, which can affect learning and memory," the EcoNeuro project founder and the host of the Connecting Neurons blog told us via email.
Though all of these changes can pose a challenge, they don't actually eliminate our ability to learn new things. "The brain has a remarkable capacity for adaptation and learning throughout life. It’s like a muscle; the more you practice learning, the more the brain’s learning ability will continue to increase," Dr. Ikiz noted.
TIL that Philip Workman, an inmate on death row, requested that his last meal be a pizza for any homeless person located nearby. Prison officials refused, declaring they don’t donate to charity. The public decided to donate pizzas to homeless shelters themselves, in his name, after his execution.
"He was convicted in 1982 for the murder of a police officer following a robbery of a Wendy's restaurant in Memphis, Tennessee, and sentenced to death by lethal injection." -for those curious like me
TIL The first speeding ticket in history was issued to a person caught speeding at 8 mph (13 km/h), four times the speed limit of 2 mph (3 km/h). In 1896, Mr. Arnold was pursued for 5 miles by a policeman on a bicycle
In the meantime, Bored Panda wanted to get the neuroscientist's thoughts on how people can stay curious about the world while they're busy dealing with all the responsibilities that grown-up life throws at them.
"Maintaining curiosity in the face of adult responsibilities involves consciously cultivating a mindset of lifelong learning and exploration," Dr. Ikiz, the founder of the EcoNeuro project, said.
She shared a few strategies that can help with this. For instance, pursuing different interests and hobbies can stimulate various parts of the brain. That way, the entire learning process remains dynamic and interesting.
The neuroscientist also urged people to consider taking advantage of formal or informal education. There are lots of excellent ways to keep learning, from online courses and workshops to high-quality podcasts.
TIL in 2009, three masked burglars broke into Dolph Lundgren's home, tied up and threatened his wife, but fled after finding a family photo and realizing whose home they'd broken into
TIL Alaska is so large and deserted, it has the equivalent population density of 16 people living in Manhattan.
« population density of 16 people living in Manhattan » Is that a new imperial unit?
TIL James Earl Jones was officially replaced as the voice of Darth Vader last year by AI with Jones' consent. The move was made after he told Disney that he "was looking into winding down this particular character." He consented to the future use of his voice with AI to "keep Vader alive."
It's not just through (in)formal education that we can learn new things about the world, though. We can do that by having social interactions with people from diverse backgrounds, to challenge our own ways of thinking and give us new perspectives.
Dr. Ikiz told Bored Panda that practicing mindfulness can also enhance cognitive flexibility. "Maintaining mental health is crucial in maintaining cognitive functions, including curiosity," the host of the Connecting Neurons blog on Psychology Today said.
Something else to consider is making small changes in your routine and environment. "This can mean traveling to new places, trying out different cuisines, or simply changing your daily route to work," the neuroscientist said that this sort of novelty can, in turn, lead to new experiences.
TIL Quentin Roosevelt, son of President Theodore Roosevelt, was a pilot who was killed in combat in WW1. For propaganda purposes, Germany made a postcard of the dead pilot and his plane, However, this was met with shock by Germans, who were impressed that a president's son died on active duty.
TIL During a 1972 John Lennon/Chuck Berry jam session that the sound engineers muted yokos mic.
TIL when a newly discovered sponge-like fungi was named after SpongeBob SquarePants in 2011, a mycological research journal initially rejected the name for being “too frivolous”. When challenged, the scientists stood behind their discovery, saying “we’ll name it whatever we like”.
Though reading through tons and tons of random facts on the internet can be a lot of fun, it’s important to consider the reputation of the source. The TIL online community, for example, prides itself on verifying facts and backing up claims with legitimate sources. However, not all internet sources are as diligent as the TIL community.
During a recent interview with Bored Panda, Susan A. Nolan, Ph.D., a professor of psychology at Seton Hall University, shed some light on valid claims and conspiracy theories. "The difference between a valid, or even potentially valid, claim and a conspiracy theory comes down to the willingness to consider evidence," the co-host of the 'Misinformation Desk' blog on Psychology Today explained to us earlier.
"A conspiracy theory is not backed by evidence, and those who believe it tend to discount any evidence that does not support it. If you’re willing to consider evidence and change your mind based on it when warranted, you’re unlikely to fall for a conspiracy theory," the psychology expert said.
TIL bleach has a shelf life with the effectiveness decreasing after just 6 months and eventually degrades into salt water
TIL Wisconsin produces more cheese than Italy
Australia exports camels to the Middle East and the Australian Alps gets more snow than the Swiss Alps.
TIL Japan recounted its islands and found 7,000 it didn't know it had. There are now officially 14,125 islands in Japanese territory.
There are 7,000 islands in the Philippines. We're not doing this again, Japan.
"On the other hand, there are some weird facts out there that do have evidence backing them. Research has found that swearing can reduce the experience of pain. Also, cats and dogs are left- or right-handed (or left- or right-pawed) just like humans,” Professor Nolan told Bored Panda.
She pointed out that people tend to believe in conspiracy theories because it gives them a sense of control in uncertain, scary situations.
"For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially early on, conspiracy theories gave some people a sense that there were solid answers. The science was shifting a lot early on—because that is how science works—so conspiracy theories might have felt more certain to some people," she said.
TIL about Darius McCollum, a man who was arrested 32 times for impersonating a transit worker. He commandeered hundreds of buses and subway trains over the course of 30 years, staying on route and schedule without being paid. He attended Union meetings, even though he wasn’t a member.
TIL that every Australian is entitled to a portrait of the reigning monarch - paid for by the government. After the Queen died, there was a rush to get the last portraits of her before the Charles stock came in.
Drat! Wished I’d known about this earlier, now I’ll have to settle for Charles. Maybe I’ll wait for William.
TIL Kate Winslet broke Tom Cruise's underwater filming record while filming Avatar 2. Winslet held her breath during a scene for seven minutes and twelve seconds beating the mark of six minutes Cruise set while filming Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation.
However, the expert added that most people probably believe some things due to their desire for control rather than looking for evidence.
"It’s why we might respond to a scientific finding by saying, 'That’s not my experience' and discounting it. Ideally, we would be able to say, 'That’s not my experience,' while understanding that scientific findings are about groups of people. There will always be exceptions."
To say that the ‘Today I Learned’ community is well-known on the internet would be an understatement. At the time of writing, the subreddit had nearly 34 million members and was the 6th biggest group on Reddit.
The TIL project, which was created in late December of 2008, has been running for a decade and a half. It provides a very good mix of education and entertainment. The members of the community feel like they’re always learning something new about the world. Meanwhile, many of the facts are very surprising, so there’s the element of novelty to reel in new fans of the project as well.
TIL that the last person verified to have been born in the 1800's died in 2017
TIL an International Chess Master tried to advance his career in 1951 by playing against 30 Russian school children at the same time. In the end, he drew 10 and lost the other 20, setting the record for worst simultaneous chess playing in the world.
TIL researchers testing the Infinite Monkey theorem: Not only did the monkeys produce nothing but five total pages largely consisting of the letter "S", the lead male began striking the keyboard with a stone, and other monkeys followed by urinating and defecating on the machine
Another big plus of the TIL community is that the facts that people share are so varied. So if you’re a fan of history, politics, psychology, science, or anything else, you’re going to find something that appeals to you.
However, far from every fact is lighthearted and fun. A lot of them are nuanced and show the world in shades of grey. But that’s the idea. Truth isn’t supposed to be cuddly and comfortable: it’s supposed to give you a broader perspective of what reality is like, not affirm pre-existing biases.
For some more fascinating facts about the world, as shared by members of the TIL online community, take a peek at Bored Panda's earlier features.
TIL soon after the famous D.B. Cooper hijacking, 5 other copycat hijackers employed the same tactics on other flights. All 5 survived their parachute jump which forced the FBI to re-evaluate their initial conclusion that Cooper was likely killed during his attempt
we all know it was actually Loki and he was beamed up with the bifrost
TIL the song “Fight for Your Right” by the Beastie Boys was written as a parody of frat culture, and the band was upset that people took it at face value.
Sarcastic parodies always have people taking them at face value. And the writers usually get upset when they find out.
TIL There are 36 million Americans of Irish descent and only 5 million people currently living in Ireland (of whom 4 million are ethnically Irish). If your ancestors lived in Ireland in the 1800s, you are 9 times more likely to live in the USA than Ireland.
TIL before the invention of ice cream cones, ice cream was served in reusable glass containers called "penny licks" which were notorious for spreading disease because they were reused & never washed between customers.
TIL the nation of Iceland sued a company named Iceland to have all its trademarks invalidated. And won.
TIL when US President McKinley was shot in Buffalo, the city's best surgeon Roswell Park, was operating on someone else in Niagra Falls. When they told him he was needed in Buffalo, he responded that he could not leave, even for the President of the United States. He was then told who had been shot.
TIL that when pitching Bratz dolls for retailers to sell, they were only interested in purchasing the white, blonde, blue eyed doll (Cloe). The CEO of MGA Ent. refused & only accepted if all four were purchased. The dolls grossed $2 billion in sales in their first five years on the market
As a brunette girl growing up in the 80s and 90s, there weren’t enough dark haired dolls and I always loved finding one with brown hair like mine. It’s great today when the dolls have different skin and hair colours and even disabilities so that every child can have a doll like themselves.
TIL That prisoners in Japan who are sentenced to death only find out on the morning of their execution. The prisoner's family and legal representatives, and also the general public, are informed only after the execution has taken place.
TIL of "shifting baseline syndrome" which is ‘a gradual change in the accepted norms for the condition of the natural environment due to a lack of experience, memory, and/or knowledge of its past condition'.
TIL during the filming of The Outlaw Josey Wales, Clint Eastwood persuaded the producer to fire the director and Eastwood took over the role. In response, the Directors Guild of America created the Eastwood Rule prohibiting an actor or producer from firing the director and then becoming director.
TIL There are more than 300 types of headaches, but only about 10% of headaches have a known cause. The brain tissue and the skull are never responsible since they don't have nerves that register pain
TIL in Shanghai every weekend there is a marriage market, parents and grandparents of unmarried adults gather in a park and trade information on their children/grandchildren (height, weight, income, occupation...) with the goal to find them a suitable partner
TIL about Deep Lake, a lake in Antarctica that has such high salinity, 10 times saltier than the oceans, that it never freezes, even in the winter. Conditions in the lake are so hostile that almost nothing can survive there.
TIL that to join the EU, Austria had to lift its blanket ban on members of the Habsburg family entering Austria because it was a violation of human rights
TIL that the idea of Napoleon losing all his troops to the "Russian Winter" is a misconception. He actually lost the majority to the "Russian Summer", due to disease, starvation, heat exhaustion, desertion, and suicide. He launched his invasion in June and within two months had lost half of his men.
How bad is your army's moral that you are losing soldiers to suicide? EDIT: Okay, I get it folks, some people in just about any army end themselves. I took the original post to mean they lost a large percentage to 'S" but it doesn't actually say that. He probably lost a lot more of them to the other factors mentioned. But just overall, it sounds like his army was a pretty bad place to be that year.
TIL Lincoln made no mention of Pilgrims, Plymouth or Natives when he codified Thanksgiving as a national holiday.
TIL Shahtoosh, the most expensive fabric on earth is totally illegal to own
TIL Human blood has a protein content around 6-8g/100ml, about the same as an average ready-to-drink protein shake
TIL that South Koreans can be punished for using cannabis in a county where it's legal upon return to South Korea
I don't think the USA has that for drugs but they do have something similar for sex. I forget the name of the act but basically if you are a sleaze who travels to other countries like Thailand for "encounters" with underage people, you can be arrested for it in the USA if they learn of it. The idea of course is to cut down on child sex trafficking.
TIL of the Boy Scout Nuclear Science Merit Badge. The requirements to receive the badge include building a Geiger counter, planting irradiated and nonirradiated seeds, and visiting an accelerator (research lab) or university where people study the properties of the nucleus or nucleons
TIL that four young people drowned in a narrow passage in an underground cave in Provo Utah 2005. They think one person tried to turn around and the others were unable to pass her. They knew the cave was unsafe.
TIL The Babushka Lady is an unidentified woman present during the 1963 assassination of JFK, who appeared to be taking photos as other witnesses took cover. Her identity, along with her photos, remain unknown
TIL that the story of Popeye eating spinach due to a misplaced decimal point over reporting its iron content is a myth. The correct iron value was already well known and nowhere did Popeye mention eating spinach because of its iron content
Note: this post originally had 66 images. It’s been shortened to the top 41 images based on user votes.
Yeah some of them definitely need taking with a grain of salt. I love seeing the pandas who swoop in to the comments to correct and educate each other though 😊
Load More Replies... A brilliant collection of little known and almost unbelievable facts. These have all been properly fact checked.
Yeah some of them definitely need taking with a grain of salt. I love seeing the pandas who swoop in to the comments to correct and educate each other though 😊
Load More Replies... A brilliant collection of little known and almost unbelievable facts. These have all been properly fact checked.
