› added 8 years ago

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TIL that glass is transparent because of quantum mechanics, not due to the density of the particles. Basically since there are discrete energy states, if the photon can’t excite the electron up to the next orbital, it just falls back down and shoots the photon out with the same momentum as before.

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VddZ TIL that Corexit, the chemical dispersant used to “clean” the bp oil spill, is known to have high levels of toxicity in humans, with known links to lung damage, cancer, and other chemical poisoning effects. Corexit is still the go-to chemical for oil spills with no policies banning it in the US.
GEBg TIL there exists evidence of “highly suspicious” insider trading on two airlines in the days leading up to 9/11 that can be traced to an unnamed US-based institutional investor.
GYrlN TIL the oldest known written complaint is from ancient Babylon written c. 1750 BC. In it, a customer named Nanni complains to the merchant Ea-Nasir about the low quality of his copper as well as him being rude to Nanni's servent who had to pass through enemy territory only to be refused a refund.
obAL TIL of Momcilo Gavric, a seven year old who joined the Serbian army during WW1 after his parents were killed by Austrian soldiers. His first assignment was to point out the positions of the soldiers who had killed his family the day before. He was promoted to Corporal and later to Lance Sergeant
nemb9 TIL Wealthy Russians hire fake ambulances with luxury interiors for $200 an hour to get through traffic.