› added 2 months ago

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TIL there are approximately only 6,674 cheetahs in the wild today and only 5% of cheetah cubs make it to adulthood. The key factors of their decline are habitat loss, exotic pet industry, poaching for their skin, and conflicts with farmers. Currently, they exist only 10% of their historic range.

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R59Y6 TIL that O’Neill cylinders are space habitats proposed by physicist Gerard K. O’Neill. They consist of two rotating cylinders that generate artificial gravity and contain cities, farmland, and landscapes, with sunlight directed by mirrors, creating a livable environment for long-term habitation.
e604 TIL Europeans who are descended from survivors of the Black Death and smallpox can have an immunity to HIV/AIDS.
R5xo4 TIL A boy dying of an incurable illness wanted to meet Luke Skywalker (in character). His mental state devolved to the point where he did not realise Luke was fictional. Mark Hamill agreed to dress up in character and meet the boy. He spent hours answering questions.
RWQ7 TIL - A hacker in the 70’s (John Draper) found that a toy whistle in the cereal Cap'n Crunch blew at the same frequency that was used by AT&T long lines to indicate that a trunk line was ready the route a new call, essentially allowing him to make free long distance calls.
GKB1 TIL that 13 women have accused Bill Cosby of drugging and sexually assaulting them.