› added 4 years ago

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TIL that Pacific Bell spent $40 million to put its employees through a training program based on the teachings of Russian mystic George Gurdjieff—to supposedly open their eyes to a "higher-level" consciousness. The program was halted after the Californian utility regulator launched a public inquiry.

Read more theguardian.com

via reddit.com

dE9 TIL “Jesus” and “Joshua” are the same name in Greek. Jesus Christ means “Joshua the Annointed”
W7JJd TIL Theory of sexual selection says giving gifts increases male’s chances of mating amongst heavy competition. Some species of spiders continue to hold the gift between their legs even after sex starts, refusing to give it up and running away with it as soon as the process is over.
P1OrO TIL of how thousands died from methanol poisoning via tainted industrial alcohol during U.S. Prohibition, thanks to the total absence of liquor regulation.
W5Q8 TIL that the Spanish Flu was named that because it’s effects on countries involved in WW1 were censored for morale. Spain was neutral and thus papers reported on the flu hitting Spain, making people believe Spain was hit especially hard
Mek6B TIL most animal and plant species are able to generate Vitamin C on their own. Humans (and related species), Guinea Pigs and Capybaras are among the few that can't