› added 2 years ago

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TIL Shakespeare's Hamlet is loosely based on the medieval Scandinavian legend, Amleth, and was not a completely original story concept.

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pYmJN Today I learned that “Stiltsville” was a group of houses on stilts off the coast of Miami, FL. Founded towards the end of the prohibition, it had a reputation of alcohol, gambling, and partying. Most houses were destroyed by hurricanes, but some are still standing today.
mxdbM TIL: A study found that subjects who played Portal showed an increase in certain cognitive abilities, whereas subjects who played the "brain training game" Lumosity showed none.
vPepB TIL that termites are one of the planet's most effective bioreactors; they can make up to two liters of hydrogen from consuming a single sheet of paper, which is why they are being studied as a potential renewable energy source.
4eNo TIL “Beats” Headphones cost roughly $14 to make and can sell for upwards of $450
x61pg TIL about Roman consul Spurius Cassius Vecellinus, who was executed because he was suspected to aim for regal power by arguing for land distribution amongst the plebs and the roman allies.