› added 9 years ago

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TIL that Vladimir the Great chose to convert to Christianity instead of Islam, mainly because Islam doesn’t allow alcoholic consumption. He remarked “Drinking is the joy of all Rus’. We cannot exist without that pleasure.”

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wo00W TIL that in social cooperation situations, "freeriders" - people who contribute less to the community than others - find positive feedback less motivating than negative feedback, which generously contributing members seem willing to dole out - even if it's costly and even if they get nothing for it.
B0bK TIL that Dutch Klompen (whole feet wooden clogs) are officially accredited as safety shoes, and are safer than steel-capped boots in many circumstances.
rRmPo TIL that because the Space Shuttle was so hard to land (it was nicknamed "the flying brick"), shuttle crews must train in a modified Gulfstream with its main landing gears down, its engines in reverse, and its left hand side windows covered.
R7KN4 TIL Panasonic attempted to develop a video game console with 3DO. The console was initially announced as an add-on chip for the 3DO Interactive Multiplayer and later unveiled as a standalone console. Ultimately the project was cancelled but the technology was used in some arcade boards and kiosks.
4X77X TIL During filming of "A Bridge Too Far" (1977) the Dutch authorities would only shut down Nijmegen Bridge to film for 1 hour during a Sunday. The crew had to get the footage in that hour or else pay $125,000 a day to keep Robert Redford on set; hence it became known as the "Million Dollar Hour".