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TIL that the Chinese philosopher Zhuangzi first proposed the “Matrix philosophy” after dreaming he was a Butterfly. “Now I do not know whether I was then a man dreaming I was a butterfly, or whether I am now a butterfly, dreaming I am a man”

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697jJ TIL Fifty-seven percent of Afghan women marry before 16 years of age, 29% are forced into marriage to settle tribal conflicts, 84% are illiterate, and the average woman gives birth to eight children. Afghan women also have the highest prevalence of self-immolation in the world.
69bGJ TIL Thomas Jefferson wrote his own epitaph listing three accomplishments. Being 3rd President wasn't one of them.
LQQxd TIL about snake handling in Christianity. Members of some Christian sects in the Southern United States are regularly bitten by venomous snakes while participating in "snake handling" rituals. This ritual is inspired by a literal interpretation of the Bible verses Mark 16:17–18.
8AnP TIL that in Turkish, the bird we call a Turkey is called “Hindi” (“from India”). In India, it’s called “Peru.” In Arabic, the bird is called “Greek chicken”; in Greek it’s called “French chicken”; and in French it’s called “Indian chicken.” The bird is indigenous to none of these places.
loG7B TIL of South Korean Pastor Chun Ki-won who orchestrated the escape of over 1,200 North Koreans. North Koreans caught in China are immediately deported back to North Korea; so Chun Ki-won smuggled them thousands of miles to Thailand where they can safely claim asylum.