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TIL that in 1971–1972 the Indonesian New Order government launched "Operasi Koteka" ("Operation Penis Gourd") to encourage the Papuan people to wear shorts and shirts because such clothes were considered more "modern" compared to their traditional Koteka, which is a penis sheath.

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5YJXr TIL A giant virus has been discovered with its own immune system. French scientists found these giant virus defence mechanisms work in a similar way to the CRISPR-Cas system, whereby the virus learns to recognise invaders, capture their genetic material and use this information to destroy them.
LQE8v TIL the average elephant poops 220 pounds (100 kg) a day.
VMwr0 TIL of "Steel Manning," the opposite of a straw man. It's a technique where you attempt to explain your opponent's position as sincerely and honestly as possible. The idea is that by building trust, your opponent will be more willing to listen to your side of the argument.
78Amr TIL that in the common law of crime in England, a Common Scold was a troublesome and angry person who broke the public peace by habitually chastising, arguing and quarreling with their neighbors.
QJ6La TIL That a single psilocybin dose is associated with long-term increased mindfulness, preceded by a proportional change in neocortical 5-HT2A receptor binding