› added 5 years ago

100

TIL that in 1988, to demonstrate that channeling was a bogus practice, magician James Randi recruited José Alvarez, who pretended to channel a 2,000 year old spirit named Carlos, traveling the world and living like a celebrity. Alvarez continued the charade for years after 60 Minutes exposed them.

Read more skepdic.com

via reddit.com

LkY49 TIL that Prince's estate released the original demos of the Bangles hit Manic Monday and Sinéad O'Connors, Nothing compares to U with rare rehearsal footage.
YpP0x TIL Bamboo can be used in construction as a viable material to reinforce concrete since bamboo has a tensile strength on par with steel.
yVQgJ TIL a Pornocracy is a government ruled by prostitutes or by corrupt officials (Who sell themselves for power). Its a term made most famous by the Darke Age of the Papacy (904-964AD).
m1ZnO TIL There is a geocache on the International Space Station
neybY TIL that infants require more General Anaesthetic than adults. For example a 6 month old baby requires almost 2x the amount to become unconscious than a 60 year old. My wife is studying Pharmacokinetics and I'm learning vicariously when she explains some the fascinating stuff. PubMed link as ref.