› added 11 years ago

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T.I.L. that a system called “Perimeter” aka. “Dead Hand” has been online in Russia since 1985. It’s designed to launch an all-out nuclear missile retaliatory attack, if it senses that Russia’s command systems have been attacked and/or shut down without proper authorization.

kJLle TIL that in 2009, Christopher Nolan’s older brother, Matthew, was arrested and charged for the murder of an accountant in Costa Rica. However, Matthew never stood trial due to a lack of evidence.
W7Re4 TIL that in pre-Roman Sardinia, whenever elderly people were no longer able to support themselves, they were given a neurotoxic plant called "Sardonic Herb" and then dropped from a high rock or beaten to death. The term "sardonic grin" comes from the facial expression they had after their death.
e09P6 TIL of Medieval Chinese "Biaoju" (Security Company). Founded by peasant fighters, ex-military men entering lucrative private sector, and even ex-bandits, they provided bodyguard/escort and detective services to clients (usually travelling merchants) for a fee. The last Biaoju closed in 1920.
WKaL TIL the writers of Malcom in the Middle had a game called “What won’t Bryan [Cranston] do?” that culminated in him wearing the infamous suit of bees. They gave up and changed it to “What can’t Bryan do?” which saw Hal disco-skating, washing a car in Daisy Dukes, and painting with his full body.
Y7nZG TIL humans are in the same Superorder as rats, so we are closer related to rats than shrews are related to rats.