› added 8 years ago

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TIL There’s a name for jolting awake as you fall asleep, it’s called a “hypnic jerk” and it’s caused by a tussle between different parts of your brain.

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VB0GD TIL We Already Have Martian Rocks (Probably)
x6B97 TIL Abraham Lincoln and four other Illinois legislators jumped out of a window to prevent a quorum on a vote that would have eliminated the Illinois State Bank in 1840. It was reported that this wasn't his first time doing this to prevent a vote.
OG8pL TIL about court dwarfs, who were owned and traded amongst people of the court, and delivered as gifts to fellow kings and queens. They were made to stand right next to the king/queen during public appearances and ceremonies to make them look much larger and visually enhanced their powerful position.
J1OA1 TIL about Anelasma squalicola, a little-studied barnacle that recently pivoted from a seawater filter feeding lifestyle to a parasitic form that subsists on just one Norwegian species of shark.
N7p06 TIL When Micheal Jordan signed his first professional contract it came with a unique clause allowing participation in competitive off-season pickup games. Specifically, this clause allowed for Jordan's "Love of the game" (a desire to play anywhere, anytime), regardless of potential liability.