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TIL the original story of Aladdin was based in China, was not an actual Arabian Night folk tale and was considered controversial for multiple reasons

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kkXm TIL Pretty people activate the reward centers of our brains. Shared brain regions judge both attractiveness and goodness. The insular cortex, associated with disgust, pain and punishment, is activated by both viewing unattractive people and by judging people to be of bad moral character. Ugly hurts.
WkB4A TIL America and "the Americas" were named after Amerigo Vespucci, an Italian navigator and merchant. "America" was chosen because it matches Europe and Asia, which are also womens names.
rR7AM TIL Dutch authorities created over 300 little "parks" for bees on top of bus stop shelters in Utrecht; roofs are planted with low-maintenance sedum providing a safe habitat for bees. Over 50% of Netherlands' 358 bee species are endangered. Human commuters get with bamboo benches and LED lighting.
g4b4 TIL that CBS, BET, MTV, CMT, VH1, Nickelodeon, Spike, Comedy Central, Logo, Paramount, Showtime, The CW, TV Land, and Simon & Schuster are all owned by one giant media conglomerate.
WngX TIL that several high school friends formed the Committee to End Pay Toilets in America (CEPTIA) in 1968, which eventually led to laws banning pay toilets in several states