› added 8 years ago

165

TIL actor Alan Alda teaches improv to scientists to help their public speaking

Read more pri.org

via ift.tt

AD4Lg TIL that the Nazi Germany Parliament was derisively referred to by Germans as the "the most expensive singing club in Germany", since it couldn't do much other than sing the National Anthem during its sessions.
WvM4 TIL The bottom 5% of Americans are richer than 68% of the world.
E1dox TIL P. L. Travers, the author of "Mary Poppins," detested Disney's treatment of her book so much she refused to work with Disney again; the company waited until Travers' death to negotiate with her estate for the upcoming sequel.
PjG TIL that mammals have a reflex to reduce the intensity of loud noises. It’s possible to exploit this by simply humming or speaking. Loud noises don’t just sound less intense, less sound is actually transmitted to the inner ear and then to the brain.
jNL7j TIL President John Tyler had 8 children with his wife Letitia. She died of a stroke in the White House at age 52. After Letitia’s death his niece served as First Lady until he married Julia who was 30 years younger and had 7 children. Tyler’s 15 kids are the most of any U.S. President.