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TIL an analysis of dozens of ancient civilizations revealed that they only had an average lifespan of 340 years before reverting to a more primitive state, being absorbed into a stronger society, or disappearing completely.

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LkjOP TIL about Laconic phrase. When Philip II invaded southern Greece, he asked the Spartans whether he should come as friend or foe. They replied "Neither". Irate, he demanded they surrender, for if he came, they would be destroyed, prompting the response "If".
BJEL TIL that bar code scanners scans the white space, instead of black lines.
xrdk TIL there us no safe amount of lead exposure at all; the body thinks it’s calcium, so it goes wherever calcium would. It doesn’t get filtered out - it just accumulates.
R7DD8 TIL during the Apollo 11 lunar descent, Neil Armstrong, who was manually piloting the craft, heart rate was under 90bpm. After the Eagle touched down, it spiked to almost 160 bpm
9wJPm TIL the famous song from early Internet meme Hampsterdance is just a sped up version of Whistlestop from Disney's animated Robinhood