› added 7 years ago

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TIL that without oceans, complex earth-like life is unlikely to evolve because oceans ensure stability of surface temperatures between extremes

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6EEaJ Yes, it’s true that most jetliners are certified for automatic landings, called “autolands” in pilot-speak. But in practice they are rare. Fewer than 1 percent of landings are performed automatically, and the fine print of setting up and managing one of these landings is something I could talk about all day. If it were as easy as pressing a button, I wouldn’t need to practice them twice a year in the simulator or periodically review those tabbed, highlighted pages in my manuals. In a lot of respects, automatic landings are more work-intensive than those performed by hand. The technology is there if you need it for that foggy arrival in Buenos Aires with the visibility sitting at zero, but it’s anything but simple.
J17nB TIL that because giraffes are prey animals and have adapted to survive on less sleep, in uncomfortable positions, and to avoid becoming dinner, they often sleep two to a hammock.
r0B0 TIL that in 1975, North Korean embassy staff in Australia crashed their Mercedes, and when they went to the nearest house for help they were aghast to find that that they had knocked on the door of the South Korean ambassador’s residence.
JY0om TIL of Paul Alexander, one of the last people living in an iron lung after he contracted polio in 1952 at the age of 6. Despite his disability, he is an author and practicing lawyer
Y77bA TIL that the first documented mention of adults playing cricket came from 1611, when two men were fined 12d each for failing to attend church on Easter Sunday because they were playing cricket.