› added 12 years ago

142

TIL the world’s first film star was a prostitute

Read more wikipedia.org

via reddit.com

1aBxr TIL about anti-natalism, the philosophical position that assigns negative value to birth. Anti-natalists argue that bringing a person into an existence in which they will undoubtedly experience pain and/or discouragement is inherently morally wrong and selfish.
x6nlw TIL an EasyJet flight in 2006 lost nearly all electrical systems mid-air and came within 3 miles of colliding with an American Airlines Boeing 777 before safely landing.
j68vX TIL that Asbestos' health hazard are not caused chemically, but mechanically. Asbestos fibers are so small that they pierce cell walls without killing the cell. Fibers cause mutations by piercing the mitotic spindle, which disrupts mitosis & causes chromosomal damage responsible for the ill effects.
R7VRl TIL that modern humans and neanderthals interbred, and as a result, all non-Africans carry between one and four percent Neanderthal DNA.
dNWE TIL China is building a national database which “gamifies” being an obedient citizen. Sesame Credit analyzes your social media posts, and even your online purchases, then gives you a numerical rating similar to a credit score. This system will become mandatory in 2020.