› added 10 years ago

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TIL skeptic James Randi has annual Pigasus Awards that seek to expose parapsychological, paranormal or psychic frauds. Noted recipients include Scientology, Jenny McCarthy, Dr. Oz, The Learning Channel and John Edward.

Read more randi.org

via reddit.com

rk4M TIL that in 1258 the Mongols destroyed Baghdad. Survivors said that “the waters of the Tigris ran black with ink from the enormous quantities of books flung into the river and red from the blood of the scientists and philosophers killed.” The siege marked the end of the Islamic Golden Age.
wLN6J TIL that commercial airline pilots help make weather forecasts more accurate
oBEm8 TIL that during D-Day invasion of Normandy by the allied forces, German commanders wanted to send the armored (Panzer Tanks) division to stop them. They had to wait for the order from Hitler because he was sleeping at the time and didn't want to be disturbed. When he woke up, it was too late.
Me0aB TIL that in 1964 Canada honored John F. Kennedy by naming the tallest unclimbed mountain in North America "Mt. Kennedy." In 1965 Robert F. Kennedy, as part of a National Geographic expedition, became the first person ever to reach the summit.
OoWb6 TIL that recoilless rifles (aka cannons/rocket launchers) are used to safely trigger avalanches from a distance in a controlled manner.