“A Russian Soyuz rocket carrying a new U.S.-Russian crew to the International Space Station failed during its ascent Thursday (Oct. 11), sending its crew capsule falling back toward Earth in a ballistic re-entry, NASA officials said.” Now seems like a good time to remember that SpaceX has become the market leader in launches, has had full success on 61 of 63 missions in the past 8 years, and has its first crewed mission planned for June 2019. | learn more
Category: fun facts
Snoop Dogg’s going to be a lifestyle guru.
“When Crook to Cook: Platinum Recipes from tha Dogg’s Kitchen comes out on Oct. 23, Snoop Dogg will officially join the pantheon of experts who are here to tell us all how to live well.” | learn more
What makes a dad joke?
Like Neo in the Matrix woke up and realized he suddenly knew Kung Fu, on the day of my daughter’s birth I suddenly learned I had mastered punny dad jokes. This article digs into why they’re pervasive across many cultures. | learn more
Minnesota town’s local birds are getting too drunk.
“It’s avian anarchy in Gilbert, Minnesota.” | learn more
Banksy art shreds itself after being auctioned for $1.2MM.
The artist had secretly hidden a shredder in the frame long before it arrived at the auction house. Then, once the winning bid was announced, the surprise shredding began. Later, Banksy published a video on his Instagram! |learn more
What does ‘run the traps’ mean?
I recently googled it to find out! The phrase originally comes from hunting. | learn more
Are pop lyrics getting more repetitive?
A website called The Pudding has put together a thorough analysis with all sorts of colorful and animated charts. You are guaranteed to learn something. | learn more
A seal slapped a kayaker with an octopus tentacle.
You should drop everything and watch this video clip. | learn more
Spiders fly across Lake Michigan.
While visiting the Willis Tower for a meeting this week, I heard a story of spiders flying across the lake from Michigan and attaching themselves to tall buildings. My skepticism alarm went off right away and I had to google it. | learn more
Why Bob Vila left This Old House.
“Why Bob Vila, perhaps the most famous handyman in history, may have set the stage for a digital era in which stars aren’t afraid to cash in on their names.” | learn more
Cargo ships sink when their cargo suddenly liquefies.
“On average, ten ‘solid bulk cargo’ carriers have been lost at sea each year for the last decade.” | learn more
Botched CIA communications helped blow cover of Chinese agents.
“It was considered one of the CIA’s worst failures in decades: Over a two-year period starting in late 2010, Chinese authorities systematically dismantled the agency’s network of agents across the country, executing dozens of suspected U.S. spies.” | learn more
Bees are thriving in Amsterdam.
Couldn’t miss this fact – especially as I was stung for the first time in about 25 years. “While scientists have been sounding alarm bells over the decline of bees globally, Amsterdam may have worked out how to save them.” | learn more
Researchers turn to sewage to test population-level drug use.
“Sewage tests from two small towns in western Kentucky showed that on the US Independence Day and solar eclipse in 2017, drug use was way higher than during ‘normal’ periods.” | learn more
A colony of wild parakeets is flourishing in Amsterdam.
Kim noticed some parakeets in the Vondelpark, so she put on her internet sleuth hat and found this explanation. | learn more
Remember the Trapper Keeper?
Thank you, Tedium for not letting us forget: “The Trapper Keeper is a beacon of nostalgia, but genericized branding and school rules have pushed it off to the side. Good luck finding a new one in 2018.” | learn more
Admiral Nelson’s body was preserved in brandy.
I learned this on a tour of London this weekend. During the battle of Trafalgar in 1805, the victorious Admiral took a sniper bullet to the shoulder and soon died. The ship’s surgeon William Beatty decided to preserve his body for the passage home in a barrel of brandy. Fun rumor: the ship’s crew got so drunk during the voyage they accidentally drank the brandy from the barrel containing the body. | learn more
Swedish royal family’s crown jewels stolen in speedboat heist.
“Two thieves escaped a cathedral in Sweden with priceless historical ornaments, taking off in a speedboat moored nearby.” | learn more
How air conditioning created the modern city.
How could I not take this opportunity to share a cool article about air conditioning? | learn more
Sludge – investigative journalism about money in politics.
I recently discovered this newsroom that runs on the same platform as Block Club Chicago. “We look beyond public records and disclosures to reveal the hidden networks and conflicts of interest that drive systemic corruption.” I love it! The link is to an example of their work that calls out a Florida Congressman for violating ethics rules. | learn more
Chain letter meets book exchange meets Instagram.
“It turns out that giving your address to strangers on the internet … can be good?” | learn more
Fake designer wins Paris Fashion week.
Do you remember the guy who made his shed the top-rated London restaurant on TripAdvisor? He also became a fake fashion designer and went to Paris Fashion week. | learn more
How to build a cow out of butter.
In case you need another reason to love the Midwest… “Sculpting a cow from butter is a beloved state fair tradition. This is how it’s done.” | learn more
Russians sitting on suitcases.
There’s an old Russian tradition to sit for a bit before leaving on a trip. I still practice this for no good reason. | learn more