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In the 21st century, the real issue isn’t “How do you find information?” but “How do you sift through the oceans of data out there?” As a result, it can be hard to actually know what is “common knowledge” and what is some obscure factoid you have randomly memorized. 

Someone asked “What’s something you thought was common knowledge but found out most people didn’t know” and netizens shared their best examples. From intricate traffic rules to observations about human behavior, hopefully, you will learn something new. So get comfortable as you scroll through, upvote your favorite examples, and comment your ideas below. 

#1

If you flick the bar sticking out of your steering wheel up, it causes the lights on the right side of your vehicle to flash. And if you flick it down, the left side flashes, so people know you are going to make a turn or change lanes. It even works in pickup trucks!

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    #2

    Queer people existed in the "olden times". And they exist in countries where it's banned. And they exist in ultra-conservative families.

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    Geoffrey Scott
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Those fundamentalists who decry homosexuality as immoral fail to realize...first, that God made all...second, that Old Testament scripture recognized it. Called it immoral, but recognized it. "Nothing new under the sun"

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    #3

    Social media is NOT for you, it's for advertisers. You're the product.

    blaspheminCapn Report

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    Luke Branwen
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Except Tumblr. It has already cost a large company billions of dollars and is somehow still running.

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    #4

    “Lefty Loosy, Righty Tighty”: 30 Highly Useful Facts That Are Not Yet Universal Knowledge You let people out before entering

    Maybeyanny , Darius Krause Report

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    Daniela Lavanza
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is not really knowledge, more politeness and common sense: to get in, you need room made by people leaving.

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    #5

    “Lefty Loosy, Righty Tighty”: 30 Highly Useful Facts That Are Not Yet Universal Knowledge Being nice and patient will give you a bigger chance of getting a refund or a new of whatever is broken, than being angry and blaming the random worker

    ellaablair , Clay Banks Report

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    Sonja
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Nice and patient =/= make excuses and be avoidant though. You still need to be firm and show you won't just go away if they make it difficult. It means you don't raise your voice, don't make accusations, no name calling and simply stating the facts without assumptions of malice. Never say sorry for your complaint. But be friendly when addressing it. I want to bring to your attention that this food is cold and I ask you to get me hot food please. Is perfectly friendly and fine. Say thank you when they make it right.

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    #6

    You have to empty the lint trap on your dryer after each load.

    SummerGirlsByLFO1999 Report

    #7

    “Lefty Loosy, Righty Tighty”: 30 Highly Useful Facts That Are Not Yet Universal Knowledge If you are driving and it is raining - turn your lights on.

    broncoguy612 , Thái An Report

    #8

    “Lefty Loosy, Righty Tighty”: 30 Highly Useful Facts That Are Not Yet Universal Knowledge That you should wash your hands every time you use the toilet. Yes, even if you “got nothing on them”.

    Ecstatic-Barracuda20 , Clay Banks Report

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    #9

    “Lefty Loosy, Righty Tighty”: 30 Highly Useful Facts That Are Not Yet Universal Knowledge HR is there to protect the employer, NOT you.

    Grenadine is made from pomegranate, not cherry.

    rayyy16 , im Gouw Report

    #10

    “Lefty Loosy, Righty Tighty”: 30 Highly Useful Facts That Are Not Yet Universal Knowledge Gambling at a casino will most likely result in losing money.

    Layla_BC , Kaysha Report

    #11

    “Lefty Loosy, Righty Tighty”: 30 Highly Useful Facts That Are Not Yet Universal Knowledge The older I get, the more I'm realizing basic history is not known at all.

    Yanwes , Zach Plank Report

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    VioletHunter
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's true. A lot of people have a very, very shaky grasp of even basic history. Kind of like people who can't even find their own continent on a world map.

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    #12

    RSVP means Please Respond. Not respond if you're coming, or respond if you're not coming. Respond whether you're coming or not.

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    #13

    Vehicles entering a freeway/merging with traffic do not have the right-of-way and YIELD signs are not merely suggestions.

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    missmal
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Also, if the left lane is open, its common courtesy to move over to allow room for incoming traffic. 👀Texas

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    #14

    “Lefty Loosy, Righty Tighty”: 30 Highly Useful Facts That Are Not Yet Universal Knowledge Ammonia + Bleach = Poison Gas. Don't combine the two, and pay attention to the active ingredients on cleaning products. Glass cleaner is often ammonia-based while "bathroom cleaners" usually contain bleach, for example.

    paleo2002 , Kelly Sikkema Report

    #15

    95% of getting what you want, is in HOW YOU ASK.

    Don't be a d**k/karen, and you will likely get whatever you need.

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    Jared Robinson
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "someone should have told you, at a very young age, that you attract more flies with honey than vinegar."

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    #16

    “Lefty Loosy, Righty Tighty”: 30 Highly Useful Facts That Are Not Yet Universal Knowledge Cows have to give birth first before they can produce milk
    Just like any other mammal

    schlingelschlange , Suvrajit 💭 S Report

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    Verena
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The calves are taken away immediately after birth and put in separate "igloos", so no mommy time and no contact with other calves. However, some dairy farmers are very successful with a different approach: They leave the calves a couple of months (up to 10 months) with their moms, in the herd. The milk "lost" is no issue (the substitute the calves are fed is not cheap), the farmers have less work and the animals are healthier and well socialized.

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    #17

    “Lefty Loosy, Righty Tighty”: 30 Highly Useful Facts That Are Not Yet Universal Knowledge Lefty loosy, righty tighty

    BubblesO4 , Christian Buehner Report

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    Luke Branwen
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've heard that in one language (I think it was Spanish/Portugese but I'm totally not sure) they have a version of this that goes "The Right oppresses, the Left liberates" and I think it's cool as hell 😁

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    #18

    “Lefty Loosy, Righty Tighty”: 30 Highly Useful Facts That Are Not Yet Universal Knowledge Mayonnaise does not have any dairy in it. Just because eggs are sold in the 'dairy' section of the grocery store does not mean eggs are dairy products. They will not trigger your lactose intolerance because they have no lactose in them.

    WesleySmusher , Jaye Haych Report

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    Sonja
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Be careful with that! Always read the ingredients. While it is true that eggs are not dairy, egg free mayonnaise can be made with whole fat milk and oil. So mayonnaise containing dairy exists. Especially when it's homemade.

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    #19

    “Lefty Loosy, Righty Tighty”: 30 Highly Useful Facts That Are Not Yet Universal Knowledge If the traffic lights are out at an intersection, treat it as a 4 way stop.

    porcelainvacation , Davis Sánchez Report

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    Libstak
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Some of these are clearly American. In Australia you give wY to your right...we drive on the opposite side of the road so the equivalent is give way to your left

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    #20

    If interrogated by the police for a crime ask for a lawyer and say nothing. You can be incredibly guilty but without your testimony you have a chance to get off. You have rights.

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    Nina
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You can also be incredibly innocent but get in trouble through the tunnel vision from investigators. (Ofcourse not all, but it happens)

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    #21

    I have an inner monologue which I thought everyone had

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    Papa
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Mine is not a monologue. If I'm not actively thinking about something there's music in the background.

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    #24

    Some eggs aren't fertilized and will never become a baby/chicken/penquin. It baffles me how many folks Ive had to explain that to this month alone.

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    VioletHunter
    Community Member
    1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    All factory farmed eggs are unfertilized. Those hens never even see a rooster from afar.

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    #25

    “Lefty Loosy, Righty Tighty”: 30 Highly Useful Facts That Are Not Yet Universal Knowledge Blue light on your dash means your brights are on

    Car_loapher , Hannes Egler Report

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    ƒιѕн
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    pffff... who has time to look at their dash when their looking at their phone instead.

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    #26

    I'm always surprised by the number of people who think that ponies are *baby* horses rather than *small* horses.

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    Donkey boi
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This one is not so straight forward. There is no universal standard definition of 'pony'. In some places it is based on current height, and others it's a horse below the average height for it's breed. In some places it's based on the shape of the horse (shorter legs, stockier appearance, wider heads, etc). A few countries use a variation of the word to literally mean 'small/baby horse'. A few places even use the word to describe a female horse with a great temperament. So in summary, All ponies are horses, but not all horses are ponies, and all "baby" ponies are ponies, but not all "baby" horses are ponies, but all "baby" horses might be ponies, depending on where they grow up.

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    #27

    “Lefty Loosy, Righty Tighty”: 30 Highly Useful Facts That Are Not Yet Universal Knowledge A lot of media online. It's easy to see something being really popular online and forget that it's only popular amongst people of a certain demographic or audience.

    The_One_Guy1 , dole777 Report

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    Luke Branwen
    Community Member
    1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm in my late 20s and I teach English occassionally. Sometimes it's fun to inflict psychical damage to my teen students by asking questions like "Who's Mr. Beast?" (or any other famous Youtuber / internet celebrity they mention) 😁

    Lee
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wish Taylor Swift fans were more aware of this. No, some of us are not remotely interested in anything to do with that woman.

    Apatheist Account2
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The one that annoys me most is the tabloid "All fans are saying the same thing" - based on half a dozen tweets.

    Sonja
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Seeing an uprage on social media and thinking it's representative of any group. No, the Twitter crowd doesn't represent whatever group they claim to belong to. It's not even sure they belong to that group. Social media marketing and serving the raging crowd rarely ever worked so far, because in most cases the people who complain are not even the target group.

    censorshipsucks
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    YES. Remarkable how certain groups think they are the world and are suprised when no-one has heard of their stuff.

    laura lee
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Same with all surveys and experiments, it's only a measure of those participating

    Ralph Watkins
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Like when momentous movies come out that really speak to one group. They don't do well at the box office. Suddenly most of the country is labeled as racist or bigoted.

    iseefractals
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Most people seem to be rather terrible at acknowledging the difference between a "large group" and a "significant number" A group of eight million people, is a large group. That's a lot of people, but it's not significant. It's 1/10th of a percent of humanity. 3.35 million, still a large group, but only roughly about 1% of the population of the U.S. But...over the past few years the media machine has taken to highlighting instance of "social crimes" racism/sexism/-phobia, and people presume that because media outlets find one, or even several of those stories every day that it's representative of a significant trend. Media outlets could highlight 9,178 unique (different perpetrators) instances of "hate" (or anything for that matter) every single day of the year, and it would only represent 1% of the US population. And before anyone tries to imply that i'm trying to say "it doesn't matter" that's not the point. It matters, it's just not representative of some sort of norm.

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    #28

    Roman Numerals.

    Not sure why I thought it was common knowledge.

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    #29

    If you want to drink beer all night long, drink a glass of water between each beer. You will be the last one standing.

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    Daniela Lavanza
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's also useful to avoid hangover (which is merely dehydration). Well, the best is to drink alcohol lightly, of course.

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    #30

    “Lefty Loosy, Righty Tighty”: 30 Highly Useful Facts That Are Not Yet Universal Knowledge The arrow next to your gas pump symbol on your dashboard indicates what side of the car your tank is on. ⛽️🚗

    Iwantacheezeburger84 , Danny Sleeuwenhoek Report

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    #31

    “Lefty Loosy, Righty Tighty”: 30 Highly Useful Facts That Are Not Yet Universal Knowledge Police are allowed to lie to you, manipulate you and twist your words during interrogations. Most people assume there's some kind of rule in place but once you waive your right to an attorney and agree to talk they can basically do whatever they want short of a threat. Innocent or not, always, always lawyer up immediately.

    Lordfuton92 , LOGAN WEAVER | @LGNWVR Report

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    #32

    That you could just remove all the zeros from a multiplication question, multiply all the non zero numbers, then just add the zeros back afterwards.

    E.g. 234000 × 6000 could be done as just 234 × 6 first, which is 1404, and then since there are 6 zeros in total from the original two numbers, just add 6 zeros to the back of 1404. Then you have 1404000000.

    Very easy.

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    Ubedhheij
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yet that wasn't taught to us just extremely awful methods besides the standard.

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    #33

    In the US, even numbered highways go east and west whereas odd numbered highways go north and south.

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    kansasmagic
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yep, and the "prefixes" in freeway numbers are also a kind of code. An even number indicates a loop that is linked to the main route at two points: e.g. the 405 in Los Angeles makes a semi-circle around the 5. An odd number is a spur that is linked at only one point. Also, exit numbers (usually) increase from south to north, and west to east.

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    #34

    Capybaras are the worlds largest rodent. I guess not everyone grew up with The Wild Thornberries

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    Biana Weatherford
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They are the best animals! I could just watch them for hours. So friendly and peaceful.

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    #35

    Many people can't picture faces in their heads, even of their loved ones. We don't fully remember faces but recognize them.
    I can tell you a few things about my mother's face, but I don't have a picture of it in my head.
    I am very fascinated by people who can do it though.

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    Andrea Purzycki
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've always been terrified of being witness to a crime for this reason. I wouldn't be able to describe someone to a sketch artist. I wouldn't be able to describe my own husband or even my mother to a sketch artist in any useful detail.

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    #36

    If you go under a tunnel in the states, if there is a red line along the wall it means your under ground and if it’s blue you’re under water.

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    #37

    If your birthday is on a Monday, then the next year it will be on a Tuesday, then on a Wednesday and so on with the exception of leap years where it skips a day.

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    #38

    “Lefty Loosy, Righty Tighty”: 30 Highly Useful Facts That Are Not Yet Universal Knowledge Pressing the “TEST” button on a smoke detector will silence it.

    I still see people fanning towels at them sometimes.

    darknecross , Wikipedia Report

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    Jared Robinson
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not always, if there is actually smoke it will just trigger again. I've had some I've literally had to rip the battery out of to get them to quit.

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    #39

    That the Alphabet Song is just "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" in disguise.

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    #40

    Some people confuse the concepts of "checking your oil level" with "changing your oil periodically". Both activities need to be done regularly.

    As in "why would I need to change the oil? The light hasn't come on yet!"

    casapulapula Report

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    Robert T
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Checking your oil level should really include checking the colour of your oil. Though on modern cars with no dipstick you can't do this, but they have service interval reminders to tell the dipstick in the driver's seat when to take the car in for service.

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    #41

    Knocking on a door before going inside

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    Donkey boi
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think you mean, 'Knocking on a door and NOT going in until invited to do so'.

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    #42

    This may just be a local thing but here goes. The reflectors in the roadway at night are white when you’re going the right way, and red when you’re not. Specifically it’s the reflectors that divide traffic lanes (white dashed lines).

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    Robert T
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    On a dual-carriageway. On single-carriageways in the UK the catseyes in the centre of the road are white for both directions - there may also be white lines at the edge of the road with or without refectors on them - or there may be posts with red reflectors on your side and white on the opposite side (red = tail lights; white = headlights). Dual-carriageways and motorways use red for the edge of the road, amber for the central reservation and green for an exit.

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    #43

    “Lefty Loosy, Righty Tighty”: 30 Highly Useful Facts That Are Not Yet Universal Knowledge In the US, a lot of hospital systems have financial aid based on income. I've gotten 60-100% of my bill wiped *after* insurance. Even while making a living wage, they still took off 60%.

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    Timbob
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And recently, in the U.S., a new industry popped up. Former hospital billing employees started a new service. They will negotiate for patients to lower a hospital bill !

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    #44

    How to read a map. General directions. NEWS. Sometimes there's no wifi and apparently, no common sense.

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    LaserBrain
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm still surprised, a lot of people if you ask them don't know which way north is. Even from their own home.

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