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Learning never ends! Or, well, at least it shouldn’t. Even if you’ve finished school or college, it doesn’t mean that you can kick back and relax for the rest of your life. Your mind needs to work out just like your body. Not to mention how deeply satisfying it is to discover new things about the world.

All that it takes is a dash of curiosity, a bit of patience, and—potentially—the support of a massively popular online community. That’s where the ‘Today I Learned’ or TIL subreddit comes in. Its 34.4 million eager members regularly share all the new things they’ve recently learned. We’ve collected some of their freshest and most astonishing insights for you, Pandas. Scroll down to check them out… and don’t forget to share them with your friends. 

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#1

35 Of The Most Brain-Scrambling “Today I Learned” Facts (New Facts) TIL that dogs intentionally try to make humans laugh. They understand that laughter means play, and play is positive.

lovelycontributer , Josh Sorenson / Pexels Report

Final score:
396points
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#2

35 Of The Most Brain-Scrambling “Today I Learned” Facts (New Facts) TIL that the Australian Ibis (aka bin chickens) have learned how to eat the invasive and poisonous cane toad. They do this by picking the toad up, shaking it around to get it to expell its poison and empty is poison sacs, then washing the poison off with water.

CaravelClerihew , Charles J. Sharp / Wikipedia Report

Final score:
303points
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#3

35 Of The Most Brain-Scrambling “Today I Learned” Facts (New Facts) TIL about a phenomenon called "delayed implantation" in grizzly bears. The embryo will start gestation only after the mama bear has gained enough weight to avoid death by starvation during hibernation.

Fluid-One-4008 , Jean Beaufort / Wikipedia Report

Final score:
246points
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petepeter5349 avatar
You don't need it
You don't need it
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm waiting for Republicans to pass legislation to force the bear to gestate regardless of the mother's health.

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The long and short of it is that we have to consistently take care of our brains if we want to live a healthy, happy, and high-quality life. A very wide range of factors contribute to this. For one, the positive relationships we build with the people we care about are paramount. Strong social networks make us more resilient to stress. On the flip side, loneliness is absolutely awful for our bodies, minds, and longevity.

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On top of that, you have to get plenty of sleep, eat nutritious food, and get lots of movement throughout the week. Your body and mind are intrinsically linked. No matter how intelligent and skilled you are, your brain won’t thank you if all you ever do is stay cooped up inside, staring at screens and eating junk food.
#4

35 Of The Most Brain-Scrambling “Today I Learned” Facts (New Facts) TIL: A US Air Force cadet was reading about WWII when he stumbled upon the name of a janitor that worked at his USAF Academy. That’s how it was discovered at the academy that that janitor was a Medal of Honor recipient.

ItsThe1994Man , Lilly Rum / Unsplash Report

Final score:
240points
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Nina
Nina
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

US treat veterans as they treat babies, once they're out, they're on their own.

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#5

35 Of The Most Brain-Scrambling “Today I Learned” Facts (New Facts) TIL 1 in 5 CEOs have psychopathic tendencies.

israelpalestine234 , Ono Kosuki / Pexels Report

Final score:
191points
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#6

35 Of The Most Brain-Scrambling “Today I Learned” Facts (New Facts) TIL The Green Bay Packers (NFL) is the only non-profit, community-owned major league professional sports team based in the United States.

anon210202 , Mike Morbeck / Flickr Report

Final score:
190points
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seana lammers
seana lammers
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Does this mean any profits go to community development projects?

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Aside from investing in your relationships and taking better care of your health, you ought to give your mind some direct training as well. We all know how much better life is when we’re feeling fresh and sharp, not groggy and slow. But a big part of feeling bright and capable comes from taking the time and energy to try new things and learn new skills.

You could go for something as simple and fun as reading a book, putting together a puzzle, solving a crossword, or trying your hand at Sudoku. You could give learning a new language a try or pick an interesting subject to research, whether that’s something to do with psychology, history, science, or anything else.

Or you could pick up a new hobby to try out. Like painting, dancing, playing an instrument, or putting together an entire vintage car from scratch in your garage. It should be something that’s new to you but that you feel at least slightly enthusiastic about. Doing things that we find hard improves our willpower. However, we shouldn’t go through life having to force every single thing that we do. There’s a balance to be found here.

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#7

35 Of The Most Brain-Scrambling “Today I Learned” Facts (New Facts) TIL the next periodical emergence of the 13- and 17-year cicada broods is 2024. The last time these insects co-emerged was 221 years ago while Thomas Jefferson was president.

fishbethany , wikimedia Report

Final score:
181points
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#8

35 Of The Most Brain-Scrambling “Today I Learned” Facts (New Facts) TIL: Maryland was a slave state that sided with the Union, but in 1864, they actually had a referendum to abolish slavery. It narrowly failed - until the absentee ballots from the soldiers at the front came in, at which point it overwhelmingly succeeded.

Sayyid_Karim , Jimmy Emerson, DVM / Flickr Report

Final score:
161points
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#9

35 Of The Most Brain-Scrambling “Today I Learned” Facts (New Facts) TIL that Nelson Rockefeller, once Vice President of the United States, died at age 70 of a heart attack rumoured to be caused during sex with his 25 year old assistant. The New York Magazine quipped: "Nelson thought he was coming, but he was going".

No-Beginning1746 , wikipedia Report

Final score:
157points
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heatherphilpot avatar
Hphizzle
Hphizzle
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some headlines just make themselves. The writer took it, and ran with it!

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Dr. John N. Morris, the director of social and health policy at the Institute for Aging Research, which is affiliated with the Harvard Medical School, urges people to practice new and challenging activities.

“Eventually, your cognitive skills will wane and thinking and memory will be more challenging, so you need to build up your reserve. Embracing a new activity that also forces you to think and learn and requires ongoing practice can be one of the best ways to keep the brain healthy,” he said.
#10

35 Of The Most Brain-Scrambling “Today I Learned” Facts (New Facts) TIL that when the first rail bridge over the Mississippi River was being planned, riverboat operators pushed for rigid standards in hopes of making the bridge impossible. Instead, the bridge pioneered multiple engineering techniques and still carries road and rail traffic 150 years later.

GetYerHandOffMyPenis Report

Final score:
149points
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#11

35 Of The Most Brain-Scrambling “Today I Learned” Facts (New Facts) TIL that sperm whales can generate sounds up to 230 decibels - far beyond the fatality threshold for humans.

JOWWLLL Report

Final score:
147points
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#12

35 Of The Most Brain-Scrambling “Today I Learned” Facts (New Facts) TIL that the leader of the Crips, Stanley Williams, lived a double life where during the day, he was an anti-gang youth counselor, and at night acted as the overboss of the Crips, committing violent gang crimes against the Bloods.

ponkytoe , wikipedia Report

Final score:
135points
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Michael P (Perthaussieguy)
Michael P (Perthaussieguy)
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10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That does seem to happen quite a bit. People leading hypocritical double lives (especially in the church)

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Morris stressed the fact that you cannot improve your memory if you don’t work at it. "The more time you devote to engaging your brain, the more it benefits. It is the constant repetition of working to improve, and not the quest for mastery, that can have the greatest impact.”

Which of the facts in this list surprised you the most? Were there any that you’d already heard about before, dear Pandas? Let us know in the comment section. In the meantime, if your curiosity is all fired up and you’d like to learn some more TIL facts about the world, feel free to read Bored Panda’s earlier posts.
#13

35 Of The Most Brain-Scrambling “Today I Learned” Facts (New Facts) TIL that Sigourney Weaver earned $1,000,000 and a share of the profits for Aliens (1986), whereas she earned only $35,000 for Alien (1979).

PutOk7117 Report

Final score:
133points
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Jeff White
Jeff White
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well WELL deserved. She probably should have paid the movie studios for 3 and 4. But Aliens remains the best 2nd movie ever.

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#14

35 Of The Most Brain-Scrambling “Today I Learned” Facts (New Facts) TIL that in 1973, two brothers, an 18-year-old and a 10-year-old stayed in Tom Sawyer's River at Disneyland past closing time. When they tried to swim to leave, the older brother carried his younger brother, who didn't know how to swim, on his back and drowned. The younger survived.

Ok-Indication-5121 , indel Media / Pexels Report

Final score:
130points
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quinnsane avatar
QUINN SANE
QUINN SANE
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There’s been quite a few deaths at Disneyland that are bizarre. Understandably, Disney tries to keep them secret.

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#15

35 Of The Most Brain-Scrambling “Today I Learned” Facts (New Facts) TIL that sharks do not produce sounds that humans can hear. Out of the 400-500 species, no organ capable of producing sound has ever been found.

marituci , Marcelo Cidrack / Unsplash Report

Final score:
124points
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#16

35 Of The Most Brain-Scrambling “Today I Learned” Facts (New Facts) TIL that only about 20% of homes in the UK are completely detached with zero shared walls, whereas, almost 85% of homes in the US are detached.

tyrion2024 , Blake Wheeler / Unsplash Report

Final score:
123points
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drew_11 avatar
Drew
Drew
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hardly surprising since the UK is 40 times smaller than the US. It also has a significantly higher population density - 274 inhabitants per km2 compared to 35 in the US

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#17

35 Of The Most Brain-Scrambling “Today I Learned” Facts (New Facts) TIL of the antimony pill, aka the everlasting pill, used in the 18th and early 19th century for stomach relief. It was reusable after pooping it out, making it very cost effective. Entire families used the same pill, which some times went through multiple generations.

Ainsley-Sorsby , DAB Healthy Report

Final score:
120points
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#18

35 Of The Most Brain-Scrambling “Today I Learned” Facts (New Facts) TIL that, of the 50 oldest people on the planet, only ONE of them is a male.

MartyMcFly7 , OVAN / Pexels Report

Final score:
116points
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Philly Bob Squires
Philly Bob Squires
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Look at a lot of the stupid s**t we pull and it's no wonder! LOL!

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#19

35 Of The Most Brain-Scrambling “Today I Learned” Facts (New Facts) TIL that Hong Kong actor Michael Chan is well-known for his various triad (gangster) roles and martial arts movies. It was later discovered he was actually the No. 2 boss in the 14k Triad.

Torley_ Report

Final score:
114points
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Lotekguy
Lotekguy
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10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Good for an actor to have a safety net since employment is so uncertain.

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#20

35 Of The Most Brain-Scrambling “Today I Learned” Facts (New Facts) TIL that after childbirth, the placenta can leave behind a wound the size of a dinner plate inside the mother’s uterus.

NikkiZ4 , Jonathan Borba / Unsplash Report

Final score:
113points
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Annik Perrot
Annik Perrot
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That wound usually closes itself quickly, as the uterus contracts back into shape, but if it continues bleeding, it threatens the mother's life. I nearly lost à family member that way

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#21

35 Of The Most Brain-Scrambling “Today I Learned” Facts (New Facts) TIL: Giant Tortoises lacked a scientific name for 300 years; as sailors devoured them on return trips.

Banished2ShadowRealm , wikipedia Report

Final score:
108points
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StPaul9
StPaul9
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The meat was described as succulent, and the shell held so much fresh water. 'We'll do it this time, I swear! chomp

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#22

35 Of The Most Brain-Scrambling “Today I Learned” Facts (New Facts) TIL a four-year-old m****r case was solved when detectives noticed a gang member's tattoo that depicted the entire crime scene.

mike_pants , cottonbro studio / Pexels Report

Final score:
103points
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social_276 avatar
SM
SM
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10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Censoring murder, now I feel safe board panda!

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#23

35 Of The Most Brain-Scrambling “Today I Learned” Facts (New Facts) TIL Bermuda has no indigenous population, and has only been permanently settled since 1609.

LeahTheKnown , JoshuaDavisPhotography / Flickr Report

Final score:
103points
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Caroline Nagel
Caroline Nagel
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Am I right in thinking that there are no fresh water sources on Bermuda and the fresh water they have comes from gathered rainwater?

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#24

35 Of The Most Brain-Scrambling “Today I Learned” Facts (New Facts) TIL the only state in the U.S. that requires shoes while driving is Alabama -- and that's only for motorcycle riders.

laterdude , Jim Brickett / Flickr Report

Final score:
100points
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howdylee
howdylee
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Can confirm, I've driven home from the beach in Florida (10 min drive), wearing a bikini and no shoes :) Standards are low, but we all know this! :)

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#25

35 Of The Most Brain-Scrambling “Today I Learned” Facts (New Facts) TIL that in the UK, the number of women (103,575) who applied to study law at the undergraduate level in 2022 was nearly double the number of men (51,865) who did.

tyrion2024 , Yaroslav Shuraev / Pexels Report

Final score:
98points
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laura lee
laura lee
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10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

TIL in the UK you can study law as an undergraduate. US you generally study liberal arts as an undergrad to get a wide range of knowledge and then apply to Law school

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#26

35 Of The Most Brain-Scrambling “Today I Learned” Facts (New Facts) TIL a man bought all the spare B-2 windshields and used them in his daughter’s tree house. The USAF had to buy them back to replace a damaged Spirit windshield.

AlbaneseGummies327 , Defense Visual Information Distribution Service Report

Final score:
92points
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KinoEel
KinoEel
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why where they selling them when they still had use for them

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#27

35 Of The Most Brain-Scrambling “Today I Learned” Facts (New Facts) TIL while most American sports are variations on older ones, volleyball, skateboarding, snowboarding and ultimate frisbee are completely American inventions

Lego349 , ALLAN FRANCA CARMO / Pexels Report

Final score:
85points
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Pedantic Panda
Pedantic Panda
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Volleyball was invented as a variation of badminton surely? Skateboarding was a variation on surfing and was called street surfing, and the first snowboard was two skis stuck together so is a variation of skiing?

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#28

35 Of The Most Brain-Scrambling “Today I Learned” Facts (New Facts) TIL that in 2016, Burger King opened a spa in one of its restaurants in Helsinki, Finland. Customers could enjoy a Whopper while sitting in the 15-seater sauna room, and the spa also featured showers, PlayStation, TVs, and beverages and the price was $283/person.

giuliomagnifico , Food&Events Tapahtumaravintolat Report

Final score:
78points
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#29

TIL that Bobby Driscoll, the voice of Disney's Peter Pan, lost his film contract due to puberty related acne, turned to drugs, went to prison, hung out with Andy Warhol, and died penniless and alone in an abandoned building in the East Village.

monkeypickle Report

Final score:
73points
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#30

35 Of The Most Brain-Scrambling “Today I Learned” Facts (New Facts) TIL Korean astronauts eat a version of kimchi that has been radiated to kill all of the microorganisms.

admiralturtleship Report

Final score:
70points
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#31

35 Of The Most Brain-Scrambling “Today I Learned” Facts (New Facts) TIL There is a a parasite that can infect the human brain and alter our behaviour. It can cause road rage, increase chances of dying in a road accident and much more.

ultimate_man1 , Genaro Servín / Pexels Report

Final score:
69points
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Chocolate llama
Chocolate llama
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I guess this is toxoplasma gondii? It is linked to increased reckless behavior and is transmitted by cats. It is also the reason pregnant people should not scoop up kitty litter because the parasite can be harmful to the unborn and the pregnant person.

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#32

TIL that a steel bridge in India is being dangerously eroded by pedestrians spitting on it.

51CKS4DW0RLD Report

Final score:
67points
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#33

35 Of The Most Brain-Scrambling “Today I Learned” Facts (New Facts) TIL that the world's second most expensive building is The Clock Towers complex in Mecca, which had a total construction cost of 15 billion USD. It was built by the Saudi Binladin Group, whose founder is the father of Osama Bin Laden. Construction began in 2002, and opened in 2012.

NewAccountEachYear , wikimedia Report

Final score:
59points
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#34

35 Of The Most Brain-Scrambling “Today I Learned” Facts (New Facts) TIL that Okinoshima Island in Japan strictly forbids women to step ashore due to local traditions. The entire island is a sacred Shinto kami, and over 80,000 artifacts left as offerings have been recovered. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2017.

zanderman108 , wikipedia Report

Final score:
57points
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robin aldrich
robin aldrich
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pisses me off that cultures considered menstruating women "unclean" It's actually a natural way of the body cleansing itself, if not pregnant...That's part of life, that's part of what creates life, you want children? well deal with it.

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#35

35 Of The Most Brain-Scrambling “Today I Learned” Facts (New Facts) TIL David Bowie ended the Ziggy Stardust Persona, and practically fired The Spiders from Mars on stage at their final performance in London’s Hammersmith Odeon on July 3rd, 1973. To the fans, and bands disbelief, “Not only is it the last show of the tour, but, it’s the last show we’ll ever do”.

hotsaucetom , wikipedia Report

Final score:
54points
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Note: this post originally had 50 images. It’s been shortened to the top 35 images based on user votes.

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