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Learning for adults shouldn’t be just an optional activity. Gaining new knowledge is vital for individuals’ cognitive functions, independence, career, and confidence. If we stop educating ourselves, all of our abilities essential to our overall well-being decline, and we start to enjoy our daily experiences less.
Have you learned something new today for your own good, dear Pandas? In case you haven't, we have your back with a list full of fresh facts from the “Today I Learned” subreddit. Scroll down to get a good brain workout in, and don’t forget to upvote the facts you can’t wait to share with your loved ones.
While you’re at it, make sure to check out a conversation with life and career coach Naama Zusman and career and creativity coach Tineke Tammes, who kindly agreed to explain to us how learning can also be beneficial to our careers.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Shortly before artist Keith Haring died, he formed a charitable foundation that now owns all of his copyrights. The money from licensing his work goes to underprivileged children and AIDS-related charities.
#2
Legendary session bassist Leland Sklar put a switch on his bass that does nothing. He calls it the "producer switch" — when a producer asks for a different sound, he flips the switch (making sure the producer can see), and carries on. He says this placebo has saved him a lot of grief.
#3
About the Bannister Effect: When a barrier previously thought to be unachievable is broken, a mental shift happens enabling many others to break past it (named after the man who broke the 4 minute mile).
“Learning something new each day, even in small increments, can keep one’s skills fresh and relevant,” says life and career coach Naama Zusman.
“Learning something new daily is more than just a career booster; it taps into our human need for growth. We naturally feel more fulfilled and satisfied when we’re evolving, and daily learning keeps us on that path of personal and professional development,” she explains.
“This continual learning also fuels confidence, which is crucial for career development. A habit of daily learning demonstrates to employers and peers that a person is engaged, curious, and committed to growth—qualities highly valued in any field,” Zusman adds.
#4
One of the longest writings preserved in Pompeii is the poem of a woman yearning for another woman.
Bernd Herbert 1 week ago
Huh, weird. Conservatives trying to tell us, that LGBTQ stuff is a very new thing, that didn't exist some deacdes ago...
Meanwhile, career and creativity coach Tineke Tammes says, "Learning something new every day shows that you are embracing a growth mindset, that you're curious about the world around you, and you're willing to adapt and change at work and to grow personally and professionally, which is vital in an ever-changing world and workplace.
Daily learning helps you to stay curious, helps you grow, personally and professionally, shows your willingness to invest in your job and career and, quite frankly, is good fun too!" she exclaims.
#5
In World War I, German and French soldiers would sometimes display "live and let live" behavior. Sometimes soldiers would refuse to target the other side and at other times they would fire weapons ceremoniously and with no intent to harm the enemy.
Smeghead Tribble Down Under 1 week ago
The Anzacs and Turks did this at Gallipoli too. They'd chuck little pressies across the trenches to each other as well, like cigarettes, sweets etc.
#6
A community of escaped slaves in colonial Brazil founded their own confederated kingdom that lasted for almost 90 years, with a population of around 11,000.
The benefits of daily learning can be both tangible and intangible, Zusman says. “On one level, it builds a competitive edge by keeping people updated on industry trends, opening doors to new skills, and enhancing problem-solving abilities. This dedication often leads to new opportunities, whether through promotions or the ability to transition into new roles.”
It can additionally help people develop an interdisciplinary mindset, which in work environments is called “new currency.” “As we adapt to a changing world, daily learning cultivates the curiosity and adaptability that make navigating these changes easier and more rewarding,” says Zusman.
#7
During WWII, pilots frequently blacked out during turns as strong G-forces caused blood pooling in their legs. Douglas Bader, a British Ace, did not have this problem because his legs had been amputated after an accident.
StarCrossedFriday 1 week ago
“Guys, we’ve found a solution to the blacking out - you’re not going to like it.”
#8
Almost all of the early cryogenically preserved bodies were thawed and disposed of after the cryonic facilities went out of business.
#9
The gourd was one of the world's first cultivated plants grown not primarily for food, but for use as containers. It is also used as a resonator on many stringed instruments, including the sitar.
However, adults who have their personalities and ways of living concreted in them might find it daunting or challenging to learn something new and allow this new found knowledge to change the way they think, live, or work.
They might also see learning as something that has to be done in a classroom with a teacher who periodically tests their education levels, further scaring them away from expanding their knowledge. The fear of failure can also sometimes prevent adults from trying to improve.
#10
In Tudor England, there was a type of criminal called a "baretop trickster". It was a woman who would flash her breasts to lure men into a house. Once the man was inside he would be robbed by the woman’s accomplices.
#11
In 1967, the whiskey brand Canadian Club did a "Hide a Case" advertising campaign where they hid 25 cases of their whiskey in exotic locations around the world. There are still 9 cases still hidden with one being above the Artic Circle.
#12
When Tsarevich Nicholas(later Nicholas II) visited Japan in 1891, an attermpt on his life was made by a man wielding a katana. His cousin, Prince George of Greece, saved his life by parrying the sword with his cane.
Smeghead Tribble Down Under 1 week ago
I think I need a visit to Specsavers - I read 'katana' as 'banana' >.<
In truth, learning can be much easier than some might imagine and can take place anywhere. It can happen while reading a Wikipedia page, watching a YouTube video on our phone, or opening a book on something for beginners.
"Learning can be small: read a book, watch a TED talk, listen to a podcast, talk to your colleague about something they're interested in, read a magazine. Feed your curiosity in 20-minute bite-size chunks instead!
You can fit these activities easily into your day—when you're on your commute, when waiting in the coffee queue, when normally watching TV—which means that you're MUCH more likely to do them!" Tammes says.
Of course, it’s important to check the credibility of the resources one learns from. Make sure that the author has expertise in their subject matter and that the YouTuber isn’t trying to push viewers into a class that promotes unrealistic or toxic ways of starting a business or gaining passive income. Every person can pretend to be an expert so just be aware of that.
#13
Top Gear's international popularity was due largely to early episodes being shared illegally on the FinalGear forum when the show was only available in the UK. When the forum's founder passed away, Jeremy Clarkson posted a tweet acknowledging how important he had been to the show's success.
#14
Jimmy Carter promised to release all government UFO information if he became president. However, after being elected, he chose not to, citing "national security concerns."
TruthoftheHeart 1 week ago (edited)
Got to wonder if they have secrets they feel like the rest of us would literally lose their minds knowing or at least those who are religious
#15
Since the late 1950s, aerospace engineers have used the term "unobtainium" when referring to unusual or costly materials, or when theoretically considering a material perfect for their needs in all respects, except that it does not exist.
A person doesn’t have to dedicate a lot of time to improving themselves either. “Setting aside just 10-15 minutes each day for a specific skill or topic adds up over time, allowing anyone to make daily learning a sustainable habit. Leveraging apps or newsletters with curated content can also make learning feel effortless while maintaining momentum,” mentions Zusman.
#16
Four time World's Strongest Man winner Jón Páll Sigmarsson, who famously stated "There is no reason to be alive, if you can't do deadlift!" died at the age of 32 while deadlifting in his gym.
#17
The exercise paradox, also known as the workout paradox, refers to the finding that physical activity, while essential for maintaining overall health, does not necessarily lead to significant weight loss or increased calorie expenditure.
Kenneth Barns 1 week ago
Funny that. I wonder why increasing muscle mass would not lead to significant weight loss??? (That to one side, loss of muscle mass from sedentary living is just as harmful to health as excess of fatty tissue. It is important to remain active even if there is no "weight loss".)
#18
99% of what the British Museum owns isn’t on display.
Bookworm 1 week ago
Probably true of most of the world's biggest museums. They've all got tons of stuff in storage. You hear all the time about them finding stuff they didn't even realize they had, because it was purchased and shoved into storage in an era when 'record keeping' could mean "here's a sales receipt that says 'two mummies and a vase' on it."
A lot of experts and learners are currently jumping on the microlearning bandwagon, where educational content is delivered in a concise and clear way. A learning session can be as short as 3-5 minutes and the learner can decide when and where they can allocate the time to expand their knowledge and fit it into their busy schedule.
#19
In 2017, “Big Tobacco” companies were finally forced to air ads in the US that admitted their products were deadly and addictive. This came after 11 years of appeals by the companies to delay and weaken the nature of the ads.
#20
In England in the Middle Ages, a fugitive could claim sanctuary simply by touching the knocker on the outer door of a church to be immune from arrest.
Fat Harry (Oi / You) 1 week ago
There's more to this, though: you weren't simply immune from arrest, you had a limited period of protection from the Church in which to prove innocence or otherwise evade your arrest. I think it was about 30 days. Meanwhile, those wanting to arrest you would most likely wait outside until your period expired. There's an episode of the TV programme "Cadfael" (about a detective monk during The Anarchy) where this is a part of the plot, "The Sanctuary Sparrow".
#21
The policeman John Parker, who was assigned to guard the entrance to Lincoln’s box at Fords Theater, was not immediately fired after he was assassinated. He was even assigned to guard Mary Todd Lincoln afterwards, though she quickly dismissed him. He was only fired in 1868 for sleeping on duty.
Such a method was inspired by Hermann Ebbinghaus’ forgetting curve, which demonstrates that people typically lose 80% of the knowledge they are presented with within a month, especially if they try to take in the information in large amounts.
#22
In WWI, half of the French army mutinied in 1917. Soldiers remained in trenches, but refused orders to attack after the failure of the Nivelle Offensive, which General Nivelle promised a 48 hour victory. The mutinies were heavily suppressed by the French and were not fully disclosed until 1967.
#23
At the time of the French Revolution the majority of people in France did not speak French.
Bookworm 1 week ago
Like a lot of places in Europe at that time, there was an official court language used for government business, and a diverse mix of other languages and local dialects used by regular people. It's still a little visible in English, because of the Normans coming over - words that are more formal (higher 'register') are more likely to be French origin, and less formal words tend to come from Old English.
#24
The British Empire was the largest in human history, about six times larger than the Roman Empire, occupying close to a quarter of the world.
Zusman highlights that daily learning works best when it aligns with a person's long-term goals, passions, and interests. “Setting specific learning objectives makes daily efforts more purposeful, helping people feel fulfilled and satisfied with their progress. Ultimately, this commitment to continual learning keeps us adaptable, resilient, and curious—qualities that drive success in both life and work,” she concludes.
#25
A French occultist built a device to test the hypothesis that snails create a permanent telepathic link when they mate.
#26
In 1692 an 80 year old from Livonia was called to court as a witness to a theft. Unprompted, he revealed that he was a werewolf who fought witches in hell, including his neighbour, who broke his nose with his broomstick. The judges initialy laughed but evidence forced them to take it seriously.
#27
Prolific Hollywood prosthetic makeup artist Tom Savini served as a combat photographer in Vietnam, and this later influenced his style of gory effects. Savini said: "I hated that when I watched a war movie and someone dies. Some people die with one eye open and one eye half-closed.”
#28
NVIDIA's unofficial company motto is "Our company is thirty days from going out of business."
#29
Nearly 1 billion adults worldwide are estimated to have sleep apnea, with most cases going undiagnosed.
MagicJacket 1 week ago
I have it and I blame it on a bad case of mononucleosis that I got in my early 20s. Was hospitalized after my tonsils swelled up and almost blocked my airway. Never had a sleep problem before that. Been using CPAP for a long time now. Annoying, but necessary.
#30
During the WW2 Battle Of The Atlantic, the British Merchant Navy had a higher casualty rate in proportion to the armed forces, and their wages were halted as soon as their vessel was hit by a torpedo.
What do you think ?
Ben Aziza 1 week ago (edited)
Well OF COURSE the Amish would have lower cancer rates!!! If you use more than 2 brain cells it because obvious why... HOW does one KNOW they have cancer? They have to USE THE DEVILS MAGIC!!! Aka modern medicine and technology... Maybe just MAYBE there is a tiny infinitesimally small possibility... THAT AVOIDANCE OF MODERN MEDICINE IS WHY THE DATA IS LIKE THIS??? Ahahahahh ohh man that was such a stupid thing to read today...
Tyranamar Suess 1 week ago
The Amish are open to modern medical care. They all pay into a fund every month. And if you get really sick with something like cancer they'll pay the bill. It's their form of insurance. They can even ride in modern vehicles to go to the hospital if they need to.
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Ben Aziza 1 week ago (edited)
Well OF COURSE the Amish would have lower cancer rates!!! If you use more than 2 brain cells it because obvious why... HOW does one KNOW they have cancer? They have to USE THE DEVILS MAGIC!!! Aka modern medicine and technology... Maybe just MAYBE there is a tiny infinitesimally small possibility... THAT AVOIDANCE OF MODERN MEDICINE IS WHY THE DATA IS LIKE THIS??? Ahahahahh ohh man that was such a stupid thing to read today...
Tyranamar Suess 1 week ago
The Amish are open to modern medical care. They all pay into a fund every month. And if you get really sick with something like cancer they'll pay the bill. It's their form of insurance. They can even ride in modern vehicles to go to the hospital if they need to.
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