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TIL actress Angela Lansbury moved her entire family from California to Ireland because her daughter was starting to get involved with Charles Manson.
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As mentioned in the intro, learning something new, whether it’s a new skill or just brand-new information, makes us feel good. One reason is that it makes us feel like our brains are working faster and better.
Learning something new encourages myelin growth, for one. Myelin is the protective layer around the brain’s nerve fibers that helps electrical signals travel faster and more efficiently.
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According to experts, dopamine release and myelin are what make us crave novel experiences. This is especially true when we repeatedly learn something new through practice or when it becomes a regular part of our daily lives.
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TIL Grad student David Radies was doing random sampling for a lichen diversity study in British Columbia when he saw logging tape tied around a red cedar at least two thousand years old. He discovered an ancient forest that was about to be logged, which was then saved as Ancient Forest park
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That is why experts also encourage curiosity. According to UCLA psychology professor Alan Castel, it happens when we least expect it: during moments of boredom.
“Boredom can lead to self-reflection as well as ‘incubation,' where an idea may be percolating despite one not actively thinking about problem-solving (i.e., when you need some time to sleep on it before the 'aha' moment),” Castel wrote. v
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Castel also points out that curiosity has a dark side. An intriguing yet suspicious link may urge you to click, even when you know of the potential consequences at the back of your mind.
“Thus, there is a good balance between intense curiosity and just showing some interest, and this may help one age well,” Castel notes.
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TIL that scientists reintroduced the Whooping Crane to an extinct migration route by guiding them through the air with an ultralight airplane they imprinted on. The pilot had to wear a crane costume to keep them from bonding with humans.
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Many people believe a person’s real demise happens when they stop learning. One of the easiest ways to keep curiosity alive is to always ask why. As Castel points out, that simple question engages relational processing, which urges us to compare abstract thoughts or link things together to find an answer.
“Asking why is a great way to better understand the world, what is known and not known, and the rules that may apply in any given situation,” he said.
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Most of the facts on this list may be eye-opening, but they are likely far from life-changing. And that’s what makes them fun to learn. The best part about it is that the world is full of obscure stories, strange coincidences, and scientific discoveries, so there is no shortage of brand-new information.
Now, let’s turn it over to you, dear readers. Which of these facts surprised you the most?
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