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.
#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.
Image credits: MDB_1987
#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.
Image credits: Pfeffer_Prinz
#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).
Image credits: Olshansk
“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.
Image credits: PositiveDepth1533
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.
Image credits: DaegestaniHandcuff
#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.
Image credits: Kurma-the-Turtle
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
Almost all of the early cryogenically preserved bodies were thawed and disposed of after the cryonic facilities went out of business.
Image credits: pandaKrusher
#8
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.
Image credits: TheMadResistor
#9
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.
Image credits: Ill_Definition8074
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
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.
#11
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.
Image credits: JimPalamo
#12
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.
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
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.
Image credits: Ainsley-Sorsby
#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."
Image credits: lifeismiserydeleteme
#15
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.
Image credits: iso-joe
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
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.
#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.
Image credits: default-user-name-1
#18
At the time of the French Revolution the majority of people in France did not speak French.
Image credits: DABDEB
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
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.
Image credits: UndyingCorn
#20
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.
#21
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.
Image credits: DeVoto
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 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.
Image credits: Kurma-the-Turtle
#23
99% of what the British Museum owns isn’t on display.
Image credits: adamjames777
#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.
Image credits: Kurma-the-Turtle
#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.
Image credits: Ainsley-Sorsby
#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.”
Image credits: waitingforthesun92
#28
NVIDIA's unofficial company motto is "Our company is thirty days from going out of business."
Image credits: poleco1
#29
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.
#30
Nearly 1 billion adults worldwide are estimated to have sleep apnea, with most cases going undiagnosed.
