# Tell us an interesting random fact you stumbled across (Part 1) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 13, 2020, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674 "2020-04-13T03:19:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 128
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2021, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/2548 "2021-08-26T13:47:11Z")
A super-fast roller coaster in Japan is charged with breaking the bones of riders, evidently just due to the triple-digit acceleration: > [@](#): > > # ‘Super Death’ Acceleration Roller Coaster Shut Down For Literally Breaking Riders’ Bones > > Multiple people reported serious injuries after riding Do-Dodonpa at Fuji-Q Highland Park in Japan. > > A [roller coaster](https://www.huffpost.com/life/topic/amusement-parks) in Japan known for its “super death” acceleration to triple-digit speeds was reportedly shut down after riders suffered serious bone fractures. > > Multiple news agencies reported four cases of fractures in the back or neck linked to the Do-Dodonpa coaster at Fuji-Q Highland Park. [Vice reported](https://www.vice.com/en/article/akg8mk/japan-quickest-roller-coaster-fuji-q) at least six cases of fractures in total, including four in the back or neck. > The [BBC described](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-58328336) the four back and neck cases as “[significant injuries,](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-58328336)” including a “cervical fracture and a thoracic spine fracture.” Japan’s [Mainichi newspaper said](https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20210821/p2a/00m/0na/004000c) the riders needed up to three months to recover from their injuries. > > The theme park billed the coaster as [having the world’s fastest acceleration](https://www.fujiq.jp/en/attraction/dododonpa.html), hitting 112 mph in just 1.56 seconds ― or what the company called “super death” acceleration. > > … > > Do-Dodonpa opened in 2001 and was modified in 2017 to make it even faster. The name is an onomatopoeia referring to the sound of drums. Drum sounds are also used around the ride. I suppose it’s only a metter of time before the Euthansia Coaster is a reality > [@](#): > > The **Euthanasia Coaster** is a hypothetical [steel roller coaster](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steel_roller_coaster) designed to kill its passengers.[[1]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euthanasia_Coaster#cite_note-wired-1) In 2010, it was designed and made into a [scale model](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scale_model) by [Lithuanian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithuania) artist Julijonas Urbonas, a [PhD candidate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PhD_candidate) at the [Royal College of Art](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_College_of_Art) in [London](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London). Urbonas, who has worked at an amusement park, stated that the goal of his concept roller coaster is to take lives “with elegance and euphoria”.[[2]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euthanasia_Coaster#cite_note-io9-2) As for practical applications of his design, Urbonas mentioned “[euthanasia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euthanasia)” or “[execution](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Execution)”.[[3]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euthanasia_Coaster#cite_note-urbonas-3) John Allen, who served as president of the [Philadelphia Toboggan Company](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philadelphia_Toboggan_Company), inspired Urbonas with his description of the “ultimate” roller coaster as one that “sends out 24 people and they all come back dead”.[[4]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euthanasia_Coaster#cite_note-4) My favorite line in the real news story: > [@](#): > > The theme park made global headlines last year when it advised patrons to “[please scream inside your heart](https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/07/09/889394605/please-scream-inside-your-heart-japanese-amusement-park-tells-thrill-seekers)” instead of out loud to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. “Please Scream Inside Your Heart” has a nice ring to it. Might make a good title for a horror film. > **['Super Death' Acceleration Roller Coaster Shut Down For Literally Breaking...](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/do-dodonpa-broken-bones_n_612729f6e4b0f562f3da6578)** > > Multiple people reported serious injuries after riding Do-Dodonpa at Fuji-Q Highland Park in Japan. > **[Euthanasia Coaster](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euthanasia_Coaster)** > > The Euthanasia Coaster is a hypothetical steel roller coaster designed as a euthanasia device to kill its passengers. The concept was conceived in 2010 and made into a scale model by Lithuanian artist Julijonas Urbonas, a PhD candidate at the Royal College of Art in London. Urbonas, who has experience as an amusement park employee, stated that the goal of his concept roller coaster is to take lives "with elegance and euphoria". As for practical applications of his design, Urbonas mentioned The... ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2021, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/2549 "2021-08-26T22:27:32Z")
Bizarre…according to the article, the American Chemical Society says it’s true. > **[Your Feet Can Taste Garlic](https://health.howstuffworks.com/mental-health/human-nature/perception/your-feet-can-taste-garlic.htm)** > > After you try this pungent party trick, you'll never doubt the power of garlic. ---
**Author:** ![Dropo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce7236/32.png) [@Dropo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dropo)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2021, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/2550 "2021-08-26T22:30:18Z")
“A teenager who rescued a bumblebee says it is now her loyal pet - sleeping by her bed and even following her to the shops and bowling alley.” > **[Teenager keeps bumble bee as pet after it followed her home](https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/uk-news/teenager-keeps-bumble-bee-pet-21365154)** > > Lacey Shillinglaw, 13, says the bee has refused to leave her side since she rescued her earlier this month ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2021, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/2551 "2021-08-26T22:42:32Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > “please scream inside your heart” That’s a pleasant and polite Japanese alternative to telling people “screaming not permitted”. As a cultural generalization, they prefer to not tell people not to do stuff. And, as a cultural generalization, they think that Americans are rude and ill-mannered for doing so. Much as I enjoyed Japan, it was a relief to get back to Singapore, where I wasn’t the rudest person in the room… Telling people what they should do is generally a more effective management method than telling people what they shouldn’t do, which is part of the reason Japan manages to be more generally polite, in spite of consisting of basically normal human beings. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2021, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/2552 "2021-08-27T13:30:22Z")
What was huge, had four legs and swam in Eocene Oceans? > **[Scientists Find Fossil Of Deadly 4-Legged Whale They Didn’t Know Existed](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/fossil-deadly-4-legged-whale-new-species-egypt-phiomectus-anubis_n_6127c0a1e4b06e5d80caed53)** > > Researchers named the now-extinct creature "Phiomectus anubis" after Anubis, the Egyptian god of death. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2021, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/2553 "2021-08-27T14:11:17Z")
According to something that I heard on the radio this morning, while the writers were researching the role for his biopic, Mister Rogers’ wife Joan revealed that Fred liked to fart in public. Apparently, in social situations, Fred would wink at her, then slyly raise a cheek to let one rip. Also, he apparently loved dirty jokes. ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2021, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/2554 "2021-08-27T14:59:19Z")
Alan Hale Sr., father of ‘The Skipper’ was an inventor of sorts. He came up with greaseless potato chips, sliding theater seats, hand-held fire extinguishers, and a lamp that was supposed to treat athlete’s foot and shingles (eh, OK on that last one). ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2021, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/2555 "2021-08-27T15:08:36Z")
Alan Hale Jr (the Skipper) called people “little buddy” all the time. Series creator Sherwood Schwartz heard him say it on the set and incorporated it into the show. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2021, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/2556 "2021-08-27T15:14:26Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Alan Hale Jr (the Skipper) called people “little buddy” all the time. He loved playing the skipper. He owned a restaurant in LA called The Lobster Barrel. He often dressed up in his skipper clothes and greeted people as they came in. He would also walk around the restaurant, talk to customers, and give out skipper hats to children. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2021, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/2557 "2021-08-27T16:44:38Z")
Three years after The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Harrison Ford got his chest hair waxed for a PSA about saving the rain forest. He didn’t even wince. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/HU2o8hMeQfA/hqdefault.jpg "Conservation.org Harrison Ford PSA") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HU2o8hMeQfA) ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2021, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/2558 "2021-08-27T16:49:07Z")
Pretty sure his body was 40% THC at that time. ---
**Author:** ![Limmin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f04885/32.png) [@Limmin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Limmin)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2021, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/2559 "2021-08-27T18:06:55Z")
> [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](#): > > Harvestmen, aka Daddy Long-legs (in the US, anyway), despite being arachnoid in appearance, are more closely related to scorpions. Speaking of daddy longlegs…I read in an article recently that some scientists deliberately mutated some into “daddy shortlegs.” Controversial, because these critters look pretty helpless… [https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/08/how-scientists-turned-daddy-longlegs-daddy-shortlegs](https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/08/how-scientists-turned-daddy-longlegs-daddy-shortlegs) ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2021, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/2560 "2021-08-27T19:45:27Z")
> [@Limmin](#): > > Speaking of daddy longlegs…I read in an article recently that some scientists deliberately mutated some into “daddy shortlegs.” Controversial, because these critters look pretty helpless… It’s the Munchkin of the Arachnid world! > **[Munchkin cat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Munchkin_cat)** > > The Munchkin, also known as Sausage Cat, is a breed of cat characterized by its very short legs, which are caused by genetic mutation. Compared to many other cat breeds, it is a relatively new breed, documented since 1940s and officially recognized in 1991. The Munchkin is considered to be the original breed of dwarf cat. > Much controversy erupted over the breed when it was recognized by The International Cat Association (TICA) in 1997 with critics voicing concerns over potential health and mobil... ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2021, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/2561 "2021-08-27T21:09:37Z")
Cellophane was originally intended to be a hydrophobic tablecloth. > **[Cellophane](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cellophane)** > > Pages for logged out editors learn more > > > Cellophane is a thin, transparent sheet made of regenerated cellulose. Its low permeability to air, oils, greases, bacteria, and liquid water makes it useful for food packaging. Cellophane is highly permeable to water vapour, but may be coated with nitrocellulose lacquer to prevent this. > Cellophane is also used in transparent pressure-sensitive tape, tubing and many other similar applications. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2021, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/2562 "2021-08-27T21:59:58Z")
The TV show known as “Shark Tank” in the USA and Australia is based on a Japanese program called “Money Tigers.” The British and Canadian versions are called “Dragon’s Den,” in Egypt as “The Project,” in Germany as “The Lion’s Cave,” and in many pother countries under totally different names or the local words for “Shark Tank” or “Dragon’s Den.” ---
**Author:** ![Wallaby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/dc4da7/32.png) [@Wallaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wallaby)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2021, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/2563 "2021-08-28T02:31:02Z")
Let’s be honest - we all want to try this, but we’re all a bit worried that the wife will suddenly come in while we have our feet in plastic bags full of garlic and say ‘Um, is everything all right, darling’? ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2021, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/2564 "2021-08-28T14:32:51Z")
I told the fact to Mrs. L and she said, “Oh yeah, I believe it.” Maybe she’s secretly kinky or something? Speaking of feet: > A Turkish legend says that when Satan left the Garden of Eden after the Fall, onions grew from the spot where he set his right foot and garlic from where he set his left foot. > **[Eating Satan's footprints](https://www.salon.com/1999/10/29/onions/)** > > What can the onion and garlic diet do for you? > Ask, rather, what you can do for Macedonia. ---
**Author:** ![Mark\_Finn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/34f0e0/32.png) [@Mark\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mark_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2021, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/2565 "2021-08-28T16:56:08Z")
The world’s busiest airport for cargo tonnage is Hong Kong. In second place is Memphis. **Late breaking 2020 Covid news** - Memphis is back in [first place](https://www.aircargonews.net/cargo-airport/hong-kong-loses-cargo-hub-top-spot-to-memphis/). ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2021, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/2566 "2021-08-28T18:31:13Z")
Not surprising, FedEx has their ginormous hub there. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2021, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/2567 "2021-08-28T21:28:15Z")
The engine in my 2007 Saturn was running real rough. Long story short, one of the valves in the cylinder head was “burnt.” (And what a fun job it was replacing the _that_. 😖 ) I mentioned this to a friend of mine, and he told me something I didn’t know: every time a valve opens and closes, it is supposed to rotate a little bit. It is designed to do this. The reason is that some areas of the valve head see higher temperatures than other areas, and keeping the valve rotating will evenly distribute the heat load. He hypothesized the failed valve wasn’t rotating. And indeed, there was one spot on the valve that looked like it had been subjected to higher temperatures vs. other areas. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674.md?page=127) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674.md?page=129)