# Tell us an interesting random fact you stumbled across (Part 2) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 25, 2024, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785 "2024-07-25T15:06:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 263
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2026, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/5241 "2026-08-11T13:53:44Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > …and let DJs off the hook for overplaying a single artist. Also the reason for some of the pseudonyms in science fiction, like “Anson McDonald” for Robert A. Heinlein. ---
**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 11, 2026, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/5242 "2026-08-11T18:48:19Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Not at all. All. The quote specifically said that Williams would have had trouble in Southern California, where the number of Hispanics with Mexican ancestry was orders of magnitude above the number of those with Cuban ancestry and which practiced an anti-Mexican semi-official bigotry that was on the level of Jim Crow elsewhere. Williams played for the San Diego Padres in the minors, and the Los Angeles Angels were also part of the Pacific Coast League. Major League teams didn’t exist west of St. Louis until very late in his career. That separated Cuban players from Mexican players both by time and distance. ---
**Author:** ![motu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/motu/32/259_2.png) [@motu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/motu)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2026, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/5243 "2026-08-12T15:58:45Z")
Today I learned about “conductive distraction and de-escalation devices”. The devices are known as the G.L.O.V.E., which stands for Generated Low Output Voltage Emitter, and are manufactured by Compliant Technologies LLC of Lexington, Kentucky. Gloves that can deliver painful electric shocks intended to gain compliance from combative individuals. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2026, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/5244 "2026-08-12T16:12:02Z")
Compliant Technologies You made that up! 😉 ---
**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 12, 2026, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/5245 "2026-08-12T16:54:49Z")
Well, they didn’t resist much. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2026, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/5246 "2026-08-12T18:46:59Z")
> [@motu](#): > > Compliant Technologies LLC Here’s their [website](https://www.complianttechnologies.net/). There are a couple of demo videos. Looks like the GLOVE works as advertised. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2026, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/5247 "2026-08-12T20:00:49Z")
More and more, our world seems like a fourth-rate SF novel. Do I want to know what the Force Continuum is? Their emblem looks like OCP from **Robocop**. ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2026, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/5248 "2026-08-12T21:08:26Z")
That video almost looks staged where the recipients were taking dives when the glove was activated. Facebook keeps showing me videos where belligerent drivers refuse to interact with officers when pulled over and then refuse to get out when ordered and then fighting being forcefully removed. Then fighting being handcuffed on the ground. With a pair of those gloves being utilized, everyone involved is safer and unlikely to be injured. ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2026, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/5249 "2026-08-12T21:21:38Z")
> [@Projammer](#): > > With a pair of those gloves being utilized, everyone involved is safer and unlikely to be injured. Yes, of course, that is the spirit in which those gloves will be used. Safey of the victim was the most important consideration in the developer’s mind all along. \s ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2026, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/5250 "2026-08-12T21:41:16Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > Looks like the GLOVE works as advertised. I partially retract this statement. From their website: > 70% of officers killed with firearms are shot within 10 feet. The G.L.O.V.E. gives officers a non-lethal option at exactly that distance — bringing resisting subjects into compliance in seconds, without lasting harm to anyone involved. I’m not sure how the GLOVE is supposed to disable the Bad Guy from 10 feet away. Or even 5 feet. Are you supposed to throw it at him? ---
**Author:** ![CaveMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cavemike/32/16379_2.png) [@CaveMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaveMike)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2026, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/5251 "2026-08-12T22:05:07Z")
Thanks, that’s interesting! They actually measured that time (as opposed to observing a known time). ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2026, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/5252 "2026-08-12T22:11:58Z")
It seems the dodo bird was not as stupid as has been traditionally suggested: > **[Nocturnal dodo? Study suggests we were very wrong about Mauritius' iconic...](https://www.livescience.com/animals/extinct-species/nocturnal-dodo-study-suggests-we-were-very-wrong-about-mauritius-iconic-flightless-bird)** > > Researchers continue to rage against the dumb-dodo myth with more evidence that the iconic flightless bird was smarter than early accounts suggest ‪—‬ and might have even been nocturnal. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2026, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/5253 "2026-08-12T22:58:59Z")
Their “stupidity” was not being afraid of humans or other land-based predators. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2026, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/5254 "2026-08-12T23:10:42Z")
Rather, more ignorance than stupidity. ---
**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 15, 2026, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/5255 "2026-08-15T16:26:38Z")
The U.S. transcontinental railway was connected on May 10, 1869. The Suez Canal was opened on Nov. 17, 1869. The Indian transcontinental railway was connected on March 7, 1870. The international huzzah at the sudden drastic shortening of world travel was already being celebrated in 1869 when French newspapers, including _Le tour du monde_, ran articles titled “Around the World in 80 Days.” Jules Verne thought that might be an idea for a book. Another idea for a book came from Jean-Jacque Rousseau. He famously had the notion that babies are born in a state of blissful nature but can be corrupted into monsters by their upbringing. He also had a mistress with whom he had several children, each one of which he had transferred to a foundling home at birth. Mary Shelley had studied Rousseau, whom her mother had written about critically, and this gave her an idea for book. It would tell the story of an allegorical “child” who becomes a “monster” because of his abandonment by his “family.” Frankenstein stitched together his creation from various body parts. IOW, he was Rous-seau’d together. Thank you. Tip your waitress. ---
**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 15, 2026, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/5256 "2026-08-15T16:45:38Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > Frankenstein stitched together his creation from various body parts. IOW, he was Rous-seau’d together. Interesting analysis, but I take ssue with this one point. Nothing in Mary Shelley’s book describes Victor sewing together the body from dismembered parts of corpses, as depicted in the 1931 film. He’s described as using animal material, but I picture him as rendering it down into basic components that were then assembled anew into a new being. Sort of like the giant in Clark Ashton Smith’s _The Colossus of Ylorgne_ Despite the fact that one of the very first Frankenstein parodies was entitled “Frankenstitch”. ---
**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 15, 2026, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/5257 "2026-08-15T17:34:25Z")
Never soil a perfect pun with facts. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2026, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/5258 "2026-08-16T15:24:36Z")
There are more grains of sand on earth than there are seconds since the universe began. And there are many orders of magnitude more stars in the known universe than there are grains of sand on the earth. Or so the internet tells me. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2026, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/5259 "2026-08-16T15:26:12Z")
The earth was once a sandwich. In January 2020, a computer science student in New Zealand named Etienne Naude coordinated with a chef in Spain named Angel Sierra via Reddit to place two slices of bread down simultaneously at true mathematical antipodes, at the exact same time to create an earth sandwich. ---
**Author:** ![CaveMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cavemike/32/16379_2.png) [@CaveMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaveMike)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2026, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/5260 "2026-08-16T16:15:04Z")
And to bring it full circle: There have been more zeptoseconds since the universe began then there are stars in the known universe. 😉 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785.md?page=262) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785.md?page=264)