12 Fresh Trivia Tidbits for Monday, August 19, 2024
The World’s First Fetish Cruise
Vancouver’s annual Fetish Weekend will include a 350-person cruise with one rule “No blood or body fluids.” It’s the world’s first fetish cruise (unless your fetish is norovirus).
The Stadium That Turns Heckling Into a Competition
The Los Angeles Clippers’ new Intuit Dome features a microphone in every seat, designed to measure its inhabitant’s decibel level. The loudest and rowdiest fans will be given food and merch discounts.
What Did the First-Ever Vending Machine Vend?
In the 1st century CE, Hero of Alexandria invented the syringe, the steam engine and the world’s first vending machine: a coin-operated device that would pour out a set amount of holy water.
Sandwich Emergency!
Subway called an emergency meeting of its franchisees to discuss how to quit bleeding money. So far, corporate’s best idea is to charge more for their sandwiches. Now is a good time to pray for your local sandwich artist, if you’re so inclined.
America’s Most Walkable Cities
According to Thrillist, the three most walkable cities are Boston, San Francisco and New York.
North Korea Is Open for Business!
After shutting down tourism entirely at the beginning of the pandemic, North Korea has announced it will allow visitors to the city of Samjiyon starting in December.
Walmart Sold a Shit-Ton of Pool Noodles This Summer
CFO David Rainey says Walmart sold enough pool noodles in one season to stretch the length of 30,000 football fields.
Five Arrests Were Made Related to Matthew Perry’s Death
It sounds like the lamest heist team of all time: the North Hollywood "Ketamine Queen" who provided the drugs, the corrupt doctor who made house calls to inject Perry outside of his actual practice and a dastardly personal assistant who facilitated the whole thing.
Medicare Negotiation Will Save Patients Billions Per Year
The Biden-Harris administration just negotiated a massive cost reduction for several of the most-prescribed drugs in the country. It’s been estimated that, had the new prices been in effect in 2023, Americans would have saved $6 billion.
12 Years in Prison for a $52 Donation
Ballerina Ksenia Karelina, who is a dual citizen of Russia and the United States, was sentenced to 12 years in a Russian prison over a $52 donation to Ukraine.
Grok Is a Lawsuit Minefield
Elon Musk’s “anti-woke chatbot” can now generate A.I. images. Musk’s signature lack of filter has allowed users to create all kinds of copyright-infringing images, from family-friendly IP doing drugs to public figures in compromising sexual situations. Watch this space for lawsuit news.
A Kid Invented Anti-Cancer Soap
Time Magazine’s Kid of the Year, Heman Bekele, developed a soap that can administer the anti-tumor drug imiquimod in a more easy, affordable way.